Mohd Rafi Centenary Quiz

This quiz is for all those Rafi sahab aficionados and also others who have yet to discover the full impact of his magic. Do try it and see how well you know this amazing and versatile vocalist.

There are 10 Qs. Send me your answers via PM.

Please DO NOT discuss the answers on the thread or give out any hints.

If you need hints for a particular question, ask on the thread so that everyone can be aware of it (I’ll also add the hint next to the question in the post).

Note that only I can give hints, no one else!

There are no negative marks so give it a shot! The ones with the maximum correct answers will all receive a special siggy.

No sign-up is required. Read the Qs and answer them via PM to me. You can ask me for hints on PM, but I will post them here and tag you.

PLEASE NOTE: This is a quiz and the Qs are different from the ones for the Sheep Game!

Q1. Which of these Rafi songs was NOT copied into another modern Bollywood song?

Baad muddat ke ye ghadi aayi (Jahan Ara)

Mujhe dekhkar aapka muskurana (Ek musafir ek hasina)

Mujhe tumse mohabbat hai (Bachpan)

Jaan pehchaan ho (Gumnaam)

Q2. When a percussionist in his troupe asked Rafi Saab to follow the ‘theka’ during the recording, the MD sharply intervened saying, “Rafi’s voice will not follow the theka, the theka will follow Rafi." Who was the MD?

HINT: The song was for an iconic movie from the 60s that is now critically acclaimed as the actor- producer's best and the MD in question was always closely associated with this production house.

Q3. Mannadey was S.D. Burman’s assistant and it was his job to train the singers the way Burmanda wanted them to deliver. When he heard this tune that Burmanda had composed, Mannada felt sure it was his type of song and Dada would surely ask him to sing it. Instead, Burmanda told him: ”Go teach this tune to that King of singers who lives in Bandra” - meaning Rafi sahab. Which tune?

HINT: Movie starred an actor who was a big star since the 1930s and was considered one of the most senior and respected artistes of that time. Mannadey also sang a song for this movie - a song which is now considered one of his best of all time.

Q4. Rafi was asked to record a song at the behest of the producers of the film, when he learnt that another young singer had previously recorded the same song. He abruptly stopped recording at the fourth verse, and declared he did not want to be responsible for derailing a newcomer’s career. The song was nonetheless released (in its incomplete form) after Rafi’s death and made it into the film. Name the singer and the M.D.

HINT: Song from a movie based on the reincarnation theme, starring a superstar.

Q5. Shammi Kapoor would always be present at all his song recordings but one time he was away and Rafi saab recorded the song with such perfection, adding all the right ‘Shammi’ nuances & mannerisms, that it left the actor stunned. What song is this?

Q6. Once Rafi saab’s throat was acting up and he had to record a song for Shankar-Jaikishan that had very high notes, because of which his voice cracked during the take. Mortified, he begged for a retake but was refused - stating that the crack in the voice was realistic and conveyed the angst of the situation & character perfectly. What song was this

HINT: Song was for a movie starring an actress whose first name starts and ends with the same letter.

Q7. When Rafi first came to Bombay to try his luck in films, he lived in a chawl in the crowded Bhindi Bazar with several roommates. He would therefore be hard pressed to find a quiet place to do his riyaaz. He began going to the seashore and would practice there every morning. A famous artiste who lived nearby heard him singing one day and when she got to know his constraints, invited him over to practice at her house. Who was she?

Q8. Contrary to popular opinion, Rafi actually had his first all India hit with C. Ramchandra. Can you name the song?

HINT: Movie is from the 40s, probably one of the earliest that Rafi worked with CR.

Q9. Composer Salil Chowdhary was known not to favour Rafi much, however on the producer’s insistence he was forced to re-record a song with Rafi - one that he had already recorded in Mukesh’s voice. What song?

HINT: The song recorded by Mukesh was never released, so it's not available in the public domain. The producer for this movie also acted (as supporting actor) in the movie from Q2 and is the one who made that demand. The song is filmed on an actor who is known for his patriotic roles.

Q10. Which singer has famously said: Those who claim to dislike Rafi have no understanding of music?

HINT: This is a contemporary singer - someone who has a wide fan following.

I need hints 2,4,6,9,10

anyone else wants hints for these, speak up please

HINTS

I'm deliberately keeping them a bit vague, I think those familiar with that era will get it but if it's too vague, let me know.

Q2: The song was for an iconic movie from the 60s that is now critically acclaimed as the actor- producer's best and the MD in question was always closely associated with this production house.

Q4: Song from a movie based on the reincarnation theme, starring a superstar.

