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.
May 4th, 2008 at 6:09 am
The greatest difference between Rafi and KK was RD Burman. No matter how great a singer is; it is the melody in the song that attracts people. Singers don’t compose; they can bring value to the song with their voice but composition does make a huge difference. For instance if you see all these remixes still it makes money; the value proposition is in composition and of course the lyrics!
Every singer has their own strengths and of course weakness. For instance the song “Kah door jab din dal jaye” by Mukesh is simply awesome. Not even KK or Rafi could sing like mukesh for this song.
RD is a guru and i feel nobody could do justice to RD’s tunes better than KK. RD and KK were made for each other. Rafi fans accept the fact that KK did deliver immortals songs just like Rafi. KK and RD set a new platform for music which nobody could do. Their combo was terrific. I can’t imagine indian music industry with out KK & RD.
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
ajv/bristol : the fact is when a “thousand: Kishore Kumar will come and go, one Mohdmmad Rafi is born.
Now, listen to your thrash 800 songs and start counting from one. come on start.
binu nair, mumbai.
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Ref. post 560 - You can’t digest Rafi Sahab’s songs because his songs are very sweet like “Kheer”. And you must know that “Dogs only can’t digest Kheer”.
I fully agreed by the comments of Mr. G. S. Sagir “ur taste is worst cheque ur tounge n 4 music check also ur soul and ear because it seems u prefer gobar instead of malaie”.
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:19 pm
ref 559
riteshmallik: Rafi’s output was prolific and versatile in many genres. He worked with 250+ different MDs in his career. An excellent fraction of his songs were of very good quality. The last sentence is a subjective opinion of mine and millions of music lover. He satisfied even the most strict composers like Naushad or Madan Mohan. All this was possible because Rafi was apt in picking up songs. A lot of the MDs that Rafi worked with would always praise Rafi’s ability to pick up a song quickly.
Sure there were occasions. A song like O Duniya Ke Rakhwale or Man Tadpat Hari Darshan *innately* require absolute perfection and practice. There were a few halla gulla songs in the 50s that Rafi didn’t always understand what the MD wanted. However, I can’t think of a SEVENTIES song - where Rafi’s ability to pick up a song was challenged. He may have been in poor health at times but that’s a different matter. 70s songs were much easier.
You can’t compare Kishore Kumar picking up a 70s tune versus Rafi practicing extensively for a song like Man Tadpat Hari Darshan. There is nothing wrong with a singer like Kishore or Rafi to practice extensively to get the song right. It should be lauded. Here’s an excerp from Kishore’s biography by Derek Bose:
But then, there were also times when he could not get a simple note righ and woud spend nights on end at home practising, before reporting for the recording. Composer Anil Biswas once turned him away from the studio when he could not render the Husn bhi hai udaas udaas number from Fareb. Not one to give up, Kishore cloeseted himself at home rehearsing the lines till he got the tune to perfection. An almost similar siutation arose with Aradhana when Sachin dev threatened to replaced him with Rafi. Kishore shut himself from the rest of the world for more than a week, practising the songs again and again, until the composer was satisfied.
Then there was his song Yeh Jeevan Hai from Piya Ka Ghar, which composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal were initially not happy about, even after the recording. Pyarelal explained: “Kishore-da, this song gently and gradually unfolds the philosophy of life. Sing it slowly, with profound emotion, so that it touches the heart of the listener.” Rather than dig in his heels, Kishore asked for a chair and re-recorded the song with such feeling that Pyarelal was later to remark that his “voice sounded like a melody of angels”.
end
All these things I described are more reason to praise and admire Kishore da. No matter how talented you are - you *must* work very hard to reach anywhere near the heights these greats did. I think you’re generalizing very specific, unoften occurrences. Rafi was very good at picking up songs (in general). So was Kishore.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:22 pm
ref post 560:
ajv from bristol,
i am honoured to be called a fanatic of Rafi saab.
If there’s any fool on this site, it is you.
And yes i have heard many KK songs of which i only like a handful.
I sometimes wish Rafi had sung those songs as they would have been even better but never the less they are good KK songs but on the whole he has sung too many poor songs that are an ache to the ears.
If you prefer KK songs over Rafi that is your choice but dont talk bull shit by trying to prove that KK was better than Rafi sahab.
KK comes to Rafi’s ankles, Mukesh, Manna Dey and Mahendra Kapoor probably come to Rafi sahab’s knees and Lata comes the closest.
But truly speaking we shouldn’t even be comparing any singer with Rafi saab.
He was miles ahead of all of them.
Why is that that everyone tries to compare their favourite singer with Rafi, because they all know that Rafi was and still is the BEST. A lata fan or a Mukesh fan wil not compare their favourite singer with KK or Asha or MK, or anyone else, the comparison will always be with Rafi.
The probelm with you is in the heart of heart’s you know the truth that Rafi was the best but you guys can’t take it and try to spread your crap.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Ref post 559 if u say Rafi Saheb took so much time in reharsal than KK?
