Some Rare Diamonds of Rafi Saab - 2
This article is written by Mr. B.Venkatadri.
We all know many pairs of songs that are somewhat similar in tunes either in the Mukhda or in the Antara, in many cases because both the songs in the pair were based on the same classical Raaga. But, we do not come across very often pairs of songs that are almost identical in tune both in the Mukhda and also the Antara. Today, let us deal with two such pairs, keeping others for a later date.
Friends, Iqbal Quereshi is one of my favorite Music Directors and belonged to my city, Hyderabad. He has composed two such songs, both duets of Rafi Saab, which are identical in tune both in Mukhda and also Antara. The only difference is that one duet was of Rafi-Lata , the other identically tuned one being of Rafi-Asha. And both are excellent songs.
Mohd Rafi with Iqbal Quershi
The Rafi-Lata duet was composed first by Iqbal Quereshi for the 1962 film, Banarasi Thug(1962). It goes thus: ”Aaj Mausam Ki Masti Mein Gaaye Pawan”
Listen to Aaj Mausam Ki Masti
The identically tuned Rafi-Asha duet, also composed by Iqbal Quereshi, came later for the famous Film:Cha Cha Cha(1964). It goes thus:”Ek Chameli Ki Mandve Thale, Maikade Se Zara Door Mukh Mod”. This song would have certainly rung the bell for many readers, as it is later and more popular than its identical twin by Rafi-Lata from Banarasi Thug!
Listen to Ek Chameli Ke
Hear for yourself both the songs and keep wondering why Iqbal Quereshi has tuned two such identical songs in two different films !
Next, N.Datta is another favorite MD of mine. When you talk of N.Datta, one song you instantly remember is “Dil Ki Tamanna Thhi Masti Mein” from Film:Gyara Hazar Ladkiyan(1962).
Mohd Rafi with G.P.Sippy and N.Dutta
But, I am now talking of two of N.Datta’s other songs which are both sung by Rafi Saab as solos and which are both identically tuned both in Mukhda and Antara. The first one was composed by N.Datta for a Film called Mohini(1957). It goes thus:”Kya Kya Na Sitam Tujh Pe Huve Mehlon Ki Rani”
Listen to Kya Kya Na Sitam Tujh Pe
The second and later one was also composed by N.Datta for the 1959 film:Dhool Ka Phool(1959) in a tune that is identical to the above song from Film:Mohini(1957). And it goes thus:”Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalmaan Banega, Insaan Ki Aulad Hai”. I am sure this song is known to many Rafi fans, being the more popular one than its twin from Film:Mohini(1957).
Listen to Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalmaan
So, why don’t you hear these two songs also and tell me why N.Datta, quite like Iqbal Quereshi above, too had chosen to make two songs of identical tune in two different films? I will write my guess on the reason for this, in the subsequent comment posts.
Mind you, friends, both the songs in each of the above two pairs are identical in tune for all practical purposes, both in Mukhda and Antara. That’s what makes them special. What is also special is that Rafi Saab figures in both pairs!
Otherwise, we have many other pairs wherein both the songs are somewhat similar either in Mukhda or in Antara, but not in both. We are not talking of those.
Also, check the video of Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalmaan
January 13th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Another superb duet of Rafi Saab’s with Talat Mahmood was ‘Gham Ki Andheri Raat me Dil ko na Beqarar Kar’ from the film ‘ Sushila’
January 13th, 2008 at 7:16 am
ref post 22:
mr. siva, the manna-rafi duet “tu hai mera prem devta” is from kalpana (music by op), and I think that the rafi-talat duet you cannot recall is “gam ki andheri raat mein” from sushila (music by c. arjun). Both these songs are outstanding.
January 12th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Good article Iqbal Qureshi was really a very tallented music director. I often very impressed by his music, but alas he didn’t get success as a star music director while he had right. His unremarkable compsition in 1) Kawwali Ki Raat. 2) Chaa Chaa Chaa, 3) Daastane-E-Laila Majnu & Etc. In Daastane-E-Laila Majnu what agreat experiement he did as nowadays A.R. Rahman did in LAGAN He mixed both Hindi & English in same raaga very beautifuly in a song “O re chori… Maine payar tumhi…” same thing he had done in this film He mixed how beautifully two situations song in a same songs and same ragga i.e “Subah Chale Sham Chale Zindagi Ka Qafila” P;z listen and imagine his tallents
January 12th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Thanks to Mr Venkatdri & Mr Binu for their kind words. Rafi saab had the unique distinction of singing many duets -not only with female singers (which is a normal thing in film songs) but also with many male singers. I had given few examples in my earlier posts. Few more gems that come to my mind:
1) Tu hai mera prem devta with Manna da(I do not know the film)
2) Kaisi hasin aaj , baharon ki raat hai, ek chand…with Talat (and also with Mahendra Kapoor in the film version of the song) from Aadmi-music;Naushad ji
3) Phir tumhari yaad aayi ae sanam with Manna da (Rustom Sohrab); music :Sajjad
4) Few later period songs like bane chahe dushman zamana hamar with Kishor in Dostana
I am unable to recollect one more such duet with Talat, which I shall inform once I remember.
