In Baiju Bawra (1952), he demonstrated his virtuosity and range, while in Pyaasa (1957), he showed the evocative power he could bring to the lyrics. It was his duet with Noor Jehan in Jugnu (1947) that catapulted him as a new star in the playback galaxy, particularly the song Yahan badla wafaka. Celebrities have fans, but Rafi had worshippers some even have ‘Rafi Temples’ in their houses. Rafi still shines like a Polaris on the Indian film music horizon. Saraswati’s abode was in his sublime, divine voice. He had poignantly brought in a range of emotions in his renderings with his exquisite melodious and mellifluous voice for over seven decades. His repertoire ranges from heart-wrenching ballads to fast peppy numbers to classical songs, lamenting melodies to highly romantic songs, qawwalis to ghazals and bhajans to patriotic songs. The singer of the millennium, Mohammed Rafi with his rich tonal voice, versatility and crystal-clear intonations rendered thousands of unique songs.
