Mohammed Rafi death anniversary: Raza Murad pays tribute on 46th year
Synopsis
Forty-six years after his death, Mohammed Rafi's voice still commands the kind of reverence that few artists ever achieve. Veteran actor Raza Murad's tribute — citing how Rafi's songs literally made heroes into superstars — is a reminder that the singer's legacy is not nostalgia alone, but a living force in Indian cultural memory.
Key Takeaways
Veteran actor Raza Murad paid tribute to Mohammed Rafi on his 46th death anniversary on 31 July .
Murad said Rafi's voice 'made many heroes stars and superstars' through his songs.
He recalled the song 'Dil Ka Soona Saaz Tarana Dhoondega' from the film 'Ek Naari Do Roop' , written by Asad Bhopali .
Rafi was born on 24 December 1924 in Kotla Sultan Singh near Amritsar and passed away on 31 July 1980 at age 55 .
He received the Padma Shri in 1967 and his home has been converted into a museum for fans.
Veteran actor Raza Murad on 31 July paid an emotional tribute to legendary playback singer Mohammed Rafi on his 46th death anniversary, saying the iconic voice 'continues to live on in the hearts of millions' even decades after his passing. Murad shared a video on his social media account remembering Rafi's unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema.
What Raza Murad Said
In the video, Murad spoke directly to his followers: 'Friends, today is July 31. Many years ago, Mohammad Rafi Sahib left this world saying goodbye. He left, but his heavenly voice still resonates in our ears. That voice made many heroes stars and superstars because of Rafi Sahib's songs.'
He also recalled a particularly poignant song from the film 'Ek Naari Do Roop', penned by lyricist Asad Bhopali. 'Rafi Sahib had sung a song. Today, that song is proving to be so true... whose words are 'Dil Ka Soona Saaz Tarana Dhoondega', and till the day of judgement, people will continue to hear this heavenly voice,' Murad said.
A Career That Defined an Era
Mohammed Rafi was born on 24 December 1924 in Kotla Sultan Singh, near Amritsar, Punjab. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he recorded thousands of songs in Hindi and numerous regional languages, lending his voice to the biggest stars of his generation — including Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, and Jeetendra.
His versatility remains unmatched in the annals of Hindi film music. From devotional to romantic, from peppy to melancholic, Rafi's range produced timeless classics such as 'Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho', 'Baharon Phool Barsao', 'Likhe Jo Khat Tujhe', 'Yeh Reshmi Zulfein', 'Kya Hua Tera Wada', 'Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai', 'Parda Hai Parda', 'Teri Bindiya Re', and 'Yahoo! Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe', among countless others.
Honours and Legacy
Rafi was awarded the Padma Shri in 1967, one of many honours he received during his lifetime. He passed away on 31 July 1980 at the age of 55 following a heart attack — a loss that left an irreplaceable void in Indian music. His home has since been converted into a museum, preserving his personal and professional possessions for fans and admirers.
Why the Anniversary Still Resonates
Rafi's death anniversary draws tributes from across the film fraternity each year, underscoring how deeply his voice is embedded in India's cultural memory. Notably, this marks the 46th year since his passing, yet the outpouring of remembrance on social media suggests his music continues to reach new generations. The museum at his former residence stands as a living testament to a legacy that has outlasted the era that produced it.
Point of View
Almost inadvertently, is the co-dependency at the heart of that era: Rafi did not merely support the stars, he arguably created them. The fact that his home is now a museum while the heroes he elevated are remembered partly through his voice tells its own story about where artistic credit truly resided. Mainstream coverage tends to frame these anniversaries as nostalgia; the more honest reading is that Rafi's commercial and cultural centrality has never been fully reckoned with.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Mohammed Rafi pass away and how old was he?
Mohammed Rafi passed away on 31 July 1980 at the age of 55 following a heart attack. His 46th death anniversary was observed on 31 July 2026.
Why did Raza Murad pay tribute to Mohammed Rafi?
Veteran actor Raza Murad shared a video on social media marking Rafi's 46th death anniversary, crediting the singer's voice with making 'many heroes stars and superstars'. He also recalled the song 'Dil Ka Soona Saaz Tarana Dhoondega' from the film 'Ek Naari Do Roop' as a reflection of Rafi's enduring relevance.
What awards did Mohammed Rafi receive during his lifetime?
Mohammed Rafi was awarded the Padma Shri in 1967, among several other honours. He is widely regarded as one of India's greatest playback singers.
Which film stars did Mohammed Rafi sing for?
Rafi lent his voice to some of Hindi cinema's biggest names, including Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, and Jeetendra, across a career spanning more than three decades.
Where was Mohammed Rafi born and where is his museum located?
Mohammed Rafi was born on 24 December 1924 in Kotla Sultan Singh, near Amritsar in Punjab. His former home has been converted into a museum preserving his personal and professional possessions for fans.
