Immortal Ghazals sung by Mohammad Rafi
This article is by Mr. Souvik Chatterji, Master of Law from Warwick University, Coventry, UK. Master of Law from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Mohammad Rafi is a name which has galvanised the Indian firmament during golden age of Indian film music. As his dimension was as wide as the horizon of creative arts, various categories of his songs has been remembered by generations for the last 50 years, including ghazals, Hindustani classical songs, bhajans, folk songs, songs on the freedom movement of India, qawallis, najrul geeti and many more types of geet. Among them ghazal is one category where Rafi’s sweet voice has brought life into the sensational lyrics and outstanding music compositions of the Golden era.
The ghazal is a common song form in India and Pakistan today. There are different definitions of it, but simply it is a musical form, but having a poetic recitation. Today, however, it is commonly conceived of as an Urdu song, with prime importance given to the lyrics. In some modernized ghazals the poet’s name is hidden somewhere in the last verse, usually between the front and end of a word.
Mohd Rafi with fans during the 60s
In the 1950s and 60s, the song picturised on the different films were based on different moods of the characters depicted in the stories. As the lyrics of the ghazals were quite rich, having immense literary and poetic value they generally captured the pensive moods of the major characters of the stories. Most of the films had ghazal in one form or the other composed by the musical giants of the golden age.
Madanmohan used to be considered as the king of ghazals. His most outstanding creations were composed for Mohammad Rafi , including “Tumhari Zulfke sayeme sham karlunga, safar is umraka palme tamam karlunga” from the film Naunihal, 1967, “ Baad muddat ke yeh ghari aayi, aap aye to zindagi ayee”, from the film Zahanara, 1964, “kisiki yaad mai apna ko hai bhulaye hue”, from the film Zahanara, 1964, “ Rang aur noor ki barat tujhe pesh karu, in muradonki hassen raat tujhe pesh karoon,” from the film Ghazal, 1965, “Barbad muhobaat ka dua saath liye ja” from the film Laila Majnu, 1977, picturised on Rishi Kapoor.1
There were very dignified ghazals composed by Roshan during that era. Some of them include “ jane who kaun hai kya naam hai in aankhoka” from the film Bheegi Raat, 1965, picturised on Pradeep kumar, “ Hum intezar karenge, tera kayamat tak, khuda kareki kayamat ho, aur tu aye,” from the film Bahu Begum, 1967, “ Aab kya misal doon mai tumhare shabab ki,” and “aapne yaad dilaya tha to mujhe yaad aya” from the film Aarti, 1963, picturised on Pradeep Kumar. Roshan composed one of the most evergreen hit titled “ Zindagi bhar nahin bhulenge woh barsaat ki raat,” from the film Barsaat ki raat, 1960, picturised on Bharat Bhushan. The legendary lyrics were written by Sahir Ludhiyanvi.2
S. N. Tripathi composed few immortal ghazals based on the life of the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. The songs included “ Na kisisi ki aankh ka noor hoon” and “lagta nahin yeh dil mera” from the film Lal Quila. Jaidev composed one of his master pieces, “ kabhi khud pe kabhi halaat pe rona aya, baat nikli to har ek baat pe rona aya” from the film Humdono, 1961.
Shankar Jaikishan is known to create songs of diverse range of subjects. Even amongst his stylish western compositions the best ghazals were composed for Mohammad Rafi. Some of them include “unke khayal aaye to ate chale gaye” from the film Lal patthar,1971, picturised on Raajkumar, “ Chalke teri aankhose sharab aur ziaada” from the film Aarzoo,1965, picturised on Rajenderkumar, “O Mere Shahe Khuba, o meri Jan- e- jajana” from the film Love In Tokyo, 1965, written by Hasrat Jaipuri and picturised on Joy Mukherjee.
Ravi has composed few unforgettable tunes like “chaudavi ka chand ho yah aaftab ho, jobhi ho tum khuda ki kasam, lajawab ho” from the film Chaudavi ka chand, 1960, picturised on Gurudutt, also “Chulene do nazuk hoton ko, kuch aur nahin hai jaam hai yeh” and “yeh zulf agar khulke bikhar jaye to accha ho” from the film Kaajal, 1965, picturised on Raaj Kumar.
