Mohd Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur Duets
This article is written by Mr. R.Padmanabhan
The dawn of independent India saw the blossoming of, perhaps the greatest singer this country has produced who answered to the name of Mohammed Rafi. Even to this day the vocal magic of Rafi Saab is embellishing the musical shelves of Rafi Saab’s aficionados. Why is he rated the greatest is a matter of conjecture, but the fact cannot be gainsaid that he had done full justice to any song we were and still are privileged to hear. The myriad moods and emotions every song requires are best brought out by the vocal genius of Rafi saab.
Even diehard fanatics of Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Mukesh, Talat Mahmood, great singers as they were would grudgingly agree that Rafi Saab was the cock of the walk as far as playback singing is concerned. In fact one can easily visualise who the artiste is from the style of rafi saab’s rendering. Meherbaan Likhoon is the song of Rajender Kumar, koi sagar dil ko is the lament of Dilip Kumar, Sar jo tera chakraaye is the comic voice of Johnny Walker and Chahe koi Mujhe Junglee is the typical outburst of Shammi kapoor. There are many other examples but the paucity of space limits the numbers.
Mohd Rafi with Suman Kalyanpur, Hasrat and Jaikishan on Harmonium
Though Rafi Saab’s solos are precious gems and his duets with the sisters, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle far outnumber those duets with another talented singer, Suman Kalyanpur, the latter also find a pride of place in the hearts of film music lovers. I list hereunder some of the gems:
1. Ajahun aaye Baalma, a classic from Saanjh Aur Savera, a Shankar-Jaikishan composition.
2. Aaj Kal Ter Mere, a lilting melody from the same composers.
3. Dil-e-Betaab ko seene se Lagaana hoga, a melliflous composition from the rich repertoire of Naushaad Saab
4. Chand takta hai Idhar, from Doojh ka chand by Roshan Saab.
5. Itna hai tumse pyaar mujhe, a romantic song from Suraj-another S-J contribution.
6. Baad Muddat se yeh ghadi aayee, a song based on Chaaya nut raga from the ghazal maestro Madan Mohan from Jahan Ara.
7. Ke jaan chali jaaye, from the film Anjaana, a Laxmi-Pyare composition.
8. Maine ae Jaane Wafaa Tumse Mohabbat ki hai from Bedaag-Roshan Saab.
9. Tumse O Haseena Kabhi Mohabbat, from the film Farz, another Laxmi-Pyare contribution.
10. Na Na Karte pyaar tumhin Se kar Baithe, from Jab Jab Pjool Khile,a Kalyanji-Anandji composition.
11. Thehriye Hosh Mein Aaloon , a beautifully romantic contribution Of Khayyam Saab from Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hain.
12. Mujhe yeh phool na de tere dilbharon ki kasam from Gazal-a Madan Mohan product.
July 4th, 2008 at 11:39 am
There is lot of difference between Lata’s voice and Suman’s voice. Those who carefully listen the Suman’s songs can differentiate it. Her voice shivers occassionaly. She has good range , melody but she lacks variatons in songs.
I never heard her songs like - ‘Dilwil pyaar wyaar mian kya jaanu re’ or
‘Aaa Jaane ja.. From Intakaam’ type songs. She is a monotonus singer like Mukesh, sounds similar in every song.
Thanks LATA for her Politics because of that we could hear quality songs.
April 5th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
AND WHAT ABOUT THE BAAP OF ALL DUETS`TUJHE DEKHA TUJHE CHAHA`
FROM `CHOTI SEE MULAQAT `BY RAFI SAAB & SUMAN
February 29th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Agree the duets of Rafi/Suman are very less in number. The list furnished above may be supplemented with the following 2 numbers: (i) Aise to na dekho ke behak jaayen kahin hum…Aakhir koi insaan hai farishta to nahin hum…Film Bheegi Raat…Music… Roshan and (ii) Tere hum o sanam tu jahan main wahan…Film Bachpan…Music… Sardar Mullick.
Balan
January 24th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
And another beautiful duet, the title song of Saanjh aur Savera.
January 24th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Refer Post 20. “Ajahuna Aaye” itself was a classical song. Suman also sang inJANWAR “Mere Sanga Gaa Gunguna”, which was also a classical song.
January 23rd, 2008 at 11:28 pm
I am really suprised that no Rafian has mentioned in my opinion one of the best duet of Rafi and Suman from the movie Bheegi Raat, Aise to na Dekho ke Behak Jayen Kahin Hum. If any Rafian has not listen to this song please do it now, I assure you will not be disappointed.
January 3rd, 2008 at 8:53 am
i think the duet ” theriye hosh mein aa loon” rafi sahib and suman k. is one of the finest expositions of two voices complementing each other to bring out the best emotions- and very softly.
the way rafi sahib starts is gossamer silk and the way suman ji says ” unhun” twists the heart.
his question is
” kab talak rahiye ga yun door ki chahat banke ”
and she says” ever so lovingly” mujko iqrare mohabbat se haya aati ahi” and goes on to beg ” dekhiye sar ko jhuka dun, to chale jayega”. then rafi saab says”
aise bhi sharm hai kya, paas to aane dijiye”
but no,the lovers love and pleadings come into play leaving us lovers of music to come to our senses after this glorius display of affection and love play.
khayyam sahib is wonderful with his musical touches.
November 6th, 2007 at 12:02 am
one of my all time favorites, “mujhe yeh phool na de” from the movie ghazal sung on Sunil Dutt. Amazing romance and vocals by Rafi Saheb and Suman ji
November 3rd, 2007 at 8:20 pm
kindly send me parbton ka pedon per pervaiz bhai
kuloomian@yahoo.com
November 3rd, 2007 at 3:46 am
If. ever there was were an assessment of individual vocals Mohdrafi was superb
and was the extensin of excellence thankyou.
November 2nd, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Padmanabhan Sahab,
Pl accept my high regards for the article.
As per my littile knowledge, all Rafi & Suman’s Duets are 100% SUPER-DUPER Hitttttttttttt !!!
Rafi Saab was unmatched, uncomparable - singing-wise as well as modesty-wise. Suman Kalyanpur was never a clone of anyone, her voice was very much natural. During singing voice is not the only factor which has to be considered but the feelings inpoured in the song are of much importance, Duets of Rafi & Suman are the best example of this principal.
October 31st, 2007 at 5:34 pm
I love this song - aa hum ehde-wafa kar le ye rasm ada kar le sung by rafi and suman kalyanpur
October 29th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
yes I agree with venkatdri garu that parasmani duet is Rafi-lata “Woh jab yaad aaye”
Ref to post 19 of Gurumurth sahibre
October 28th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Rafi Saab had sung 143 duets with Suman Kalyanpur according to one count.
Venkat
October 28th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
There is a nice duet Suman sang with Rafi Saheb from a movie called Main Shaadi Karne Chala and the song is - Jab se hum tum baharon mein…. this being one of the best duet. This song was also sung by Mukesh and kamal barot. rafian@aol.in