Mohammed Rafi - Difficult To Know Him Fully In All His Hues And Colours!
This article is written by Mr. B.Venkatadri (also known as Venkat) from Hyderabad.
Normally, Music Directors compose songs keeping in mind mainly the proposed singer’s voice range/scale and also his/her other qualities such as ability to do justice to sangat’s, etc. For instance, if they were composing for Mukesh or Talat, they would do so within a narrow span of scales, certainly not too high and also not that low also. Also, they would not keep many difficult sangat’s for them. For instance, can Music Directors compose a “Zindabad, Zindabad” or a “Tarif Karoon Kya Us Ki” for Mannadey or Talat or Mukesh or even Kishore, for that matter? Simply no way!
However, many Music Directors have gone on record in various interviews thus. While they have to be constantly conscious of the constraints of many singers, male and female, while composing, when it comes to Rafi Saab, they have an absolute free hand in tuning the song. They can just freely compose their musical best and ask Rafi Saab to sing. He would deliver! Not only would he deliver, but would always give them a bonus by adding his own Adaayen/Harkatein, which the MD could never have conceived earlier!
So, that is Rafi Saab for you, friends!
With this small preface, we come to our main theme of today.
I always wondered why, but the fact is that Rafi Saab has scores of songs which start with either an aalaap or some opening line of a different tune compared to the main song! No other singer, male or female, has even 1/20th of the number of such songs.
Here are some examples.
- Wafa Ki Raah Mein Aashiq Ki Id Hoti Hai, Khushi Manaao, Mohabbat Shahid Hoti Hai—-Zindabad, Zindabad—Film: Mughal-e-Azam-1960 (Naushad) .
See, in this opening, how movingly he utters the words, “Khushi Manaao”
- Khol Aankhen Apne Khwab-E-Naaz Se, Jaag Mere Pyar Ki Awaz Se, Zindagi Betaab Hai Tere Liye, Aa Gale Lag Ja Usi Andaz Se—Mohabbat Zinda Rehti Hai, Mohabbat Mar Nahi Sakti—Film: Chengiz Khan-1957 (Hansraj Behl)
The entire opening line is so sublime and gives you goose bumps!
- Mehrabaaaan Likhoooooon, Hasiinaaaa Likhooooooon, Ya Dilrubaaaaa Likhoooon, Hairaaan Hoooon Ke Aapko Is Khat Mein Kyaaaaaaa Likhoon—Yeh Mera Prem Patr Padhkar Ke Tum Naaraz Na Hona—Film:Sangam-1964 (Shankar Jaikishan)
Rated as one of the best expressions of love in the history of cinema! And Rafi saab, with this lone song of his, overshadows everything else in the film!
- Phool Ko Dhhoondhhe Pyaasa Bhanwara, Deepak Ko Parwana, Duniya Apne Rab Ko Pukare, Tujhko Tera Deewana Aaja Aaja Aaja Aaja—
then an out-of-this-world kind of Piano interlude by Khayyam and then
Jeet Hi Lenge Baazi Hum Tum, Khel Adhura Chhoote Na, Pyar Ka Bandhan Janam Ka Bandhan, Janam Ka Bandhan Toote Na, Aaaan –Film:Shola Aur Shabnam-1961 (Khayyam)
See how, through this opening, Rafi Saab enhances the effect of the main song!
- Khushi Jis Ne Khoji Woh Dhan Leke Lauta, Haseen Jis Ne Khoji Chaman Leke Lauta, Magar Pyaar Ko Khojne Jo Chala Woh Na Tan Leke Lauta, Na Man Leke Lauta—Subah Na Aayi, Sham Na Aayi –Film : Cha Cha Cha-1964 (Iqbal Quereshi)
I was 11 years old when this picture was released and its songs used to come on Radio. Whenever this song came on Radio, I used to literally touch my ear to the Radio and listen. When the opening gets over and ‘Subah Na Aayi‘ part starts, I used to experience an ecstasy that I cannot describe in words. At that age, all I knew was that here was some singer and I was just falling head over heels in love with him! A love and worship that would later last a life-time and more….!
I need to write pages and pages to enumerate all his songs with such nice openings. May be, I can now participate in the comments and mention a few more songs along with the readers.
