Mohammed Rafi

One of the greatest playback singers of India, Mohammed Rafi is considered no less than a genius when it comes to varied styles of music. Born on December 24th, 1924, this great soul had the perfect blend of melody, emotions and energy, which reflected greatly in his songs. Be it the classically inclined songs of Baiju Bawara or the foot tapping songs of Kashmir Ki Kali, Muhammad Rafi gave each song the treatment it deserved. His contribution to the Hindi film industry has been fabulous and perhaps no singer till date has managed to capture the hearts of fans the way Mohamed Rafi has. We capture the fascinating life history of Rafi in this short biography of Mohd. Rafi.

Muhammad Rafi was born in Kotla Sultan Singh located near Amritsar in the then undivided Punjab. Rafi had five older brothers ad his father's name was Hajji Ali Mohammad. Lovingly addressed as "Pheeko" by his family, Rafi started showing his inclination towards music at a very early age when he used to imitate the chants of a wandering beggar in his village. In the year 1935, Rafi's family moved to Lahore. Rafi's love for music was recognized soon by his family and he was encouraged to pursue it further. Thus, Mohamed Rafi went on to seek training in Hindustani classical music from eminent personalities like Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustad Abdul Wahid Khan, Pundit Jiwanlal Matto and Firoze Nizami.
Rafi's first public performance was at the tender age of 13. One day Rafi along with his brother Hamid went to attend a performance by the renowned K.L. Saigal. But there was a power failure at the venue and the legendary singer refused to sing. When the audience began to lose patience, Rafi's brother Hamid requested the organizer to allow Rafi to keep the audience entertained till the power came back. He was allowed to do so and it turned out to be the correct exposure for him. Among the audience was seated the great composer Shyam Sunder who immediately recognized immense talent and untapped potential in Rafi. He invited Rafi to come to Bombay for a recording. From there on began the journey of the most versatile singer of India.

In the year 1944, Mohammed Rafi recorded his first song under music director Shyam Sunder. It was for a Punjabi movie named Gul Baloch. It was recognized by many and Rafi started to get more and more offers. Rafi also sang songs composed by Naushad for the movie Pehle Aap in the year 1944. He also acted in a couple of movies named Laila Majnu (1945) and Jugnu (1947). Another splendid performance was in the year 1946 when he sang the song "Tera Khilona Toota Balak" of the movie Anmol Ghadi. With the movie Jugnu (1947), Rafi bagged his first major hit. The song "Yahaan Badla Wafa Ka'' with Noor Jehan under Feroze Nizami went on to become a major hit with the public.
His music in the movie Baiju Bawara proved critics wrong and he went on to become one of the most demanded playback singers of that time. The film happened by accident. Talat Mehmood was the first choice for the film. Naushad, the music director caught Talat Mehmood smoking and was very annoyed. He then gave all the songs to Mohammed Rafi and the results were outstanding. In the year 1949, his song named "Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki" of the movie "Dulari" went on to become an anthem of sorts. There was no looking back thereafter and Rafi went on to produce hits after hits. He was the undisputed singer till the 70's.

He was patronized as the voice of the great actor Dev Anand during 1950's and 60's. He became the favorite singer of director O.P. Nayyar and sang many beautiful songs for him. Rafi also produced some of the greatest hits with S.D. Burman, which includes films like Tere Ghar ke Saamne (1957), Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Guide (1965), Aradhana (1969) and Abhimaan (1973). In fact, he even sang a playback number for the great singer Kishore Kumar for the movie Raagini. Apparently, O.P. Nayyar was so fascinated by Rafi's music that he got him to sing "Man Mora Baawara" of this movie. Rafi sang with Asha Bhonsle and Lata Mangeshkar and belted out hits after hits. Rafi became the voice of noted actor Rajendra Kumar and sang many romantic songs for his movies. His boisterous style of singing suited the versatile actor Shammi Kapoor. One could not imagine a reserved and gentle person like Rafi singing the "Yahoo" number. But then, that was Rafi.

During the 1970's, Kishore Kumar came into the limelight with his hits in the movie Aradhana. Rafi's output declined and Kishore Kumar started to overshadow his popularity. However, Rafi's songs were still everyone's favorite and he proved that no matter how many singers come and go, his position would remain undisputed. During mid 70's Rafi made a huge comeback with the movie "Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahi" and won the national award for the song "Kya Hua Tera Waada".

