Rafi, Asha and O.P.Nayyar
This article is written by Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy
What a combination it was, Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhonsle under the direction of O.P.Nayyar, Vintage Music in the fiftees and especially early sixties. Perhaps, OPN had special chemistry with Rafiji and Ashaji and the Singers also gave the maximum melodies under OPN’s baton. Otherwise we would not have got songs which we remember and rejoice even today after more than 30 years.
The list is long, perhaps starting with CID – “Leke Pehla Pehla Pyaar” along with Shamshad Begum followed by three duets in NAYA DAUR – “Sathi Hath Badana”, “Ude Jab Jab Zulfen Teri” and the super melodious “Mangake Saath Tumhara”. Shammi Kapoor had “Dekh Kasamse” and “Sar Par Topi Lal” in TUMSA NAHI DEKHA. The first song especially had the Grand Entry of MR in the last stanza. KASHMIR KI KALI had three duets – “Isharon Isharon Me”, “Hai Re Hai” and perhaps one of the best romantic duets ever recorded in the Indian Film Industry “Ye Dekhake Dil Zhooma”.
O.P.Nayyar and Mohd Rafi
“Hoton Pe Hasin” from SAWAN KI GHATA also had the late entry of Rafiji in the last stanza. BAHARE PHIR BHI AYENGI had two wonderful duets – “Suno Suno Ms Chatterjee” and “Dil To Pehle Hi Se”. PHAGUN had the melodious “Mai Soya Ankhiyan Meeche”, “Ek Pardesi Mera”, “Tum Rootake Mat Jana” and “Jaa Jaa, Jaa Meri Chodade Kalayi”. KALPANA starring Ashok Kumar and Padmini had “Pyaara Pyaara Hai Sama” and “Mai Aaongi Kidiki Me ………..Aji Chalega”.
Separate chapters can be written on the combination for Joy Mukherjee and Biswajeet starrers. Who can forget songs from Biswajeet movies like “Phir Miloge Kabhi” and “Aapse Maine Meri Jaan” from “YEH RAAT PHIR NA AAYEGI, “Roka Kai Baar Maine”, the super melodious “Humne To Dilko Aapke” and “Haanji Haanji Haanji” from MERE SANAM. Similarly Joy Mukherjee starrers had songs like “Zulfa Ki Chaon Me” and “Door Bahut Mat Jayiye” from PHIR WAHI DIL LAYA HUN, “Tera Shukriya” from HUMSAYA and the four super wonders in EK MUSAFIR EK HASINA – “Bahut Shukriya”, “Aap Yunhi Agar”, “Mai Pyaar Ka Rahi Hun” and “Iran Humne Dekha”.
Mohd Rafi, O.P.Nayyar and Asha Bhonsle
Though Rafiji and Ashaji have sung more than 900 songs containing lot many wonderful, melodious and popular songs for other MDs, but the songs under OPN had a separate magic. Under OPN, Ashaji has also sung many good songs with Mahendra, Mukesh and KK, but most of these songs never came anywhere near that of Rafiji and Ashaji duets. Similarly, under OPN, Rafiji and Geethaji also gave hit duets.
I also personally feel and I am very sure, most Music lovers will agree with me that Ashaji blossomed under OPN and her own standard came down after she left OPN. RD never gave with Ashaji solo songs like PUCHO NA HAME HUM UNKE LIYE from “Mitti Me Sona”, JAYIYE AAP KAHAN JAYENGE from “Mere Sanam”, AANKHON SE JO UTARI HAI DIL ME from “Phir Wahi Dil Laya Hun”, CHAINASE HUMKO KABHI from “Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye”, RAAT KO CHORI CHORI from “Mohabbat Zindagi Hai”, HUZUREWALA from “Yeh Raat Phir Na Ayegi”, AAO HUZUR TUMKO from “Kismat”, WOH HANSKE MILE HUMSE from “Baharen Phir Bhi Ayengi”, MOHABBAT HO GAYI JINASE from “Kahin Din Kahin Raat”, HAATH AAYA HAI from “Dil Aur Mohabbat”, O BARASO RE and CHAM CHAM GUNGARUN BOLE from “Phagun”, etc., which OPN could regularly churn out with Asha.