I agrree with u but that means Kk was commercial and Rafi Saab… u can imagine….
There is a recording interview of Rd, always broadcasting by radio regarding song “Mere Naina Sawan Bhado”
Rd said in his interview KK was getting problem to catch ragaas (in reharsal) then he requested us to record this song with Lata first
Uske Baad main ye gane ko rat kar ga doonga, RAAG KI AISI KI TAISI
U all KK supporters rely that he is God and etc. Ur god
said RAAG KI AISI KI TAISI u can imagine what he has respect about music in his mind isn’t he was 100% commercial not professional
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Ref Post 560
If u dont digest Rafi Saab Voice Why did u coolect his 800 songs. I think u have been suffering fron dehydration. We all Rafian bless for u
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Ref - 560
When the actors of 50s & 60s became old KK gave playback for them. Prior to that Rafi was the main voice. Classic example Dev Anand. See the Dev of 70s and the Dev of 50s, 60s. You can judge for your self.
Rishi’s main voice has been Rafi in the 70s. Initially RDB tried to fix Shailendra / KK has the main voice for him. But the success of Laila Majnu changed every thing there after.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Post 564: Very well said Mr. Sanjay Arora, Rafi Saheb was BAAP of Kishore Kumar.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Re. Post 559: Hey mister, where were you all these days? Collecting fake news??? Rafi Saheb is|was a true and complete singer with full knowledge of music. Can you put here a link where RDB said that Rafi Saheb took so much time in reharsal than KK? C’On you guy, don’t fool us.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Re. Post 560: A rotten joke again written by this chap, who even doesn’t know what’s music! As someone said, Rafi Saheb is from # 1 to # 10, Ki(shor)e Kumar is no where to Rafi Saheb. By writing such nonsense comment, this chap is insulting KK, and not Rafi Saheb. KK’s all time favourite was Rafi Saheb. Hey Mr. UK wala, do you want to prove KK wrong? Very funny comment by this chap!!!
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:45 pm
ref : post 560,let me clarify ,RAFI SAAB WAS BAAP OF KK AND NOT UNCLE,THE COLLECTION YOU ARE BOASTING OF KK MERELY CONSISTS OF TRASH OF RDB & KK OF 70`S AND 80`,WHEREAS THE GEMS OF RAFI SAAB SEEMS YOU HAVE NOT EVEN HEARD.PLEASE CONFIRM FROM YOUR COLLECTION EVEN 10 HIT SONGS OF KK UNDER MADANMOHAN,SHANKAR JAIKISHAN,SDB,RAVI,NAUSHAD( ONLY 1 SONG),OPNAYYAR,.PLEASE DO NOT SAY YOU HAVE NOT EVEN HEARD NAMES OF THESE GIANT MUSIC DIRECTORS.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 am
LOL, ajv bristol, who really cares how many songs of each artist you have. To say that the majority of Rafi songs are less in quality or poor and that Kishore has more quality songs, is nonsense, and shows how much knowledge you have. You may think so, but you definitely haven’t heard many Rafi songs, and I doubt you even have as much songs of Rafi as you claim you do. You are entitled to your opinion, but KK’s repertoire is no where even close to Rafi’s repertoire, the only person being a fanatic and foolish is you.
Sorry to say, KK’s voice is no where near to Rafi’s golden voice. KK has many a times sounded as if an old person is singing, whereas that was never the case with Rafi, he always sounded young.
As I said before, please don’t post your nonsense on this site, the KK site has enough, please go and post over there and add to their nonsense.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:24 am
ajv_bristol_uk: each to his own my friend. that’s really the end all.
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:56 am
Post 560 bristol : pls write your often repeated “nonsenses” in the Kishore Kumar website and please clean up your “damaged ears”.
some people may never appreciate quality things in “life” and you are one of them. It’s entirely your loss and please get out of this site alongwith your garbage.
binu nair. mumbai.
May 1st, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Mehboob,
You sound fanatic and foolish. How many songs of kishore-da have you heard till now? It is unfortunate you can’t enjoy kishore-da songs. I have almost 800+songs of rafi, 2000+ songs of kishore-da and 900+songs of Lata and many others. I just cannot digest Rafi songs. He just sounds like a 50 year old! Kishore-da songs are really magnetic and his voice is bliss. Some of the rafi songs are awesome but majority of his songs are average poor quality songs. Rafi sings like an Uncle.
May 1st, 2008 at 11:28 pm
My post of 3rd of aug 2007 generated few debates and i cdnt read them.sorry 4 being so late in reply..first of all i will like 2 clear few things….
1..im one of d biggest admirer of mohd rafi saab.I consider him as d best singer dat has ever walked on d planet.I consider himeven higher dan Lata..
2..i also rate kishore as a very great singer…
3..Rd was no doubt a very talented music directors and did give us many beautiful melodious music..
