Home » Meri awaaz suno » Did R.D.Burman really preferred KK over Rafi?

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.

Mohd Rafi with R.D.Burman

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.

Receive updates in your inbox. Enter your email address:

1,233 Responses to “Did R.D.Burman really preferred KK over Rafi?”

Pages: [124] 123 122 121 120 119 118 117 116 115 1141 » Show All

  1. 1233
    Mohammad Waqas Says:

    According to me ,R.D Burman did not preferred Mohammad Rafi because Mohammad Rafi was a Muslim and R.D Burman was Hindu.Due to which Burman’s mind was racial.

  2. 1232
    unknow Says:

    Dearest KK fans,
    hit songs not mean that he or she is great singer as we all know that all songs sang by Mr Bachchan are super hit but that not make him a great singer……….as we all know that songs become hit in bollywood not only because of the singer only but in the case of Mohd Rafi some thing else because if you count Mohd Rafi songs to unknown actors or music directors or B grade films or C grade films are hit….
    If you agree or not I think SJ was the best music director ever born in bollywood but you KK fans say that RD is the best!!!!!!!!why?Maybe I agree if you say that SD or Naushand or Madan Mohan are better.
    KK had many great songs as we all know that
    there are many KK fans they say about mohd Rafi songs that is KK singing but there is no mohd Rafi say that

  3. 1231
    kishorefan Says:

    post 1229 - gurumurthy ji,

    In fact, the major songs which were hits of KK - the list goes in numerous numbers.

    Maana Janaab Ne Pukara Nahin from Paying Guest
    Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke from Nau Do Gyarah
    Ai Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa from Funtoosh
    Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si
    Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
    Chhod Do Aanchal from Paying Guest
    Ankhon Mein Kya Ji from Nau Do Gyarah
    Paanch Rupaiya Baara Aana from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
    Chhedo Na Meri Zulfein from Ganga Ki Lahren
    Arre Yaar Meri Tum Bhi Ho Gajab from Teen Deviyan
    Eena Meena Deeka from Aasha
    Nakhrewaali from New Delhi by Shankar Jaikishan
    C.A.T. Cat Maane Billi and Hum To Mohabbat Karega from Dilli Ka Thug
    Zaroorat Hai Zaroorat Hai from Manmauji
    Gaata Rahe Mera Dil from Guide
    Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara from Jewel Thief
    Mere Saamne Wali Khidki Mein and Kehna Hai from padosan
    Mere Sapno Ki Rani and Roop Tera Mastana
    Phoolon Ke Rang Se and Shokhiyon Mein Ghola Jaaye from Prem Pujari
    Aaj Madhosh Hua Jaaye Re
    Khilte Hain Gul Yahan and O Meri Sharmilee from Sharmeelee
    Meet na mila from Abhimaan
    Pyaar Ke Is Khel Mein from Jugnu.
    O Maajhi Re from Khushboo, Yeh Shaam Mastaani and Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai from Kati Patang
    Kuchh To Log Kahenge from Amar Prem
    Raat Kali Ek Khwab Mein Aayi from Buddha Mil Gaya
    Musafir Hoon Yaaron from Parichay
    Diye Jalte Hain from Namak Haraam
    Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si from Anamika
    Zindagi Ke Safar Mein from Aap Ki Kasam
    Agar Tum Na Hote, Humein Tum Se Pyaar Kitna from Kudrat
    Mere Naina Saawan Bhadon from Mehbooba
    Chingari Koi Bhadke (Amar Prem)
    Jab Bhi Koi Kangana from Shaukeen

    The above songs range from 1954 - 1986. All of them were hits and popular numbers of KK.

Pages: [124] 123 122 121 120 119 118 117 116 115 1141 » Show All

Leave a Reply





Other Writeups


Visit our other dedicated websites
Asha Bhonsle Hamara Forums Hamara Photos Kishore Kumar Mohd Rafi Nice Songs Shreya Ghoshal