Even the so called popular Cabaret numbers of RDB and Ashaji’s were no where near the class of Ashaji and Senior Burman in “Talash” – KARLE PYAAR KARLE KE DIN HAI YAHI, “Jewel Thief” – RAAT AKELI HAI and JALTE HAI JISKE LIYE, LA LA LA LA LA LA and “Sharmilee” – RESHAMI UJALA HAI, which were very melodious and sensuous but never loud like that of RDB’s.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:36 pm
I met Ashaji in delhi few years ago, she was came for annual function of school in which i was accounts manager. I took her autograph on recording photo of rafi-asha in studio, she was surprise & she believe rafi is best & ashaji talk to me so much that my other collegues & also management & directors feel jealous.
Ashaji was outspoken & change her views frequently at different place. Lata never ready to support her sister (Watch movie Saaz casting Shabana & Aruna). At that time musicians took asha with rafi, because that time lata haveing roylaty issue with rafi saab.
Among all singers, Asha sung maximum songs & highest duets in hindi music Rafi-Asha, Kishore-Asha, Rafi-Lata & Kishore-Lata.
Asha never sucess in her career without Rafi Saab & opn. no musician consider her seriously.
Asha told me her favourite duet was “Phir milonge kabhi is baat ka vaada kar lo” no doubt this song well known for rafi saab….so high pitch…..asha’s stanza not important. All mukhada, first antara, ending of second antara was finish by rafi saab.
may be possible she prefer sometime kk, but by her heart she admire rafi saab…..she told rafi saab bahut sharif insaan the.
She went first at rafi’s residence after his death & I have one photograph in which she was cry so much, even kk also present & he was also cry. I never see, never heard about lata…..she was present or attend funeral I don’t know.
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
binu ji,,
needless to say anything abt gr8ness of nayyar sahab & also there is nothing much left for me to tell abt nayyar sahab as odrs already added amazingly regarding dis….
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:36 pm
ref to p::38
“”"”even a bee sting is better than a sting from “monica darling” “”"”
well said mr.haldar
you r always dominating wd ur gr8 humour……..
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Dear Rafians
Though I am agreeing with you 100% about Asha Bhonsle I would like to request you not to use harsh words about her or any other bcs we must not forget that we are Fans of the most humble Rafi saab.I believe a person is a true Rafi saab fan only if he or she is having few of Rafi saab’s character at least(humbleness,willingness to help others,no bad mouthing,no self promotion,not forgeting those who helped you etc).Forgive me if I am wrong.
ABout Asha b.I would like to request her to visit both Mohdrafi.com and asha-bhonsle.com then she can understand where she stands and where Rafi saab stands.
Long live Rafi saab.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:35 am
it is truly surprising. the way asha bhonsle has chosen to have amnesia about her most productive years in film music which she had with opnayyar ji and rafi sahib. it is a sad reflection on her.
but all the same, her songs are great - at least the old ones.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:23 am
ref post 32:
binu ji, even a bee sting is better than a sting from “monica darling”. As mr. raju korti informed us, a bee sting on the beach made pancham cry “ooh ooh ooh ooh”, setting the stage for one of the most romantic songs in film history. mr. korti, I hope you’ll reconsider your decision and keep posting your refreshing comments.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:27 am
vikas bhai :
are u a doctor or an authority in “music” or both?..
dont’s u have valid arguements to counter the other view?
binu nair.
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:36 am
The ascerbic langauage some people use in this forum, especially against individuals is hurting. This forum is for discussing on the greatness of Rafiji, especially remembering his golden songs and not to belittle the contributions of others, who also have served the Indian Film Industry in their own way. In fact, we are greatful to all of them including KK, Lataji, Ashaji, OPN, RDB, etc. for having given us so much pleasure. Also let us admit that every individual is entitled to have his / her opinion on all the Singers / MDs. Let us not criticise them if their views do not coincide with ours. This new year let all of us, we Rafi lovers, pass a resolution that let us contribute positively to the web site and not criticise other individuals including other Singers / MDs. Even if some individuals continue to indulge in such harsh criticism, it is better to ignore them rather than join issue with them.
January 22nd, 2008 at 1:52 am
Thanks Venkatadri for knowing the facts.
Vikas bhai, my hindi is not strong hence i cant measure the depth of stupidity in your post.
