Did R.D.Burman really preferred KK over Rafi?
This article is written by Mr.H.V.Guru Murthy.
A regular browser to web site mohdrafi.com, having gone through the letters of Rafi lovers would assume that R D Burman did not utilize Rafi properly, instead he preferred Kishore Kumar. Because of this reason, Rafi Fans are still upset with RDB even though he passed away a decade back.
Yes, it is true that RDB preferred KK over Rafi during early seventies. For that matter, which Music Director or Actor or Producer or Director will not have his preference. It was well known that Raj Kapoor always preferred Mukesh, Manoj Kumar preferred Mukesh or Mahendra Kapoor, B.R.Chopra films had Mahendra, MD Ravi also had plenty of songs with Mahendra so also O.P after he broke with Rafi. Similarly OP always had either Asha or Geetha Dutt and never Lata. Salil also used all other Singers. Director Subba Rao insisted on Mukesh for SAATHI even though the hero was Rajendra Kumar and MD Naushad, two Rafi Fans. Even Kalyanji Anandji had many films with Mahendra Kapoor, Mukesh and KK even though Rafi was instrumental in their raise through JAB JAB PHOOL KHILE, AAMNE SAAMNE, etc. LP, by all means Rafi Bhakts, used KK regularly in the early seventies even for Rafi heroes like Jeetendra, Dharmendra, etc. SJ also switched over to KK in movies like MAIN SUNDAR HOON, DIL DAULAT DUNIYA, KAL AAJ AUR KAL, etc. Of course, the music standard came down a notch or two in that period. But, well, it is their prerogative to have whomsoever they wanted though I am sure in heart of heart, why even openly, they would have admitted the superiority of Rafi over all other Singers. Similarly, RDB also used KK for almost all his movies in the early seventies as perhaps he had some special chemistry with him.
However, let us not forget that RDB used Rafi extensively during late sixties as his main playback singer right from the first movie. He gave hit music with Rafi in TEESRI MANZIL, NAQLI NAWAAB, CARAVAN, PYAAR KA MAUSAM, THE TRAIN, ABHILASHA, ADHIKAR, RATON KA RAAJA, etc. Later during late seventies he returned to Rafi and gave hits like SHAAN, HUM KISISE KUM NAHIN, ABDULLAH, ZAMANE KO DIKHANA HAI, etc. In between, he had Rafi in CHANDI SONA qawali with Mannadey (Ek Shok Hasina Se), YADON KI BAARAT (Title song and who can forget the duet with Asha Chura Liya Hai Tumne), DIL KA BAADSHAH (this Raj Kumar starrer had all songs by Rafi), THE GREAT GAMBLER (Raftasa Mera Naam), SHEHZADA (Solo Tere Attaroo and duet with Lata Kaahe Ko Bulaya), etc.
If a person cannot appreciate the greatness of Rafi, then it can be safely concluded that the person does not have a sense of music. Of course, RDB was a good MD though not a great MD like Naushad, Madan Mohan, OP Nayyar, SDB, etc. RD would have definitely known the great qualities of Rafi, the Singer. Just because he did not use Rafi extensively as one would expect, let us not degrade this MD who gave us some good songs in CHANDAN KA PALNA, PADOSAN, HARE RAMA HARE KRISHNA, MERE JEEVAN SAATHI, AJNABEE, AMAR PREM, SANAM TERI KASAM, BHOOT BANGLA, BAHARON KE SAPNE (Rafi solo Zamane Ne Maare), PARICHAY, KINAARA, APNA DESH, ZAHREELA INSAAN, RAMPUR KA LAKSHAMAN (Pyaar Ka Samay with Lata, KK and Rafi), 1942 – A LOVE STORY, KATI PATANG to certain extent, etc. though he gave some very mediocre music in films like DEEWAR, SHOLAY, KITAAB, ZAKHMEE, RAFOO CHAKKAR, NAMKEEN, DHARAM KARAM and BIWI O BIWI (so un-RK film like), etc. so many forgettable movies as for as music was concerned.