His major hits in the 70's include Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Sargam (1979) and Karz (1980). The Qawali song "Pardah Hai Pardah" of the movie Amar Akbar Anthony was a superhit. Other hit songs in late 1970s include films like Laila Majnu (1976), Apnapan (1978), Qurbani, Dostana (1980) and The Burning Train (1980). On July 31st, 1980, this great singer went back home early after recording and dies due to a massive heart attack. His funeral procession was one befitting a king. Mohammed Rafi was a legend of legends and shall remain so till eternity.

Asha Bhosle

With versatility as her middle name, the famous Asha Bhosle still sings the way she used to during her prime. Though she is over 70 years of age, she still continues to give stiff competition to singers who are half her age. This talented singer can sing a ghazal and a peppy cabaret number with amazing levels of energy and style. Be it the romantic "Oh Mere Sona Re" or the sensuous "Aaiye Meherban" or the peppy "Kambakth Ishq", Asha Bhonsle can add life to any song. Her life history is no less than a roller coaster ride. Check out the biography of Asha Bhonsle as given here.

         Asha Bhosle was born on 8th September, 1933 in a Marathi family. Her father was the renowned singer and actor Dinanath Mangeshkar. He trained her in classical music at a very young age. Though she had her brush with acting as a child artist, it was quite natural for her to choose playback singing like her older sister Lata Mangeshkar. Sadly, her father expired suddenly in the year 1942 causing much commotion in her family. They had to move from Pune to Bombay and settle again. Asha got the chance to sing in a Marathi film when she was ten years old. Her initial years saw a lot of struggle since her elder sister Lata was in much demand and unfair comparisons rose every now and then.

         In the year 1948 she got to make her playback debut in Hindi in a film called Chunariya. The song was called "Saawan Aaya" and Asha was noticed for her different playful voice. When she was 16, she eloped with Lata's personal secretary Ganpatrao Bhosle and married him much against the family's wishes. The marriage failed miserably and Asha Bhosle was driven out by Ganpatrao following some misunderstanding. She came back to her maternal home with two kids and pregnant with the third one. However, this did not deter her from pursuing her dreams and she continued to sing for films. During 1950's she got assignments that were rejected by leading singers like Geeta Dutt, Lata Mangeshkar and Shamshad Begum.

        These songs were basically meant for the sidelined roles like vamps, cabaret numbers or C-grade movies. It took a lot of perseverance from Asha to make it to the top. Her hard work and efforts paid off when she was given her first big break with the movie C.I.D (1956). Under the patronage of O.P Nayyar she got more and more offers and began belting out hits after hits. She tasted huge success with the movie Naya Daur (1957). With O. P Nayyar, Asha gave out hits after hits like Aaiye Meherban, Deewana Hua Badal, Isharon Isharon Mein, Aao Huzur Tumko, Ude Jab Jab Zulfein Teri, etc. The last song she recorded with him was "Chain Se" of the movie "Pran Jaaye Par Vachan Na Jaaye" (1974) and then parted ways.

         She was noticed by other music directors like S.D Burman after the phenomenal success of these songs. She and S.D Burman created many hit soundtracks for movies like Kaala Pani, Kaala Bazaar, Insaan Jaag Utha, Lajwanti, Sujata and Teen Deviyaan. Most famous of these songs were Asha Bhosle's duets with Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar. After the mid 60's Asha collaborated with R.D Burman and reached the peak of her career. The movie "Teesri Manzil" released in 1966 shot her to fame and she won popular acclaim. The duo of Asha and R.D Burman produced hits after hits and their collaboration resulted in marriage.

         Asha became the voice of Helen, one of the most graceful dancers of that era. Helen would visit Asha during her recordings to understand the feel of the song and choreograph her steps accordingly. Some of her evergreen hits featuring Helen are Piya Tu Ab To Aaja (Caravan), O Haseena Zulfon Wali (Teesri Manzil), and Yeh Mera Dil (Don). A popular song "Jaane Jaa" from the movie Jawaani Diwaani (1972) required her to switch from high pitch to low almost simultaneously which she did with utmost ease and perfection. The song "Dum Maro Dum" of the movie "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" showed an entirely new side of her talent. The romantic "Chura Liya Hai Tumne" from the movie "Yaadon Ki Baarat" is hummed even today and is considered to be one of the most romantic songs of this century. Asha proved critics wrong in 1980's when she sang beautiful Ghazals for the movie Umrao Jaan. She proved that she can sing classical with as much panache as other genres. The great composer Khayyam told her to sing two notes lower than usual. The rest as they say is history! The songs turned out to be chart toppers and till date are sung with much elegance and respect, though it is picturized on a courtesan. In the 90's she experimented with peppy numbers and produced hits like Tanha Tanha, Yaire, Kambakth Ishq, Chori Pe Chori, etc. she also a number of pop albums to her credit and has acquired international by singing with artists like Boy George, Black Eyed Peas and cricketer Brett Lee. She has many awards including eight Filmfare awards and two National Awards apart from numerous other accolades. Time has really not touched her voice and she sounds exactly like what she used to sound 30 years back.

