Rafi Duets with Lata and Asha
This article is written by Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy.
Mohammed Rafi Sahab has sung plenty of duets with many female Singers, but quantity-wise, duets with Asha and Lata stand out. It is gathered that Rafiji has sung about 903 duets with Asha and about 447 with Lata. The huge difference was perhaps due to Rafi-Lata’s rift for about three years and consequently the higher number of duets of Rafi- Asha during that period. One more reason was the preference of MDs like OPN to have only Rafi and Asha.
Which duets were better, whether it was with Lata or Asha? A very difficult question to answer and the safest bet will be to say that both were equally good. But let us analyse.
Before any analysis is carried out, it is better to list out some of the duets of Rafiji with both Lata and Asha so that we do not miss out any significant aspect or Khubi in their duet songs. I have listed down some of the duets in the following paragraphs, not in any particular order, but definitely more importance given to soft and melodious songs and loud songs are ignored.
Rafiji and Lataji’s duets immediately bring to our mind songs like, “Yeh Dil Deewana Hai” (ISHQ PE ZOR NAHIN), “Tasveer Teri Dilme” (MAYA), “Dil Pukare” (JEWEL THIEF), “Tum To Pyaar Ho” (SEHARA), “Agar Main Poonchu” (SHIKARI), “Jeeta Hi Lenge Baazi Hum Tum” (SHOLA AUR SHABNAM), “Tere Husnaki” and “Ek Shahanshahne” (LEADER), “Yeh Parbaton Ke Dayare” (VAASNA), “Rim Zhim Ke” (ANJAANA), “Tuzhe Jeevan Ki Dor Se” (ASLI NAQLI), “Kuhu Kuhu Bole Koyaliya” (SUVARNA SUNDARI), “Woh Hai Zara Kafa Kafa” (SHAGIRD), “Rut Bekaraar Hai” (MAA AUR MAMTA), “Chaand Jaane Kahan Kho Gaya” (MAI CHUP RAHUNGI), “Humne Aajase Tumhe” (RAJA BABU), “Jo Vada Kiya Wo” (TAJ MAHAL), “Meri Duniya” (HEER RANZHA), “Sun More Sajana Re, Dekhoji Muzhko Bhool Na Zana”, etc. Well the list is endless.
If the above songs are closely listened to and observed, it is revealed that both Rafi and Lata being supremely gifted matched each other especially when the songs were at lower pitch like that of IPZN, Leader, Heer Ranzha songs, etc. Melody was maintained throughout the song. The only negative point was, as clearly revealing in the song of Maya (Naino Ka Kajra, Piya Tera Gum), Lataj’s voice became shrill at higher pitches where as Rafi’s voice was rock steady at all pitches. But both were absolute masters when it came to classical, even Carnatic as in SS song. But we have not heard many qawali duets by these two great singers except perhaps “Kya Kya Na Sahe” from MERE HUZOOR, if this song can be considered as a qawali.
Another noticeable fact was that whenever it came to saying or speaking few words in-between a song, some how it always appeared odd (unlike in the case of KK or Asha), perhaps because we were only prepared to listen to their songs at which both of them were so good and melodious, but not spoken words, which always looked bit artificial and not as spontaneous as their singing. Of course, it is my personal opinion. Except OPN, this pair was used by all the MDs. But this pair was especially used in many songs by LP and KA.
