A tribute to Rafi along with his duets concluding his centenary celebrations (24 December 1924 to 31 July 1980) and wishing Merry Christmas to all
Rafi would have been 100 years outdated right now. His life was lower quick at a younger age of 56 years, however on this quick span he gave pleasure to hundreds of thousands of music lovers everywhere in the world and established himself because the undisputed most versatile male playback singer. I greeted the brand new 12 months 2024 with a tribute to Rafi along with his solos from A to Z. That was about his solos beginning with completely different letters of alphabets (25 songs with ‘X’ not possible). That gave ample thought of his range, however with the emphasis on alphabets there was some imbalance in music administrators. Since my choice was spontaneous, i.e. I put in my most favorite tune beginning with a selected alphabet that first got here to my thoughts, some music administrators have been overrepresented, and an incredible music director, SD Burman, was inadvertently disregarded. Some readers rightly identified this omission.
Rafi was already probably the most lined singer on the weblog along with his solos and duets with completely different music administrators. Plus, there have been a number of articles on this centenary 12 months – some by visitor authors – which throw ample mild on completely different elements of his singing. I conclude the sequence along with his duets over time in his profession as a singer. Why duets? As a result of I discover duets very charming. His voice with completely different feminine singers added one other side to his selection; with some music administrators, akin to Chitragupta and OP Nayyar, you’ll bear in mind Rafi’s eternal duets extra. Each nice music director who gave the most effective songs for Rafi included an excellent variety of duets too, wherein they gave probability to a few of their much less favorite feminine singers, however the mixture turned out to be superlative. In a TV programme Daastan-e-Rafi, I heard Mubarak Begum saying her vary was lower than different well-known singers, so she requested Rafi to regulate his vary in a duet she was singing with him. Rafi did so, and he helped prove an incredible duet, Mujhko apne gale laga le ae mere hamrahi (Hamrahi, 1963, Shankar-Jaikishan). A fantastic human being and an incredible singer.
My standards is one duet from a 12 months which is my most favorite. If in a 12 months my most favorite occurs to be by a music director already lined I’ve regarded for an equally worthy alternative. With Rafi there’s by no means a dearth of selection. In a few years the issue is of loads, as if a number of music administrators by some unknown pressure determined to create their finest duets for Rafi in that 12 months. Thus I’ve chosen not just one duet a 12 months, it might be one duet by a music director. Right here I’m going with my tribute to Rafi along with his duets over time as a end result of his centenary (24 December 1924 – 31 July 1980) celebrations within the present calendar 12 months. That is additionally wishing Merry Christmas to all.
The way it all started
Rafi debuted with a duet Soniye nee heeriye nee teri yaad ne bahut sataya within the Punjabi movie Gul Baloch (1944) in Lahore, composed by Shyam Sundar. In Bombay his first movie Pahle Aap (1944), composed by Naushad, had a duet with Shyam Kumar, Tum Dilli predominant Aagre, wherein Rafi appeared to be following Shyam Kumar who was Naushad’s favorite singer about that point. Village Lady (1945) had a duet, Jab dil ho kaabu mein to dildar ki aisi taisi (with GM Durrani), composed by Shyam Sundar. That is alleged to be his first recorded tune in Hindi movies, however its launch was delayed. The 12 months 1945 had some extra Rafi duets, although not a lot recognized right now.
Within the 12 months 1946, Rafi fulfilled his dream of singing along with his idol KL Saigal, Roohi meri roohi (Shahjahan). There are some extra correct duets within the 12 months. One I particularly like is Rookhi sookhi predominant kha lungi paas bula lo extra raja (with Hamida Bano) from the movie Insaaf. This can be a enjoyable tune I found throughout year-wise assessment of the most effective songs of 1946. I begin Rafi’s journey of his duets with completely different music administrators over time with this tune.
1. Rookhi sookhi predominant kha lungi paas bula lo extra raja Rafi and Hamida Bano from movie Insaaf (1946), lyrics DN Madhok, music HP Das
This duet is way forward of its instances as the woman asks the person to ship for her in saawan. He demurs as a result of the moody daroga who’s a Hitler of anger wouldn’t agree, however she persists she would be capable to persuade him.
