This article is penned by Mr.Biman Baruah,Goregan(E), Mumbai

Mohd Rafi with Verma Mallick, Devendra Goel, Ravi

Legendary music composer Ravi Shankar Sharma popularly known as RAVI expired on 7th March, 2012 due to cardiac arrest who celebrated his 86th birthday with friends three days before his death. He was survived by his separated son Ajay and daughter in law, actress Varsha Ushgonkar.

On his death, his filmmaker friend, A. Krishnamurthi remarked, “Ravi was noted for his heart-touching, soft, melodious tunes, which made his songs and music immortal and is hummed even today, decades after he composed them. As well as he was a very fine gentlemen and a great human being.”

Ravi Sahab was born in Delhi on 3rd March, 1926. He was untrained in classical music and learned music from his father, a Bhajan singer. He taught himself to play harmonium and other classical instruments. He worked as electrician to support his family. In late 1950s, he came to Bombay with a dream of becoming a playback singer in Hindi Cinema. Initially, he was homeless in Bombay, living on the streets and sleeping in Malad railway station at night. Considering his early days of struggle, his father sent him Forty Rupees per month and arranged a little accommodation for him in the Kalbadevi area in south Bombay. In 1952, he was first discovered by singer cum musician Hemant Kumar who engaged him to sing back-up vocals of super hit patriotic song, “Vande Mataram” from the film Anand Math. Since then he was working as assistant to composer Hemant Kumar. He might have pay particular attention to his singing career, if the filmmaker Devendra Goel had not signed him as a music director for his film Vachan (1955). Moreover, Ravi himself also realised that in presence of Talat Mehmood, Mukesh and Mohammed Rafi his singing career will not be feasible. Later, he sung with Mohammed Rafi in his own composed song, “Aaj Mere Yaar Ke Shaadi Hai” from Aadmi Sadak Ka (1977).

Ravi Shankar Sharma’s soft and soulful compositions greatly matched with the soft and sweet voice of Rafi Sahab who worked with him in more than 30 films. Mohammed Rafi got his first National Award for the song, “Babul Ki Duayein Leti Ja” from Neel Kamal (1968) and first Filmfare Award Best Male Singer Award for the song, “Chanudhvin Ka Chand Ho” from Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960) composed by RAVI in the lyrics of Sahir Ludhianvi and Shakeel Badayuni respectively. Rafi Sahab also got three Filmfare nominations out of sixteen for songs composed by Ravi: “Husnwale Tera Jawaab Nahin” from Gharana (1961), “Choo Lene Do Nazuk Hothon Ko” from Kaajal (1965) and “Babul Ki Duayein Leti Ja” from “Neel Kamal” (1968).

Ravi Sahab was a blue-eyed composer of some famous film makers specially B.R.Chopra and Devendra Goel from Bombay. He composed music for all films directed by B.R. Chopra from Gumrah (1963) to Nikaah (1982) and Tawaif (1984). He composed music for all films directed by Devendra Goel from Albeli (1955) to Aadmi Sadak Ka (1977). He was also well-liked by some South Indian Banners, i.e. GEMINI (Ghoonghat, Gharana, Grihasti, Aurat, Samaj Ko Badal Dalo), AVM (Meherban, Do Kaliyan) and VASU FILMS (Bharosa, Khandaan).

Ravi Sahab composed music for about 70 Hindi films starting from ALBELI (1955) to TAWAIF (1984) and EK ALAG MAUSAM (2003). In 1980s, he also composed music for more than 15 Malayalam Films as Bombay Ravi. He introduced singer Chitra in Malayalam films, who won her second and third National Award for Best Singer in Malayalam film Panchagni (1986) and Vaishali(1989).

Mohd Rafi with Verma Mallick, Devendra Goel, Ravi

Ravi Sahab composed music for Hindi Films in 1950s, 1960s and 1970s starring all leading heroes of that time. A brief association of him with Mohammed Rafi and leading heroes given below:-

Ravi-Rafi and Pradeep Kumar :-
Ravi Sahab started his career as a music director with Albeli (1955) directed by Devendra Goel starring Pradeep Kumar, Geeta Bali and Jhonny Walker. This association followed by Ghunghat (1960), Mulzim (1963) and Ustadon Ke Ustaad (1963). The Rafi solo, “Sau Bar Janam Lenge, Sau Bar Fana Honge” from Ustadon Ke Ustaad was became one of the best song picturised on the actor.

Ravi-Rafi and Rajendra Kumar:-
This combination worked in six films starting from Rajendra Kumar’s first film, Vachan (1955) and Ghar Sansar (1958), Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan (1959), Gharana (1961), Pyaar Ka Sagar (1961), Gehra Daag (1963). The Rafi-Asha duet, “Sahar Se Door, Masti Shor Picnic Hali Dilwaloon Ki” from Ghar Sansar was became a great party song of that time. The Rafi solos, “Husnwale Tera Jawaab Nahin” from Gharana and “Mujhe Pyar Ki Zindegi Denewale” from Pyar Ka Sagar and “Tuhme Pake Maine Jahan Pa Liya Hai” from Gehra Daag are became memorable Jubilee Kumar songs.