As for as Rafi – Asha duets are concerned, one can easily recall “Abhi Na Jao Chodakar” (HUM DONO), “Yeh Dekhake Dil Zhooma” (KASHMIR KI KALI), “Chura Liya Hai” (YAADON KI BARAAT), “Main Soya Ankhiyan Meeche” (PHAGUN), “Main Pyaar Ka Rahi Hun” and “Bahut Shukriya” (EK MUSAFIR EK HASINA), “Maangake Saath Tumhara” (NAYA DAUR), “Hoton Pe Hasin” (SAWAN KI GHATA), “Pucho Na Yaar Kya Hua” (ZAMANE KO DOKHANA HAI), “O Mere Sonare” (TEESRI MANZIL), “Tumhe Mai, Agar Apna Saathi Banalun” (SHATRANJ), “Raat Ke Humsafar” (AN EVENING IN PARIS), “Sawan Aaye” (DIL DIYA DARD LIYA), “Muzhe Pyaar Ki” (PYAAR KA SAGAR), “Phir Miloge Kabhi” and “Aapse Meri Jaan” (YEH RAAT PHIR NA AAYEGI), “Panchi Re O Panchi” (HARE KAANCH KI CHOODIYAN), “Humne To Dilko Aapake” (MERE SANAM), “Jis Dinse Maine Tumko Dekha Hai” (PARWANA), “Suno Suno Ms. Chatterjee” (BAHAREN PHIR BHI AAYENGI), etc., the list is again long.
If these songs are observed carefully, melody was always maintained, whether it was at lower pitch (Hum Dono, Phagun, YKB, PKS) or higher pitch, but still there is a feeling that Rafiji was more steady at higher octave, as in the case of KKK song. Rafiji goes high in the first and third stanza (Dil Aaj Khushi Se Pagal Hai and Barson Se Phiza Ka Mausam Tha), but Asha at the same time in the second stanza maintains her low voice (Tinake Ki Tarah Main Beh Nikli), perhaps OPN wanted it that way. Similar is the case in YRPNA song. But Asha appeared to be ahead of Lata while singing at higher zone. The pair was also good while singing classical (DDDL) as well as qawalis. In fact in most of qawalis, the female singer was always Asha. The pair was also adept at singing comedy songs. This pair was also used by all the MDs but major percentage was by OPN, followed at a distance by RDB and Ravi.
As most of these duets were plain and simple romantic songs, not much of feelings were involved but having heard so many songs of all these Singers, we can safely conclude that Lata was ahead of Asha in this region of expressing feelings in the songs. Lataji’s songs always touched the heart where as Asha’s songs appeared more melodious and rhythmic perhaps due to OPN.
Of course, it should be admitted that we enjoyed both their duets and were lucky that their peek coincided with our time. Hence, my personal opinion is that both the duets were equally good. I personally would prefer to listen to both Lata and Asha duets, one song at a time, alternatively. In fact, there was a period especially in sixties when each film used to have duets of both Lata and Asha with Rafi.
Having sung so many wonderful songs with Rafiji, the alleged opinion or scheming of Lata and especially Asha is unbelievable. I personally feel that people have either misunderstood them or deliberately spreading false news. Such great artistes cannot have scheming or dirty mind. Some misunderstandings between two individuals can always be expected. Moreover, in the same web site, I read an article listing the condolence messages of different film personalities when Rafiji expired. Asha, it seems broke down in between and could not complete her statement where as Lataji’s words on Rafiji in the Shraddanjali cassette clearly reveals the respect she had for Rafiji. Perhaps, the sisters could have been more transparent and come out with rejoinders whenever they were misquoted.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:27 am
If I’m not mistaken, mrs. hope sang her first song (could be her second) in Hindi films with Rafi saab. That was in the late 40s. Till around 1956, most of her songs would actually be duets with Rafi saab. In that period, there were many films where she would only sing duets with Rafi saab. That is not surprising given the popularity of geeta dutt and lata m. In 1957, she would make major breakthroughs as a duet singer in four films: naya daur and tumsa nahin dekha (o. p. nayyar), and nau do gyarah and paying guest (s. d. burman). The last two films would feature very popular duets with kishore da. With nau do gyarah, goldie anand and rafi saab would enter the navketan camp. Along with asha ji, rafi saab would sing one of the most sensuous duets in films, “aaja panchhi akela hai”:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VlSmTKTeUUQ
Dev anand is seen here with his would-be wife. There’s another rafi-asha duet in the film which didn’t become that popular:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fvoZY-udFPc
but the conversational style of singing that burman da set in this song would be put to devastating effect in the following year; here’s “achha ji main hari chalo”, one of the most playful songs ever:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CAUAluS5_sg
Along with this song, several other rafi-asha duets celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. I would like to pick a couple of them. Here’s “zameen se hame asman par” from adalat (madan mohan):
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9LOQ7GVjHy4
and “dekh hamen awaaz na dena” from amar deep (c. ramchandra):
http://youtube.com/watch?v=M2FcuJsrG3A
But the mother of all duets was yet to come; that would come after around three years. In between, o. p. nayyar would slowly start swaying to mrs. hope’s tune, moving away from geeta di. And s. d. burman would also start using mrs. hope more and more, given that miss ivy had picked up a fight with the maestro and geeta di had started becoming unpredictable.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:10 am
jisko proof chaahiye pls meet sonu nigam :
some people want proof : yes pls meet sonu nigam and ask for proof about what happened when he entered the music industry post 1980.
