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 4th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
It is heartening that even after 28 years, Rafiji’s fans are actively discussing his contribution to the Indian Film Music. The topic seems to be inexhaustive. Perhaps, a panel discussion can be arranged to discuss the various facets of Rafiji’s contribution. We can also invite some top Mds, Actors, etc. for the discussions to get their expert view point as well as some of their experiences with Rafi, the person.
July 31st, 2008 at 5:59 am
My dear friends !
Today is 31st July…an inauspicious day for all the music lovers.
Today, in 1980, we lost our beloved singer Padmashree Mohammad
Rafi Sahab. He was not less than an angel.
Let us remember him on this day and pray for his divine soul !
May God bless his soul eternal peace in the heaven !!!
Thanks.
-Raajkumar Akela
ज़मी से फलक तक सभी आँख नम है
सभी के दिलों मे बसा एक गम है
कहाँ खो गया वो सुरों का सिकंदर
बिना जिसके संगीत का सूर एक कम है
-राजकुमार “अकेला”
July 29th, 2008 at 12:58 am
On the other hand, Salil would definitely make it to my Top 10 for Lata any day. The list I gave was in no particular order, just the names that would be at the top of the list for me when talking about Lata’s best five MD’s.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Mr XXX,
No doubt Salil was a great music director for Lata, and he made immortals for her, but when I said “over-rated” I meant that their association in my view is not as great as others. In other words, its hyped up a little too much. I can think of many beauties by LP and RDB for Lata that surprass her Salil songs. Here is my top 5 for Lata (in no particular order):
1. Madan Mohan
2. Shankar Jaikishan
3. SDB
4. Laxmikant Pyarelal / Hemant Kumar
5. RDB / Naushad / Roshan
From this list, LP and RD are the only next generation MD’s that make it to the list. L-P scored 600+ runs with Lata, with many excellent cover drives, cut shots, pulls, fine glances, hooks, many outstanding fours and a countless number of huge sixes. RD on the other hand had a great triple century innings with her with similar type shots as L-P.
July 26th, 2008 at 12:59 am
Good News for Mohd Rafi Fans
Mr. Farrukh doing great job at http://www.radio4fm.com/# and click on Listen Live there will be programs on Mohd Rafi from 267\2008 till 31/07/2008 from10 pm to 1 am Dubai time and in India time 11 30 pm to 2 30 am……from 2678 to 307\2008 from 10 pm to 11pm and on 317\2008 from from 10 to 1 am.
He is doing great job from few years, I hope people in media will be honest as he is as I think. also you can send sms msg at 0097504625891 from 10 pm to 1 am UAE(Dubai time)
Thanks a lot Mr.Farrukh for this great job
July 24th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Dear Binu Sir,
First of all thank you very much for the response of my mail. Secondly, as all Rafi bhakts interested to know everything about the Farishta, I also asked this question with no bad intention. If my question sound something bad, I am really sorry for that.
Imtiyaz A. Sharif
July 24th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Dear Rafifan,
Thank you for your kind words. Your points are valid. But I was looking at it from a slightly different angle. Because of the sensitivities of the people who visit this forum, I will calibrate my response, but suffice it to say that with salil, lata was unbeatable just as rafi was unbeatable with op. I don’t want to be drawn into making a comparison between these two md’s since I love them both. They had contrasting styles but when they composed at their best for their respective no. 1 singer, it was just great music. Incidentally, I played two of lata’s solos from parakh last night; no, not the one people usually go gaga about, but “mila hai kisika jhumka” and “yeh bansi kyun gaaye”. As a tunesmith, I rank salil much higher than anil b., though I wouldn’t deny anil’s pioneering work for hfm.
July 24th, 2008 at 7:25 am
post 866… imtiaz ji….
what others earn are matters personal and not fit to debate on an international website. however, since you are an ardent rafi fan let me tell you that rafi saaheb used to charge rupee one for a song from a broke producer/composer or rs.15000 from another.
you may write to me too since i may pass on info that i may have to any rafi lover.
binu nair .. mumbai….
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:34 am
ravi sharma easily ranks among the “top five” music directors who were associated with the king of playback singing rafi saaheb. some 250 gems from this composer. most of them pearls of the ocean.
and for this reason ravi saaheb is honoured by various rafi clubs in many centres, even today - after more than 40 years of creating the tunes.
truly great.
binu nair. mumbai.
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Can somebody tell me, how much Rafi Sahab was charging for a song in his peak period? i.e. late 70s. I mean, what was his normal rate per song.
Regards,
Imtiyaz A. Sharif
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Dear Mr. Parvez,
I will be verymuch thankful if you could send me following Rafi sahab’s Gems:
1) kahaniya sunati hey pawan aati jati.
2) mere desh premiyo aapas main prem karo.
3) har jalwa tera jalwa teri yeh duniya sari.
My ID: jmmakers@yahoo.com
Regards,
Imtiyaz A. Sharif
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:10 am
Ravi composition was better than RDB.
