This legend I believe had the most magical and sweetest voice amongst the famous trio mukesh, Rafi and Kishore.(others are legends in their own right. but rafi is my favourite because of sheer quality and clarity of his sweet voice.
Now to list top twenty is injustice but there are some songs which just stand out. Rafi was simply mesmerising in these songs.
Starting his filmi career with a punjabi song in 1944 this guy had won millions of hearts before his sad demise in 1980, not before he gave over 26000 melodies.
I’ll mention my top ten which has some well known and some lesser knowns( which are close to my heart and which I listen when ever I am free.)
- Maanena yeh mera dil deewana(tereghar ke samne(1962), SD Burman, Hasrat jaipuri):
Nice movie(directed by vijay anand) and awesome songs. this jovial song showcases the freshness of rafi’s voice. this was the time when rafi’s voice was his best. Dev anand- rafi duo have given us some really memorable numbers and this is my top pick of those. check out the video too . really good.
2.Mohabbat Zinda rehti hai(chengiz khan). awesome stuff this. most endearing’Judai song!’ of mine. composed by lesser known music ditector-HANSRAJ BEHL . this gem uses full range of rafi’s voice. perhaps the only other song which pushed rafi to his limits was’oh duniya ke rakhwale’(baiju bawra).
- In baharon mein akeke na phiro(Mamta(1966), Roshan, Majrooh): Perhaps one of the best from rafi- Roshan duo.and surely one of the best romantic duet of rafi - asha
4.Yaad na jaaye(Dil ek mandir, shankar jaikishan, shailendra). beautiful wordings, haunting music and haunting voice. sad song cant get any better. infact Rajendra kumar has das his most of songs sung by rafi. they gave us melodies in movies like’jhku gaya aasaman(all the songs are excellent)’, suraj etc.
Thehriye hosh mein aaon tho chale jaayiyega.(Mohabbat isko kehte hain, khayyam, majrooh). this subtle khayyam masterpiece exposes the softer side of rafi’s voice.so romantic!
Yeh vadiyan yeh fizayen bula rahin hai tumhe(aaj aur kal, 1963, ravi, sahir ludhianwi).Beautiful song from Ravi, penned by the legendary sahir.paragraphs are too good, so are the https://lyrics.
7.Choo lene do nazuk honto ko (kaajal, ravi- sahir ludhianwi) . no words to describe this composition from Ravi. a delight to hear and enjoy.
Ravi I guess was one of those composers who gave us really good numbers but didnt get the recognition they were supposed to get.any song of ravi-sahil duo is worth listening many times.
8.aaja ke intezar mein(Halaku-1956, shankar jaikishan, shailendra). one of the lesser known rafi-lata duets, but the tone of rafi and lata in this numner is really unforgettable
Khuli palak mein jhoota gussa(professor-1962). another peppy romatic song by shankar jaikishan-shailedra duo. infact all the songs of this movie are good. especially’aye gulbadan’ sung by rafi is memorable.
Mein nigahe tere chehre se(aap ki parchaiyan): the best romantic melody according to me, listen how Rafi sings the paragraphs, esp the wordings’tauba tauba’ so romantically. it just sets ur mood.music by Madan mohan cant get any better.
There are a lot more which are right up there amongst the stars.like songs of baiju bawra(Naushad -rafi combi is god!), Aan, Amar, Pyasaa, Mere Mehboob, Kashmir ki Kali, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Taj Mahal, Junglee, Suraj, Dosti and Arzoo etc.
Despite his great success Rafi was a simple, kind hearted and down-to-earth person. Laxmi-Pyare recalled an incident: when they recorded their first ever non-film song, Rafi enquired’Are you both happy?’’Yes’ said the duo. He then gave his entire fees to them and asked them to divide it among themselves.Such was the humility of the legend.
Will we see another Rafi?. perhaps no. even if someone comes close, its is impossible to find another naushad, shankar jaikishan or ravi to get the best out of him.