Entertainment News Desk – Abhi Na Jao Chhodkar Kya Hua, Tera Vaada, Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe, Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko, the king of tunes Mohammad Rafi, who has given his brilliant voice in many superhit songs, needs no introduction. Rafi Sahab has fans not only in the country but all over the world. Today is Rafi Sahab’s 100th birth anniversary. On this occasion, we will tell you many interesting stories related to his life.
Used to do Riyaz by imitating the fakir.
Mohammed Rafi was born on 24 December 1924 in Kotla Sultan Singh, Amritsar. Rafi Saheb was the second eldest among six siblings, who was fondly called Fikko at home. Mohammed Rafi belonged to a family where it was not customary to play music, but Rafi Saheb was different. Seeing a fakir singing in the streets of his village, he was so impressed that he would wait at the same place every day to listen to him and then practice imitating that fakir.
Gave live performance at the age of 13
Mohammed Rafi gave his first live performance in 1937 during the All India Exhibition in Lahore at the age of just 13. He got this opportunity by chance. Actually, there was a sudden power failure on the stage, after which the famous singer of that era, Kundanlal Sehgal, refused to sing on the stage. After this the organizers of the program asked Mohammed Rafi to perform. His voice was appreciated by the audience as well as L. Sehgal. He said that this boy will become a great singer one day. After this, director Shyam Sundar offered him to sing in films and he sang his first song ‘Goriye Ni, Heeriye Ni’ from the film Gul Baloch.
Songs sung for 1 rupee
Mohammad Rafi earned name and fame on the basis of his excellent voice, but one very special thing about him was that he was a very shy person. He was so innocent that he never asked the musician how much money he would get for singing, but many times he sang songs for 1 rupee. Apart from being shy, he was also very kind. Once when a widow in his area was going through financial difficulties, to help her, Mohammed Rafi started sending her money in a fake name. This came to light when the woman went to the post office after she stopped receiving the money.
More than 10 thousand people reached the funeral
Mohammad Rafi said goodbye to the world forever on 31 July 1980. After his death, a crowd of more than 10 thousand people gathered at his funeral. Along with this, the Government of India also observed two days of public mourning.