The irony of RDB was either he gave good music or petered out to a very mediocre music in so many films. I read some where that Shashi Kapoor called RD as National Anthem Music Director. In those days, theatres used to play National Anthem at the end of the movie and the Hall doors used to be shut till the completion of the Anthem. As soon as the Anthem used to commence, our in-disciplined people used to rush to the Hall Door and wait for the door opening. Similarly, whenever RDB songs commenced in most of the movies, people used to rush to toilet.
Still, it is not fair that we use harsh and sometimes, un-parliamentary language against any body if they differ with our views. We cannot forget the contribution of all these MDs, Heroes, Singers, Directors, etc. in making the Indian Film Music so rich.
August 1st, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Atlast lata mangeskarji broke her silence regarding lovable Rafiji,,,and come out with the words full of priase on 29th punyatithi of someone whome she calls ,”Rafi bhaiya”"”,,,there are so many Rafi lovers who r great with their write ups,,hence I request someone of u to write an arcticle here on this site that appeared today(august 1st,09) in Hindi newspaper, Hindustan in new delhi,with Title”o dur ke musafir hamko bhi saath le le”"
,Its about lataji tributing Rafi sahab,,,,she starts saying,,,”Rafi sahab sabse bade playback singer thhey,,,,,mainey sabhi mashoor gayako-talat mehmood,Mannade,Mukesh,hemant kumar aur kishore kumar ke saath yugal geet gaye`n hain,lekin rafi sahab ke saath gaane ka kuch dusra hi anand thha,,unke gaane me aisa lagta thha actor swyam gaa rahe ho`n,,K.L shehgal ke baad srotao(listeners) par “kisi ka bhi” eetna prbhao nahi para,jitna rafi bhaiya ka………….
She further explained how rafi sahab became leading singer in Hindi film industry in eye of all the music directors,,calling Great Naushad was the first to recognise rafiji`s Talent,,,and trend follower were Shankar jaikishan,OP nayar, madan mohan etc,,,,…Sd burman earlier had talat Mehmood,Hemant kumar and kishore kumar as his leading singer,but from 1957(nau do egyarah)onward started Rafi sahab as his main singer….
and giving reference of the song tere ghar ke samne`s title duet,at in midst of the song how she used to get nervous n SD burman requested Rafi sahab to make voice little lighter,,Rafi sahab laughed n then Lataji felt relaxed….quating this incident Lata ji praised him saying,,”aise thhey Rafi bhaiya”
Last words of the tribute were,,,,”Rafi bhaiya bahna(sister) ko yaad rakhna…..”
August 1st, 2009 at 8:25 pm
I do not know whether Lataji used to get nervous or not with Rafi singing with her, one thing is clear: she is always short of words when it comes to expressing opinion about Rafi or Naushad. Her position as a topmost singer was really threatened when she picked up that legendary quarrel with him and saw him rising from summit to summit while music directors sought her substitutes in Suman Kalyanpurkar, Sharda, Mubarak begum and others. Both Lata and Rafi were great singers, no doubt. But it is in the tandem songs i.e., those songs that were sung by both male female singers as separate compositions that Lata’s weaknesses appeared.’A KAL MEIN DHAL GAYA’ [Beti Bete], ‘Zindagi Bhar Nahin Bhoolegi’ [Barsat ki Rat], ‘Ehsaan tera hoga mujhpar’ [Jungli,], ‘Pardesiyon se na ankhiyan milana’[Jab Jab Phool Khile] and numerous other songs reveal that Rafi’s renderings are far more impressive than Lata’s. They are also more heard and played even today. Lata has a way of picking up fights with people, it seems; she quarreled with S.DBurman, Before that there was story O.P.Nayyar spurning her forever after she didn’t honour punctuality, she gad a big fight with C.Ramchandra that really torpedoed his career. She was terribly concened about singer’s royalty. Why dodn’t she fight when Poet Pradeep’s name didn’t figure on the record of ‘Aye mere watan ke logon’. Much is made of that song quoting that Pt. Nehru wept over it! Years ago Mohammad Rafi had sung a soulful song on Mahatma Gandhi’s death, a long and beautiful song. Pt. Nehru had called Rafi then given a special words of appreciation. Why that s event didn’t become as legendary as Lata’s ‘Aye mere watan ke logon’. Ever alert diplomat as she is Lata celebrated her ‘Silver Jubilee’ in 1967, to the great amazement of all. Rafi should have celebrated his Silver Jubilee earlier because he had come to film world before.
