Mohammed Rafi

Mohammed Rafi (December 24, 1924 - July 31, 1980) is perhaps the most famous Hindi playback singer of yesteryears. Rafi still remains popular in South Asia and in countries like UK, Kenya, West Indies etc. where South Asian immigrants have settled. He continues to inspire many new Bollywood playback singers like Sonu Nigam.

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December 24 - 1924 - July 31 - 1980 - Hindi - Playback singer - South Asia - UK - Kenya - West Indies - Sonu Nigam

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Along with Lata Mangeshkar, he shares the record for having sung the greatest number of songs, approximately 26,000 during his film career spanning 40 years (from 1940 to 1980) But less than 5,000 songs can be verified. Rafi has also sung a large number of songs with Geeta Dutt and Asha Bhonsle.

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Lata Mangeshkar - Record - 1940 - 1980 - Geeta Dutt - Asha Bhonsle

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His songs ranged from classical numbers to patriotic songs, sad lamentations to highly romantic numbers, qawaalis to ghazals and bhajans, and from slow melancholic tunes to fast fun filled songs. He had a strong command of Hindi and Urdu and a powerful range that could accommodate this variety.

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Classical - Qawaali - Ghazal - Bhajan - Hindi - Urdu

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He sung for Rajendra Kumar and Jeetendra, the tragedy heroes, Dilip Kumar and Bharat Bhushan, comedian Johnny Walker and many more. His voice personified the rebellious image of the star, Shammi Kapoor and also gave expression to smaller and younger heroes like Biswajit and Joy Mukherjee. Rafi has also sung for singer-actor Kishore Kumar in a few movies like Raagini, Baaghi Shehzaada, and Shararat.

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Rajendra Kumar - Jeetendra - Dilip Kumar - Bharat Bhushan - Johnny Walker - Shammi Kapoor - Biswajit - Joy Mukherjee - Kishore Kumar

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