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 26th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Hi friends !
why don’t you stop answering this ‘bahurupia’ ashu/ashwin.
he is a ‘virus. for this beautiful website. Please aviod him.
Nana patekar was very much right when he said…”ek machhar
sare aadmi ko hijda bana deta hai”.
Please think of coming 31st July !
June 26th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Great article.Two great songs coming in my memory
Meri nazar mein to sirf tum ho kuch or mujko pata nahi hain
teri mehfil mein ud rahi hum magar koi rasta nahi
sorry if notexact words
1)Tum bin jaaoo kaham(pyar ka mousam) sad version.I wonder why this song was ignored by all.
2)Tere is pyar ki shukriya(aag or daag) this song also begins with heart touching aalaap.
June 26th, 2007 at 3:50 am
Venkatadriji,
what can i say about this article, superb, brilliant, outstanding, i would like to use all such words from the dictionary. From now on I am your fan as well, i will be waiting for your next one eagerly.
The MDs used Rafi Saheb for such opening lines or alaaps was because they wanted ’sone pe suhaga’ in their songs. Because thats what it is, isnt it?
I would like to add a few to the already growing list by all the Rafians:
1. Bikhar gaye bachpan ke sapne…. Song: kehdo oi na kare yahan pyar
2. Mere dil se Situmgar tune achi dillagi ki hai…. Mere dushman tu meri dosti ko terse
3. lara ra ra ra, lara ra ra ra ra ….. mujhe duniyawalo sharabi na samjho
4. umeede aarzooe kelti hai….dil diya dard liye Title song ( i have not heard this in the audio version, but its there in the movie)
5. pyar ka saaz bhi hai… cheda mere dilne tarana tere pyar ka
and there are many more..
i would like to know if that ‘malish, teil malish’ in the beginning of ’sar jo tera chakraye’ is Rafi Saheb or Johny Walker himself.
Thanks once again for this very insightful article about another colourful aspect of our most respected Rafi Saheb.
June 26th, 2007 at 12:01 am
it is really difficult to know rafi saab fully in all his hues and colours.
when i hear him singing….’man tadapat…’ i guess him as a ‘bhakti
ras kavi’. when i hear him singing…’din dhal jaye haye..’ i see a sad
lover in him. i see a most romantic man in him when he sings..’dil ka
bhawar kare pukar…’. I see a common poor man in him when he sings… ‘mai rikshaw wala…’. he seems to be a real darbari singer
(poet) when he sings ‘madhuban me radhika…’ or ‘roshan tumhi se
duniya…’. He seems to be a pucca drunkard when he sings…’maine
pee sharab, tumne kya piya…’. A real guru and an ideal teacher is
seen in him when he sings…’hum laye hain toofan se…’
how can one narrate or illustrate rafi saab… who is a man of
various colours and indefinite tints !!!
June 24th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Mr. B.Venkatadri, I must complement you for your great article. Thank You very much for entlightening us with your observation. Listening Rafi Sahab songs is a spiritual experience.
Read more about Rafi Sahab on the following link.
http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/15957.html
June 24th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Rafi saab was popular in every town and city of the world…
some music lovers however feel that in Bengal rafi fans are
few…
this is not true my friends.. rafi saab used to have his concerts
in stadiums like anywhere - in bengal too..
In mumbai : mr.rana chaterjee sings great rafi numbers in
with merit in music shows. mr. fahad a young lad from kerala
also joins him and has his own unique style…
Mr. shrikant narayan, chirag panchal, anil vajpayee and iqbal
darbar are other great and promising rafi singers i n mumbai
who regularly regale music lovers with vintage songs…..
pl. dont miss them whenever u get a chance …..
ashok khare the professor from vjti is the most proficient
who sings with great vigour and he is doing it for the last
20 years….
binu nair.
June 24th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
jeetey ji duniya ko jala ya- marke apne aap jala -poocho jaane waale se tere saat kaun jala -this is the alaap of the song from the film chowkidaar it is picturised on omprakash ji song is-ye duniya nahin jagir kisiki raja ho ya rang ya to sab hai chowkidaar kutch to aakar chale gaye kutch jaane ko tayaar khabardaar khabardaar
June 24th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
when sonu nigam was here in cochin last year and he praised my rafi saab he got standing ovation in cochin audience were requesting to sing rafisaas song
June 24th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Dinesh
I would prefer telling it to my dog, who has a better IQ than most KK fans. I dont have time to waste. BTW its not about KK, the incidence I quoted was to demonstrate the stature and respect Rafi had as a singer that was second to none.
If there is any singer that needs to be discussed with Rafi is Mukesh as he sang consistently in all decades and had sucess in all decades. Even in 70’s he won more filmfare awards that any one. Even Mukesh conceded that Rafi was number 1.
