All posts tagged: Rafi

How Suman Kalyanpur’s career peaked after Lata Mangeshkar’s fallout with Mohammed Rafi | Bollywood News

How Suman Kalyanpur’s career peaked after Lata Mangeshkar’s fallout with Mohammed Rafi | Bollywood News

Published by Parlour News

4 min readMumbaiJun 1, 2026 03:43 PM IST Veteran singer Suman Kalyanpur, who gave her voice to hits such as “Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche” and “Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhin Se” among others, passed away at the age of 89 on Sunday evening at her residence due to age-related issues. Kalyanpur gained popularity with her melodious voice between the 1960s and 1970s. She managed to create a niche for herself alongside the top singer of the time, Lata Mangeshkar. Rift between Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi But her career peaked at the time when Lata Mangeshkar had a fallout with legendary vocalist Mohammed Rafi. The two had an argument over royalty issues back in the 1960s. As Lata led the movement to get royalties for all singers, top singers like her, Mukesh, and Talat Mehmood decided to boycott HMV, the biggest music banner of the time, which imposed the burden of paying royalties on the producers instead. However, Rafi continued to sing for HMV, much to Lata’s disappointment. “Rafi sahab was instigated into …

‘Cold war’ between Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar had them banning each other for 3 years, contesting each other’s Guinness Book claims | Bollywood News

‘Cold war’ between Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar had them banning each other for 3 years, contesting each other’s Guinness Book claims | Bollywood News

Published by Parlour News

Hindi film music has been a part of our movies ever since we started making talkies in the 1930s. By the 1940s, when the music industry started to develop its legs and composers, singers and lyric writers started to gain prominence, there were a few titans that emerged, who continued to rule the space for the next few decades. Amongst the singers, Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar became the voices that became synonymous with Hindi film music. Sure, other singers were respected just as much, but the kind of popularity that Rafi and Lata experienced was unmatched. And it was, perhaps, this popularity that led to a few clashes between them. So much so that the two did not even record with each other for three years, and for singers in their prime, who were known to sing every other song with each other, this was a lifetime. Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi first recorded with each other in 1947. The song was called ‘Chalo Ho gayi Tayyar’ and it was a part of a …

Subhash Ghai & Sonu Nigam pay tribute to Mohammed Rafi

Subhash Ghai & Sonu Nigam pay tribute to Mohammed Rafi

Published by Webster

In a heartfelt tribute to mark the 100th birth anniversary of the legendary playback singer Mohammed Rafi, Whistling Woods International and its Chairman Subhash Ghai announced the launch of the Mohd Rafi Music Scholarship at the inaugural ceremony of Cadence Music Festival 2025 on Monday.  The evening witnessed an emotional and celebratory atmosphere as industry veterans and dignitaries came together to honour the icon. The scholarship was announced in the presence of Shahid Mohd. Rafi, son of the legendary singer. Subhash Ghai, who was deeply moved during the event, shared a personal memory saying, “In this world, there were very few like Mohd. Rafi Saahab. Thank you to the students of Whistling Woods International for organising `Cadence.` Thank you to Sonu ji, Mohd. Shahid ji, and Ashish ji for gracing the stage. I was roughly eight when someone asked me, `Can you sing?` and I hummed Rafi Saahab`s song. Rafi Saahab`s voice had a soul, and through this scholarship, we aim to inspire the next generation of singers.” Sonu Nigam paid a glowing tribute, saying, …

I Told Music Directors, Rafi Saab Ke Sath Gana Nahi Hai

I Told Music Directors, Rafi Saab Ke Sath Gana Nahi Hai

Published by Parlour News

Lata Mangeshkar Once Slammed Mohammed Rafi For Mocking Her(Photo Credit – Wikipedia) Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi are two of the music legends of the music world, and they have sung several remarkable songs together. She was one of the first singers to take a stand about singers taking royalties from producers for their songs. It is still a testy matter, but Lata was already an established singer back then and thus had the confidence to slam Mohammed Rafi for mocking her. Rafi reportedly refused to sing with her, so to learn more details, stick to the end of the article. Lata is considered one of the greatest and most influential singers of all time in India who received multiple honorific titles such as Queen of Melody, Nightingale of India, and Voice of the Millennium. Similarly, Rafi is renowned for his versatility and range of voice. He molded his voice to match the actor’s on-screen vibe. Both of them were and will always be great music legends. According to News 18’s report, an old interview …

PM Narendra Modi remembers Raj Kapoor, Mohd Rafi, ANR, Tapan Sinha in 2024’s last Mann Ki Baat | Bollywood

PM Narendra Modi remembers Raj Kapoor, Mohd Rafi, ANR, Tapan Sinha in 2024’s last Mann Ki Baat | Bollywood

Published by Webster

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday remembered the four icons of Indian cinema Raj Kapoor, Mohammed Rafi, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Tapan Sinha in their birth centenary year in his last Mann Ki Baat address of 2024. (Also Read: Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Karisma pose for an iconic family picture at RK Film Festival) PM Modi paid tribute to Raj Kapoor and other Indian icons. PM Modi on Indian icons Speaking in his monthly radio broadcast, the prime minister said: “In 2024, we are celebrating the birth centenary of several film personalities who were instrumental in bringing global recognition to the country… The lives of these personalities is a source of inspiration for our film industry.” “Through his films, Raj Kapoor ji made the world aware of India’s soft power,” Modi said. Mohd Rafi‘s magical voice would touch the heart of every listener, added the prime minister. “He had an incredible voice. Be it devotional songs, romantic songs or sad songs, he made every emotion come alive with his voice. …