sonu is on record saying that the name of mohd rafi was taboo in the recording rooms. pls take name of any singer but not mohd rafi. proof seekers pls write to sonu nigam and he will tell and bare it all. i admire people like sonu nigam and other rafi centric singers who have the guts to tell the facts as it comes. pls remember that rafi saaheb has “blessed” these singers. the so-called legends were jealous of rafi saahebs popularity and even today - it has not stopped. doubters pls read sonu nigams remarks in this site itself after doing some search.
binu nair.
May 15th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Sanjay ji : i am with your observations. there are so many gems of rafi saaheb from the period 48 to 1960 which rafi lovers ought to listen to.
at our saturday night rafi “fever” live programmes at mumbai, we take two songs repeatedly and these are rafi saaheb personal favourites.
a. Jaayega jab yahan se, kuch bhi na saath hoga, do gaz zameen ka tukda, tera libaaz hoga from film moti mahal. the co singer madhubala jhaveri was the guest during the function.
b the second song is : kehke bhi na aaye tum, chup ne lage taare - a c.ramchandra gem possibly the first song picturised on ashok kumar if i am not wrong. with this song, ashok kumar stopped giving playback - in 1948 itself as rafi the new singer of the block was creating musical “waves”
binu nair : rafi foundation, mumbai : 9833 250 701. www.rafifoundation.com
May 15th, 2008 at 7:51 am
ignorance is bliss for many but remember that “nothing” can belittle rafi saaheb and his works. during his lifetime and even thereafter we find people finding faults with the genial singer. this people may live for a few years more but let me mention here a true rafi lovers words as told to me : “rafi saaheb will be worshipped for hundreds of years but these men and women will be forgotten once they leave this world”. this gentleman from delhi arranges a truly great rafi tribute programme in the month of july every year and takes out an advertisement in the newspapers on july 31 tributing bharat ka ratna - shri mohd rafi saaheb.
binu nair….. the rafi foundation, mumbai : www.rafifoundation.com
May 14th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
suraj ji : my sources are from the filmfare and screen magazines whose music critics are rafi saaheb lovers. they cannot open-ly tell things as they are in a profession. they have to sail with the current as its their living which will be at risk. but , remember , that every rafi lover has a heart and a bigger conscience than these two minute critics - who will doubt everything. they are too naive too to understand the dirty things some of the people play in the dirt infested music industry. they also stay too far to get to know about the “filth” about the industry. good luck to them and to their ignorance.
binu nair.
May 14th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Dear Shri. Sanjay Aroraji,
Please refer your Post No. 37. I would like to clarify as follows.
The particular article was about Rafi’s duets with Lata and Asha and hence, only such duets were referred. In fact, I have written an article on “Rafis other duets” which was uploaded on the web site on 06.02.08 which covered Rafiji’s duets with Singers other than Lata, Asha and Suman Kalyanpur, like Geeta Dutt, Sharada, etc. In the article on “Rafi’s rift with Lata” (published on 18.08.07), Rafi’s duets with Suman Kalyanpur are covered. Rafi’s male duets are covered in the article “Mohd. Rafi with other male singers” (published on 10.05.07). Usually the articles are on a particular facet of Rafiji’s singing versatality covering different topics. Any how sir, I thank you for your valuable suggestions.
