About Mohd Rafi 1924-1980

Mohammed Rafi, (1924-1980), extremely popular Indian playback singer who was idolized during his lifetime. Born in Punjab, he trained under such eminent classical musicians as Ghulam Ali Khan in Lahore. After some radio success, his first recording for a film was in 1944, for the Punjabi Gul Baloch, under the musical director Shyam Sunder. Moving to Bombay, he began working with other music directors including S. D. Burman, Shankar-Jaikishen and, in particular, the famous Naushad Ali, who quickly recognized his talent and gave him his breakthrough to nationwide success. Adapting to a variety of light musical forms to suit the changing style of film music from the 1940s to the 1970s, Rafi's richly expressive, classically trained voice was perhaps used best in songs with a classical element, as in his work with Naushad for Baiju Bawra (1952) and Mughal-e-Azam (1952) and in highly lyrical pieces such as in Pyaasa (1957), Barsaat ki Raat (1960), and Kohinoor (1960). By the 1970s, with more Western disco-style music taking over the screen, his domination of the playback scene waned in favour of singers such as Kishore Kumar. Something of a legend in his lifetime, he has left behind a wealth of superb recordings.

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