This article is written by Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy.

The late Mohammed Rafiji has sung so many duets with Lata, Asha, Geeta Dutta, Suman Kalyanpur, Sharada, Shamshad Begum, Noorjehan, etc. But there are innumerable songs which Rafi has sung with other Male Playback Singers. These songs carry the versatility of these male playback singers.

The first such song which comes to my mind is ‘Gham Ki Andheri Raat Me’ from “Sushila” with Talat. Both the singers though do not sing along (Rafi sings the Mukhda where as Talat sings the Antara) but still match each other. Both of them gave another beautiful song in “Aadmi” – ‘Kaisi Hasin Aaj’. Another song was from “Haqeeqat” – ‘Hoke Majboor Muzhe’, of course, apart from Rafi and Talat, it also had Mannadey and Balbir.

With Mukesh, Rafiji gave ‘Ramiah Vastavayya’ from “Shree 420” and ‘Saat Ajube Is Duniya Me’ from “Dharamveer”. But the tile song of “Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya” was a classic, Rafi starting the song, Suman Kalyanpur singing in the middle and Mukesh coming at the end set to music by Sonik Omi. Beautifully picturised on Dharmendra, Nutan and Rehman in a Boat, this song was a treat to watch. Rafi and Mukesh again came together in “AAA” along with Kishore and Lata – ‘Dil Me Dilbar Tu Rahta Hai’ picturised on three different heroes.

But the best combination was that of Rafi and Mannadey. Both talented and versatile singers, only difference being the superior melodious voice of Rafi, these two came out with some memorable numbers especially qawalis. ‘Tu Hai Mera Prem Devta’ from “Kalpana” and ‘O Giridhari’ from “Heera Moti” incidentally both of O.P.Nayyar, drew the best out of each other. They had a healthy rivalry and knew that a little quarter given would enable the other to overshadow. ‘Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna’ from “Shaheed” had Rafi and Mannadey to Prem Dhawan’s tunes. Every time I listen to this song, I get emotional because of its lyrics, music and the way the two have sung. “Sachai” had ‘Ae Dost Mere Maine Duniya Dekhi Hai’. Qawalis like ‘Ab Ja Balaba Hu Shiddate’ and ‘Aise Me Tuzhko Dhoondake’ from “Bahu Begum”, ‘Bhari Mehfil Me Cheda’ from “Palki, ‘Qawali Ki Raat’, etc. popularized Filmy Qawalis like never before. The title song from “Palki” was another gem. The song ‘Bade Miya Deewane’ from “Shagird” was another hilarious song picturised on Joy Mukherjee and I.S.Johar. The title song of “Hindusthan Ki Kasam” was another song where these two great singers matched their talents as also the song ‘Taqat Watan Ki’ from “Prem Pujari”.

The duo of Rafi and Kishore also gave some memorable and popular hits. ‘Halka Halka Sa’ from “Khoz”, “Yadon Ki Baraat” – Title song, ‘Hum Premi’ from “Parvarish” along with Shailendra Singh, ‘Ae Baag Ki Kaliyon’ from “Jungle Main Mangal”, etc. “Hum Kisise Kum Nahi” had a medley of songs with Rafi coming up with ‘Chaand Mera Dil’, Kishore with ‘Aa Dil Kya’, RD with ‘Tum Kya Jano’ and finally Kishore and Asha with ‘Mil Gaya’. The dance competition was picturised in a unique way by Director Nazir Hussain. Rafi, Kishore and Lata also came together in that wonderful song ‘Na Jaane Kaise’ from “Badalte Rishtey” when Rafi makes his entry in the final stanza ‘Rishtey Kabhi Toote Kahan’ and as usual, steals the show. Rafi again makes a grand entry in the third stanza (Yeh Mastiyan Ye Bahar) of ‘Kya Mausam Hai’ from “Doosra Aadmi” again with Kishore and Lata. Rafi, Kishore and Mannadey also came together for ‘Bachche Me Hain Bhagawan’ in “Nanna Farishta”. “Parwana” starring Navin Nischol and Amitabh had ‘Yunha Sharma’ by Kishore and ‘Are Hasnewalon’ by Rafi picturised on Navin and Amitabh respectively. Though they were two separate songs, it was picturised together, with Navin Nischol singing Kishore’s version and Amitabh getting Rafi’s version in the background. “Shaan” also had a lovely number ‘Janoo Meri Jaan’. In “Dostana”, they came out with ‘Bane Chahe Dushman’ that too in two parts, one happy and another slightly sad version. In both versions Rafi stood out especially while singing ‘Gire Hai To Kya Hai’ in the sad version.

Rafi also had RD for company in ‘Yamma Yamma’ in “Shaan”, Anada Bakshi and Lata in ‘Ke Aaja Teri Yaad Aayi’ in “Charas”, Balbir in ‘Ye Desh Hai Veera Jawanon Ka’ in “Naya Daur” and ‘Kyaji Main Zhoota Boliyan’ from “Jagte Raho”, Amitabh in ‘Chal Chal Mere Bhai’ from “Nasseb”, etc. Another song which really became a top hit was ‘Saze Rahi Gali Meri Ma’ from “Kunwara Baap” where in Mehmood gave Rafi company. Rafi and Shailendra Singh had a good song in “Suhag” – ‘Ae Yaar Sun Yaari Teri’ as well as ‘Rabane Banadi Jodi’. In “Kranti”, he sang with Nitin Mukesh ‘Mera Chana Hai Apni Marzi Ka’ along with KK. All these songs became popular hits. The group song from “The Burning Train” – ‘Pehli Nazar Me’ was also a unique song.

I have never heard Rafi and Hemant Kumar singing together as well Rafi and Mahendra Kapoor.

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