Mohammed Rafi with other male singers
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.
May 15th, 2007 at 1:05 am
Hi Friends !
I think I am one of the oldest fans of Rafi Saab as I am running 59. Is there anyone on this earth who can enable me to find a single cassette/cd in which Rafi Saab is singing in any live concert.
I am a man of deteriorating health and I wish to see Rafi Saab singing in any live programme before I close my eyes.
Is there a single man ?
Thanks to one and all.
-Raajkumar Akela
(09845124321)
May 14th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Prakash Shah has mentioned some of Mohd Rafi’s songs. I like to add a few more MD’s to Shah sahib list.
Madan Mohan - Meri Awaz Suno, Heer Ranjha, Ghazal and many more. It is on record that Madan Mohan rated Lata and Rafi so high that he was willing to compose for NO MONEY as long as singer is Rafi. Lata’s respect for Madan Mohan’s magic is well known.
O.P.Nayyar - Endless list. Kashmir Ki Kali, Phil Wohi Dil Laya hoon, Mere Sanam etc etc. O.P.Sahib claimed to have used Rafi’s magic best.
Ravi - Khandan, Kaajal etc, Dus Lakh. Great Melody.
List is endless with other MD’s also.
Something I notice whenever Rafi saheb paired with any singer, be that male or female. He always complimented the partner and did not try to overshadow the other singer.
We could call it his simplicity that he had no reservations in singing for Hero, Comedian, side hero or even a passing begger. Rafi saheb used to match the singer’s voice. Who can forget Gharibon ki Suno(Dud Lakh) or Aulad Waalon phoolon phalon(Ek Phool Do Maali), Chal Ud ja re panchhi (Bhabhi) - what magic in high pitch singing. This generousity and over exposure of his also was a factor in Kishore da’s rise to fame. If we observe Kishore saheb sang primarily for the hero. Rajesh Khanna was first actor who did away with side hero. So was the phenomenon of Rajesh-Kishore that actors started lip singing for Kishore from then on rather than Play back singer adjusting to the actor.
Mahmood was a scene steeler and took thunder away from many heroes not only in acting but also with songs. Gori Chalo naan hans ki chaal - Beti Bete is a classic example.
These are my observations only and I may not be absolutely right.
May 14th, 2007 at 9:47 pm
Prakash Shah has mentioned some of Mohd Rafi’s songs. I like to add a few more MD’s to Shah sahib list.
Madan Mohan - Meri Awaz Suno, Heer Ranjha, Ghazal and many more. It is on record that Madan Mohan rated Lata and Rafi so high that he was willing to compose for NO MONEY as long as singer is Rafi. Lata’s respect for Madan Mohan’s magic is well known.
O.P.Nayyar - Endless list. Kashmir Ki Kali, Phil Wohi Dil Laya hoon, Mere Sanam etc etc. O.P.Sahib claimed to have used Rafi’s magic best.
Ravi - Khandan, Kaajal etc, Dus Lakh. Great Melody.
List is endless with other MD’s also.
Something I notice whenever Rafi saheb paired with any singer, be that male or female. He always complimented the partner and did not try to overshadow the other singer.
We could call it his simplicity that he had no reservations in singing for Hero, Comedian, side hero or even a passing begger. Rafi saheb used to match the singer’s voice. Who can forget Gharibon ki Suno(Dud Lakh) or Aulad Waalon phoolon phalon(Ek Phool Do Maali), Chal Ud ja re panchhi (Bhabhi) - what magic in high pitch singing. This generousity and over exposure of his also was a factor in Kishore da’s rise to fame. If we observe Kishore saheb sang primarily for the hero. Rajesh Khanna was first actor who did away with side hero. So was the phenomenon of Rajesh-Kishore that actors started lip singing for Kishore from then on rather than Play back singer adjusting to the actor.
Mahmood was a scene steeler and took thunder away from many heroes not only in acting but also with songs. Gori Chalo naan hans ki chaal - Beti Bete is a classic example.
These are my observations only and I may not be absolutely right.