Be polite or go to the asha bhonsle forum with your pain and despeartion. My reading of Asha is based on facts and I can say without any hesitation that she is a blot of the art of singing and human decency in general. Ask RD Bumans mum what she did to the poor lady after Pamcham died.
If you are a kk propgandist then know that Asha belives Sanjay dutt sings like KK, I will not be surprised if KK lobists take this as a compliment.
What a Tai? that what you KK fans call her dont you….lol
You are a kid, go and mix with children, this place is for grown ups!!
January 21st, 2008 at 11:04 pm
asha ji…..
o.p. nayyar saab was a “contrast character” of sorts…. ur are
right partly as i know that he also had a golden heart “too”for people
whom he liked and loved..
binu nair. mumbai..
January 21st, 2008 at 10:59 pm
mr.xxx : what about o.p.nayyar saab (babu-ji) to his near and daar
ones..?
binu nair… the rafi foundation,, mumbai….
binus2000@hotmail.com
January 21st, 2008 at 10:46 pm
post 29…
haldar saab: u mean that if r.d.b had spent some more time
with rafi saab, it would have been “meaningful”.
very true… his liasion with asha was put him ‘off’ his arts. he
lost his confidence and banners.
m.d. ravi saab told us last week : rafi saab used to come regularly
to his house at 9.00 am. shakeel used to be called in the morning
and sahir would come in the evening…
time spent with the farishta rafi saab with open mind and ears would
have been definitely “musically profitable” to everyone…. well said
haldar saab.,.
binu nair.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:25 pm
the maestros who really appreciated by d true classes were::::
1.rafi sahab
2.naushad ji
3.dada burman
4.madanji
5.roshanji
6.lataji
8.pancahm da
9.manna da
and its a well known fact that only these persons were appreciated most by true classes like pandit jasraj ji, pandit shiv kr sharma ji, pandit bhimsain joshi ji & by odrs as well……
asha bhosle although gr8 singer but never surpassed the above maestro’s class & mass appeal….
so whooz d looser???????
January 21st, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I don’t see a reason for Asha should give her respect and even think of OPN. OPN as his character goes in many articles was a womanizer. He was marvellous and a gem in music, but as a human being.. I doubt. Not that I approve of Asha’s reasons for that matter.
January 21st, 2008 at 7:22 pm
vikas is too young to know about the dirty politics in the music world, so please don’t be unduly critical of what he says. He loves good music and the great singers of yesteryears, so that’s what matters.
I’ve also commented before that pancham shouldn’t have got involved with asha. Mixing business with pleasure is not a good thing. I hear that the last few years of his life were really sad. Mira di should have never let in “raat akeli hai” asha into the jet bungalow. Pancham should have taken a few tips from OP. Instead of the relationship with Asha, if he had jalebis and halwa sitting in Rafi saab’s car, he would have become an even greater md.
January 21st, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Mr. Vikas Sharma,
Did you indeed post your post no. 26 in response to the highly reasonable and factual post no. 25 of Manthan Ji? Or were you responding to something else?!
I fully second Manthan Ji for his post no. 25 and his factual reading of Asha Bhosle!
Venkat
January 21st, 2008 at 9:41 am
vikasji : i request u to be polite with people who do not share
ur views….
what’s ur honest comments on my post no 22 since the facts
are from the people who is close to asha bhonsle…
binu nair. mumbai.
January 20th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
MANTHAN BHAI,
APNE DIMAG KA ILAZ KISI ACHE HOSPITAL MAIN JA KAR KARVA LO VARNA TUMHE MUSIC LOVERS SE GALIYA HE NASEEB HONGE TUMHARE DIMAG KI HALAT DEKH KAR HASI ATE HAI TUM TO HIMESH RESHAMIYA KE FANS SE BE GAYE GUJRE HO.TUMHE INDIA SE BAHAR NIKAL DENA CHAHEYE EVEN AURANGJEB WHO USED TO HATE MUSIC WUD HAVE BEEN A BETTER MUSIC MINDED PERSON THAN PEOPLE LIKE U . U SEEM TO AN UNEDUCATED MAN HAVING NO SENSE OF MUSIC AND DEGNITY.
PLZ DONT POST ANY COMMENTS AND FORGIVE THE MUSIC LOVERS ACROSS THE GLOBE