Alka Yagnik

Alka Yagnik is one of the leading singers of the Hindi film who has made an indelible mark for herself. In an industry where big and already established names were ruling, it was not easy for anyone to even get noticed. But real talent never goes waste and she finally got her big break after which there was no turning back. Born in Calcutta on 20th March in a Gujarati family, Alka Yagnik began showcasing her talent at a very young age. Today, the chart topping songs of Alka Yagnikare a favorite of many. Check out her life history in this biography of Alka Yagnik.

Alka Yagnik received formal training in Indian classical music at a very young age. Her parents were also well versed with classical music and persuaded her to tone her voice. At the age of six, she began singing devotional songs for Calcutta Radio. Alka Yagnik never thought that singing would become a profession for her and always thought of it as a hobby. To realize her dreams, she came to Mumbai. She got an offer to sing in the movie Payal Ki Jhankaar in the year 1979. She also sang Mere Angane Mein from the movie Lawaris in the year 1981.

But the song that made her a star overnight was the popular hit Ek Do Teen from the movie Tezaab released in the year 1988. She won her first Filmfare award for this song and thereafter offers poured in like never before. She went on to win six more Filmfare awards for the movies Khalnayak (1993), Pardes (1997), Taal (1999), Dhadkan (2000), Lagaan (2001) and Hum Tum (2004). She won National Award for the movie Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1994) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1999). She is one of the most sought after playback singers in recent times and has contributed immensely to the music industry.

Sharyn Alfonsi

Sharyn Alfonsi (born June 3, 1972) is an American journalist and correspondent for "60 Minutes" and 60 Minutes Sports. She made her debut appearance on 60 Minutes on CBS on March 1, 2015.

Early life and education

Alfonsi attended high school in McLean, Virginia. She graduated with honors from the University of Mississippi in Oxford in 1994, where she was a James Love Scholar. She was a student of author John Grisham and is believed to be the inspiration for the character of Darby Shaw in his novel, The Pelican Brief.

Career

Alfonsi began her career in broadcast journalism at KHBS-TV in Fort Smith, Arkansas from 1994–95, where she served as a news reporter, weekend weather anchor, photographer and editor. She then became a general assignment reporter for WVEC–TV in Norfolk, Virginia from 1995–97, where she traveled with the military. Between 1998-2000, she worked as a reporter and substitute anchor for KIRO-TV in Seattle, Washington, where she covered the World Trade Organization riots.

Between 2000 and 2003, she worked as a reporter and anchor for WBZ-TV, the CBS-owned station in Boston, where she covered the ongoing Catholic church scandal, the Michael Skakel trial and The Station nightclub fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

Alfonsi was named a CBS News correspondent, based in New York City, in July 2004. She also anchored the CBS Evening News. She has traveled to cover stories including the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, the conflict in Israel, Hurricane Katrina, and the Sago Mine Disaster in West Virginia. Alfonsi had a near-miss in Israel when a missile landed close to her shelter. She was the lead reporter covering the Virginia Tech Massacre.

She was one of several correspondents who departed the network after Katie Couric took over the anchor chair from Schieffer in September 2006. On August 10, 2006, Alfonsi was featured on CBS's Public Eye blog.

On January 28, 2008, it was announced that Alfonsi would join ABC News as a New York-based correspondent for World News with Charles Gibson and Good Morning America.Alfonsi has occasionally anchored Good Morning America and World News.

In 2012, she left ABC to join the cast of 60 Minutes Sports. 60 Minutes Sports premiered in January 2012 on the Showtime Network. She has anchored the CBS This Morning with Charlie Rose, Norah O'Donnell, and Gayle King and filled in as an anchor for Scott Pelley on the CBS Evening News. Alfonsi made her debut appearance on 60 Minutes on March 1, 2015 with an investigative story about fraud after Hurricane Sandy. In 2016, Alfonsi became a regular cast member on 60 Minutes.

Personal life

In May 2013, Alfonsi gave the commencement address at the Meek School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi. Her speech was named by NPR as one of The Best Commencement Speeches Ever.