July 21st, 2008 at 11:42 pm
rafi lovers : how many of you have read raju bharatan’s book on Lata Mangeshkar? Pls. read it….
this book is almost a history of the facts which happened in and out of the recording studios. it’s a must read for any serious commentator on music which we are seeing it in this thread.
its a well known fact that she boycotted raju bharatan post publication of the book. also read the book written by Vishwas Nerurkar on Lata didi where in he has recorded the “fact” that she has not sung more than 5000 songs in her whole career and even less. it is said that she has also boycotted this writer.
binu nair.. mumbai….
July 21st, 2008 at 11:26 pm
Haldar sir,
Could you elaborate the statement ‘And salil was to lata what op was to rafi — the differentiating factor between the the two titans’. Can it be inferred that Salil’s over-dependance on Lataji made him a lesser composer than OP (who relied heavily on Rafi sahab)?
Dhani ram Sir,
Exactly. Jayadev was a true genius, so was Khayyam.. but none cares to mention their names when speaking about ‘greats’. And what about Ravi? I personally don’t believe that ‘the much-hyped trend-setting MD’ is nowhere near him in terms of sheer class and consistency.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:04 pm
mr.haldar,
how about considering anil biswas over khayyam? he blessed lata with many of her career best solos and duets, he was pivotal in rise of many great singers(talat, mukesh,lata,manna,kishore), imo his only drawback was his bias against ustaado ka ustaad mohd rafi for which he paid heavily, he was complete failure in 60s…
however most surprising thing is two of the ardent rafi lovers naushad sahab and op nayyar were huge admirers of anil biswas,naushad considerd rc boral(his contribution to new theaters of calcutta), pankaj mullick(for harmonisation) and his bombay counterpart anil biswas as gurus of film music and in one of his “Jaimala gold” progaram with “fauji bhai log” op nayyar paid highest regards for anil biswas…
by the way here is an old saregama clip where op nayyar bent down to have the blessings of anil biswas::
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0pKb3VDVJlA
July 21st, 2008 at 6:11 am
sanjay sahib
The song is:jyoti kalash chhalke written by bharat vyas and composed by sudhir phadke.can you think of any rd composition which reaches such ethereal heights.
In an article in the indian express yesterday singer-composer shankar mahadevan wrote that the best ever music was composed by jayadev for deva nand starrer hum dono.He especially mentions rafi’s kabhi khud pe kabhi halat pe rona aaya and main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gayaa and rafi-asha duet abhi na jayo chhod kar ki dil abhi bhara naheen.
Now preferences may differ but mahadevan is absolutely right that the above mentioned songs are some of the finest ever composed and sung.there is nothing comparable in rd repertoire and yet jayadev never got the recognition and adulation that rd did.this is how mediocrity scores over excellence in popular imagination.
July 21st, 2008 at 1:53 am
Dear Haldar-ji:
I find your posts extremely well written, informative, thought provoking, and entertaining. I generally agree with you 100% as you are a far greater Rafi fan than I can expect to be. However, in your last post (858) I found something that I will like to comment on – not disagree. You wrote:
“Salil was to Lata what op was to Rafi — the differentiating factor between the two titans”
This is mostly true. In fact, it is a good analogy but there are a few minor points to consider as well.
• Whereas OP refused to use Lata for any of his compositions, Salil did use Rafi in several of his to embellish his music.
• Comparison of OP with Anil Biswas will be more appropriate as both the composers did not have much respect for the respective singers. OP telling that he can create good music without Lata and AB saying about Rafi that “He is not a singer” or “He is not my kind of singer” (whichever version you subscribe to).
• The musical talent of Salil and OP are also not at par.
Incidentally, I attended a musical concert by Salil in Bombay in ‘70 where he conducted most of his famous songs with unknown artists. Nitin Mukesh sang “suhana safar” and another singer presented “toote huey khwabon ne”. It was an extremely enjoyable concert till the end when Salil hurled some unkind words towards one of the singers and the organizers.
July 20th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
ref post 854:
xxx, selecting lata’s top 5 mds may be even more difficult than rafi’s top 5. I agree with guru murthy ji that you’ll have to consider both naushad and hemant, as well as sajjad. And never forget khayyam. My personal favourite lata md’s are madan mohan, sd, sj, salil, naushad, cr, roshan, hemant kumar and khayyam (not in any particular order). Among the younger md’s, there is one who might just sneak into the top ten list.
If you compare this list with rafi’s top md list, you’ll find that mm, sd, sj, naushad and roshan were equally inclined towards the two singers, though you can always make the case that someone was a little more inclined towards lata or rafi. Just as ravi was much more inclined towards rafi, you can say that cr and hemant were also much more inclined towards lata. And salil was to lata what op was to rafi — the differentiating factor between the the two titans.