Naushad had done proper justice to each and every raaga he has used to compose his songs. His notable ghazals include “Mere mehboob tujhe meri mohabbat ki kasam” and “tumse ishar – e –haal kar baithe” from the film Mere Meheboob, 1963 picturised on Jubileekumar Rajender Kumar” written by Shakeel Badayani, “koi sagar dil ko behlata nahin” from the film Dil Diya Dard liya,1966, and “aajki shaam mere dilki salaami lele, dilki salaami lele, kal tere bazm se diwana chala jayega, shamma rah jayegi, parwana chala jayega”, from the film Ram Aur Shyam, 1967, picturised on Tragedy king Dilip Kumar.3
O.P.Nayyar had made a very unique use of the santoor with the sarangi, and he too while making his western blend thought about ghazals for Rafi. His best creations include “ aapke hasin rukh pe aaj naya nur hai, mera dil machal gaya to mera kya kusur hai” from the film Baharen phir bhi ayegi, 1966, picturised on Dharmender, and “Aanchal me saja lena kaliyan, zulfo me sitaren bhar lena” and “Zulf ke chayon me chehere ka ujaala lekar” from the film Phir Wohi dil Laya Hoon, 1963, written by Majrooh Sultanpuri and picturised on Joy Mukherjee.
There were ghazalas from other Classical composers also like “Kahin bekhayal hoker yuhin chuliya unhiko,” and “Aise to na dekho, ki humko nasha ho jaye” by SD Burman in the film Teen deviya, 1965, “Theheriye hosh me aaloon to chalejayiega” by Khayyam. As these songs are soft in nature, they create an everlasting impact on the souls of numerous music lovers of the country who find themselves associated with Rafi. It is very difficult to mention the notable ghazals sung by the maestro who has around 26000 songs in a span of 35 years. An archive should be created where Rafi’s creations are restored, categorised and preserved for future generations to know the noble hertitage of ghazals India had during the golden age.
Souvik Chatterji (author), Rumi Chatterji (wife), Supriya Chatterji (mother), Chitta Ranjan Chatterji (father) and Sathvik Chatterji (son)
1 Noted and renouned Ghazal Singer, Ghulam Ali had said that Rafi’s songs had reflected the truth that the man possessed and the sweetness of the songs depict his generousness and kindness of heart.
2 My father Ex Chief Public Prosecutor of Bankshall court, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court interviewed Monobendra Mukherjee, the Bengali Classical Singer composing Music for Bengali films Mayamrigo 1960, Joyjayanti,1970, Badhu,1962, and singing more than 1000 nazrul geeti, who said that he used to do the riyaaz everyday for several hours to do justice to his thumris, tappas and he is amazed about only one singer in India, Mohammad Rafi, whose voice floats like a river and the harkats in the songs are so accurate and effortlessly sung like the way clouds flow in the sky.
3 Jagjit Singh, one of the most legendary ghazal singers of the present century, said some of the very melodious Ghazals were sung by Rafi during the Golden age, listeners heard them and appreciated them even sometimes not knowing that they are categorized as ghazals. Jagjit Singh composed music for noted film Saath Saath and TV serial Mirza Ghalib starring Nasir uddin Shah and directed by Gulzar.
July 31st, 2007 at 8:19 am
How true, without actually knowingwhether the song is a gazal or no, we appreacited Rafi’s Gazals. For us what mattered was the song was from Rafi. Rafiji, “Tere Bina Soone, Sare Din Hamare” and the day just not passes without listening to Rafi even after 27 years of his separation.
July 31st, 2007 at 9:44 am
I am great fan of Rafi. Every year on this day I celebrate his death anniversory by keeping a plate muttan biryani in front of his photo with a garland.
July 31st, 2007 at 10:34 am
Dear Shauvik,
Good work. Congrats. Only a slight mistake. Words of the song from film ‘Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hun’ - “Aachal se sajane lena dilko” are incorrect. They should be ‘Aachal me saja lena kaliyan, julphon me sitare bhar lena, Aise hi kahi jab sham dhale, tab yaad hame bhi kar lena’
Vikas Shukla
July 31st, 2007 at 12:24 pm
I am a fan of all time great singer Rafi saheb.I remmember Rafiji every day by listening song like Man tarpat hari darshan ko aaz and o duniya ke rakhwale sun dard bhare mere nale and so many other song.I pay my tribute to Rafi saheb. maheshmehta
July 31st, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Well done kudos to Shoumik da
U have brought a fascinating dimension to Rafi saabs ghazals along with Murty Sir of Hyd.
No wonder he is the most versatile bollywood legend in the playback field.
Rafi Saab hamare jaise karodon sangeeth premiyon ke liye AMAR HAI.