Similarly, there are a number of Rafi Saab’s songs with a nice opening Aalaap or Humming. Some examples:
- A soul-stirring Aalaap before Duniya Na Bhaye Mohe –Film:Basant Bahar-1956(Shankar Jaikishan).
The song reaches its peaks during the three antaras , “Dil Ke Yeh Tukde Kaise Bech Doon, Duniya Ke Baazar Mein”, “Tu Hi Bata Main Kaise Gaaoon Behri Duniya Ke Aage” and lastly at “Tere Pyaar Ki Yaad Jo Aaye, Dard Chalak Jaaye Aankhon Se”.
When the song comes to these peaks, I invariably get pensive and utterly restless and my eyes become moist. During the recording of this song, all the musical instruments must have played by themselves out of reverence for the Maestro! And the recording over, I can visualize Shankar and Jaikishan hugging Rafi Saab warmly with a lot of affection and awe!
Also, one should notice the little variation Rafi Saab throws in suddenly at “Jeena Nahi Aaya Mohe, Ab To Chupaa Le” part, after third Antara!
- Marna Teri Gali Mein, Jeena Teri Gali Mein from Film:Shabab-1954 (Naushad) was sung not only by Lata, but Rafi Saab too sang it separately in a 1:17 duration bit, with a divine aalaap that he alone could render.
- Have you heard the nice humming before “Ek Haseen Sham Ko, Dil Mera Kho Gaya” from Film:Dulhan Ek Raat Ki -1967(Madan Mohan)? Is it not so very romantic and seductive?
- And what about a great Aalaap cum Humming before “Do Sitaron Ko Zameen Par Hai Milan Aaj Ki Raat” from Film :Kohinoor-1960 (Naushad)
- And this nice, stylish and cute “Lara La La, Lara La La, Aha Oho Aha” and then Rahi Mil Gayi Raahon Mein, Baatein Huyi Nigaahon Mein from Film:Dil Deke Dekho-1959 (Usha Khanna). Won’t even today’s teenaged damsels become ‘fida’ with such great voice and such stylish renditions!
Here too, the list is endless.
Finally, as Music Director, Ravi had once said, you can hear all other great singers with your ears, but you need to hear Rafi Saab with your heart!
June 21st, 2007 at 4:31 pm
salam to all rafians,
rafi sahab ke bare mein yahan itna kuchch janneko milata hey.thanks rafi.com,
wesy tu rafi sahab ke chahnewally sari duniya mein hain lekin india aur yahan pakistan main tu un ki tadad hazaron nahin lakhon main hey.
jiska sabout un ki gaeki ko falow karne wallon se hota hey jasy india main.
janab mahindar kapour.
janab Muhammad anwar.
—— Muhammad Aziz.
—— shbir kumar.
—– vipin singh .
souno nigam & many more.
yahan pakistan main bhi rafi sahab ko falow karne wallon ki tadad kuchch kam naheen.
janab Mohammad Efraheem jo key rafi sahab ke pahily pakistani shagird hain
let Masaood rana ji jo aaj bhi kafi mashhoor hain
let Ikhlaq Ahmed yeh rafi sahab ko bhut achch falow karte thy enki awazz rafi sahab se buhut milti thi aur bara meetha gate thy un ke kuchch gane sonu nigam ne bhi gaey hai
. sawan aay sawan jaay.
salim raza ji jo aaj bhi unke fane hain.
June 21st, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Excellent article Venkatji. Rafi Saab ki than tho Himalaya se bhi unchi aur Pacific she bhi gehri. The alaap can only be heard by the heart, but I wouldn’t mind the opening lines (before the ‘main’ song - although I know the opening lines are ALSO part of the song - which in most cases could only have been rendered by Rafi Saab) being written onto the web (as often one can’t find them) and I’m proposing to start a page in Hamara forums for that purpose).
June 21st, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Some of the songs with an initial Alaap, either in classical form or through words.