The final tune is probably not well-known, however Rafi burst upon the scene with not less than two eternal duets subsequent 12 months. One was Kisko sunaaon hal-e-dil… Humko tumhara hello aasra tum hamaare ho na ho – with Lalita Deulkar from the movie Saajan (1947), composed by C Ramchandra. This movie and Rafi has an necessary place within the historical past of male playback singing. It’s stated that the hero Ashok Kumar dropped hints that he wish to sing his personal songs, as he had carried out so many instances in his profession. C Ramchandra was fairly curt that he ought to now not harbour such goals, now was the period {of professional} playback singers. Rafi didn’t disappoint him; he had already sung some beautiful solos for C Ramchandra a 12 months earlier in Safar (1946). I’ve earlier remarked that to C Ramchandra ought to go the credit score of making some nice songs at early levels of Rafi’s profession, although it was Naushad who later took him large time regardless of some preliminary spectacular songs with Mukesh and Talat Mahmood.
We’re prone to meet C Ramchandra once more, subsequently, I select the opposite nice duet from the 12 months which can be of historic significance. Noorjehan was the main feminine actor-singer of her instances; Rafi acquired to sing an excellent duet together with her within the movie Jugnu (1947), composed by Firoz Nizami.
Quickly each Noorjehan and Firoz Nizami migrated to Pakistan after the Partition. Noorjehan turned a nationwide icon there, generally known as Malika-e-Tarannum. And speaking of historic significance, lovers of outdated movie songs know that Rafi had a quick display screen look within the movie within the tune Wo apni yaad dilane ko ek ishq ki duniya chhod chale. And Rafi had his fist duet with Lata Mangeshkar within the 12 months, Chalo ho gayi taiyyar from the movie Shadi Se Pahle.
2. Yahan badla wafa ka bewafai ke siwa kya hai by Rafi and Noorjehan from Jugnu (1947), lyrics Asgar Sarhadi, music Firoz Nizami
I consider that is the one duet of Rafi-Noorjehan. In an eerie coincidence Noorjehan’s demise anniversary (21 September 1926 – 23 December 2000) falls a day earlier than Rafi’s beginning anniversary. With this tune I additionally pay a tribute to Noorjehan on her 24th Remembrance Day. One other nice movie persona Shyam Benegal handed away yesterday 23 December 2024. Did Rafi sing any tune in his movie?
3. Extra raja ho le chal nadiya ke paar by Lalita Deulkar and Rafi from Nadiya Ke Paar (1948), lyrics Moti BA, music C Ramchandra
We didn’t have to attend lengthy for C Ramchandra. The very subsequent 12 months amongst many solos and duets by Rafi, this composition by C Ramchandra is kind of the front-runner and its reputation will not be going to dim ever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99F4QcTx7f0
4. Ae mohabbat unse milne ka bahana ban gaya by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar from Bazaar (1949), lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music Shyam Sundar
1949 was the 12 months of flowering of Rafi simply because it was an incredible 12 months for Mukesh. Lata Mangeshkar additionally triggered fairly a Tsunami within the 12 months. Amongst a number of very good duets of Rafi-Lata, this has lengthy been my particular favorite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhDhIeGkJus
5. Kah do humein na beqaraar kare wo jise mera dil pyar kare by Surinder Kaur and Rafi from Sabak (1950), lyrics DN Madhok, music AR Qureshi (Allah Rakkha)
Surinder Kaur was a giant title in Punjabi movies and people songs. She had a quick foray into Hindi movies for about 3-4 years from 1948, however no matter she sang left an indelible mark. She begins this duet and Rafi joins late, subsequently, she leaves fairly an imprint. The music director is the well-known tabla maestro and the daddy of one other legend Ustad Zakir Hussain, who handed away just a few days in the past. This duet has lengthy been my favorite and was fairly well-liked within the radio period.
6. Ho..yaad aane lagi, dil dukhane lagi, chaandni raat ab sataane lagi by Lata Mangeshkar and Rafi from Daaman (1951), lyrics Ehsan Rizvi, music Okay Datta
By 1951, Lata Mangeshkar was oozing honey from her voice. Rafi was by now firmly in Naushad fold (Deedar). He had develop into a favorite of different music administrators too, akin to Hansraj Behl, Ghulam Mohammad and Husnlal-Bhagatram. Amongst his many well-known duets, I particularly like this ditty by now somewhat recognized music director, Okay Datta. One fascinating bit about Okay Datta (Datta Koregaonkar) I bear in mind is he was amongst few who have been enraptured by Noorjehan and, in comparison with her, had disdain for Lata Mangeshkar. However hear this tune for her sweetness.
7. Akeli mat jaiyo Radhe Jamuna ke teer… Ho ji ho..Tu Ganga ki mauj predominant Jamuna ka dhara by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar from Baiju Bawra (1952), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Naushad
With two magnum opus in a 12 months – Aan and Baiju Bawra – Naushad had clearly secured his place on the peak of music creativity. This diamond jubilee movie fetched him the inaugural Filmfare Award for the most effective music director. The respect the movie introduced him for his prowess in classical music was immeasurable. It additionally skyrocketed Meena Kumari’s profession fetching her the Filmfare Award for the most effective main actress.