May 14th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
great article and subsequent discussion. Thanks Guru Murthy-ji for an excellent read. Also nice to remember all those old gems in Rafi-Sahab’s voice.
May 14th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Anybody can give me lyrics or title lines of song sung by Rafi saab with G.M. Durani
Krupesh Patel
ToronTo
May 14th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Rafi Saab sung with Mahendra Kapur in Aadmi picturised on Dilip & Manoj composed by Naushad, it was not Talat Mehmood
Why Forget, Rafi sung with G.m. Durani, I know only tune not words it was unique song
The Number one song duet of Rafi saab with Manna Fey was Film Rustam- A- Sohrab…..”Phir Tumari yaad aai ae sanam ae sanam”
Rafi with Mulesh..” ae ayo ayo navtatri tyohar ambe maiya teri jayj jay kar film johar mehmmod in goa
Krupesh Patel
May 14th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
would like to mention 2 duets of rafisaab and kiskore da ek mahalma chacham karti from swayavar another is raani nacho both are nice songs
May 14th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Mohd.Rafi is greater than great as per my choice here with i am giving some un forgatable and ever green songs tips to viewers A real master piece is as follws:-(and ofcourse many more)Next Time
With s.d.burman :- Teen deviya - Aise to na dekho and Kahin bekhayaal ho ke
Meri surat teri ankhen:- Naache man mora
Tere gar ke saamne:-TU kahan e bata,Dil ka bhanwar
guide:-din dhal jaaye,tere mere sapney,
Humdono:-Main zindagi ka sath,Kabhi khud pe
Kala Bazaar:- Apni to har aah ek Toofaan hain.Etc,etc
with S.J :- Gunaho ka devta:-
AArzoo:- Aji hamse rooth kar,
Basant bahar:-Badi der bayee,Duniya na bhaye
Laat saaheb:- Savere vali gadi se,Pyar mahobat
Prfessor, An evening in paris,Raajkumaar,Bhramchari,etc WIth L.P :- Jeene kiraah,loafer,Parasmani,Khilona,Apnapan,Roop ter
a mastaana,Jaal,shart,intequam,DAAstaan,etc.
With Roshan :- Bhigi Raat,Aarti,Chitra lekha,Barsat ki raat,Dooj ka chand
May 14th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Rafiji TU IS TARAH SE MERI ZINDAGI MEIN SHHAMIL hai har ek cheez hai kayam- tu nahin to teri aawaz se kaam chala ta hun,tere bagar is jahan mein koi kami si to rahegi,lekin shakun mila aakar (Tera gana)sun ne main.
CELL- 094262 87666 sms only
May 13th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
hi rafians ,,,
javed from sindh PAKISTAN .
Rafi sahab ne meri local leng; sindhi mein 8 geet gaye hean aor kiya khuob gaye hean. usmean sofiana kalam bhi hay, clasical aur faock bhi unhoney sindhi lehije ko bari khobsurti se gaya hay.
May 12th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Dear All
Rafisahab was a genious who sung solos and duets equally well but it requires special skill to sing duets because you have to compliment another singer which rafisahab did so well that the sucess story lies in the number of duets with he sung with lataji.
Regards
RAFI FAN
May 12th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Thank you very much Mr. Murthy for the nice compliments.
May 12th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Nice article Mr. Gurumurthy. It was indeed very nice to remember suddenly all those old songs referred in the article, together with details of music directors, lyricists and other singers. I too have was confused about the AADMI song referred above and in subsequent comments from other Rafians. I too have heard the song in both Manna De and Mahendra Kapoor versions but some readers have clarified amply. Thanks again for the wonderful article. Pls do write on other facets on Mohd. Rafi as you not only have wide knowledge of Mohd. Rafi and his songs, but also you are a gifted writer.
May 12th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Rafi fans are meeting at Rafi saabs mazhar grave site at 6.00 p.m
Sunday,13-5-2007 (Santacruz Juhu).
The rafi music academy is arranging the meet. Rafi lovers are
requested to attend the meet and inform other rafi saab fans too.
