Mohammed Rafi was one of the greatest singers of India. Even though he passed away 29 years ago, his golden voice will live forever in the minds and hearts of music lovers. Today’s great singers like S P Balasubramanyam and Sonu Nigam do not hide the fact that they consider Rafi as their guru. Here’s a selection of twenty of my favourite songs of Rafi. There is no order or ranking, it is a list of few of my favourites:
1. Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra Zulfon Ka Rang Sunehra ...... Tarif Karoon Kya Uski from Kashmir Ki Kali shows the versatility of Rafi, the ending of the song, where Rafi sings the same lines in different moods is amazing https://youtube.com/watch?v=txv7RCe8DXM
2. Maina Poocha Chanda Se Ki Dekha Hain Kahi from Abdullah is one of Rafi’s last songs and the richness in his voice and the melody is simply wonderful. https://youtube.com/watch?v=tzuCHSpQaPQ
3. Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho To Jahan Mil Gaya from Hanste Zakhm is an intoxicating song, the voice of Rafi. https://youtube.com/watch?v=rez1FB1xFSQ
4. Dil Ke Jharoke Mein from Brahmachari is a soulful song, listen to the high notes in the song and the ease with which Rafi has sung it. https://youtube.com/watch?v=j9NQm07lReA
5. Baar Baar Dekho Hazar Baar Dekho from Chinatown is a typical Shammi Kapoor special sung with ease by the maestro. https://youtube.com/watch?v=k6pYkSh2NcA
6. Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahen from Junglee is the most famous Rafi-Shammi song and is one of the all-time greats. https://youtube.com/watch?v=AfOYl4uLKEk
7. Madhuban Me Radhika Naache Re from Kohinoor is a classical special by Rafi, the song proves the mastery of Rafi over classical music. https://youtube.com/watch?v=TIWtdQwaoz0
8. Tere Galyon Me Na Rakhenge Kadam Aaj Ke Baad from Hawas is one of my favourites with music by Usha Khanna, this song has Rafi at his best. https://youtube.com/watch?v=g_zlzrcS6N8
9. Teri Pyari Pyari Soorat Ko from Sasural is a simple romantic song sung with aplomb with the master Rafi picturised on Rajendra Kumar and Kannada superstar Saroja Devi. https://youtube.com/watch?v=CZnKuXO0oAk
10.Sar Jo Tera Chakraye Ya Dil Dooba Jaye from Pyaasa is a famous comedy song sung by Rafi picturised on Johnny Walker. https://youtube.com/watch?v=nT-QU2ETeWw
11. Chaudvin Ka Chand Ho from Chaudvin Ka Chand is a classic love song which won Rafi one of his many filmfare awards. https://youtube.com/watch?v=U9Vw2fL1Hw4
12. Choo Lene Do Nazuk Hothon Ko from Kaajal is a Madan Mohan special. Listen to the intoxicating voice of Rafi. https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ce2Fzj7RxE4
13. Yeh Mera Prem Patra Pakdkar from Sangam is one of the few songs sun by Rafi for a Raj Kapoor film. https://youtube.com/watch?v=3saRiN-3EeA
14. Wada Karle Sajana Tere Bin Maina Rahoo from Haath Ke Safai is one of the greatest duets sung by Rafi with Lata. https://youtube.com/watch?v=wIIbPOnpSdI
15. Pukarta Chala Hoon Main from Mere Sanam is a typical O P Nayyar special which showcases Rafi’s multifaceted singing and is one of my all-time favourite songs. https://youtube.com/watch?v=OkvX1yBmmYc
16. Nain Lad Jaihen To Manvama from Ganga Jamuna is a Rafi-Naushad-Dilip Kumar classic. Listen to the naughtiness in Rafi’s voice. https://youtube.com/watch?v=UKGhcTDEOcM
17. Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya from Hum Dono is one of the numerous hits Rafi has sung for Dev Anand https://youtube.com/watch?v=z1sAbwYtWRg
18. Lal Chadi Maidan Khadi from Janwar is yet another energetic song from the Rafi-Shammi combination. https://youtube.com/watch?v=_NPkcfY4s2Y
19. Dard-e-Dil Dard-e-Jigar from Karz is a mellifluous Ghazal by Laxi-Pyare and only Rafi could have done justice to this song. https://youtube.com/watch?v=OnwKQetFoTE
20. Lata and Rafi had a major feud in the 1960s and didn’t sing together for almost 3 years. S D Burman brought them together in Dil Pukare aa re aa re aa re from Jewel Thief. https://youtube.com/watch?v=I-9AR1q_XzA