Ravi-Rafi and Guru Dutt:-
Though Ravi Sahab started his career as music director with Albeli and Vachan in 1955. He was established as a composer in Hindi Cinema after Guru Dutt’s Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960). The film was a love triangle between Guru Dutt, Rehman and Waheeda Rahman which was commercially very successful. The title song of the film and “Mili Khak Main Mohabbat, Zala Dil Ka Aashiyana” the solos by Rafi Sahab were huge hit. He also composed music for Bharosa (1963) staring Guru Dutt and Rafi solo from the film, “Is Bhari Duniya Mein, Koi Bhi Sahara Na Raha” last notable song picturised on the actor.

Ravi-Rafi and Sunil Dutt:-
Ravi Sahab composed music for Gumrah (1963), Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke (1963), Khandaan (1965), Waqt (1965) and Humraaz (1967) starring Sunil Dutt. In Gumrah, Waqt and Humraaz, Mahendra Kapoor sung wonderfully for Sunil Dutt under his composition. Rafi Sahab sung for Sunil Dutt in Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke and Khandan. The Rafi-Asha duet, “Yeh Khamoshiyan Yeh Tanhaiyan” and “Neel Gagan Par Udate Badal” from the two films respectively are became everlasting. The film Khandaan won four Filmfare Awards: Best Actor (Sunil Dutt), Best Music (Ravi), Best Lyricist (Rajinder Krishan) and Best Female Playback Singer (Lata).
Sunil Dutt introduced his younger brother Som Dutt as a hero with Leena Chndravakar and Vinod Khanna in Man Ka Meet (1968). The music of the film composed by Ravi and Mahendra Kapoor sung for Som Dutt in the film.

Ravi-Rafi and Raaj Kumar :-
Ravi Sahab composed music in four films acted by Raaj Kumar: Kaajal (1965), Waqt (1965), Humraaz (1967) and Neel Kamal (1968), out of which in two films Rafi sung for Raaj Kumar. The Rafi solos, “Choo Lene Do Nazuk Hothon Ko” from Kaajal and “Tujko Pukare Mera Pyar” from Neel Kamal are very soulful.

Ravi-Rafi and Manoj Kumar:-
Ravi Sahab worked with Manoj Kumar in four films: Grahasthi (1963), Do Badan (1966), Neel Kamal (1968) and Ammanat (1977). The Rafi gems from Do Badan and Ammanat were very popular. In Do Badan, Manoj Kumar played the role of distressed lover and Rafi Saheb soulfully sung three songs for him: “Naseeb Mein Jike Jo Lika Tha, Woh Teri Mehfil Mein Kaam Aaya”, “Bhari Duniya Mein Aakhir Dil Ko Samjane Kaha Jayee”, and “Raha Gardishon Mein Hardam, Mere Ishq Ka Sitara”. All the Rafi solos from the film are everlasting and the film had also three Filmfare nominations in the field of Music: Best Music Director- Ravi, Best Lyricist-Shakeel Badayuni for the song “Naseeb Mein Jike Jo Lika Tha” and Best Playback Singer-Lata Mageshkar for the song “Loo Aa Gayi Unki Yaad”. Ammanat is the delayed and last film of this composer-singer-actor combination and the Rafi songs from the film, “Matlab Nikal Gaya Hai To, Pehchan Te Nahin” and “Door Rahekar” made a mark in late 1970s.

Ravi-Rafi and Shammi Kapoor:-
This combination worked together in Shakti Samanta’s China Town (1962) and B.S. Ranga’s Pyar Kiya To Darna Kiya (1963). The Rafi solos, “Bar Bar Dekho Hazar Bar Dekho” and “Jab Tak Hum Hain Hum Hi Hum Hain” from the films respectively became fashionable as Shammi Kapoor songs among youngsters.

Ravi-Rafi and Biswajeet:-
Ravi Sahab composed music in four films acted by romantic guitar boy Biswajeet, i.e. Shehnai (1964), Sagaai (1966), Do Kaliyan (1968) and Paisa Ya Pyar (1969). The Rafi solo “Na Jhatko Zulfoon Se Pani, Tuhmara Kuch Na Bigdega Yeh Moti Toot Jayega” from Shehnai, Rafi-Asha duet, “Na Yeh Zammen Thi Na Aasmaan Tha” from Sagaai, and Rafi-Lata duet “Tumhai Nazar Kyon Khafa Ho Gayi” from Do Kaliyan are smash hit songs of the actor.