María Celeste Arrarás

María Celeste Arrarás (born 27 September 1960 in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico), better known as María Celeste, is a Puerto Rican broadcast journalist, best-selling author, and television personality. She is best known for being a force within the Spanish language television, with over 30 years of experience. Considered a trailblazer for Hispanic women in television, Arrarás was selected for the cover of "Newsweek" magazine, who named her as one of the “20 Most Powerful Women” of the next generation of leaders, with several other news sources echoing such praise. Her renowned professionalism and experience has not only made Arrarás a household name, but also gained her the reputation of being one of the most trusted journalists in the field. Throughout her remarkable career, Arrarás has won several accolades and awards, including an Emmy Award in recognition for her extraordinary career as a journalist. Currently, Arrarás serves as the host and managing editor of Al Rojo Vivo (Telemundo) the most talked about newsmagazine in Hispanic television, which airs nationwide in the U.S. and in 15 Latin American countries, and has a daily audience of 35 million viewers. Arrarás is also the co-anchor of Telemundo’s internationally acclaimed newscast, Noticiero Telemundo. Her far-reaching popularity has made Arrarás a social media dynamo, with millions of followers across the world.

Early Life and Education

María Celeste Arrarás was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, the firstborn child of José Enrique Arrarás, a respected politician, lawyer, and educator, and Astrid Mangual, a homemaker and chemist. The family later grew, with Arrarás being joined by eight other siblings, Astrid, José Enrique, Jr., Patricia, Gabriel Enrique, Enrique Antonio and Isabel Celeste Arrarás. After her mother’s remarriage, Arrarás was joined by two more siblings, Percy and Francisco Naranjo.

During her formative years, sports played a fundamental role in shaping the discipline and drive that has made Arrarás so successful today. It was through sports, that Arrarás became determined to be the best at anything she set her mind to. She particularly excelled at swimming, and with the support of her father and coaches, Arrarás became a champion swimmer, earning her the nickname "María the Meteorite” due to her quick-speed in races.

In 1971, she won three medals (one gold, one silver, and one bronze) at the Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships. She qualified to compete at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada, but had to give up on that goal two weeks before the competition after she contracted infectious mononucleosis ("kissing disease") after having shared a glass of water with someone.

In 1978, Arrarás left her native Puerto Rico to attend Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she majored in Communications, and four years later graduated with honors. In 2016, Arrarás returned to her alma mater where she was inducted into the School of Mass Communication's Den of Distinction and was honored by the university for her outstanding career in television.

Television career

Early career

Shortly after being hired by Univision, the network promoted Arrarás to the position of Los Angeles Bureau Chief. In January 1990, when the network moved to Miami, she was officially named the national news anchor for Noticiero Univision weekend edition.

In 1992, Arrarás was named co-anchor of another television news program, Primer Impacto alongside Myrka Dellanos. The show became an instant success and registered record ratings over the years. The show's popularity resulted in a large franchise for Univision including "Primer Impacto Extra", "Primer Impacto Edicion Nocturna", and the weekly show "Ver Para Creer" all of which were hosted by Arrarás and Dellanos. Arrarás would continue to hold her positions until 2002, when she left the show and joined their rival network Telemundo.

Telemundo (2002-Present)

The defection of María Celeste Arrarás from Univision, North America's largest Spanish-language network, to the rival Telemundo broadcasting group in 2002 sent shockwaves in the industry and was heralded as the start of a new era for Hispanic media. Arrarás was given a plum spot at Telemundo, and her arrival coincided with news that the National Broadcasting Company (NBC)'s $2.7 billion acquisition of the Spanish-language news and entertainment provider had just won U.S. government approval. Arrarás, an attractive and admired media celebrity in the Latino world, was to host her own Telemundo show, but would also file English-language reports for Dateline, NBC's top-rated prime-time newsmagazine and work as a guest co-host in NBC's Today show. Arrarás's hire—and the Telemundo/NBC venture—was seen as a sign of an increased Hispanic presence in mainstream media news organizations, and New York Times journalist Mirta Ojito called the new, lucrative contract for this popular journalist "NBC's first coup in the Latino media." In 2002, the same day that NBC Universal acquired Telemundo as part of their larger network, Arrarás took her current position at Telemundo, becoming the host and Managing Editor of the new show Al Rojo Vivo con María Celeste, which in English translates to "Red Hot Live with María Celeste". The show is a news and entertainment magazine that takes you around the world in an hour. Its unique format has been described as “paella style” because it combines live interviews with news of the day, special investigations, celebrity news, amazing videos, health, consumer issues and the latest in technology. Today the show is immensely popular, drawing about 35 millions of viewers across the world.

Over the years Arrarás has been praised for her wit, straight forwardness and amazing interviewing skills. She is considered a fair, yet incisive journalist who has landed exclusive after exclusive, including interviews with Yolanda Saldívar (the woman convicted of murdering Tejano music singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez), as well as countless celebrities, politicians, and news makers.