100 years of Mohammed Rafi: Remembering the giant

100 years of Mohammed Rafi: Remembering the giant

Published by Parlour News

Mohammed Rafi, a Punjabi by heritage, was the second eldest of six brothers born to Allah Rakhi and Haji Ali Mohammad in a Punjabi Jat Muslim family. The family hailed from Kotla Sultan Singh, a village located near present-day Majitha in the Amritsar district of Punjab, India. Known by the nickname “Pheeko,” Rafi’s musical journey began by mimicking the chants of a fakir who would roam the streets of his native village. In 1935, Rafi’s father moved to Lahore, where he ran a men’s barbershop in Noor Mohalla, Bhati Gate. It was here that Rafi studied classical music under the guidance of Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pandit Jiwan Lal Mattoo, and Firoze Nizami. At the age of 13, Rafi had his first public performance, singing in Lahore alongside KL Sagal. And yet this singer, having his roots in Punjab, could sing in Bhojpuri like a native. Ab aayi gavanwa kii sari, from a non-film album, is a prime example of that. Songs like Nain lad jaiyen (Gunga Jumna, 1961), Mere pairon mein ghunghroo (Sunghursh, 1968), …

Mohammed Rafi 100th birth anniversary: A song for every mood

Mohammed Rafi 100th birth anniversary: A song for every mood

Published by Webster

Back in the early 1970s, during the black n` white Doordarshan era, one often saw actor Bharat Bhushan in the song ‘Man Tadapat’ from the 1952 film ‘Baiju Bawra’. Over time, the other details became familiar—it was sung by Mohammed Rafi to the tune composed in raag Malkauns by Naushad for words written by Shakeel Badayuni. Those days, another song was popular on the radio. ‘O Haseena Zulfonwali’, also sung by Rafi, but this time for an R D Burman creation written by Majrooh Sultanpuri in the 1966 film ‘Teesri Manzil’, was a complete contrast, with its sheer energy depicted by Shammi Kapoor. Though it was the period Rajesh Khanna was ruling the screen, with most of his hits sung by Kishore Kumar, there were many Rafi songs that ruled the airwaves. Those melodies are popular even today, as we celebrate the legendary singer`s birth centenary. Some 60 or 70 years after they were recorded, the tunes are still part of talent hunt contests, prominent on streaming platform playlists and sung at tribute shows by …

Mohammed Rafi 100th Birth Anniversary: Legendary Singer’s Last Song And Top 10 Hits

Mohammed Rafi 100th Birth Anniversary: Legendary Singer’s Last Song And Top 10 Hits

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Last Updated:December 24, 2024, 06:30 IST Mohammed Rafi Birth Anniversary: From classical melodies to deeply romantic tunes, Rafi’s contribution to music remains unparalleled, and his songs continue to resonate across generations. Mohammed Rafi recorded his last song just hours before he took his last breath. Mohammed Rafi – the legendary singer – needs no introduction. In 1944, he took a train to Bombay (Present-day Mumbai) to fulfil his dream of becoming a singer and the rest is history. And, little did he know back then that his soulful voice would enchant millions in the years to come. From classical melodies to deeply romantic tunes, Rafi’s contribution to music remains unparalleled, and his songs continue to resonate across generations. In his career spanning close to 40 years, he gave his voice to 7,000 songs in several languages. This year marks Mohammed Rafi’s 100th birth anniversary. On this special occasion, check out which was the legendary singer’s last song and his top 10 songs. Last Song Of Mohammed Rafi In 1945, Mohammed Rafi made his debut as …

Sonu Nigam praises late Mohd Rafi for Bhajan singing skills, ‘Inka dharam parivartan kaise hojaata hai…’

Sonu Nigam praises late Mohd Rafi for Bhajan singing skills, ‘Inka dharam parivartan kaise hojaata hai…’

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Mohammed Rafi remains to be one of the most iconic and legendary singers Bollywood has ever seen. Even now, his music is still appreciated. Chand Mera Dil Chandni Ho Tum, Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe, Kya Hua Tera Vada, Diwana Hua Badal and many more are some of the most iconic songs by Mohd Rafi. At the recently concluded 55th Edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, Mohammed Rafi was honoured. A special session was held titled Asmaan Se Aaya Farishta – A Tribute to Mohd Rafi – The King of Melody. Sonu Nigam paid the legendary singer a tribute and also praised him for the varied kind of songs he has sung. Also Read – Not Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal or Sonu Nigam, this singer is the highest-paid in India and charges Rs…. Sony Nigam talks about Mohammed Rafi’s music Sonu Nigam at the event praised Mohd Rafi for having the ability to adapt his voice for actors for across generations as he has sung for celebrities like Dilip Kumar, Johnny Walker, …

After Kishore Kumar biopic, Mohd. Rafi’s life to be portrayed on-screen; son Shahid Rafi to make big announcement soon

After Kishore Kumar biopic, Mohd. Rafi’s life to be portrayed on-screen; son Shahid Rafi to make big announcement soon

Published by Parlour News

After the buzz around legendary singer Kishore Kumar’s biopic, music lovers who loved the 60s era have a new reason to celebrate. Recently, at the International Film Festival of India, iconic singer Mohammed Rafi’s son, Shahid Rafi, announced that he will soon make an official announcement on a biopic on his late father’s life on his birth centenary on December 24, 2024. At the ongoing film festival, a special tribute was paid to the legendary singer, where Rafi’s significant impact on the music industry was discussed. Speaking at the special session, titled Aasmaan Se Aaya Farishta—Mohammed Rafi: The King of Melody, the legendary singer’s son confirmed that they will soon make a biopic on the Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai singer.  Moreover, he also revealed that he and the filmmaker Umesh Shukla are negotiating for making the film. For those unaware, Shukla has made popular films like Akshay Kumar starrer OMG—Oh My God! and Amitabh Bachchan starrer 102 Not Out. He stated, “An announcement will be made in December. I am making a biopic on Rafi sahab. …