One more interesting anecdote-this one I heard from Pyarelal in a program in radio: Rafi saab was very fond of Chai, that too a special one with Badam, Pista added which his wife used to make and he used to take it for recordings. Pyarelal used to tease Rafi saab by asking for that Chai which he was reluctant to part with!!
Also Rafi saab was so shy that when he wanted to record some Non-filmy ghazals & bhajans, he invited Khayyam saab to lucnh at home and his brother-in-law raised this topic!! He had felt that the same type of filmy songs gave him all the recognition and fame, but not self -satisfaction. This he got from these gems like “Tere bharose he nandlal”, dard-e-minashkese (Ghalib’s ghazal)
Hope some of may be aware that he had sung the Telugu version of “Aaja tujhko pukare mere geet re, mere meet re”. In spite of singing in a south indian language, his pronounciation was perfect. I always feel sad that he never sang in my mother tongue Tamil(to the best of my knowledge)
January 12th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Hi . Rafi Has always been the epitome of ever lasting fantastic songs ..
January 12th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Janab Venkatadri saheb, Adab Araz hai. You are 100% correct. I am Pakka Hyderabadi. Saleem is my childhood friend. I am the distributor of his book, “Biography of Mohd. Rafi with two CDs” in USA. Venkat Anna, I am a die-hard fan of Mohd. Rafi Saheb. But infront of you and Saleem, my knowledge about Rafi Sahebs songs is very minimal. Many salams to all Rafians.
Long live Rafi Saheb,
With regards,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin
January 11th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
It is trum card played by Advani. he demand Bharat Ratna to Atal Bihari, most probably on republic day govt. announce bharat ratna to any single person.
only once time govt. gave three bharat ratna to sardarpatel, netaji bose & rajiv gandhi.
Very rare chances to give bharat ratna this time more than one person, who will be either Rafi Saab, Atal bihari or someone else.
But demand by Advani its really trouble for getting Bharat Ratna for Rafi Saab.
January 11th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
ref post 11 by Mr binu nair. i was told by mr shashank chickermane (he has written an article posted on this site earlier) that in Dharwad town (karnataka) every year on the 24th dec and 31st july a procession is taken out in memory of rafi sahab. there are no photoes available as yet with mr shashank chickermane but maybe one of the ‘rafians’ visiting this site can throw light on the nature of the procession and who these activists are and what other programmes they conduct in the name of rafi sahab. also if one can collect photographs of their activities etc it would be great stuff for sargam magazine and this site too. i also understand from mr shashank chickermane that in malleswaram area of bangalore, there is a cyber-cafe owned by a very elderly gentleman who has seen rafi sahab’s concerts in bangalore city years ago and has many an anecdote of rafi sahab’s visit to bangalore city. may be our narayanan sahab can get more information on this. i am adding these here because this page is the latest to be visited by all the rafians for its otherwise good writeup on the ‘pair’ songs by mr venkatadri. asmurty2@rediffmail.com
January 11th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I thank Sri.B.Venkatadri for giving us a couple of sweet songs of Rafi Saab. I also appreciate him for analysing the unusual behaviour of two great music directors(by recreating a same tune used in a former film) from an entirely different angle. I personally feel that this is because of the fact that their favourite tunes with high expectations, went unnoticed & unaccepted by the public in the first instant; so that they wanted to retry it again and made them a hit.
I have noticed Salil Choudhry using his hit Hindi Film tunes in Malayalam and Bengali as he might have felt that the people of Bengal & Kerala should be given a chance to enjoy those great creations.
January 11th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Reg. posts no.s 12 and 13.
Dr. Aliuddin Bhai, Lagta Hai Ki Aap Bhi Hyderabadi Hain, Ya Hyderabad Se Kuch Na Kuch Talluqat Hogi!
You are spot on in your statistics reg. Iqbal Qureshi and N.Datta and also Dattaram! What is the secret of your correctness? Janab Salim-ul-Haq? Just joking.
Many thanks for your appreciation of the songs presented. Please keep posting.
Regards,
Venkat
January 11th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
post 14 yes Balushi sir
Yes we have to collectively sue Raju Bharatan for his such blunders n follies for misquoting and Iam surprised that he claims to be a bigger fan of Rafi sahab.
kindly get the email id of Hindustn Times feedback to the editor and we all will send our protest to them.
The same Raju was praising Rafi sahab on the death n birth annvrsary tributes articles in HT.
January 11th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
http://www.indiafm.com/features/2008/01/05/3444/index.html
Just read the bull shit .
January 11th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Venkatadri Anna, Sorry, actually I wanted to tell you about music director N.Dutta. Rafi Saheb sang 49 solos, 51 duets and two corus songs with him. Please correct me if I am not.