Don Bradman had an average of 99, if someone plays only one test match and scores a hundered, can anyone say that he is a better player than Bradman as his average is higher. Rafi is the Don of singing and KK fans need to get this in their heads.
June 24th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Dear rafians:
today in mumbai it is raining cats and dogs and its a good
time to listen : rimzim ke tarane leke aayee barsaat…yaad aaye
kisi ko woh pehlee mulaqaat, rimzim ke tarane…,
asha and rafi saab has done a miracle here… and rim zim ke geet
saawan gaaye haaye bheegi raaton me… rim jim ke geet…..
is another singing landmark by rafi=lata team…… there are many
others but a message first:
sargam the special tribute magazine to be released on July 31, 07
on legend mohd rafi saab is a special issue . rafi lovers and fans
are welcome to write and contribute article and anecdotes. a
section will be devoted to rafisaab fans .. Pl. rush your write-ups
to binus2000@hotmail.com
also view the link: www.nair-binu.sulekha.com for the complete
details of the special SARGAM MAGAZINE….
June 24th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Last week I attended a concert in Atlanta. Asha Bhosle was the main attraction but Sonu Nigam was also on the card. Sonu gave a nice complement to Rafi sahab during his presentation of a montage of good songs. He said, “Mohammad Rafi jaisa gayak na kabhi pahle paida hua hai na kabhi phir paida hoga.” (a singer like Mohammad Rafi has never been born neither will ever be born). Most of the audience gave a standing ovation to the statement.
He had a nice medley of songs in which he repeated “O duniya ke rakhvale” several times.
June 23rd, 2007 at 2:30 pm
SJK
Tell this to KK fans and they will give you some ridiculous excuse or start abusing you or Rafi. Another example is Nafrat Ki Duniya song that LP had Rafi sing as KK was not good enough.
June 23rd, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Rafi is the only complete singer. Look at his singing repertoire. With all due respects, all other singers including Lata fall short of the mark Rafi has achieved.
June 23rd, 2007 at 9:31 am
Here is something that you guys have never heard of. Please contact MD Ravi to confirm if you wish.
Such was the quality and aura of Rafi’s voice that even in the period from 72 to 74 where he got not only less songs as compared to other years but also very few good compositions, no one had a doubt of his supreme position as the number one singer of all times.
Ek Mahol Ho Sapno Ka, a movie whose songs were recored in this dry peiod had the title song recorded not in Rafi’s and Lata’s voice but KK and Lata’s voice, oh yes!!!!
The producer who was initially adamant to have KK sing after hearing the song told Ravi that KK’s voice does not have the impact of the title song. He asked Ravi to call Rafi. Can you ever imagine that someone who is having the best time of his life, that is KK being replaced by someone. This shows that in terms of quality Rafi was always the automatic choice, such was the impact of his unmatched skills.
Ravi still has the recording of the KK and Lata duet.
June 23rd, 2007 at 1:27 am
Can anybody remember the two lines …
“dil le liya to isko mat bekarar karna
Iska koi nahi hai is dil ko pyar karna ”
a magical “prelusion” sung by rafi saab before the hit
song ‘dilwil pyarwyar mai kya janu re…’ from the film
“shagird” ?
Please go to ‘raaga.com’ and enjoy it.
June 22nd, 2007 at 4:21 pm
some rare cancelled duets of M Rafi and Lata wirah hai mera dil from the film lutera, apna banakar chaur na jana from film mina bazaar. bichrai huwai sathi, from the film halchal and many more. these are form very old films. one true fact I like to share with you was back in the late seventies when Rafi sahab came to England, my uncle who was present with m rafi mentioned a beautiful woman approached Rafi Sahab and said take me with you because I am insane about your voice, but Rafi sahab declined and said it was immoral for him to do such a thing. He surely was a saint in every way.
June 22nd, 2007 at 3:55 pm
A beautiful article, well worth noting and observing the geniuse M Rafi. Comparison are only made by other fans to promote other singers in public eye, if they are so good than why the comparison.
June 22nd, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Excellent interactions from all Music Lovers,
Let us finally avoid going to sister site and waste our valuable time,energy painfully explaining the so called immature persons.
Iam reminded of Naya Daur prayer song ‘Aana hai to aa…. bhagwan ke ghar mein…….. which starts with a fantastic alaap.
Yes it is true that MDs wanted safe singer thatswhy they went for Rafi Sahabs vocals.