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:22 am
priya sanyal ji : Post 1301 : every person will change according to circumstances and thus show their true colours. but at leisure they would “repent” – surely will. sometimes earlier and sometimes later.
the mangeshkars in their heart of hearts always knew that mohd rafi is the “best” – but would “never” acknowledge it openly.
there is a flood of mohd rafi appeal and his music in these scanty days of melody and fast ear shattering/breaking forgettable music.
it never surprises me that mohd rafi is being discovered by the new generations and also by his lovers and detractors alike.
like u never can stop a tide however u may wish.
binus2000@hotmail.com
August 2nd, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Ref. post 1301, Hi Priya – so wonderful to read your post of 1 Aug. It always troubled me that a great singer like Lata could actually have a fight with someone like Rafi Saab. How could anyone for that matter? In her Shradhhanjali album, she did not refer to him as Rafi “Bhaiya” either. But age must have made her wiser in this regard and she must have realised what the name Mohammad Rafi actually signifies. She of all people, has sung so many beautiful songs with Rafi Saab, and yes, they are the most beautiful duets only because the male singer is Rafi Saab. Otherwise, she has duets with all other singers and no doubt, they’re good too – but with Rafi Saab, the magic of the duet is different – because the magic is his voice. It cannot be denied. It’s the same with Asha’s duets too. Just think of the duets from kashmir ki Kali, that’s just one example.
Maybe Lata feels sorry for the fact that she had that quarrel re royalty. Ultimately, is money more important? Do we love Rafi Saab only because of his singing? If he had been a greedy, money hungry person (and it feels like a blasphemy to even utter this, it is so unimaginable), would we have this feverish love and adoration for him that we do?
But I am relieved to learn that Lata has acknowledged his greatness in her tribute. Thank you for sharing it here, I would not have any way of knowing this otherwise.
I have seen a few of your other posts too, and liked them very much. Keep writing. Yours in Rafi
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Dear savita ji, raj ji!
mere post number 1292 ko mulahza karen,
rahi lata ji ke appraisal ki baat to chalo khushi hai ke aaj 29 saalon ke baad unki aankh to khuli. abe.tak to rafi saheb ke maamle mein unki zaban chup rahi, apne programmes mein rafi saheb ki aawaz mein gaane ke liye unho ne s.p.bala subramanium tak ko tarjeeh di lekin koi bhi rafi clone khawh woh shabbir kumar hon ya mohd.aziz hon unko nahi liya, shayad ghalti se ek baar shabbir kumar ko londaon ke 6 roz ke programme ke contact mein le gayee thee lekin jab 2 hi programmes mein shabbir kumar ne rafi saheb ke geeton ko gaate huey apni ek jagah banali aur log sirf rafi saheb ke hi geeton ko sunna chah rahey thay to unke bhai saheb ne shabbir bhai ke hathon mein wapsi ka ticket yeh kehte huey thama dia ke yahan log tumhe pasand nahi karrahay.