8. Solar extra saajna re, dekhoji mujhko bhool na jana by Lata Mangeshkar and Rafi from Aansoo (1953), lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music Husnlal-Bhagatram
This ethereal duet has a haunting high quality which stays with you for lengthy. An eternal tune if there was one. Mixture of nice composition and two nice singers at their peak.
9. Muhabbat kar lo ji bhar lo aji kisne roka hai by Rafi and Geeta Dutt from Aar Paar (1954), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music OP Nayyar
OP Nayyar had debuted in 1952, however Aar Paar’s music created a sensation. Shabab by 1954 was an incredible rating by Naushad, many reckon as his finest. However Naushad is already included, so I select this OP Nayyar composition for a special flavour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1BsXULRl-U
10. Bhula nahin dena ji bhula nahi dena, zamana kharab hai by Lata Mangeshkar and Rafi from Baradari (1955), lyrics Khumar Barabanqvi, music Nashad
Please notice the music director will not be ‘Naushad’. The story of this deliberate sound-alike title is one in all private pique. Two years earlier, Naqshab Jarachavi, director of the movie Naghma (1953) had first approached Naushad to compose the music for the movie. Naushad declined, maybe as a result of he thought it was beneath him. Felt slighted, Naqshab requested the music director Shaukat Ali Dehlavi to alter his title to Nashad and the title stayed with him ceaselessly. The 12 months 1955 had many superlative scores, akin to Mr and Mrs 1955 (by OP Nayyar) and Urankhatola (by Naushad). However I have to say I’ve no hesitation in selecting this duet amongst a number of well-known songs within the 12 months.
11. Aa ja ke intezar mein jaane ko hai bahar bhi by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar from Halaku (1956), lyrics Shailendra, music Shanar-Jaikishan
OP Nayyar was on a roll with CID, however since he’s already lined, I embrace one other very worthy tune. Shankar-Jaikishan on this outside-RK Studios movie have composed nice music. It’s good to listen to this lovely Arabic tune from them.
12. Vrindavan ka Krishna Kanhaiya sabki aankhon ka tara by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar from Miss Mary (1957), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Hemant Kumar
1957 was a giant 12 months for a number of high music administrators akin to Naushad, C Ramchandra, OP Nayyar, SD Burman, Madan Mohan, Chitragupta, SN Tripathi, Hansraj Behl and many others. Amongst these here’s a perennial favorite composed by Hemant Kumar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTvZuQ2-bYk
13. Sambhal ae dil tadapane aur tadapaane se kya hoga by Asha Bhosle and Rafi from Sadhna (1958), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanavi, music N Datta
It is likely one of the quirks of destiny that BR Chopra fell wholesale for Ravi instead of N Datta after some preliminary movies. Datta Naik was an excellent composer and he had a pronounced bias for Asha Bhosle in comparison with Lata Mangeshkar. And she or he did ship fantastically. Rafi was at all times tops.
14. Bheegi palkein utha meri jaan gham na kar by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar from Do Gunde (1959), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Ghulam Mohammad
From time to time a tune comes that towers above reputations and rating. If I have a look at the names of nice music administrators who gave very good music in 1959, I’m awed, however this tune by Ghulam Mohammad removes all my doubts. One of many best duets of Rafi-Lata Mangeshkar.
15. Deewana mastana hua dil jaane kahan hoke bahar aayi by Asha Bhosle and Rafi from Bambai Ka Babu (1960), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music SD Burman
SD Burman’s absence in my inaugural publish riled some readers. This duet could make up for a lot of omissions. The tune has a haunting music. I’ve earlier remarked that Lata Mangeshkar’s hiatus with SD Burman didn’t appear to have an effect on him one bit not less than so far as duets are involved. Chitragupta had some nice compositions within the 12 months. I hope he makes a worthy look later.
16. Teri duniya se door chale hoke majboor humein yaad rakhna by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar from Zabak (1961), lyrics Prem Dhawan, music Chitragupta
You’ll be able to’t preserve a gifted particular person down for lengthy. Yearly since 1957, Chitragupta was composing one thing large. Ignore the banner and forged, Teri diniya se door is likely one of the eternal Rafi duets composed by Chitragupta. Rafi’s duets by Chitragupta are distinctive and I’ve written a publish on this earlier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGuHno7cHFk
17. Baar baar tohe kya samjhayein payal ki jhankar, tere bin saajan laage na jiya hamaar by Lata Mangeshkar and Rafi from Aarti (1962), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Roshan
Within the 60s Roshan gave the most effective songs for Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. Aarti’s music is transcendental. Aapne yaad dilaya to mujhe yaad aya is a typical Roshan-duet. This one is barely completely different. The shy lovers encounter a gaggle of villagers, the dancer pirouettes at a quick tempo with equally quick Baar baar tohe kya samjhayein. Meena Kumari can’t resist tapping her toes. She lowers the tempo after which begins this lovely duet.