SYK SIR POST 18 SUPERB LET US FOLLOW HIS MESSAGE
HALDAR SIR,
KINDLY ENLIGHTEN US MORE ON RAFI SAHAB AS U ARE ONE GREAT RAFI HISTORIAN LIKE RAJU BHARATAN,RAJIV VIJAYKAR OF FILMFARE(TIMES) n SCREEN(INDIAN EXP).
PLEASE WRITE TO binus2000@hotmail.com WITH A NEW ARTICLE ON OUR RAFI SAHAB OR PUT IT ON THIS GREAT WEBSITE.
P.NARAYANAN
June 22nd, 2007 at 9:53 am
ref post 31:
When the microphone failed at a Saigal concert in Lahore, a young lad in his teens regaled the audience with a few songs. A voice that didn’t even need a microphone, can you believe that? The musical instruments are just adornments, the voice is divine. Can anyone get me a tape of the farishta doing his riyaz in the morning? To me, that will be more valuable than even some of his best songs.
June 22nd, 2007 at 7:35 am
Friends,
Many many many heart-felt thanks to all the Dil-wale Rafi Saab’s fans for the kind words of appreciation. Also many thanks for those who have mentioned tens of such Rafi Saab’s songs with nice openings/aalaaps.
Well, we have asked a question in this article as to why Rafi Saab alone has such songs with nice opening words, etc. in hundreds. When I think hard, I get this answer:
Normally all the opening lines before the main song will be without any instrumental orchestration and without even the minimal Laya support! The singer needs almost divine Laya Gnan and Sruti Gnan
to sing lines only on his voice, without the Laya support (ie. dholak, etc.) or any other chord support. And Rafi Saab is the peerless master in this area of singing!
Why only opening lines, Rafi Saab has indeed sung even full songs (such as “Mai Kisi Ki Aankh Ka Noor Hoon”) without an iota of Laya support or any instrumental support. And sung them as God only could!
More comments later.
Venkat
June 21st, 2007 at 10:32 pm
sorry to come in again,but i can not stop myself for mentioning
about the ‘aalap’ of a mile-stone song ‘aaye bahar banke lubha
kar chale gaye…’ from “raajhath” music composed by Shankar
Jaikishan. Just listen to the begining ‘aalap’ and you will find
yourself in another world…..
June 21st, 2007 at 10:30 pm
Some of you are interested in the words rafi saab recited before the actual song started. I would request you to also consider all the three songs (if you can call them songs) delivered by rafi saab for pyaasa. This is the triumph of poetry over music. Sahir’s poetry comes to the forefront, Burman da’s music takes a backseat and Rafi saab delivers what many consider to be the best urdu shayari in film music. rafi1 at his peak. But while reciting the beautiful poetry, Rafi saab also changes his voice and brings in his nuances for Guru Dutt. Listen to the third sher; it somehow got overwhelmed by the first two. Again, I am saying for the umpteenth time, no singer — dead or alive, male or female, north or south, east or west — has ever reached this level. And a gentle warning: no singer should even try to tread this area of rafi’s.
1.
ye mahalo.n, ye taKto.n, ye taajo.n kii duniyaa
ye inasaa.n ke dushman samaajo.n kii duniyaa - 2
ye daulat ke bhuukhe rivaazo.n kii duniyaa
ye duniyaa agar mil bhii jaaye to kyaa hai - 2
har ek jism ghaayal, har ek ruh pyaasii
nigaaho me.n ulajhan, dilo.n me udaasii
ye duniyaa hai yaa aalam-e-badahavaasii
ye duniyaa …
jahaa.n ek khilaunaa hai inasaa.n kii hastii
ye bastii hai murdaa-parasto.n kii bastii
jahaa.n aur jiivan se hai maut sastii
ye duniyaa …
javaanii bhaTakatii hai bezaar banakar
javaa.n jism sajate hai baazaar banakar
jahaa.n pyaar hotaa hai vyaapaar banakar
ye duniyaa …
ye duniyaa jahaa.n aadamii kuchh nahii.n hai
vafaa kuchh nahii.n, dostii kuchh nahii.n hai - 2
jahaa.n pyaar ki kadr hii kuchh nahii.n hai
ye duniyaa …
jalaa do, jalaa do ise phuu.nk Daalo ye duniyaa
mere saamane se haTaa lo ye duniyaa
tumhaarii hai tum hii sambhalo ye duniyaa, ye duniyaa …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSo3KVwrp8M
2.