lata ji ek bahut badi bulkay female playback singers ki list mein sab se oonchi fankaar hain lekin kahin na kahin woh hamesha rafi saheb ki gayeki se khaufzada raheen. aaj 29 saal ke baad unka yeh iqraar rafi saheb ko badai nahi bukshta bulkay yeh alfaaz ada karke aaj woh khud badi ho gayee hain. aaj rafi saheb ke naam ka sahara lekar bahut saare puraane aur unke hum-asr fankaar hain jo headlines mein banay huey hain,khuda ne aql to sabhi ko ata kiya hai hum bhi aasani se is baat ka andaaza laga sakte hain khawh woh manna dey sb hon ya naushad saheb hon ya lata ji hon ya aarti mukherji hon.
naushad saheb ke geeton ko rafi saheb ne ‘laa-faani’ yani immortal banadiya,
waqt ke saath apne daur ka sab se bada music director bhi khamosh ho gaya lekin rafi saheb ki be waqt maut ne jaise unhe zindagi dedi aur woh ek baar phir se surkhiyon mein aagaye aur rafi saheb ki sari kaamyabi ka sehra unho ne sirf apne sar pe baandh liya.(meri baatein kuchh logon ko buri to zaroor lag rahi hain lekin yeh woh haqeeqat hai jis se inkaar mumkin nahi).
r.d.burman jin ke pehle geet ko aawaz dene ke liye s.d.burman sb ne rafi saheb se guzarish ki aur r.d.burman jis ki dhuno ko rafi saheb ne laa-zawal bana diya ….. misaal lijye……. arey o goria kahan tera des re, aaja aaja amin hoon pyar tera, tumne mujhe dekha ho ker, chura liya hai, pal do pal ka saath hamara, lekin fusion ke naam pe confusion ki jab hawa chali to r.d.sb bhi sari pichhli baatein bhool gaye.
asha ji apne kisi programme mein rafi saheb ka zikr tak nahi karteen, woh bhool gayeen ke diwana hua badal, isharon isharon mein dil lene walay, phir milogi kabhi is baat ka waada karlo, teri patli kamar, mujhe pyar ki zindagi dene walay, in geeton mein agar rafi saheb ki aawaz na hoti to ……….
aaj to woh khamosh hain lekin kuchh barson ke baad jab woh khud gumnaami ki raah pe chal padengi to achanak unhe khayal aayega ‘rafi bhaiya’ ka….. aur woh bhi baday khoobsurat bayan dekar khud ko limelight mein laengi………kyunki rafi saheb aaj ke daur ki ek aisi sachchai hain jinse inkaar mumkin nahi.
jawaid naseem
August 11th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
The kishore foundation has been opened. Music lovers may visit yoodleeyoo.com for more details stating about kishore foundation and kishore as king of playback singing.
August 12th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Raj : 13 06 : All the best. But, Please ask ur men (few) – never to pollute the mohdrafi.com site and also say that because k. kumar sang few songs extraordinarily well, he is better than mohd rafi and thus the greatest.
it reminds me of cricketer wassim jaafer hitting a double century in one of the test matches and few cricket buffs “thinking” him to be as good as sachin tendulkar and becoming the “laughing stock”
binu nair, mumbai…
August 12th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
1306 – Raj ji,
Yeah, kishore is king of playback singing, R D Burman is greater than Pt. Bhimsen Joshi and Rajesh Khanna is the greatest actor in the world. One thing – full appreciations for your comedy – a fact simply inherited as a heriditary factor from your guru ji.
August 12th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
refer to post 1304
Dear Nasreen ji
So we meet again. Without any prejudices, I would love to speak with you. Call me on 9819319157 and I shall tell you the real story.
