In early 40s, Late Kundan Lal ( KL) Saigal was the King of Bollywood. Then stars sung their own songs. He was a superstar actor and singer. Once, while recording, a young lad was made to sing in his presence and the producer asked Saigal, Sirji, your opinion please. Had it been Mr. Khan of today,( and I am not naming – which) seeing that the lad had volcanic talents would have dismissed is future competitor. But Saigal said “ Arey, ye bagicha kaha se le aye. He is the future superstar of Music. Pick him up.

This lad, Mohammad Rafi, became the superstar and literally reigned and ruled for Three decades.

What made him different from his contemporaries who were no less great, is the RANGE Rafi had – from A to Z. Only singer of all time to have it. No note, no mood, no situation, no scale in which Rafi could not deliver. And the voice-expression was so tremendous, when he sang for Dilip kumar, those sad songs, u felt rafi was a sad lean man. When he sung those fun-filled ones for Johny walker and Shammi, u wld be shoked.


He sang for every one – from Dilip kumar to Rishi Kapur. Even 3 songs for Kishore Kumar !

Also the difference was his detachment from glamour and show-biz. No partying, No boozing, no women, no controversy. Nothing. Would donate regularly. So humble, down to earth.

He left us this date, in 1980. No one before, no one after, has managed to reach half the heights.

Salaam Rafi Sahab.

oh..and he died relatively young too isnt it..ther was so much more he cud hav done..so many songs he cud hav sung..

love his soothing silky voice..and together with kishore kumar. lata and asha, it must hav been the golden period of hindi music!!

YES aLL genuine music lovers today envy the oldie lovers because in the 50s and 60s, it was the cream of music - the best writers, musicians and singers of all time, were active in those 2 decades, especially.

not fair. some should have come late for young people.

unfortunately, they are bombarded with ' baranna de' ' tan tana tan ' types.