Bhagawan, Bhagawan, Bhagawan, Bhagawan - O Duniya Ke Rakhwale
Hari Om, Hari Om, Hari Om, Hari Om - Mann Tadpat Hari Darshan
Chale Aaj Tum Jahaan Se……… - O Door Ke Musaafir
Initial Classical Alaap - Madhuban Mein Radhika
Initial Classical Alaap - Parda Hai Parda Hai
Kal Jahan Basi Thi Khushiayan………… - Waqt Se Din Aur Raat
Dil e Naa Shaad………… - Mujhe Meri Mohabat Ka Saharaa (Rafi / Lata) intial alap by Rafi.
Jaane Waale Kabhi Nahi………… - Dil Ek Mandir Hai (Rafi/Suman) Intial alap by Rafi
Kya Se Kya Ho Gayaa…Bewafa….Tere Pyar Mein (Too Many Twists & turns)
Intiall Alaap (wordings do not recall) - Nafrat Ki Duniya Ko Chod Ke
Kar Chale Hum Fida Jaana Tan Sathiyo……..(Music) - Kar Chale Hum Fida
HoKe Majboor Mujhe Usne Bulaaya Hoga……. - HoKe Majboor Mujhe(Sung By Rafi, Maana D, Talat, Bhupindar) Intial alap by Rafi.
Surprisingly in most duets in was always Rafi Saab who sang the opening ALAAP.
Of course there are few excepts also
In baharon mein Akele Na Phiro (intial alap sung by Lata)
June 21st, 2007 at 9:49 am
This is indeed a great observation that with Rafi Saab as a singer most music composers are carefree. Plus most MDs kept their best works to be explored through Rafi’s voice. Classic example is SDB.
There were of course many exceptions who didn’t make much use of Rafi, but they did worked with him for few songs with other singers couldn’y render.
Classic exmaple Salil C.
June 21st, 2007 at 8:58 am
Good point myk. As I’ve said before, this Kishore topic is an unnecessary distraction, and it keeps draining our energy. The media keeps harping on this topic all the time; don’t you think there’s a reason behind that? It’s to keep her on a pedestal and let us compete with lesser talents. We should not lose sight of the ultimate goal, that of establishing without any doubt that Rafi was not only the best playback singer but the best singer of all time. Look at the Indian media; shame on these people that they could not accept what should be regarded as the universal truth. I would request the administrator not to post any more articles related to Rafi-Kishore.
June 21st, 2007 at 8:28 am
myk
Thanks for your acknolwlegement and for adding some more facts in your post.
Like some one said ealier, 80’s would have seen Rafi singing in a different mode all together. Rafi’s presence in 80’s could have saved RDB’s career who was completely discarded. Well it would have saved the music industry who has never recovered yet after Rafi’s demise.
June 21st, 2007 at 7:48 am
Wonderful post sjk.
A few of us, P. Haldar, Binu Nair, Supid and myself have been trying to stop the nonsense that has been written in the KK forum about Rafi, as usual, for the other side, the truth sometimes does hurt. Rafi is incomparable, there is no one who comes even close.
For those of you who would like to know the source from which sjk is getting his info, visit Box Office India, the website dedicated to stats. You will find exactly what he has written to be the truth.
The reason why Kishore came on top is because of Rafi’s absence for about 8 months due to a maulvi telling him at Haj that singing was a sin. Aradhana made Kishore popular however it did not make him the top singer until Rafi left at that crucial moment. People talk about Lata maintaining her position at the top, well she was not away at those specific moments the way Rafi was. Even for Aradhana and Kati Patang (as quoted by producer SS), Rafi was out of town, so a lot went Kishore’s way. On top of it all, no singer has ever made such a comeback the way Rafi did, proving against all odds that he was the King.
Anmol Singh, Pancham needed Rafi at that crucial stage in his career, I am sure they would have come up with many gems during that time. Just when he was starting to once again compose with Rafi more often, the rude shock came. Add to his Rajesh Roshan, look at the three albums from 1980, Unees Bees, Aap Ke Deewane and Shakka along with other songs in that year, mostly Rafi. I am sure we would have seen plenty more from Junior Roshan and Rafi in the 80’s, had Rafi lived.
The difference between Pancham and RR is that although Pancham took to Rafi early in his career, for a brief period he didn’t compose for him as much, only to come back to him again. As P. Haldar put it, he seemed to keep Rafi at a distance. Whereas for Junior Roshan, Rafi was an integral part of his music, right from Kunwara Baap until his passing away.