May 14th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
FOR MR.H.V.GURUMURTHY SAHAB,I AM GOING THRU THIS SITE,BUT HOWEVER MY OBSERVATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS
1 ) THE DISCUSSION IS MAINLY ON RAFI SAAB /RDB .
2 ) THE SONGS BEING REFERRED ARE BASICALLY FROM 65-80.
3 ) DUETS OF RAFI SAAB NOT BEYOND LATA/ASHA
MY REQUEST IS PLEASE WIDEN THE DISCUSSION,
RAFI SAAB RULED FROM 1955 ONWARDS TILL HIS DEATH THE HINDI FILM MUSIC,THERE IS NO MENTION OF HIS GEMS FROM THE PERIOD 1955-65 (RARELY IF ANY ) WHICH WAS IN ARGUEBLY THE BEST AND GOLDEN PERIOD OF HINDI FILM MUSIC AND NOT ONLY RAFI SAAB,BUT MUKESH JI,MANNAJI,LATA JI, ASHA JI,SUMAN JI,AND ALL MD S WERE IN THEIR TOP FORM,CHURNING OUT CLASSIICS,GEMS ONE AFTER THE OTHER.
RAFI SAAB SANG MANY DUETS WITH GEETA JI/SHAMSHADJI AND ABOUT 135 DUETS WITH SUMAN JI.MY SUGESSTION IS PLEASE WRITE SOMETHING BEYOND RAFI SAAB`S DUETS WITH LATA/ASAH.
ALSO MY REQUEST IS RAFI SAAB `S IN OTHER LANGUAGE BESIDES HINDI MAINLY PUNJABI FILM SONGS SHOULD ALSO BE DISCUSSED,AS AFTER HEARING THE PUNJABI FILM SONGS,I FIND THEM TO BE ANYTIME AT PAR WITH HIS HINDI FILM SONGS,AS MOST OF THE MD`S AT THAT WERE HAVING A PUNJABI BACKGROUND.
I ONCE AGAIN REQUEST YOU TO WRITE SOMETHING BASED ON THE ABOVE AS RAFI SAAB WAS BEYOND LATA RAFI & RDB
May 11th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
binu ji: long ago i had advised you to use a small, cheap mp3 recorder to record your interview with people like shakti samanta, manohari singh, etc. people always want proof on statements and such a recording could provide that. of course, i know you weren’t present at the room where asha made her remarks. truth be told, i believe you. those people trying to deny this are being very naive. asha bhonsle is indeed very crafty. i too would be very interested in recordings of interviews with music personalities. i doubt they’ll object.
May 10th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
hi
this is sayyed .. a ardent of mohd rafi since childhood…
by the grace of almighty i can sing any of rafi song ..
can any one give me chance to sing live..in any program..
plz do help me in this regard.
i love you all
sayed
May 10th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
dear salim bhai,
i fully agree with you regarding the fake and almost rediculous sort of view expressed by binu nair sahib.HOW CAN HE SAY THAT SORT OF THINGS WHEN HE DONT HAVE ANY PROOF AT ALL I MYSELF HAVE NEVER HEARD THAT SORT OF DIRTY POLITICALLY MOTIVATED THING IN MY ENTIRE LIFE OF 40 YRS.
IF ANY BODY HAS THE PROOF THAN POST IT ON YOUTUBE OTHERWISE THERE IS NO NEED TO TALK UNNECESSARILY
May 10th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Invitation: on may 18th a sunday, a programme : aasmaan se aaya farishta is being held at Mira road, next to dahisar, near mumbai at 6.30 p.m.
already giant billboards have been put up by the organisers who are ardent rafi saaheb fans. the grand rafi musical is being held under the banner of rafi foundation and rafi lovers are welcome to attend it.
the venue : gcc club ground; for members and invitees only.
