Mohd Rafi stands out as one of the most renowned playback singers in the field of Indian film music and has captivated the hearts of millions of music lovers in India and abroad by his enchanting voice for well over a quarter of a century. His songs are innumerable and provide never – ending listening pleasure to his fans. Rafi's 40^th death anniversary falls on 31^st July, and what better way to pay tribute to this great singer than by a fan of his.  

Hyderabad based professional singer and actor Ampili.V. Shridar has found a musical way of fighting the dreaded Covid 19, by pursuing his passion for music, while paying tribute to immortal Rafi.

Everyday since 1^st July, Ampili sings a Mohd. Rafi number and posts it on his Facebook page to be enjoyed by his viewers, the grand finale will be held on 31^st July wherein Ampili would complete 30 songs and on this day he would sing more than 40 songs in order to express his reverence to the great Rafi who mesmerized the entire world with his soul-stirring music.

Ampili says "I was initiated to classical music at a tender age by my parents and also learnt Hindustani classical music and started performing publicly. Later when I drifted to Dubai I also performed for the Indian Association there. Fortunately I could seek the blessings of Rafi when I had a brief glimpse of him while he was admitted at Bombay Hospital in the year 1980. During my several years of singing Rafi Saab was always close to my heart and I sing his songs with lot of involvement and intensity, winning consistent appreciation from the audience, hence now I have settled in Hyderabad and this is my humble tribute to one of the greatest singers India has ever known”. 

Mohd Rafi was born in the village Kotla, near Amritsar in the year 1924 on 24^th December and was the second eldest son of Haji Ali Mohammed and had six brothers, the family drifted to Lahore in the year 1935. As a young boy Rafi was quite inspired by the singing of a fakir in his village. Rafi was nick named “Pheeko" and expressed his passion for music by singing in small social gatherings.

Rafi learnt Hindustani Classical Music from Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pt. Jiwan Lal Mattoo and Firoze Nizami. Young Rafi was quite influenced by the great playback singer K.L Saigal and used to often sing his songs.  Rafi made his debut as a singer along with Zeenat Begum in the Punjabi film "Gul Baloch" for the song  Sooniye Nee Heeriye Nee , music was provided by Shyam Sunder. In Hindi Rafi made his debut in the film "Gaon ki Gori" (1945). One of Rafi's most popular number was "O Duniya K Rakhwale and Man Tadpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj for the film "Baiju Bawra" for which the music was composed by the great Naushad Saab. Rafi proved himself as one of the most versatile and prolific singer of the industry, hence sang for leading composers like S.D Burban, Shanker Jai Kishan, Ravi, O.P Nayyer, Laxmikant Pyare Lal and Kalyanji Anandji.

During 1970's Rafi was afflicted with throat infection, hence stopped singing for sometime but later bounced back actively and won the film world magazine best singer award for the song Teri Gallion Main Na Rakhenge Kadam Aaj Ke Baad for which the music was composed by Usha Khanna. Rafi won Filmfare and National Award for the song Kya Hua Tera Wada for the film "Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahi" for which the music was composed by R.D Burman. Another famous qawwali Parda Hai Parda for the film “Amar Akhbar Anthony" (1977) for which he won rare acclaim.  Rafi married twice and had four sons and three daughters.

On 31st July, 1980 Rafi died due to massive heart attack and his funeral was attended by thousands of people. Nevertheless Rafi will always be remembered by his admirers globally for his melodious and soul- stirring music.

By Guru Vijay Shanker

Guru Vijay Shanker is a professional Kuchipudi - Kathakali exponent, actor, choreographer and arts critic for more than four decades. He can be contacted on 9224220004 or via email on vijaydance@gmail.com