Who Is Mohammed Rafi? Age, Biography and Wiki
Mohammed Rafi was born on December 24, 1924, in Kotla Sultan Singh, Amritsar, Punjab, India. He gained fame as a playback singer in Hindi cinema during the mid-20th century, becoming an iconic figure in Indian music. With an impressive career that spanned over three decades, Rafi's melodious voice captured the hearts of millions. He passed away in 1980, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence artists today.
- Full Name: Mohammed Rafi
- Date of Birth: December 24, 1924
- Date of Death: July 31, 1980
| Occupation | Singers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 24, 1924 |
| Age | 55 Years |
| Birth Place | Kotla Sultan Singh, Punjab, British India (present-day Punjab, India) |
| Horoscope | Capricorn |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 31 July, 1980 |
| Died Place | Bombay, Maharashtra, India |
Popularity
Mohammed Rafi's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While there isn't much detailed information available about Mohammed Rafi's height and weight, he was known for his humble demeanor and charismatic presence, both on and off the stage. His music, however, remains his most prominent legacy.
- Height: Not available
- Weight: Not available
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Mohammed Rafi was married to his wife, Bilquis Rafi. Together, they had four children. Rafi was known for his deep commitment to his family, often prioritizing them over his burgeoning music career. His relationships were characterized by warmth and affection, and he remains a beloved figure in his family's life even years after his passing.
- Wife: Bilquis Rafi
- Children: 4
Mohammed Rafi was the second eldest of six brothers born to Allah Rakhi and Haji Ali Mohammad in a Punjabi Jat Muslim family. The family originally belonged to Kotla Sultan Singh, a village near present-day Majitha in Amritsar district of Punjab, India.
Rafi, whose nickname was Pheeko, began singing by imitating the chants of a fakir who roamed the streets of his native village Kotla Sultan Singh. Rafi's father moved to Lahore in 1935, where he ran a men's barbershop in Noor Mohalla in Bhati Gate. Rafi learnt classical music from Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pandit Jiwan Lal Mattoo and Firoze Nizami.
His first public performance came at the age of 13, when he sang in Lahore featuring K. L. Saigal. In 1941, Rafi made his debut in Lahore as a playback singer in the duet "Goriye Nee, Heeriye Nee" with Zeenat Begum in the Punjabi film Gul Baloch (released in 1944) under music director Shyam Sunder.
In that same year, Rafi was invited by All India Radio Lahore station to sing for them.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, Mohammed Rafi had amassed a substantial fortune through his prolific music career. As of 2025, his estimated net worth is believed to be around $5 million. Rafi's contributions to music and film earned him numerous awards and accolades, further cementing his position as one of India's richest and most respected artists.
Once, when composer Nisar Bazmi, who once worked with Laxmikant-Pyarelal before he had migrated to Pakistan, didn't have enough money to pay him, Rafi charged a fee of one rupee and sang for him. He also helped producers financially. As Laxmikant once observed – "He always gave without thinking of the returns".
Career, Business and Investments
Mohammed Rafi's career began in 1944, and over the years, he recorded thousands of songs across various genres, including ghazals, bhajans, and qawwalis. He worked with many legendary composers and lyricists, which contributed to his success. In addition to playback singing, Rafi ventured into music direction and founded a music academy that focuses on nurturing young talent.
- Career Highlights:
- Recorded over 7,000 songs in multiple languages
- Collaborated with prominent music directors like Naushad, S. D. Burman, and Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
- Awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, in 1967.
He recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and in many Indian languages as well as some foreign languages, though primarily in Urdu and Punjabi, over which he had a strong command.
He recorded as many as 7,000 songs throughout his career, spanning several languages such as Konkani, Assamese, Bhojpuri, Odia, Bengali, Marathi, Sindhi, Kannada, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Magahi, Maithili, etc.
Apart from Indian languages, he also sang in some foreign languages, including English, Persian, Arabic, Sinhala, Mauritian Creole, and Dutch.
Social Network
Despite being a timeless figure in Indian music, Mohammed Rafi does not have active social media profiles due to the era he thrived in. However, his legacy continues to be celebrated online, with many fan pages and tribute accounts dedicated to his life and music. Fans can often find playlists and discussions about his influential work across various platforms.
Rafi's association with Naushad helped the former establish himself as one of the most prominent playback singers in Hindi cinema. Songs from Baiju Bawra (1952) like "O duniya ke rakhwale" and "Man tarpat hari darshan ko aaj" furthered Rafi's credentials. Rafi ended up singing a total of 149 songs (81 of them solo) for Naushad.
Before Rafi, Naushad's favorite singer was Talat Mahmood. Once Naushad found Talat smoking during a recording. He was annoyed and hired Rafi to sing all the songs of the movie Baiju Bawra.
Education
Rafi's educational journey was humble, as he was from a modest background. He showed an early interest in music, which led him to pursue his passion over formal education. Rafi often regarded music as his primary education, cultivating his skills through practice and experiences rather than through traditional schooling.
In conclusion, Mohammed Rafi may have left this world over four decades ago, but his music and legacy continue to resonate in the hearts of many. As we look back in 2025, Rafi remains a towering figure in the history of Indian music, nurtured by memories of his infectious melodies and heartfelt lyrics.
