Mumbai, Dec 24 

Legendary Bollywood singer Mohammed Rafi's biography by Sujata Dev was launched here on Thursday on the occasion of his 91st birth anniversary.

The singer's son Shahid Rafi was the guest of honour at the launch of the book titled "Mohammed Rafi - Golden Voice Of The Silver Screen".

"I am really privileged, excited and overwhelmed about the whole issue. I always wanted to write a book on my father. I wanted people to know what Rafi saab was," Shahid Rafi said.

Mohammed Rafi took the Indian music industry by storm with his entry as a playback singer in 1941 and never looked back till his sudden death in 1980 at the age of 55.

On his bond with his father, Shahid Rafi said Mohammed Rafi was a family man.

"As a father, he was a great father. He never used to socialise, it was very minimal. He used to go for recordings, then he used to come back to his family. He was totally a family man. I would say I am proud and thank god that I was born in this family."

Rafi left behind a treasure trove of immortal songs -- solos as well as duets with all top singers of his era. He sang qawwalis, ghazals, disco and pop in Hindi and various other Indian languages. Rafi also released two albums of English songs.

Dad deserves Bharat Ratna: Mohammed Rafi's son

Legendary Bollywood playback singer Mohammed Rafi deserves the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, his son Shahid Rafi said on Thursday.

On Thursday, Congress leaders led by Mumbai unit president Sanjay Nirupam, vice president Jaiprakash Singh, minorities cell chief Nizamuddin Raeen and a large number of activists paid tributes to Rafi at his grave at the Juhu Tara Road cemetery on his 91st birth anniversary.

The Congress leaders also demanded that Rafi be conferred with the Bharat Ratna.

Asked about his views, Shahid said: "A family friend has taken an initiative on this, we are also trying politically... my dad should get Bharat Ratna, I think he deserves it."

On why Rafi has not been awarded it for so long, he said: "I don't know what is the reason behind this. It is decided by the government, I will just leave it to destiny whenever it comes we will take it."

Rafi took the Indian music industry by storm with his entry as a playback singer in 1941 and never looked back till his death in 1980 at the age of 55.