SCIONS of musical families or gharanas do not find it difficult to get acclaim and popularity for their contribution to music as people link them with icons in the family. For instance, Asad and Shafqat Amanat Ali made a mark in singing with their own talent and brilliance but they are still referred to as sons of Ustad Amanat Ali Khan.

Mohammad Rafi, legendary playback singer of India, died 35 years ago on July 31, 1980. Despite the fact that none of his siblings and other family members had any interest in singing, Rafi not only penetrated into Bombay’s competitive film industry in1942 but soon established himself as its leading playback singer.

Ace composer Naushad Ali, who had already launched his career successfully as a music director of repute, developed such a liking for Rafi’s voice and singing style that the latter would be his first choice as male playback singer in films.

Rafi’s voice was powerful with a wide range. He had a unique style and would be at ease with all types of songs which he would render with immense feelings.

Some of Mohammad Rafi’s songs depicting different moods and situations in films which were super hits are as follows: Chun chun karti aayi chidya (film: Ab Dilli Door Naheen), Babul ki duayen leti ja (Neel Kamal), Abhi na jao chor kar (Hum Dono), Baar baar dekho, hazaar baar dekho (Chinatown), Din dhal jaey haey raat na jaey (Guide), Mein rickshawwala, mein rickshawwala (Chotti Behan), Na to caravan ki talaash hai (Barsaat Ki Raat) and Madhuban mein radhika nachay re (Koh-e-Noor).

Singing patterns in present-day films have changed as situational singing, which used to be an integral part of films in the golden era of music, has almost extinguished. Still people from that era listen to Rafi’s songs with the same interest now combined with nostalgia, which they would display when those songs were initially released.

Once Naushad had aptly remarked that there could never be another Mohammad Rafi. Mahinder Kapoor, a contemporary of Rafi and introduced as his substitute, was not even comparable. Innumerable singers have tried to emulate his style but no one could match his voice and singing prowess.

Parvez Rahim

Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2015

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