18. Wo jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar from Parasmani (1963), lyrics Asad Bhopali, music Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Not often a music director has debut like this. In 1949 Shankar-Jaikishan created a storm with their debut in Barsaat. That was an RK film. Laxmikant-Pyarelal debuted with a B-grade fantasy movie, and what a sensation they triggered! They went on to displace SJ from their pedestal and have become the highest duo, and sooner or later demolished all information. This duet exhibits their expertise.
19. Tu shokh kali predominant mast pawan, tu shamm-e-wafa predominant parwana by Rafi and Asha Bhosle from Most important Suhagan Hun (1964), lyrics Kaifi Azmi, music Lachhiram Tamar
Rafi gave his all even when the music director was not within the high bracket. A fantastic duet from a forgotten composer. I’ve written a publish on him within the sequence on Forgotten Composers. Ajit in his hero roles acquired to sing many memorable songs.
20. Thahariye hosh mein aa lun to chale jaiyega by Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur from Mohabbat Isko Kahte Hain (1965), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Khayyam
A signature Pahadi from Khayyam. Buzzing by Suman Kalyanpur provides to the sweetness.
21. O haseena zulfonwali jaan-e-jahan by Rafi and Asha Bhosle from Teesri Manzil (1966), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music RD Burman
This crime thriller, centred round a music band in an evening membership, gave RD Burman full scope to experiment with completely different percussions and sounds. A fantastic night time membership tune with loud music and dance. Asha Parekh who has come to avenge her sister’s demise nonetheless suspects Shammi Kapoor.
22. Kabhi raat din hum door the din raat ka ab saath hai by Rai and Lata Mangeshkar from Aamne Saamne (1967), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music Kalyanji-Anandji
If you consider Kalyanji-Anandji, the highest playback singer that involves thoughts is Mukesh, thereafter, one remembers Mahendra Kapoor. However whenever you hear Kabhi raat din hum door the they seem equally comfy with Rafi. (The centenary sequence has revealed KA composed about twice the songs for Rafi than Mukesh.)
23. Mohammad Shah Rangeele re by Lata Mangeshkar from Nadir Shah (1968), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music SN Tripathi
SN Tripathi was as adept with mythologicals as with court docket music of Muslim rulers. Mohammad Shah was one of many declining Mughals; his obsession with music and dance earned him the epithet of ‘Rangeela’. On this duet Rafi has a minor position. Some sources point out that within the movie the feminine half was sung by Suman Kalyanpur, however the file was lower within the voice of Lata Mangeshkar. This can be a video clip, however to me it seems like Lata Mangeshkar. A ravishing duet.
24. Ye parda hata do zara mukhada dikha do by Rafi and Asha Bhosle from Ek Phool Do Mali (1969), lyrics Prem Dhawan, music Ravi
This was fairly a well-liked tune in its time, a radio period favorite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR2aUbFkrW0
25. Solar solar solar O gulabi kali, teri meri baat ab aage chali by Rafi and Asha Bhosle from Sawan Bhadon (1970), lyrics Verma Malik, music Sonik-Omi
This was the debut movie of Rekha. She has quite a lot of chubby fats and the movie exploited her bodily attributes. A lot later she would develop into a decent main girl. The music administrators are a duo comprising Manoharlal Sonik and his nephew Omi Sonik. That they had an incredible debut within the movie Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (1966). Solar solar O gulabi kali was a superhit of its instances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fww3Ql6BJZw
Twenty-five years, 25 songs, one every year, 25 music administrators, one tune every MD, every tune very good, hats off to Rafi. Readers should even have famous that my filter of choice didn’t have an effect on the superlative high quality of the duets -what a plethora to select from! I want to thank the readers and visitor authors who made Rafi’s centenary celebrations grand.
Notice:
There’s a saying it isn’t over till it’s over. I had meant it to be the concluding article in Rafi’s centenary celebrations. However Rafi-fans can’t have sufficient of him. Some recognized Rafians have despatched me their articles fairly late, subsequently, the celebrations can be prolonged for just a few months in 2025 too.
Acknowledgement and Disclaimer
The songs hyperlinks have been embedded from the YouTube just for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This weblog doesn’t have any industrial pursuits. It doesn’t declare or recommend any copyright over these songs which vests with the respective rights-holders.
