Mohammed Rafi FAQs
Awards & Honors
The Padma Shri, six Filmfare Awards, the National Film Award, and the continuing campaign to honour Mohammed Rafi with the Bharat Ratna.
Which national honour did Mohammed Rafi receive from the Government of India?
Mohammed Rafi was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honours, by the Government of India in 1967. It recognised his extraordinary contribution to Indian music at a time when he was at the peak of his career.
How many Filmfare Awards did Mohammed Rafi win?
Rafi won 6 Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer from around 23 nominations. His winning songs were 'Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho' (1960), 'Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko' (Sasural, 1961), 'Chahunga Main Tujhe' (Dosti, 1964), 'Baharon Phool Barsao' (Suraj, 1966), 'Dil Ke Jharoke Mein' (Brahmachari, 1968), and 'Kya Hua Tera Wada' (Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, 1977).
Did Mohammed Rafi win a National Film Award?
Yes, Rafi won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1977 for 'Kya Hua Tera Wada' from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen. The award crowned his late-1970s comeback and remains a testament to his enduring artistry more than three decades into his career.
Why hasn't Mohammed Rafi been awarded the Bharat Ratna?
Despite decades of petitions from fans, musicians, and members of parliament, India's highest civilian award has not been conferred on Rafi — nor was he given the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. The government has never stated a reason; his son Shahid Rafi has publicly suggested the omission may have been because his father was Muslim, a claim that remains debated. The campaign continues, with supporters arguing his contribution is at least equal to that of artists who have received the honour.
What posthumous honours has Mohammed Rafi received?
India Post has honoured Rafi with commemorative postage stamps, including one in its 2016 'Legendary Singers of India' series. Roads and public squares have been named after him — notably Padma Shri Mohammed Rafi Chowk in Bandra, Mumbai, near his home — and his birth centenary in December 2024 was celebrated with events across India and abroad.
Did Mohammed Rafi hold a record for the most recorded songs?
In the 1980s the Guinness Book of World Records carried a disputed claim regarding the most recordings, which placed Rafi's name alongside Lata Mangeshkar's in a famous controversy; by 1991 Guinness had removed both entries and dropped the category altogether. Documented lists credit Rafi with roughly 5,000 to 7,400 songs, among the highest of any Indian playback singer.
Did Mohammed Rafi receive international recognition?
Rafi's fame extended well beyond India — he performed celebrated concerts across North America, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean, and remains revered among South Asian communities worldwide. Tribute societies, radio programmes, and fan clubs dedicated to him are active in countries from the UK to Suriname and Fiji.
Are there awards named after Mohammed Rafi?
Yes, several honours have been instituted in his memory, most prominently the Mohammed Rafi Academy awards and various 'Rafi Award' honours given by cultural organisations in India to outstanding playback singers. These awards aim to keep his legacy alive by recognising excellence in the art form he defined.
Explore the Life of Mohammed Rafi
Dive deeper into the golden voice of Bollywood — his story, his songs, and his legacy.