June 21st, 2007 at 5:57 am
Good article and on the spot. Rafi is Rafi, playback singing starts and ends with Rafi.
I have heard from many MD’s that with Rafi (and Lata) they never had a problem of customising a tune. This is no minor statement, as it speaks volmues of Rafi’s unmatched potential as a singer.
Every singer has limitations but with Rafi it seems there are none. A God given gift really.
It is embarassing to read when some gullible and anxious fans of other singers hoplesely try to compare and shamefully even demean Rafi to prove their singing idol ranks supreme.
Here are a few facts that are a slap on the faces on such bigots:
1. Rafi sang in all decades from 40’s till end of 70’s, consitstently, flawlessley and for all trends of music modulating his voice for all stars and forms of music. No one has come even 10% close to this.
2. Along with his unmatched quality, he sang for what now looks like over 8,000 songs, which is more than the total of all songs sung by other male singers in that period. It takes a toll on the vocal chords and the heart to sing for such a long period of time and specially when the songs are not throated but sang from the heart. With Rafi, his voice kept getting sweeter with time, a rare phenomenon when all his co singers were loosing their edge with the passage of time. No one has matched even this aspect.
3. With all his fame and success Rafi was always a singer and not a businessman. He never looked at the production or the grade of the MD’s. Every MD can boast of having great Rafi songs under their baton. Rafi could create magic with any orhestra set up and sometimes with no music at all.
No one has come close in this aspect too.
4. More than 75% musical hits from 45 to 80 has Rafi songs. More than 70% of hit films in the same period has Rafi songs. No singer has matched this too.
5. No one can beat a trend or a situation that is one sided but Rafi proved this wrong too. Rafi was successfull in every trend of music. When Rafi was ruling the singing word from 50 to 71 and later from 75 till he departed, he was the number 1 in all ways. No chance for any singer to take the top position.
However when Kishore got favors from a few leading MD’s and toped the charts in early 70’s mainly due to rafi’s absence for about 8 months and favors after favors from Burman da and the greed of a few producers who wanted to cash on the sudden demand of KK who was a complete discard for over 20 years as far as singing was concerned, most felt that commercially Rafi had to be content with the number 2 spot but against all odds he bounced back and took back the number 1 spot and just about 90% of hit films after 75 had Rafi songs proves this. No fantasy talks but facts. Even after he passed away he has more chart toppers than any singer in August 1980 Binca Geet Mala. Who can deny this?
A request to all music lovers, plz dont waste your time on other sites to debate with bigots about Rafi. Fans of Rafi are lucky that they find themselves in an enviable position where they dont need to explain anything to anyone. Use your time in the right direction.
June 21st, 2007 at 2:36 am
NICE ARTILE . by MR. VENKATADRI
June 20th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Mehtabh ji….
Many things in this life will come and go;; and bite the dust;
people may forget the bharat ratna too ; but no one ever will
forget MOHD RAFI the legend… thanks for the compliments .
I feel the Bharat Ratna will be honoured if it is given posthumously
to rafi saab.
second the rafi foundation formed on May 13 th few metres away
from rafi saabs tomb is surging ahead…. and this is what happens
when u take on a mission - with ur heart on it.
My ex college pal mr narayanan is doing an excellent job too from
bangalore.. now we have units in 8 indian cities and rafi foundation
activities are being announced in fm station in london too…
rafi saab is loved everywhere and its a mission and a love
for the greatest singer and human being - for the last 35 years….
binu nair.
June 20th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Listen to the beginning of “Teri pyari pyari soorat ko” from Shankar Jaikikshan live. Mr. Akela, is that Goody Servai on the accordion?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hMUBPl-cSc&mode=user&search=
June 20th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
Nicely written this article, there have been endless list of such types of songs by Rafi Saheb, to name few songs like Mere mitwa/Geet, Tu ganga ki mauj/Baiju Bawra, Tujhko pukare/Neel Kamal, etc… and many more.
June 20th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
Dear Venkatdri sir,
Fine article witha new dimension to our Guruji Rafi sahab’s singing style.
Shall come with more examples later on.
Perhaps this song Thu Hindu banega na musalman banega also starts with good alaap from the film Dhool ka Phool.