ye kuuche, ye… ha.n .a.a.a , ghar dilakashii ke
ye kuuche, ye niilaam ghar dilakashii ke
ye luTate hue kaaravaa.n zi.ndagii ke
kahaa.n hai.n, kahaa.n hai.n muhAfiz khudii ke
jinhe.n naaz hai hind par vo kahaa.n hai.n
kahaa.n hai.n, kahaa.n hai.n, kahaa.n hai.n
ye purape.nch galiyaa.n, ye badanaam baazaar
ye gumanaam raahii, ye sikko.n kI jhanakaar
ye isamat ke saude, ye saudo.n pe takaraar
jinhe naaz …
ye sadiyo.n se bekhauf sahamii sI galiyaa.n
ye masalii huI adhakhilI zard kaliyaa.n
ye bikatii huI khokhalii ra.ngaraliyaa.N
jinhe naaz …
vo ujale darIcho.n me.n paayal kii chhan chhan
thakii haarii saa.nso.n pe tabale kI dhan dhan (2)
ye berUh kamaro.n me khaa.nsii ki Than Than
jinhe naaz …
ye phuulo.n ke gazare, ye piito.n ke chiite (?)
ye biibakh(?) nazare, ye gustaakh chitare (?)
ye Dhalake badan aur ye biimaar chehare
jinhe naaz …
yahaa.n piir bhii aa chuke hai.n, javaa.n bhii
tan-o-man biite bhI, Abaa mayaa bhii
ye biivii hai (2) aur bahan hai, maa.N hai
jinhe naaz …
madad chaahatii hai ye havaa kI beTI
yashodaa kI ham jinase raadhaa kI beTI (2)
payammar kI ummat julekhaa kI beTI,
jinhe naaz …
zaraa is mulk ke rahabaro.n ko bulaao
ye kuuche ye galiyaa.n ye ma.nzar dikhaao
jinhe.n naaz hai hind par unako laao
jinhe naaz hai hind par vo kahaa.n hai.n
kahaa.n hai.n, kahaa.n hai.n, kahaa.n hai.n
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4AJhHkhJpU
3.
jab ham chale.n to saath hamaaraa saayaa bhii na de
jab tum chalo zamii.n chale aasmaa.n chale
jab ham ruke.n to saath ruke sham-e-bekasii
jab tum ruko bahaar ruke chaa.Ndanii ruke
ye ha.Nsataa huaa phuul, ye mahakaa huaa gulashan
ye ra.Ng aur nuur me.n Duube hue raahe.n
ye phuulo.n kaa ras piike machalate hue bha.nvare
mai.n duu.N bhii to kyaa duu.N ai shokh nazaaro.n
le de ke mere paas kuchh aa.Nsuu hai.n, kuchh aahe.n
o aasmaa.n-vaale kabhii to nigaah kar -2
ab tak ye zulm sahate rahe Kaamoshii se ham
ta.ng aa chuke hai.n kashamaakash-e-zi.ndagii se ham
Thukaraa na de jahaa.n ko kahii.n be-dilii se ham
maayuusii-e-mak-e-muhabbat na puuchhiye
apano.n se pesh aaiye, hai.n be-gaa.ngegii se ham
aavaaz: bhaaii, koii khushii kaa giit sunaao
ham Gamazadaa hai.n, laae.n kahaa.N se khushii ke giit
de.nge vohii ho paae.nge is zi.ndagii se ham
Gar kabhii mile zi.ndagii ko itteffaaq se
puuchhe.nge apanaa haal, terii bebasii se ham
ubhare.nge ek baar abhii dil ke valavale
maanaa ke dab gae hai.n Gam-e-zi.ndagii se ham
lo aaj hamane to.D di_aa rishtaa-e-ummiid
lo ab kabhii Gilaa na kare.nge kisii se ham
June 21st, 2007 at 10:23 pm
a praiseworthy article by Mr. Venkatadri.
I salute you on behalf of all the ‘rafians’.
You seem to be a very good listener.
and wah ravi saab ! kya baat kahi !
one need to listen rafi saab from the
heart. laakh rupye ki baat !!!
June 21st, 2007 at 8:55 pm
“Maut Kabhi Bhi Mil Sakti Hai…’, Rafi Saheb starts this song and then it goes like this - “Raat Bhar Ka Hai Mehmaan Andhera… Kiske Rote Ruka Hai Savera…”, very very emotionally sung by Rafi Saheb, this song has two versions, 1st by Rafi Saheb alone and the 2nd a duet with Ashaji. But, just listen to the 1st one and I bet anyone can cry while listening to this song as sung by the legend. What a song and a must for all Rafians. Anyone need this song can mail me. rafi-fan@ hotmail.com
June 21st, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Fantastic article Mr. Venkatadri. In fact I had been waiting one from you, what with your knowledge and collection of Rafi songs. For other readers let me inform, I have met Mr. Venkatadri at his house and had the good fortune to listen to some of the rarest of songs of Mohd. Rafi. Good work and keep posting more of such articles.