Singers : Kakaji Naushad, Fahad, Pallavi raghav, vohra ji, Kumar and others.
for more details and a musical evening of rafi saaheb songs : pls contact :
binu nair : + 9833 250 701 or write to binus2000@hotmail.com
May 10th, 2008 at 2:20 am
What I meant to say in my previous post “When will we get to see a show on the Great Rafi Sahab….”. Sorry for the oversight.
May 10th, 2008 at 2:18 am
When will we get to see a TV show like the recent Sony TV show on Kishore Kumar (K for Kishore)? Also, in it, Asha Ji indicated that she sang maximum duets with Kishoreda and also kept praising him as the best singer ever. I wonder why?
May 9th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
salim bhai,
i agree with u .yeh site rafi sahib ke kiye hai paar kuch bevakuf log rafi sahib or dusare mahan singers ke baare main ulta sidha likh kar apne aap ko bahut bada fan dekhana chahte hai.Yeh saab galat hai sare singer jaise ki rafi sahib,mukesh ji,kishore da ,lata mangeshkar,asha bhonsle saab apas main bahut he mil jul kar raha karte the or ek dusre ki izzat kiya karte they .Competion apne jagah paar tha lekin yeh sabi ek dusre ki respect kiya karte the or ek dusare ko chahte they.
Lekin kuch log apna aap ko rafi sahib ka bada fan mante hai or befajul politics ki baatein kar rahe hai .Unke paas na to koi proof hai or na he kuch or vo pagal hai jine pagalkhane bhej dena chahiye.
May 9th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I think that Lata had one over her sister when it came to duets with Rafi saab.
Lata duets that come to mind not mentioned in the article are as follows:
Son of India -
Ayee Milan ki Bela - O Sanam Tere Ho Gaye Hum
Jeevan Myritu - Jil Mil Sitaro Ka
Anjaana - Rim Jim Ke
Haath Ki Safaii - Wada Karle Sajna
Inteqaam -
Zanjeer -
Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai - Uff Yumma
Jigri Dost
Humjoli
and many many more that i cant remember at this moment.
Rafi sahab was the GRAETEST EVER!
May 8th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
we are really fortunate to have these great personalities singing their best with each other. Rafisahab sang maximum duets with mangeshkar sister’s approximately 1450 songs. Out of which hundreds of them are mindblowing masterpeice. Both the sisters gave their best to match with the vocal chord of Badshah and infact no one was less than other.I totally agree with Mr. Binu nair ji that some people are trying their level best to make forget SJ, Naushad sahab, raviji, chitraguptji, o.p. nayyar,l&p and others and almost all the f.m radio pvt channels throughout India are promoting only KK and Pancham. Of course they were the great combination but others contribution cannot be overlooked. Only Vivid bharati regularly plays all the combinations properly especially from vb i came to know from Ashaji herself that she had sung maximum around 900 duets with Rafi sahab in some interview program of Amin sayaniji. Sumanji had also sung maximum duets about 165 songs with Rafisahab. And ofcourse Lataji’s maximum duets are also with Rafi sahab. Infact Geeta dutt, Shamshad begum,Mubarak begum and others had maximum duets with Rafi saheb. In male category also Mannadey, Mukeshji, Talat mahmood, Balbir and even kishore kumar had sung maximum duets with Rafi saheb. In-fact the maximum duets approximately (2500 duets) overall has been done by our own RAFISAHAB.
May 8th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
rafi ji ke baare mein ache kuch likiye. hum bahut kush rahenge basss
May 8th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Agar aapke paas proof hai tho aap youtube copy karke site mein dal dijye, agar sachi baat hai ki aasha bhosale ne ye sab kaha hai. rafi ke pyare fans tho suno kya baat hai. lekin ye baat hai ki lata aur rafi ke kuch royalty ke baare mein problem huve. ye sab baate hum sabke samne nahi kehna chaihye. bahut dukh ke baat hai ki haise baat kule aaam likte hai. nahi bahut ho chuka rafi ke baare mein ulta seeeda likte hai.