Mohammed Rafi: The singer lives on

Brilliant playback singer Mohammad Rafi died at the age of 55 on July 31, 1980. One would expect that his songs would die with him but no, older generations of music lovers still go into ecstasies as they recall  memorable songs like “Chaudhvin ka chand”, “Jo wada kiya vo” or “Kya hua tera wada”. Even as they lament the eminently forgettable numbers –and average singers—in contemporary Bollywood films they continue to hum Rafi's wide repertoire of classical numbers, patriotic renditions, romantic songs and sad songs, qawwalis and bhajans.

What made Rafi so special? Not only was he comfortable with any genre of music, he had the unique ability to add to the character of the actor who lip synched the song in a movie. Even average actors like Biswajit (Pukarta chala hoon main), Bharat Bhushan (Zindagi bhar nahin bhoolegi wo barsat ki raat), Joy Mukherjee (Bade miyan deewane) acquired a standing because of Rafi's playbacks. On Rafi's 32nd death anniversary, actor Ambitabh Bachchan wrote on his blog, “What can one possibly say on one that possessed perfection. His voice gave voice to many, to build their character and position.”

Compiled by Cultural Correspondent