August 13th, 2009 at 9:14 am
I love Kishore Kumar :
Kishore Kumar – the singer/actor and player of many parts can “never” go unloved. no doubt he is great like many of singers from k l saighal saaheb 2 suresh wadkar.
among female singers lata mangeshkar – inarguably is the best. can kk be compared with lata ji?????
i will not answer this since my heart says that mohd rafi is the “greatest” singer to have visited the hindi music scene from 1945 to 1980.
yes. he is the best as no singer has matched rafi in terms of versality and vocal range.
even asha bhosle no great open votary of rafi asked the legend singer to scale down the range – to match his vocals.
as naushad ji said in the film division documentary : a better singer like mohd rafi may come, we do not know. but, another mohd rafi will never arrive.
naushad saaheb was referring to the humanism of mohd rafi which “no” singer ever possessed other than singers k l saighal and mukesh saaheb.
back to kishore kumar. yes, he is great. not the greatest by any chance.
binu nair
August 13th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Kishore kumar in 1985 recieved Lata mangeshkar award…this shows difeerence between the two
1310,no way,,neither do we nor even kishore fans can compare Kishore with lataji,,as Lataji is much ahead of him…..and also,,,,its because of singers like Kishore kumar n others who sang with lata mangeshkar after rafi sahab death,,,made lata mangeshkar,,such a great legend with the tag best,,,as no one had any confusion,,,with kishore Kumar,,lata ji`s duet sounded mostly one sided,or sometimes appear both r singing for themselves no mutual realtions in the voice feelings.,
,,,Lata mangeshkar became Lata mangeskar in presence of other male singer of lower talent and mainly because of vacuum of rafi sahab absence after 1980,,,,
August 13th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
@ post no. 1306:
Who cares?
August 13th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Raj,
Why are you posting this on this site? which fool would expect fans of the greatest singer alive(yes alive) to state someone else as the best? Are kishore kumar fans that immature and illogical?
August 14th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Friends, I don’t know why you keep posting your comments on this thread, when the discussion has nothing to do with pancham. Please post your comments on “true voice”. I found an English translation of the article by Lata in Hindustan Times; I’m going to post it on that thread.
August 14th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Raj, on other part, thats on Kishore side its a happy moment to have foundation on legends name ,,,,but immature statement like that of urs and the behaviours of many arrogant kishore fans raise a question in my mind about future of ur organisation,but frankly speaking I don`t even care,,however best wishes to u as few kishore fan out of exception may be good but most of them r just jelous striken and sick of critisizing others,,,,
Raj`s comment is completly an egoistic approch of presenting a subject… lets ignore this kind of visitors!
August 14th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
jest visit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bHJ_2fQRzs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX271XYTUtw&feature=related
lata ji speak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oaiCCNeOHI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZfN4c-ABx4&feature=related
kk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd1_yG9k11w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6wnwwOJJVw&feature=related
this is not a rafi song he has sang it in that style the song rafi sang is JAB TERE PYAR KA AFSANA LIKHA HAI MAINE HAR JAGA APEI KO DEEWANA LIKHA HAI MAINE JAB TERE PYAR KA IS A GAZAL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5GmdpClSaw&feature=related
September 20th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
It was not rd but sd was the graetest fan of kishore. but sd lived in rafi era and still specifically composed chartbusters for kishore. R d burman also probably liked kishore but rd burman liked and adored rafi. But sd burman was completely in favor of kishore. it is clear post 70. till sd burman was alive rd never used rafi much. and it is also claer that for serious songs rd prefered kishore than rafi. the story continues till kudrat “hume tumse pyarkitana”. it is clear that rd liked rafi but liked kishore more. only to kill the bias in favor of rafi before 70 rd dedicd to go all the way for “kishore” till kishore is established a s lead singer. thereafter rd used all male singers equally with little more preference for kishore.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
I was reading the “so called” Shashi Kapoor’s comment about RD’s music, its an irony that one of his best songs “suhaani chandni raatein” was composed by RD. Someone mentioned that “jhanak jahanak” by manna is based on kalavati, no its darbaari kannada.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Some facts been misquoted :
MD for Zakhmee : Bappi Lahiri
MD for Rafoo Chakkar : Kalyanji Anandji
Over all the analysis is good.
February 28th, 2010 at 10:23 am
Thank you for all the detail.. Yet yet another extraordinary article, it’s exactly why we come back to all your site repeatedly!