July 20th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
mr.myk,
you have mentioned some of the great songs by lata-lp but still i think it would be in fact more injustice if we opt out cr and salil from lata’s top 5, their magic was something different, divine and more prominent as well..
here is my ranking::
1.madan mohan
2.c ramchandra/salil
3.sd burman
4.shankar-jaikishan
5.naushad/anil biswas/roshan ….
by the way, which songs do you think by salil-lata were overrated? i believe from “do bigha zameen” to “chhoti si baat” their association was par excellence. and how about cr from 50s? just listen to the quality of this combo, madan mohan was highly inclined towards rafi sahab and lata, and he did wonders with them and for me he is no.1 for lata(this is a highly objective view though). how much do you differ with my list? waiting for your list….
mr. h v gurumurthy,
forgot to add naushad as his output with rafi sahab was so much superior that his combination with others hardly comes into my mind,rafi-naushad was imo best singer-md combo ever happened in hfm and truly made for each other, but no doubt his output with lata was gold as well..
regarding hemant- his quality output is comparatively very less than others like sajjad so its hard to place him among lata’s best however the movies that you have mentioned in your earlier post were all musically great..
July 19th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Mr. XXX,
You brought up a very interesting point about who should be in Lata’s Top 5. I fully believe L-P should be there. There is so much variety and so many classics in their association that it would be a true injustice to leave them out. As good as Salil’s songs are for her, he wouldn’t make it to my Top 5 for Lata. Also, there are many Salil-Lata songs that are over-rated in my view, L-P have many more better songs for Lata than Salil. Even CR and AB would not make it to my Top 5 for Lata, those associations are all great, but again L-P have the edge.
L-P also made her sing in a different way (similar to what S-J did before), one example being cabaret songs, something which Lata earlier refused to sing because she found them vulgar. LP/Lata songs have this sweetness, melody and class which make them stand out. They challenged her vocals and made amazing and maximum use of her voice.
Just off the top of my head I can list some classics:
Nigahen kyun bhatakti - Baharon Ki Manzil
Bahut Din Beete - Sant Gyaneshwar
Chalo sajna jahan tak - MHMD
Geet tere saaz ka - Intaqam
Aaj Dil Pe Koi - Milan
Suno Sajna - ADBK
Abhi kya sunoge - Satyakam
Doori na rahe koi - Kartavya
Jeevan dor tumhi sang - Sati Savitri
Raat se kaho - Lootera
Koi nahin hai - Patthar Ke Sanam
Mr. XXX, my question to you is, who would be your Top 5 MD’s for Lata ?. I will name mine after your response.
July 19th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Mr XXX, Post no. 850. How come you missed Naushad and especially Hemant Kumar. Lata’s songs in Baiju Bawra, Shabab and Anupama, Khamoshi, Nagin, Bees Saal Baad, Kohra were all top class. My personal 5 choices for Lata would be Hemant, SDB, SJ, CR and of course Madan Mohan.
July 18th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
mr.myk,
l-p’s association with mukesh was great, limited number of songs but almost every song was great .. and they formed successful pair with kk as well. lp-kk songs were commercially always proved themselves successful but quality wise they were not that much great(barring all their songs from 1963-73).
but my question is, are you sure l-p should be there in top 5 for lata?
i mean (madan mohan, salil, sd, c ramchandra,s-j,anil biswas,roshan) any 5 from this bracket would easily qualify for lata’s top 5.. first 3 being mandatory, what do you say?.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
mr dhaniram ,refer mail 840,is it `Jaane meri ankhiyon ne dekha hai` from
`Pyaar ki jeet`
July 17th, 2008 at 9:47 am
A while back Mr. Anmol Singh wrote about the LP-KK association and how it was different from KK’s associations with other MD’s such as RDB, SDB, KA and RR.
Mr. XXX, what is your take on the LP-KK association, as well as the LP-Mukesh association (which I mentioned in my previous post) ?.
July 17th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Hi Mr. XXX,
I agree with you, L-P definitely topped the latter years of the 60’s among their contemporaries, but I also feel they did as well in the 70’s too. True, there are LP songs in the 70’s that had repetitive arrangements, but this can be found in the works of many others too including the two major contemporaries of L-P, which were RD and KA. In my view, L-P’s class shone for a very long time and they were able to overcome and compete with, at the same time re-inventing themselves against the competition, the first major form being the legendary MD’s that came before them with S-J leading that pack, followed by RDB and then later Rajesh Roshan and Bappi Lahiri etc. There are many LP albums that have a flavour not found in the works of others.
I agree, the Lata-LP combo was outstanding, I feel among their contemporaries LP produced the best songs for her. I would rate L-P among Lata’s top 5 MD’s of all time without a doubt (just like I would put them in the Top 5 for Rafi as well), the variety and melody they produced together was in a different league. Listen to the song “koi nahin hai” from ‘Patthar Ke Sanam’, one among their countless gems, it is such a beautiful and trend-setting song.
How about L-P’s association with Mukesh, which was also great, they produced many winners together ?.
I believe “Awaaz deke” was composed by Jaikishan, it is an out of this world song as you mentioned. You are correct, the 70’s was musically great but not the golden era as the previous years gone by.