Long live rafi Saheb,
With regards,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin
January 11th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Venkatadri Anna, Namaste aur Adab Araz hai. Your selection of these songs itself shows that you have extensive knowledge and taste about Rafi saheb’s songs. Rafi Saheb sang 34 solos, 38 duets and one chorus with music director, Mr. Iqbal Qureshi. With Mr. Datta Ram, Rafi Saheb sang 10 solos, 13 duets and two chorus.
Long live Rafi Saheb,
With regards,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin
January 11th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Sivaji: rafi saab ka aawaaz : ” gods ” ka aawaz hai…..
Not less , not more….
let’s all spread the “magic” of our ‘bharat ka ratan’ and pls
do send anecdotes and rafi saab related matters to
sargam magazine - published from mumbai…
binu nair… the rafi foundation…. binus2000@hotmail.com
January 11th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Well-said, Siva Ji. Many thanks to Messrs. Unknow1, Biman Baruah, Hussain Sheikh and Mohammed Parvez for their comments.
I said in this article that I would give my guess on the reason for Iqbal Quereshi, N.Datta and later SDB also repeating the same tune for two different songs from two different films.
When Iqbal Quereshi tuned this very nice Aaj Mausam Ki Masti song (Rafi-Lata) for Film:Banarasi Thug(1962), he must have been disappointed that it did not become a great hit and did not get the credit it deserved. So, he must have tried the same tune in a later/higher-profile film, Cha Cha Cha and this time, it became a great hit!
So also with N.Datta and SDB for his pair, which I have not named above.
Venkat
January 10th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Nice continued article by Mr. Venkatadri. Nice and beautiful rare songs mentioned by you in the article. One can go on hear these songs.
January 10th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
venkatadri sir . my best complements for sharing the rare rafi gems. we would like to know more about such rare rafi gems from you later also . please e-mail me some such rare rafi gems to me, i will be ever thankful to you.
regards
biman baruah
sivasgar, assam
bimanbaruah@yahoo.co.in
January 10th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Mr Venkatadri–thanks a lot for the two rare songs ” Aaj Mausam ki masti ” and “Kya kya na sitam”. Many of us have not heard these-they are exactly like their respective popular pairs. Iqbal Quereshi and Sajjad Hussain are my favourites too-many of the songs from Cha Cha Cha are masterpieces of Rafi saab. Wo hum na thi wo tum na thi, Subah na ayee, shaam na ayee jis din teri yaad na ayee are from this movie. In the last lines of ’subah na ayee’ song Rafi saab as usual reaches the peak with aa..jaao, aa jaao.
I would like to share an anecdote about Rafi saab, Kishore & Mukes which I heard in radio few months back. It seems Rafi Saab & Mukesh were once together and were feeling a bit sad for Kishore that he was not getting the songs that he also deserved.(Note the selfless attitude in those days compared with the high ego in singers of today). Rafi saab then said to Mukesh that wait till we fade away from the scene-Kishore shall definitely get his due. This reveals the ultimate humility & greatness of Rafi saab. There cannot be a great human being & singer than Rafi saab. This differentiates his songs as it is directly from his heart & soul.
January 10th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
dear venkatadri ji thanx for posting rare songs i am looking forward to lot of rare songs in future
January 10th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalmaan Banega,jest listen to this u will feel that ur only a human not Hindu or muslim.I thing this song can stop war between muslim and hindu if we used goodway by media
January 10th, 2008 at 10:56 am
two songs I recollect which rafi lovers will love…
Caravan gujar gayee written by kavi neeraj tuned by roshan saab
and woh hum na the, woh tum na ti…… composed by iqbal quereshi…
binu nair… the rafi foundation…
January 10th, 2008 at 9:16 am
A.S.Murthy garu, many thanks for your appreciation which also shows how keen and tasteful a listener you are. In fact, there are a few other such (almost) identical pairs, all of Rafi Saab only! One such pair belongs to S.D.Burman during early sixties, once again the ealier one being not so popular and the later one being quite popular. And one is a Rafi-Lata duet and the other is a Rafi-Asha duet, as above in I.Quereshi’s case! Let us see whether we can bring in those at a later date.
Binu Ji, thanks for the appreciation. I will work on your proposal and send it to you in due course.
Venkatadri
January 9th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
well done : mr venkatadri…
there are some real gems of rafi saab which are really immortal.
can u send me a list of hundred such songs for our sargam magazine
for its march issue.. with an introduction of yourself with ur pictures.
the magic of rafi saab has to be spread and we will do our
small bit…
binu nair. .. the rafi foundation..mumbai.. binus2000@hotmail.com
January 9th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Fantastic compilation of this ‘pairs’ of songs with same tune in the mukhada and antara and that too a ‘pair of pairs’ and to top it all it has rafi sahab donning the mike in all four of these songs. good stuff and many of us would not have not this hidden aspect in rafi sahab’s singing career. i thank mr venkatadri for bringing out this to the fore and to the knowledge of all of us. i had heard the first ‘pair’ example through mr venkatadri himself here in hyderabad but was not aware of the ’second pair’ so far. great article, keep it up. asmurty2@rediffmail.com