Well done other comments from fellow Rafians
June 20th, 2007 at 6:52 pm
THANKS A LOT MR. VENKATADRI FOR THIS NICE ARTILE .
June 20th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
Ref post to 2: I fully agreeed with haldar and his choice, and what he wants to say ,but halder,listen one more song from start to finish from (LP)kanyadaan ..”Meri zindagi me aate to kuchh aur baat hoti,to kutchh aur baat hoti.it is being composed by shankar(SJ) alone.
June 20th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
i would kike to add title song of dil tera diwana hai sanam song begins like this bijli gira ke aap khud bijli se dar gaye this lines rafi saab singing and this begning of the song is best part of this song
June 20th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
THANKS A LOT MR. VENKATADRI FOR THIS NICE ARTILE .
YOU HAVE FOCUSSED ON YET ANOTHER SIDE OF OUR BELOVED RAFI SAHAB & HIS STYLE OF RENDERING SONGS !
I AM ADDING 3 MORE SONGS FOR THIS CATEGORY OF SONGS :
1) JAAG DIL-E-DEEWANA …..( FILM: OONCHE LOG ) ;
2) KAISE JEET LETE HAIN LOG DIL KISI KA.. ( FILM : SAJAN BINA SUHAGAN )
3) BADE BEWAFA HAI YE HUSNOWALE ….( FILM : ROOP TERA MASTANA ) .
THANKS TO ALL RAFI FANS FOR THEIR COMMENTS TOO!
BEST REGARDS/A.T.M. SALIM.
June 20th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Dear Venkat,
We all know about Rafi Sahab’s singing and all are closely watching and some of us including me has been trying to imitate Rafi Sahab’s singing for about 20 years now but coming out with such a distinct quality in his songs is highly appreciable. Rather I would call it your great attachment and devotion to Rafi Sahab that you have given an altogether new twist to the listening of these songs which were composed by all great music directors.
I congratulate you and thank you for such a fantastic article on my unmet guru Mohd Rafi Sahab.
zorawar_c@hotmail.com
9810224991 (Delhi)
June 20th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I can not understand why people compare rafi saab with anybody.
It is a universal truth that rafi saab had the best vocal singing quality
and most melodious voice with a classical knowledge.
I do not find even lata tai to be compared with this legend. fans of lata
tai may be annoyed, but as a music-lover i always found rafi saab’s
voice far better than anyone else. whenever i listen “jab jab bahar aayi”
or “Ehsan tera hoga mujh par…” or “Teri aankhon ke siwa…” or “taqdir
ka fasana…” or “Jiya ho jiya kuchh bol do..” i always found rafi saab’s
golden voice echoing in my ears. These and a lot more solo songs have been sung by these two legends with the same lyrics and the same tune, but rafi saab is always one step ahead. Music lovers with good ear will never deny this fact.
some times i think rafi saab can be compared with lata tai upto a mark
because god has given her the best female voice. it is my thinking that comparison is not a good thing…and if you compare a “best”, just compare
him with another “best” .
comparing rafi saab with kk or sonu nigam or shan or yesudas or sanu is
his insult.
it is like showing candles/lamps/neon-lights to the sun.
June 20th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
I fully agree with MD Ravi. Rafi should be heard with your heart. Other songs which I can add to the above list are:
1. ‘Parda Uthaye Ke Lage - Chehre Se Apne Aap Ko ‘ from “Palki”.
2. ‘Ramiah Vastavayya’ from “Shree 420″.
3. ‘Kahan Ja Rahe The’ from “Love Marriage”.
4. ‘Din Dhal Jaye’ from “Guide”. What a lovely song?
5. ‘Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna’ from “Shaheed”.
6. ‘Ae Watan Ae Wtan’ from “Shaheed”.
7. ‘Himala Kah Raha Hai Is - Watan Pe Jo Fida Hoga’ from “Phool Bane Angarey”.
8. ‘Ohoho……. Yeh Dekhake Dil Zhooma’ from “Kashmir Ki Kali”.
9. ‘Man Ki Beena’ from “Shabab”.
10. ‘Sukh Ho Ya Dukh - Rahi Manwa Dukh Ki Chinta’ from “Dosti”.