Ravi-Rafi and Joy Mukherjee:-
This combination worked in four films: Door Ki Awaaz (1964), Bahu Beti (1965), Yeh Zindegi Kitni Haseen Hai (1966) and Umeed (1974). The multi-singer song, “Hum Bhi Agar Bachche Hote, Naam Hamara Hota Dabloo Babloo, Khane Ko Milta Laddo, Aur Duniya Kehti Happy Birthday To You” from Door Ki Awaaz became a popular birthday cum children song sung by Mohd. Rafi, Asha Bhosle and Manna Dey. The Rafi solos, “Jawan Ho Mashallah” form Yeh Zindegi Kitni Haseen Hai and “Mujhe Ishq Hai Tujhi Se” from Umeed are also became popular as Joy Mukherjee songs.

Ravi-Rafi and Sanjay Khan:-
Ravi Sahab composed music for four Sanjay Khan films: Dus Lakh (1966), Ek Phool Do Mali (1969), Dhakan (1972) and Dhund (1973). The Rafi solos, “Aa Lag Ja Gale Dilruba” from Dus Lakh and “Mere Dost Tujhe, Tera Meet Mubarak” from Dhadkan are heart touching and soulful. The Rafi-Asha Bhosle duet, “Yeh Parda Hata Do, Zara Mukhra Dikha Do” from Ek Phool Do Mali is a all time popular footstep song and personal favourite of the actor.

Ravi-Rafi and Rajesh Khanna:-
Ravi composed music for only one film, Doli (1969) starring Rajesh Khanna in the initial careers of the superstar. The Rafi solo “Danton Tale Dabakar Hooth Aakhen Karke Bari Bari Kha Jayeegi Mujko Aise Dekh Rahi Hai Khadi Khadi” and Rafi-Asha Bhosle duet “Sajna Saath Nibhana” were became identical in the lyrics of Rajinder Krishan.

Ravi-Rafi and Dharmendra:-
Ravi Sahab composed music for four films starring Dharmendra: Phool Aur Patthar (1966), Aankhen (1968), Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969) and Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka (1975). The title song of the last film, “Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka” sung by Rafi Sahab became a popular romantic track.

Award & Recognitions:-
Ravi Sahab was honoured with Padma Shree in 1987 by Government of India. He won two Filmfare Best Music Director Awards for Gharana (1961) and Khandan (1965). He also got Filmfare nominations for Best Music Directors for five films: Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), Do Badan (1966), Humraaz (1967), Aakhein (1968) and Nikaah (1982). Lata Mangeshkar got Filmfare Best Singer Award for the song, “Tumhi Mere Mandir Tumhi Mere Puja” from Khandan composed by Ravi. As a composer he also enhanced singing careers of Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor. Asha Bhosle was his regular female singer for his compositions from Vachan (1955) to Tawaif (1984). He was very influential in making Mahendra Kapoor a trendy singer of Hindi Film Music. Kapoor won two Filmfare Best Male Playback Singer Awards for “Chalo Ek Bar Phir Se, Ajnabi Baan Jayee Hum Dono” in Gumrah (1963) and for “Neele Gagan Ke Tale, Dharti Ke Pyar Pale” in Humraaz (1967) under compositions of Ravi, out of total three awards. After successful career in Hindi Films in 1950s and 1960s, he took a long break in mid 1970s till 1982. In 1982, he composed music for B.R.Film’s Nikaah with some popular tracks. Singer cum actress, Salma Agha won her Filmfare Best Female Singer Award for one song of the film, “Dil Ke Arman Aansooyon Main Beh Gaye”

Mohammed Rafi was always a preferred singer for composer Ravi. But there was an undisclosed difference between Rafi Sahab and B.R. Chopra. Hence, Ravi Sahab lent voice of Mahendra Kapoor for all his compositions for B.R. Films from Gumrah (1963) to Dhund (1973). However, he used voice of Rafi Sahab for the title song of Waqt (1965) which was the theme of film and unmatched for other singer. The song was in the background of the film. “Aye Meri Zohra Jabeen” by Manna Dey from Waqt, “Milti Hai Zindagi Mein Mohabbat Kabhi Kabhi” by Lata Mageshkar from Ankhein, “Zindagi Ittefaq Hai Kaal Bhi Ittefaq Thi Aaj Bhi Ittefaq Hai” by Asha Bhosle from Aadmi Aur Insaan are some notable songs composed by him for other singers. The songs composed by Ravi Sahab, “Babul Ki Duayein Leti Ja” from Neel Kamal (1968), “Aaj Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai” from Aadmi Sadak Ka (1977) and “Doli Chadh Ke Dulhan Sasural Chali” from Doli (1969) are also became very popular in wedding celebrations in North India.

As a music composer, Ravi Sahab will always be remembered as King of Soft and Soulful Melodies. His soft, heart-touching and melodies tunes will make his compositional songs immortal and will be hummed by music lovers forever.

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