July 31st, 2007 at 6:56 pm
Another great article by Mr. Chatterjee. A great compilation of the ghazals rendered by Mohd. Rafi. Like the author argued, some of the songs may not be in the original ghazal category, but the Hindi filmword had adapted many good urdu poetry into ghazals. Some readers would not agree that all the above songs are ghazals. Sure a Ghazal is a composition of various SHERS, but by no means could a sher be restricted to a two liner, atleast as far as the need of the bollywood songsters was concerned. Once again, a good compilation of the songs termed ghazals and what a fine rendition by the greatest singer of all times - MOHD RAFI.
July 31st, 2007 at 8:24 pm
It is indeed a good article with some of the best sung ghazals cited by the author. His songs always give me a peace in my mind whenever I am saddened and whenever I am happy I find humming his songs give the expression of my joy.
One amazing thing I like to share with the admirers of Rafi Saab that happened during my college days in the 60s & 70s.
I was working out mathematics exercises and the radio receiver was airing Jaimala of Akashvani. The song happened to be “Rangg aur Noor……kise pesh karu”- unmindful I looked beyond the window I found it was raining. Therafter by a strange coincidence, I always heard the same song when it was raining! And one day, a dry one, at Kolkata in front of a pan shop very near to the Nizams near S.N.Banerjee Road at Kolkata- after I bought a pack of ciggerette, the radio was playing “Ranga aur noor”. When it ended, I looked to my utter surprise a sudden mild drizle just a few drops and gone!
August 1st, 2007 at 10:07 am
Dear Souvik,
congrates for providing us list of best gazal by rafiji.I personally appriciate your knowledge and intimition you got for rafi ji and his different moods and range of ragaas and raagini.
Suggestion;There are many gazal is to be added in your list
1.Roop tera mastana-by md LP-”Bade bewafa hey ye hushnawale”
2.Chambal ki kasam-by md Khayyam-”simati hui aahen….”(duet with lata)
3.Jab yaad kisiki aati hai-by md Dattaram-”Hum aap ki mehfil me bhoolese chale aaye”
4.Bhai Bhai-by md SJ-”Ek tera sundar mukhada ek tera pyaar bhara dil mil na mushkil”
etc.etc…….
August 1st, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Post 7 Gautamda,
What a lovely miracle thanks to Rafi saabs rendering n melody ………
post 8 Prakashbhai
True ur list of Ghazals are fabulous.
Rafi saab aap ham sab ke liye AMAR hai…….
August 1st, 2007 at 2:35 pm
rafi fans need to introduce rafi to the present generation coz most of the youngsters dont know the legend of the legends
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:52 am
Dear Souvik,
A marvellous gazal of rafi is from “RAJHATH”a sohraab modi film with MD Shankar Jaikishan penned by shailendra a real gitkaar never produced by hindi film.The song is “AAye bahar banke….”
After years LP made 1 gazal in film Dostana..”Mere dost kissa ye kya hogaya”
This are my most favourite.
August 7th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
I am big fan of Rafi sahab I hear everyday Rafi Sahab’s song.
He is ideal Verstile Singer. he has sang every type of song.
Kya khoob Song he-Dukh dard ka he sansar ye sansar, zamana sach kehta he.
Hum tume yoon na bhula painge Rafi sahab.
August 8th, 2007 at 10:13 am
Post 10 Parwana
I agree the present generation should be exposed to Rafi saab’s era.
How? thru this excellent website, the newly founded Rafi Foundtn, Radio and very important all of us should come one umbrella to persuade Music tv channel to devote the glorious era of Rafi saab n other legends of the 50s n 60s.
Pl be in touch with binus2000@hotmail.com
May 20th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Although i am Pakistani who considers India and Indians to be enemies of my country i have total respect for great artists like the late,great Muhammad Rafi sahib.One can never get bored listening to his melodies be they religious,romantic,pop or ghazal’s as this man was born to sing and entertain.Rightfully Indian people are proud of this jewel in the crown who was a once in a lifetime performer.He is certainly missed by his adoring fans but the good die young for even Allah subhana wa ta’ala needs them!!
June 27th, 2008 at 8:25 am
What a great hypocrite you are Imran! Muisc cuts across all the boundaries and spreads the message of love, but on even such a universal forum, you did not control your venom of hatred. You are a disgrace to humanity!
I am a Muslim and proud to be an Indian. Look where India has reached by following secularism and where Pakistan is! You can continue to sulk in hatred and go spirally down or embrace the message Mohd Rafi saab gave in his song - tu Hindu banega na Musalmaan banega - insaan ki aulad hai insaan banega!