We will pay respects with flowers to rafi saab and from thereon
proceed to the garden nearby to chalk out the next phase of
programmes for rafi music academy.
binu nair cell: 9833 250 701
May 11th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
HI,
I would first of all like to Congratulate Mr.H.V.Gurumurthy on writing such a fine article. The article is very nice and highlights a very intresting part of Rafis repertoire which is that he excelled in each and every song that he sung solo or with his compatriots either male or female and he came out a clear winner on each occassion.
Here i would like to add a few songs which have been missed out which are a listeners delight and a pride of every Mohammed rafi fan.
First and foremost is the unforgettable quawwali from Barsaat ki raat ‘Yeh ishq ishq hai ishq ishq’ in which rafi and mannada are accompanied by asha ,s.d.batish and sudha malhotra.Another masterpiece from these two (Rafi and Manna da) is the comic song ‘Yeh do deewane dilke’ from Johar Mahmood in Goa perfectly enacted by I.S.Johar and Mehmood and sung very beautifully by Rafi sahab as usual. He does full justice to the character played by Mahmood and the meaning of the song in context of the film. Another gem is the quawwali ‘Waqif hoon khoob ishq ke tarje aye bayan se main’ though i do not remember the film for which it is sung.
The kishore rafi combination occured in many songs a notable song amiss in the article was the one picturised on Mahmood and Jeetendra in the film Humjoli which goes like ‘Chal shuru ho jaa laga langdi’ in which rafi comes out a clear winner in the so called Kishore era.
A few corrections in the article are worth mentioning . First the song ‘Hoke Majboor mujhe’ was sung by Rafi ,talat,mannada and bhupinder of the song’ Dil Dhoondta hai Phir wihi’ from the film Mausam. Incidentally Bhupinder also made a small appearance in that film and this song was picturised on him also.
The song from Aadmi was sung by Talat and Rafi sahab initially and Talat saab lent a touch weak voice to the song as the Character portrayed by Manojkumar was slightly weak . Manojkumar always being pro towards Mahendra Kapor even when it came to choosing between Rafi and Mahendra kapoor opted for Kapoors voice instead of talats as a result we see it picturised on Manoj in the film in the voice of Kapoor and we have LPs in Talats voice thanks to Naushadjis superior understanding of music.
Manojkumars affiliation towards Mahendra Kapoor also resulted in us missing out a gem in the voice of Mohamed Rafi sahab the song from Upkar ‘Mere Desh Ki dharti ‘ which was earlier slated to be sung by Rafi sahab only. To his credit Kapoor has sung this song extremely well but then there WAS , IS, and WILL BE only one THE ONE AND ONLY Mohammed Rafi.
May 11th, 2007 at 5:47 am
Mohammed Rafi ( December 24 , 1924 – July 31 , 1980 ) was an Indian playback singer of Hindi cinema (also known as Bollywood ). His voice has been referred to as “the most exquisitely pleasant voice …
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafi
Rafi is a male name used among Muslims and Jews. The word Rafi is of Arabic origin, and its meaning is “holding high” or “servant of the exalted one”. Common variants include “Rafik”, “Rafee”, “Raffi …
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafi
/Mohd._Rafi
May 10th, 2007 at 7:05 pm
THANK YOU GURU MURTHYJI FOR THIS INTERESTING ARTICLE !
IT’S NICE -YOU HAVE MENTIONED THE SONGS OF KHOJ ; PARWANA , DOOSRA ADMI , DIL NE PHIR YAAD KIYA , ADMI ALONGWITH OTHER SONGS .
IN VIEW OF THIS ARTICLE, I AM MENTIONING THE FOLLOWING 4 SONGS TOO:
1) HUM TO AAP KE DIWANE HAI - FILM: AAP KE DIWANE ( RAFI SAHAB SINGING WITH KISHORE KUMAR & AMIT KUMAR ) ;
2) MIL GAYA –FILM : UNEES BEES ( RAFI SAHAB SINGING WITH UDIT NARAYAN )
3) RAGHUPATI ( BHAJAN ) - FILM : UNEES BEES ( RAFI SAHAB SINGING NITN MUKESH , ANURADHA PODWAL& OTHERS)
4) PARDE ME KOI - FILM : DADA ( RAFI SAHAB SINGING WITH SAILENDRA SINGH )
THUS, WE CAN ADD ON SO MANY MALE DUETS OF RAFI SAHAB .
