Bio Data / Biography
Mohammed Rafi was an Indian playback singer in film industry, he was grandmaster and greatest singer in India. He married with two wife one of the name of his wife ‘Bilquis Bano’ and six children were born by them. Before the partition of India his family lived in Pakistan then he moved in Mumbai for singing. In 1980 the famous singer was died due to cause of heart-attack in the age of 55 years old only. On 24th December in India celebrated his birthday with full of joy.
| Genuine Name | Mohammed Rafi |
| Pet & Nickname | Pheeko, Rafi Sahab |
| Profession Line | Playback Singer |
| Matrimony | Married |
| Marriage Date | In 1943 married with second wife Bilquis Bano |
| Wife | Basheera Bibi (1st wife of Rafi), Bilquis Bano (2nd wife of Rafi) |
| Children | 1st Wife Sons: Saeed 2nd Wife Sons: Khalid, Hamid, Sahid 2nd Wife Daughter: Parveen, Yashmin, Nashreen |
| Cause Of Death | Heart- Attack |
Morphology (Physical Appearance)
| Weight | 85 kg 187 pounds |
| Height | 170 centimeters 1.70 meters 5’feet 7’’inches |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black (Semi-Bald), Minor White |
| Skin Color | Almond |
Career Path
In Lahore his first debut songs with Zeenat Begum as a playback singer “Soniye Nee, Heeriye Nee” in Punjabi film ‘Gul Baloch’ was released in 1944.
Rafi was started his career through hindi film “Gaon Ki Gori” as a play back singer after moved in Mumbai in 1945.
He also appeared in movies for the songs “Tera Jalwa Jis Ne Dekha” in film Laila Majnu.
Rafi sang a song for Mahatma Gandhi after his death in 1948, he prepared a song overnight “Suno Suno Ae Duniyawalon, Baapuji Ki Amar Kahani”.
Including hindi songs he also sung in other languages including English, Farsi, Arabic, Dutch and Sinhalese.
| Year | Songs | Movies |
| 1945 | Aji dil ho kaabu mein | Gaon Ki Gori |
| 1955 | Aa dance Karen thoda romance karein | Khandaan |
| 1960 | Baal bikharein huye gaal nikharein | Mitti Mein Sona |
| 1977 | Pardah Hai Pardha | Amar Akbar Anthony |
| 1980 | Aap To Aise Na The | — |
| 1982 | Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai | — |
Controversy
1962-1963— Famous female singer Lata Mangeshkar raised the issues of playback singer’s share in the royalties. Recognizing Rafi’s position as the leading male playback singer, she wanted him to back her in demanding a half-share from the 5% song royalty that the film’s producer conceded to Select Composers.
Royalty problem makes the problem between the two famous singers, after the clashed of royalty then she decided not to sing a song with Rafi, but the music director talks for to neglect all the disputes between the two singers.
2012- The Times of India news portal covered the interview of Lata Mangeshkar in which she claimed that had a written apology given by Rafi, but Mohammed Shahid Rafi as a son of Rafi refute all the claim, and calling it she dishonour his father’s reputation.
1977- When Lata Mangeshkar got selected in Guinness Book, Rafi raised the objection in entry of Guinness World Record of Lata Mangeshkar, Rafi claimed that Mangeshkar recorded the less number of songs in comparison of him, But after the Death of his, “Most Recording” award gave to the Lata Mangeshkar by Guinness Book Of World Records in 1991, both of the name in Guinness Book were deleted after the death.
Personal Life (History)
Rafi was born in Punjab, Pakistan (british India), he was the second son out of the six brothers, he was inspired first time when he heard the voice of Fakir baba who roamed in his village.
Then he decided learnt a classical music under the Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, and started sing a song first time in public in the age of 13. Later he got offered to work in All India Radio Lahore station as a singer.
He also met in bombay with famous boxer Mohammad Ali.
In 1944, he moved in Bombay (Mumbai), and met with film producers including Abdul Rashid Kardar and director Nazeer.
Rafi Sahab was lived in very crowded area (Behndi Bazar Mumbai) in rented room ten-by-ten foot with Hameed Sahab.
He got opportunity to sing a song in film Gaon Ki Gori (1945) – “Aji dil ho kaabu mein to dildar ki aisi taisi” and recorded other songs with Naushad like “Hindustan Ke Hum Hain”.
| Date of birth | 24th December 1924 (Wednesday) |
| Date of Death | 31 July 1980 (Thursday) |
| Age (till death) | 55 years |
| Birth Place | Lahore, Punjab (British India) [now in Punjab, Pakistan] |
| Death Place | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Birth & Zodiac sign | Capricorn (based on date of birth) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Caste | Sunni Muslim |
| Religion | Islam |
| Hometown Destiny | Lahore, Punjab (British India) [now in Punjab, Pakistan] |
| Address | Rafi Mansion, Mumbai, Maharashtra- India |
| School Academy | Not Known |
| College Name | Not Known |
| Last Qualification | Not Known |
| Food & Dietary habits | Non-Vegetarian |
| Interest & Hobbies | Singing, Playing Badminton, Carom and Flying Kites with siblings |
| Awards | 1948: Silver Medal Award Honored by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (First Prime Minister of India after British rule on the occasion of first Independence day), 1967: Padma Shri, 1977: National Award for Best song “Kya Hua Tera Wada” (film- Hum Kisise Kum Naheen) |
| Net Worth | $ 20-30 million dollar |
Family & Ancestor
Rafi performed Namaz (salah) with his brother in Masjid
| Mother | Allah Rakhi |
| Father | Haaji Ali Mohammed |
| Brothers | Mohammed Safi, Mohammed Deen, Mohammed Ismail, Mohammed Ibrahim, Mohammed Siddique |
| Sisters | Chirag Bibi, Reshma Bibi (baaji) |
Favourite & Beloved thing
| Actor | Rishi Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Kishore Kumar |
| Actress | Rekha, Sadhna, Nargis Dutt, Madhubala |
| Film | Mughal-E-Azam, Aradhana, Guide |
| Singer | Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey |
| Dress | Court Pent |
| Colour | Brown, White and Red |
Luxury Style
He is very fancier in dressing up and luxury cars to buy after the fame.
Car Collection—
Fiat Padmini,
Empala
Some minor known facts about Mohammed Rafi
- Mohammed Rafi does not smoke cigarette and drinks like other singers.
- In early days of singing he influenced makes an idol K.L. Saigal and G.M. Durrani and follow the singing pattern of his Guru.
- He worked with famous music composers including Shankar-Jaikishan, O.P. Nayyar, Ravi, Naushad, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and many others.
- He recorded his last songs “Shaam Phir Kyun Udaas Hai Dost, Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost” with composer Laxmikant- Pyarelal Just before the death.
- When he recorded the song ‘Baabul ki dua Leti jaa’ he cried very long.
- In Bandra (Mumbai) after the death of his “Padma Shri Mohammed Rafi Chowk” was build for in his memory to remind the people.
- In 91st birth anniversary of Rafi sahib his son launched biography songs, Shahid Rafi and Dev decided to wrote the biography then he wrote “Mohammed Rafi- Golden Voice of the Silver Screen”
Also read about Naina Singh, Bobby Deol, Rajinikanth, Sana Khan, Govinda
