Forty four years after Mohammed Rafi's untimely demise on July 31, 1980, at the young age of 55, the singer's work continues to enjoy a musical afterlife on radio, television and modern streaming channels.
Lauch of Mohammed Rafi Academy on his 30th death anniversary.
On his birth anniversary on December 24, we present excerpts from the book written by his daughter-in-law Yasmin K Rafi called Mohammed Rafi My Abba A Memoir.
The incomparable Mohammed Rafi would have turned 93 today, December 24. Raju Bharatan salutes the legend.
'Her voice was very rich in timbre and at the same time very soothing.'
Playback singer Suman Kalyanpur, whose voice often drew comparisons to Lata Mangeshkar, passed away at 89, leaving behind a legacy of popular Bollywood songs from the 1960s and 70s.
'People say my father was scared of Kishore Kumar. That is untrue. There are so many songs that my father told the composers to let some other singer sing because they too are good.'
Suman Kalyanpur, known for her melodious voice and soulful renditions, was laid to rest with full state honours in Mumbai.
'Imagine the pain of hearing your own song on the radio, yet your name isn't mentioned. Or someone else's name being credited for your voice.' 'Even on record covers, her photograph was often absent while others were prominently featured.' 'These are wounds any artist would carry deeply.'
Words can barely capture the depth and beauty of Asha Bhosle's voice, at once ethereal and ineffable. Her demise has created a void but the songs she sang will never die.
'I have just completed the script and now I will look for the actor who is convincing as the great Rafisaab.'
'He used to do his homework before singing a song.' 'He used to find out who the hero of the movie would be or the situation in which the song would play in the film.' 'Accordingly, he moulded his voice.' 'For example, he sang Tel Maalish and Main Bambai Ka Babu for Johnny Walker in Johnny Walker style.' 'He would sing in different tones for Shammi Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Guru Dutt.'
Kamini Kaushal was one of the top three heroines of the 1940s, alongside Suraiya and Nargis. Dinesh Raheja lists 10 songs that defined her career.
In this special series, Dinesh Raheja explores prominent music duos, and the dynamics that went into the making, and the unmaking.
Shreekant Sambrani tells himself over and over again, don't lose heart in these dire times, there is asha (hope) still, in the divine voice of Asha Bhosle.
Veteran playback singer and actress Sulakshana Pandit passed away on Thursday evening after a prolonged illness, her family said. She was 71.
'When you reach a good point in your life, you should never forget the struggle that got you there. I haven't. That is why I have not become swollen-headed.'
We invited readers to share how they used their first salary. Here are some of the responses we received.
Seeking to continue their confident start to the tournament, a well-balanced India will begin as firm favourites despite facing a tricky Bangladesh in their second match of the ICC U-19 World Cup, in Bulawayo, on Saturday.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli, now a Union Territory, were occupied by the Portuguese in 1783 and 1785, respectively. They continued to be ruled by the Portuguese till an armed revolution liberated them, and the Tricolour was unfurled at Silvassa on 2 August 1954.
'The new generation has heard Kishore Kumar's voice in Saiyaara or some other thing. That is not fair, man.' 'They should hear his songs that he has sung in his time, which came out of his throat, came out of his sensibilities.'
'Once when he was on a flight, the plane hit an air-pocket.' 'The turbulence outside caused it to see-saw violently which caused a lot of panic inside. While his co-passengers were crying and praying for their lives, Salil kaku was writing a song in his head.'
The late legend would have turned 90 today.
'K Asifsaab was very definite that 'woh Hindustan ka honewala Badshah hai -- woh gana nahin gayega.'
Mohammed Rafi's His youngest son Shahid Rafi remembers his father.
Promising striker Mohammed Rafi got the axe as India on Monday announced a 23-member squad, to be captained by Bhaichung Bhutia, for the Asian Cup football tournament starting on January 7 in Doha, Qatar.
Elitist critics dismissed him as a workhorse compared to singing thoroughbred Mohammed Rafi. For all that, Mahendra Kapoor -- who passed away on September 27 -- stayed the course, with a hoi-polloi following of his own, through 50 years. As a playback artiste of rare mental discipline, Kapoor never really went away.
Rafisaab's memory is as alive as ever in his devoted fans' minds.
Here's what your favourite Bollywood celebrities are tweeting
Shankar Mahadevan questions Ustad Ghulam Ali at his first radio interview.
Long before she won royalty rights for playback singers, there was an undisclosed incident in Lataji's life where she not only put a male colleague in place, but also refused to sing with him thereafter.
Subhash K Jha celebrates the Ram Mandir pran pratishtha ceremony by picking some memorable Ram bhajans from movies you may not have heard of.
'Finally it was S D Burman who brought us together.'
Bollywood is such an integral part of Mumbai that it spills out in the city's busy streets!
'Rafi was singing for Hanuman and I was singing for Ravan.' 'C Ramachandra corrected Rafisaab and he became red in the face.' 'I asked Anna (Ramachandra), "How could you do this?"' 'He replied, "How could I not do this? My song was being spoilt".'
She sang the chartbusters Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche in Brahmachari, Tumse Oh Haseena Kabhi Mohabbat Na Maine Karni Thi in Farz and Ajhu Na Aaye Balma in Saanjh Aur Savera.
'Some time back, music was just noise.' 'Producers wrongly think item songs sell better.' 'Audiences are intelligent, they accept whatever you give, but that doesn't mean you can fool them.'
The 55th International Film Festival of India kicked off in India's party venue, Goa, and the stars added to the dazzle.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances