Mohammed Rafi’s 10 memorable songs – Times of India

Today is Mohammed Rafi’s death anniversary and it’s been 42 years since the maestro passed away. Through his four-decade long career, Rafi sang more than 7000 songs and his melodious voice enriched the soundtrack of more than a 1000 Hindi films. Not to mention several regional movies and songs which became memorable thanks to his renditions.

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.