…Now lemme get back 2 d topic…I had read an interview of Rd as 2 whom he like most rafi or kishore and his answer was kishore .D reason he gave was dat “kIshore doesnt need lots of practice 2 record a song whereas Rafi takes 30-40 rehearsals 2 ok a song…”"
…….dis isnt a hidden fact dat Rafi was a perfectionist and he use 2 take lots of time b4 giving his nod 4 d recording..Dats y we get 2 hear amazing classics in Rafi saabs voice dan nebdy else…Mohabbat jinda rehti hai,,o duniya ke rakhwale,,chal ur jaa re panchi,,apni to har aah,,and many oder songs r just few examples 2 show d phenomenol talent he had..
………One of d mailers had asked me 2 get back into years and listen 2 melody..I wd like 2 tell him widout ne malice dat Ive heard a lot and lot and lot of quality aswell as not so good music..Music is something dat i alwys keep thinking about ….
………..RD did gave some stunning melodies in dose eras..But if i believe my music sense den Rd was no where close 2 his mighty father SD or naushad saab or madan mohan…I have problems when he is termed as D GREATEST..D westernisation of indian music by him was one of d cause of d decline in music quality..D likes of Bappi lehris started plagiarising western songs and serving dem 2 audiences..Post RD music directors started taking lots of works and so dey didnt give much time 2 create exceptional music
..
..
May 1st, 2008 at 9:32 pm
By this title I am 100% agree, My answer will be YES!
When RD got break he used only Rafi Saab in CHOTE NAWAB more than five songs because that was one and only RAFI period. Mean while he also used KK in Bhoot Bangla bot they worked together rarely When Listner taste changed as usual he started prefer KK It was al monoply Mostly industry person used Rafi Saab in his success .
If you ignore quantity Is there anybody to answer me to whom RD Hit Raio is more? IS TAHT
RAFI OR KISHOR ?
Didn’t RD know this fact insted of this he was behind (Prefered) KK
May 1st, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Ref post 538 ur taste is worst cheque ur tounge n 4 music check also ur soul and ear because it seems u prefer gobar instead of malaie
May 1st, 2008 at 4:47 pm
REF POST - 538.
SIR I APPRECIATE YOUR VIEW THAT WE NEED NOT PRAISE RAFI SAHAB FOR HIS EXCELLENT PLAYBACK SINGING. THANKS FOR THIS VIEW OF YOURS. AND MORE OVER RAFI SAHAB NEVER LIKED ANY PRAISE. HIS SON SHAHED RAFI IN ONE OF HIS INTERVIEWS TOLD THAT IF ANY ONE PRAISED RAFI SAHAB THEN INSTANTLY RAFI SAHAB USED TO RAISE HIS HAND & POINT HIS FORE FINGER TO THE HEAVENS. THATS ARFI SAHAB.
AND COMING TO THE SECOND PART OF YOUR STATEMENT REGRADING THE DECLINING QUALITY OF RAFI SAHAB I DONT AGREE WITH YOU SIR. PLEASE LISTEN TO THE QUAWWALI OF ‘ HAM KISISEY KAM NAHIN’
I GIVE A LOT OF RESPECT TO ALL THE THE SINGERS. I TELL THEY ARE ALL AS SWEET AS ‘ SUGAR’ BUT I SAY RAFI SAHAB IS ‘ HONEY’
SHAKKAR BANTAA HAI AUR SHAHAD JO HAMEIN KUDRATSEY MILTI HAI.
BAS YAHI FARK HAI JANAAB.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:50 am
Janab Sudhir Rao Sahab, Adab Araz Hai,
I would appreciate, if you e-mail me few good Telugu songs of Rafi Sahab. I love to listen those songs. My address is HolyFamilyDr@Aol.com.
Shukriya in advance.
Long live rafi Sahab,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin,
Chicago.
May 1st, 2008 at 5:16 am
Re. Post # 551: Shankar, Ravi…… switched over to KK and they never survived!
April 30th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
ref to 551::
yes quality was not that much great when those albums compared to his own earlier work, but in my view what ever sdb composed from 1970-75(in frail health) was meldious than the big guns of 70s- l-p, rdb, ka…etc
April 30th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
ref: 538
I WOULD SINCERELY ADVICE YOU TO GO FOR A FREE MEDICAL CHECKUP,BECAUSE THERE SEEMS TO BE NO HEART & EARS.
IF FREE CHECKUP IS NOT AVAILABLE,PLEASE CHARGE ME FOR EXPENSES
April 30th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Ref. : 545 : I appreciate yr. observation, but shall fully agree with me that all the films u had mentioned did not have the s.d.burman touch, like films Mili, Zindagi Zindagi, for lthat matter Jugnu. A man who could give music to films like kala bazar on one side and kagaz ke phool or pyassa on the other side had to compromise with melody. Why he took shelter in kk when mohd.rafi was ever loyal to him. Thus explains his switching over..
As a matter of fact , why only pinpoint s.d.burman, even shankar of s.j . and ravi all switched over to kk. in their sinking period.
Nobody is loyal in this industry, For survival and money sake they can change sides.