Rafi Saab received a plethora of awards and honours through his career, including the Padma Shri by the government of India. He also won multiple Filmfare Awards and a much-deserved National Award as well. Connoisseurs of his music will tell you that Rafi Saab could sing any song from any genre of music. That’s why, through his long and illustrious career, he sang everything from romantic numbers to dance tracks, to patriotic songs, bhajans, ghazals, qawalis and more.
It is impossible to curate a limited playlist from Mohammed Rafi’s titanic body of work, but on his death anniversary today, ETimes brings you 10 songs that have continued entertaining fans and followers over the years. Here’s the list…
Jo Wada Kiya Woh Nibhana Padega
This memorable romantic number from 1963’s Taj Mahal featuring Pradeep Kumar and Bina Rai is a veritable classic. With Roshan’s music and Lata Mangeshkar contributing to the duet, this one is an evergreen song alright.
Yeh Duniya Agar Mill Bhi Jaye
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z6Lr0JYAro
Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa is the golden classic that every movie buff can swear by. Mohammed Rafi’s rendition of the somber Teh Duniya Agar Mill Bhi Jaye had the perfect soul to support the pain and solitude of Dutt’s character in the film.
Deewana Hua Badal
This romantic number from the Kashmiri paradise featured Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore. Thanks to Rafi saab’s soulful singing, this soft song features Shammi’s more subdued but very abundant charisma. And what can one say about OP Nayyar’s composition. Simply mesmerizing.
Baharon Phool Barsao
The quintessential romantic drama of Baharon Phool Barsao featuring Rajendra Kumar and Vyjayanthimala continues to enthrall genre faithfuls to date. Mohammed Rafi’s voice suited Rajendra Kumar’s on-screen charm to the T.
Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki
Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki Naa Jaane Tum Kab Aaoge from Madhubala’s Dulari (1949) is a real gem from the golden age of Hindi movies. This song’s Naa Jaane Tum Kab Aaoge segment is far more popular than its prefixed mukhda and the hero Suresh, on whom this song was picturised is also a real hidden gem.
Teri Bindiya Re
This timeless classic from Abhimaan had an overdose of talent, both on and off screen. It was the pairing of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan that caught the audience’s attention, while the voices of Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar enchanted the listeners.
Kya Hua Tera Vaada
Hum Kisise Kum Naheen had some memorable tracks, but no other song stood out like Kya Hua Tera Vaada featuring the top-notch vocals of Rafi saab. This magnificent number even fetched a much-deserved National Award for Mohammed Rafi.
Ye Chaand Sa Roshan Chehra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VueN49P7JyU
Possibly the most famous song of Shammi Kapoor’s illustrious career, Ye Chaand Sa Roshan Chehra has the most infectious energy and verve from all of Rafi saab’s offerings. This song from Kashmir Ki Kali is an absolute riot of timeless goodness.
Chaudhvin Ka Chand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRbBORKhGYg
It’s a sight to behold, seeing Guru Dutt serenading an ehereal Waheeda Rehman singing Chaudhvin Ka Chand. And the emotion and delight in this song comes from Mohammed Rafi’s classical singing.
Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko
Music directors Shanker-Jaikishen’s Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko needed the peppy and fluid voice of Mohammed Rafi to create the perfect allure in this song from the 1961 hit Sasural. Rajendra Kumar was at his handsome best in this black and white number.