May 10th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
How did anyone forget that classic song ‘ Hoke majboor mujhe, usne bhulaya hoga…..’ from Haqeeqat. What a fantastic song where Rafi saab simply is at his best.!!!! The other singers were also fantastic, but Rafi Saab, I think, simply stood out among the lot.
May 10th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Hi Murthy,
The song from film Admi, kaisi haseen raat was actually sung by mohd rafi and talat mahmood also same version was released in long player (LP) but in sound track mahendra kapoor dubbed the voice of talat mehmood.
There is a story behind it i.e when this song was recorded naushad was fully satisfied with rafi and talat saab but Manoj kumar was not satisfied he wanted mahindra kapoor to sing for his voice, after many suggestion of naushad saab manoj kumar didnt agree then naushad becane rigid and he did a class thing that is he released in LP talat saab voice and in only sound track mahindra kapoor.
sayedzakarahim@yahoo.com
May 10th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Hi Murthy,
The song from film Admi, kaisi haseen raat was actually sung by mohd rafi and talat mahmood also same version was released in long player (LP) but in sound track mahendra kapoor dubbed the voice of talat mehmood.
There is a story behind it i.e when this song was recorded naushad was fully satisfied with rafi and talat saab but mahindra kapoor was not satisfied he wanted mahindra kapoor to sing for his voice, after many suggestion of naushad saab manoj kumar didnt agree then naushad becane rigid and he did a class thing that is he released in LP talat saab voice and in only sound track mahindra kapoor.
sayedzakarahim@yahoo.com
May 10th, 2007 at 9:59 am
The “aadmi” song had Talat initially, but the director was not happy with Talat’s version. It was said that they needed a solid voice to match the solidity and sharpness of Rafi. So, Mahendra Kapoor was summoned for the recording and this version was retained in the movie. But the Tala-Rafi version is even heard today, i heard this version on Vividh Bharati a few days back, may be it has been retained on the LP tracks.
May 10th, 2007 at 8:52 am
‘Kaisi Hasin Aaj’ from “Aadmi” had Rafi with Talat picturised on Dilip Kumar and Manoj Kumar. But I also have read some where that Mahendra Kapoor sang that song. Can anybody clarify though I am sure in the movie, it was only Rafi and Talat.
May 10th, 2007 at 3:36 am
Nice article, but the song ‘Naa jaane kaise…’ from ‘Badaltey Rishte’ was sung by Rafi Saheb, KK and Suman kalyanpur and not Lata. Whereas Rafi Saheb had to sing twice the song/duet from ‘Aadmi’ - ‘Kaisi haseen aaj baharon ki raat hai…’ with Mahendra Kapoor which was picturised on Dilip Kumar and Manoj Kumar in the movie. Mahendra Kapoor also sang with Rafi Saheb in ‘Kaala Patthar’. Even Hemant Kumar has sung with Rafi Saheb and Shailendra Singh in ‘Do Jasoos’. There are endless and so nice duets Rafi Saheb has sung with all singers where Rafi Saheb had surpassed them.
Hussein Sheikh, Burundi, Central Africa
May 10th, 2007 at 3:03 am
rafisaheb with m.kapoor from movie AADMI - KAISI HASIN AAJ
May 10th, 2007 at 2:16 am
I can believe Rafi and Hemant not having a song together, but very difficult to believe that M.Kapoor does not have a song with his ustad. Can anybody find a song and prove otherwise.
I have stated earlier also that Parwana song “Toon Na Sharma” Kishore is man posseed and at his very best. Mohd Rafi’s version is pure sorrow sung very well, but to listen to Kishore’s part is amazing talent and confidence.