Mohammed Rafi, one of Hindi cinema’s most accomplished and versatile singers left suddenly for his heavenly abode on 31 July 1980. But his legacy proposers. His repertoire is vast and choosing a theme itself can be a challenge. So I thought of selecting 10 songs where Rafi sounds extra sweet. In all these songs, the hero is describing the heroine’s beauty. Perhaps Rafi’s singing make the beautiful stars shine brighter! What do you think?

1) Song: Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho
Film: Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Ravi | Mohammed Rafi

One of the most iconic songs in this theme, Guru Dutt sees his beautiful wife sleeping and gently starts singing this song comparing her to the full moon, sun and so on. Waheeda Rehman looks strikingly beautiful and deserves the accolades!  It was apt that Rafi won the Filmfare best singer award for this song.

Zulfein hain jaise kaandhe pe baadal jhuke hue,
Aankhen hain jaise meay ke payaale bhare hue,
Masti hai jis me pyaar ki tum, woh sharaab ho
Chaudhvin ka chand ho..

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2) Song: Ab Kya Misaal Doon
Film: Aarti (1962)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | Roshan | Mohammed Rafi

A simple song featuring Pradeep Kumar singing for his wife Meena Kumari. He compares her beauty to the brilliance of the moon. As if the moon’s rays have assumed human form and settled on earth. How poetic and Rafi’s voice enhances the effect.

Chehre main ghul gaya hai haseen chandni ka noor,
Aankhon mein hai chaman ki jawan raat ka suroor,
Gardan hai ek jhuki hui daali gulab ki,
Ab kya misaal doon main tumhare shabaab ki

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3) Song: Yeh Chaand Sa Roshan Chehra
Film: Kashmir Ki Kali (1964)
Credits: S.H. Bihari | O.P. Nayyar | Mohammed Rafi

Compared to the first two songs, there is no subtle business here. Its Shammi Kapoor singing in his boisterous style and wooing the heroine in full public view! Rafi’s signing, Shammi’s verve, Sharmila’s rawness and Kashmir, all in one frame! It also demonstrates Rafi’s tremendous range as a singer.

Ikk cheez qayamat bhi hai logon se suna karte the,
Tumhe dekh ke maine maana woh theek kaha karte the,
Hai chaal mein teri zaalim, kuch aisi bala ka jaadu,
Sau baar sambhala dil ko, par ho ke raha bekabu,
Taarif karoon kya uski jisne tumhein banaya

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4) Song: Yeh Teri Saadgi
Film: Shabnam (1964)
Credits: Javed Anwar | Usha Khanna | Mohammed Rafi

I would say a different and underrated song for a B-grade movie but so wonderfully sung. Mehmood sings this for an unknown(?) heroine Vijayalakshmi. The images don’t matter when the tune and singing are unforgettable.

Chaal me shokiyaan ya nasheeli bijliyaan,
Har taraf ye shor hai gir padega aasmaan,
Par teri khaamoshi…allama allama,
Ye teri saadgi ye tera baankpan,
jaane bahaar jaane chaman haaye,
tauba shikan tauba shikan

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5) Song: Aapke Haseen Rukh Pe
Film: Baharen Phir Bhi Aayegi (1966)
Credits: Anjaan | O.P. Nayyar| Mohammed Rafi

Dharmendra singing for not one but two beauties – Mala Sinha and Tanuja. Of course he is in love with one of them, but the other one loves him too, creating that tricky triangle. Rafi’s honeyed voice flows like a meandering river carrying the listener with him.

Khuli laton ki chhaon mein khila khila ye roop hai,
Ghata se jaise chhan rahi subah subah ki dhoop hai,
Kisi mein woh kashish kahan jo aap mein huzoor hai,
Mera dil machal gaya to mera kya kusoor hai

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6) Song: Rukh Se Zara Naqaab
Film: Mere Huzoor (1968)
Credits: A | Shankar Jaikishan| Mohammed Rafi

This is for a formulaic song. Jeetendra, travelling in a train happens to see his co-passenger Mala Sinha’s face reflected in the mirror. He spends the journey singing the song describing all that he has seen and requesting her to dazzle him one more time. The song picturization is a bit annoying but Rafi excels, as usual.

Woh Marmari Se Haath Woh Mahakaa Huaa Badan,
Takaraayaa Mere Dil Se Muhabbat Kaa Ek Chaman,
Mere…Bhi Dil Kaa Phooll Khilaa Do Mere Huzoor
Rukh Se Zara…

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7) Song: Nazar Na Lag Jaaye
Film: Night In London (1968)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Laxmikant Pyarelal| Mohammed Rafi

Mala Sinha once again but this time with Biswajeet. The hero is warning her to be careful as her beauty is bound to attract an evil eye.

Dekh kar teri tarafa bahaar,
Aaja ho rahi hai bekaraar,
Chu rahe phool yun tujhe,
Jaise inhe bhi tujhase pyaar
Ye ho naa jaye, O my love

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8) Song: Yeh Reshmi Zulfein
Film: Do Raaste (1969)
Credits: Anand Bakshi| Laxmikant Pyarelal | Mohammed Rafi

A situational song. In a college picnic, the hero Rajesh Khanna impresses Mumtaz by praising her silky hair and intoxicating eyes. Rafi’s signing adds that extra touch of teasing and naughtiness into the song.

Jo yeh aankhe sharam sey jhuk jayegee,
Saree bate yahee bas ruk jayegee,
Chup rehana yeh afasana, koi inn ko naa batalana,
Ke inhe dekhkar jee rahe hain sabhee

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9) Song: Khuda Bhi Asmaan Se
Film: Dharti (1970)
Credits: Rajendar Krishan | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi

Mohammed Rafi was the voice of Rajendra Kumar and sung a number of romantic songs where he is praising or teasing the heroine. In this song, the hero comments that the creator himself is wondering who has created this marvellous beauty. What a compliment indeed!

Musavvir khud pareshaa hai ke ye tasvir kisaki hai,
Banogi jisaki tum aisi hasi taqadir kisaki hai,
Kabhi wo jal raha hoga, kabhi khush ho raha hoga

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10) Song: Maine Poochha Chaand Se
Film: Abdullah (1980)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | R.D. Burman | Mohammed Rafi

And finally, a song which is probably one of the final songs of this great artist. Sanjay Khan with Zeenat Aman. The hero has confirmed that his beloved has no equal! The singing is soft and subdued.

Maine yeh hijaab tera dhoondha, har jageh shabab tera dhoondha,
Kaliyon se misaal teri poochi, phoolon ne jawaab tera dhoondha,
Maine poocha baag se falak ho ya zameen, aisa phool hai kahin,
Baag ne kaha har kali ki kasam, nahi nahi nahi
Maine poocha chand se…