In 2004, Arrarás co-hosted the Brown-Black Democratic Presidential Debate in Iowa for MSNBC, a program that was number one in the cable ratings universe when it aired live.

Throughout her career Arrarás has also managed to successfully cross-over to the English market. Since 2002 Arrarás has been invited as a guest co-host of NBC’s Today show, and according to The New York Times, “Ms. Arrarás’s high-profile sally into national network television, in the spot previously occupied by Ms. Couric no less, was groundbreaking for a Spanish-accented broadcaster.” She has also contributed to different NBC programs including Dateline and Nightly News.

On the night of María Celeste’s debut as a contributor for Dateline NBC, the show experienced a dramatic audience increase in both Hispanic an Anglo demographics. NBC president Andrew Lack told the Los Angeles Times, “[María Celeste] was one of the highest segments at ‘Dateline’ that quarter.” He then described her as “a serious, smart journalist.”

Personal life and Activism

Arrarás currently lives in Miami with her three children, Julian Enrique (born in November 1997), Lara Giuliana (born in July 2001), and Adrian Vadim (born in July 1999).

She is a vocal environmental and animal rights activist. She has been noted for speaking out against the exploitation of animals, especially in spectacles such as rodeos, aquariums, cock-fights, and circuses. In December 2001, she even went in front of the Puerto Rican Congress to advocate for a ban in the Island on circuses that forced wild animals to perform as part of their shows. Currently Arrarás is working with The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International on a campaign to dramatically improve the welfare of the more than 300,000 stray dogs and one million stray cats in the island.

She is also an advent supporter and advocate of other organizations including, Autism Speaks, an autism advocacy organization in the United States that sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and outreach activities aimed at families, governments, and the public.

Elena Anaya

Elena Anaya Gutiérrez (born July 17, 1975) is a Spanish actress whose career dates back to 1995. She starred alongside Antonio Banderas in Pedro Almodóvar's The Skin I Live In. She is also known for her lead role in the erotic lesbian romance film Habitación en Roma (Room in Rome).

Early life

Anaya was born in Palencia, Castilla y León, Spain. She is the youngest of three children. Her mother, Elena (Nena), is a housewife who later owned a boarding house in Palencia. Her father, Juan José Anaya Gómez (1934–2011), was an industrial engineer.

Career

Anaya first received international attention in 2001 for her role in the sexually explicit drama Sex and Lucía. She also had a small part in Almodóvar's Talk to Her.

Her best-known Hollywood film role was as one of Dracula's brides in 2004's Van Helsing. That same year, Anaya was named as one of European films' Shooting Stars by European Film Promotion.

In 2006, Anaya appeared in Justin Timberlake's music video for his single, SexyBack.

After some "quiet" years playing supporting roles in international films such as Savage Grace and Cairo Time, Anaya roared back into prominence with a starring role in 2010's Room in Rome, and then a return to Almodóvar in The Skin I Live In.

Anaya is included in the cast of the upcoming Wonder Woman movie.

Personal life

In August 2011, Spanish tabloid magazine Cuore published photographs of Anaya kissing director Beatriz Sanchís at a naturist beach in Menorca. They were reportedly in a relationship from 2008 to 2013. Anaya is expecting her first child with current partner, Tina Afugu Cordero, a costume designer.

Mario Casas

Mario Casas Sierra (born in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain on 12 June 1986) is a Spanish actor

Acting career

Mario Casas began his acting career with episode appearances in television series Obsesión (English: Obsession), Motivos personales (Personal Motives) and Mujeres (Women). He came to domestic media attention with his film debut in the 2006 film El camino de los ingleses (Summer Rain), directed by Antonio Banderas.

That same year he joined the cast of LaSexta series SMS. Casas then reached international audience as Aitor Carrasco in the Antena 3 series Los hombres de Paco (Paco's Men), which he starred from 2007 to 2010. Later in 2009 Casas appeared in two hit films, Fuga de cerebros (Brain Drain) opposite Amaia Salamanca, and Mentiras y gordas (Sex, Lies and Parties) with he's bestfriend Yon González. Both managed to lead the box office over the weekend of its release.

Personal life

Casas has four younger siblings. Born in A Coruña, Galicia, Casas and his family moved to Barcelona in 1994. Having initially wanted to become a policeman, firefighter or a football player, he eventually decided to become an actor after he had enrolled the Cristina Rota School of Dramatic Arts and relocated to Madrid, aged seventeen.