Q6: Song was for a movie starring an actress whose first name starts and ends with the same letter.

Q9. The song recorded by Mukesh was never released, so it's not available in the public domain. The producer for this movie also acted (as supporting actor) in the movie from Q2 and is the one who made that demand. The song is filmed on an actor who is known for his patriotic roles.

Q10. This is a contemporary singer - someone who has a wide fan following.

Originally posted by: LizzieBennet

Q1. Which of these Rafi songs was NOT copied into another modern Bollywood song?

Baad muddat ke ye ghadi aayi (Jahan Ara)

Mujhe dekhkar aapka muskurana (Ek musafir ek hasina)

Mujhe tumse mohabbat hai (Bachpan)

Jaan pehchaan ho (Gumnaam)

Q2. When a percussionist in his troupe asked Rafi Saab to follow the ‘theka’ during the recording, the MD sharply intervened saying, “Rafi’s voice will not follow the theka, the theka will follow Rafi." Who was the MD?

Q3. Mannadey was S.D. Burman’s assistant and it was his job to train the singers the way Burmanda wanted them to deliver. When he heard this tune that Burmanda had composed, Mannada felt sure it was his type of song and Dada would surely ask him to sing it. Instead, Burmanda told him: ”Go teach this tune to that King of singers who lives in Bandra” - meaning Rafi sahab. Which tune?

Q4. Rafi was asked to record a song at the behest of the producers of the film, when he learnt that another young singer had previously recorded the same song. He abruptly stopped recording at the fourth verse, and declared he did not want to be responsible for derailing a newcomer’s career. The song was nonetheless released (in its incomplete form) after Rafi’s death and made it into the film. Name the singer and the M.D.

Q5. Shammi Kapoor would always be present at all his song recordings but one time he was away and Rafi saab recorded the song with such perfection, adding all the right ‘Shammi’ nuances & mannerisms, that it left the actor stunned. What song is this?

Q6. Once Rafi saab’s throat was acting up and he had to record a song for Shankar-Jaikishan that had very high notes, because of which his voice cracked during the take. Mortified, he begged for a retake but was refused - stating that the crack in the voice was realistic and conveyed the angst of the situation & character perfectly. What song was this?

Q7. When Rafi first came to Bombay to try his luck in films, he lived in a chawl in the crowded Bhindi Bazar with several roommates. He would therefore be hard pressed to find a quiet place to do his riyaaz. He began going to the seashore and would practice there every morning. A famous artiste who lived nearby heard him singing one day and when she got to know his constraints, invited him over to practice at her house. Who was she?

Q8. Contrary to popular opinion, Rafi actually had his first all India hit with C. Ramchandra. Can you name the song?

Q9. Composer Salil Chowdhary was known not to favour Rafi much, however on the producer’s insistence he was forced to re-record a song with Rafi - one that he had already recorded in Mukesh’s voice. What song?

Q10. Which singer has famously said: Those who claim to dislike Rafi have no understanding of music?

Ok, I have arrived at some answers but would need hints for all of them, especially 2 and 9 which seem to be interconnected but my answer for 2 does not fit with 9, so best to have hints for all questions.

Originally posted by: surajhere

Ok, I have arrived at some answers but would need hints for all of them, especially 2 and 9 which seem to be interconnected but my answer for 2 does not fit with 9, so best to have hints for all questions.

You can send me a PM if you want to check your answers.

Congratulations M for getting all the answers right! I know you had to work hard for it and I apologize for making the quiz unduly tough.

Here’s your siggy courtesy Shibani!

Originally posted by: LizzieBennet

Congratulations M for getting all the answers right! I know you had to work hard for it and I apologize for making the quiz unduly tough.

Here’s your siggy courtesy Shibani!

this quiz was very very tough but with some hints and Rafi Saab's blessings I finally got them all.

p.s- Kishore da fan here but no ego in saying that Rafi saab is, was and will remain the voice of God

Originally posted by: average-student

Thank you Lizzie and Shibs.

this quiz was very very tough but with some hints and Rafi Saab's blessings I finally got them all.

p.s- Kishore da fan here but no ego in saying that Rafi saab is, was and will remain the voice of God

Originally posted by: average-student

Thank you Lizzie and Shibs.

this quiz was very very tough but with some hints and Rafi Saab's blessings I finally got them all.

p.s- Kishore da fan here but no ego in saying that Rafi saab is, was and will remain the voice of God

Congratulations . You won. I still need to work harder.

Originally posted by: awida

Congratulations . You won. I still need to work harder.