One can go on and on listing Rafi’s songs.
June 20th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Respected Fans of Rafi Sahib,
Mr. B.Venkatadri has written so minutely about the sweetness of the Great Mohd. Rafi. When we hear a story of a beautiful prince, we imagine his voice as the sweetest. Such is the voice of Rafi Sahib that is far away even from one’s imagination. His voice is the sweetest as compared with all other singers. We can’t even imagine such sweetness, his voice has real sweetness. Any song of Rafi Sahib can be tested anytime, that ‘ll surely get full marks in melody, rhythm and sweetness. The audience have a relation with a singer only with his voice. If one’s voice comes from his/her nose or if a singer delivers a rough voice or if a singer delivers only one style in his/her every song ; how can he be a super-hit. Although such so-called singers may get the footage only due to the music or poetry for a limited period only, yet they can never be proved the horses of long races.
I again want to thank Mr. B.Venkatadri who presented a quality of Rafi Sahib within beautiful words.
We need the zealous persons like Mr. Binu Nair and Mr. P. Narayanan, who are always seen in the “Mission Rafi”. We should learn from them. None can imitate their selfless efforts. I want to salute them. Certainly, our Mission Rafi ‘ll be a successful one and definitely be upon the top of the world. Our preferred mission should be to get announced the highest award Bharat Ratna award for Rafi Sahib posthumously.
–MEHTAB (Chandigarh, India). +919815703226, E-mail : mehtabmasih@yahoo.co.in
June 20th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Venkat,
Very touchy note,i dont have any words to explain our Rafiji’s singing ability.
June 20th, 2007 at 9:51 am
It is indeed very difficult to know Rafi Saab true potential. A few months back I had written a article in 7 parts ‘Rafi with Music Composers’ & posted it on the web. It was like putting together by entire knowledge & observations of Rafi Saab & his association with many music composers accumlated in the last 20 years. Later I released I had missed many gems which Rafi Saab have sung under various Music Composers in 50s and 60s.
http://www.mohdrafi.com/meri-awaaz-suno/rafi-with-music-composers-%e2%80%93-part-1.html
http://www.mohdrafi.com/meri-awaaz-suno/rafi-with-music-composers-%e2%80%93-part-2.html
http://www.mohdrafi.com/meri-awaaz-suno/rafi-with-music-composers-%e2%80%93-part-3.html
http://www.mohdrafi.com/meri-awaaz-suno/rafi-with-music-composers-%e2%80%93-part-4.html
http://www.mohdrafi.com/meri-awaaz-suno/rafi-with-music-composers-%e2%80%93-part-5.html
http://www.mohdrafi.com/meri-awaaz-suno/rafi-with-music-composers-%e2%80%93-part-6.html
http://www.mohdrafi.com/meri-awaaz-suno/rafi-with-music-composers-%e2%80%93-part-7.html
In fact discussing various music composers and their association with Rafi Saab is my pet topic, for which I can go on for days together.
Possibly if Rafi Saab could have lived in the 80s music world could have witnessed a lethal combination of Rafi-Pancham and a new dimension of Rafi-LP combo. Pancham certainly could have enjoyed tremendous success with Rafi in the 80s and never witnessed the downfall which he experienced. 80s could have witnessed Rafi Saab in all together a new style which is unknown to all of us.
June 20th, 2007 at 9:10 am
Interesting observation. There are a couple of other songs that have a beautiful opening:
Film: leader
tere husn ki kya tareef karoon
kuchh kahte huwe bhi darta hoon
kahin bhool se tu na samajh baithe
ke main tujhse mohabbat karta hoon
Film: teen deviyan
kahin bekhayal hokar
yunhi chho liya kisine
But the song that is the ultimate in this category is from Mere Huzoor; the opening has a different tune and sounds even better than the main song:
apne rukh par nigaha karne do
khoobsurat gunha karne do
rukh se pardah hata jana hai
aaj dil ko tabah karne do
rukh se zara nakab hata do mere huzoor…
June 20th, 2007 at 8:24 am
i would like to add song from ram aur shyam aaj ki raat mere dil ki salami lele this song begins with ye raat jaise dulhan bangayi chiragonse karunga ujala mein dil ke dagonse and many more song by my rafi saab