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 8th, 2008 at 10:22 am
Hi Mr. Haldar,
Would you by any chance happen to know who was in Rajesh Roshan’s camp ?. I have read that Amar Haldipur used to arrange his music and play the guitar for him as well. I have heard from others that he was a top class arranger. Can you please throw some light on this fellow ?. I also have read that Basu Chaterjee from Pancham’s camp also arranged the music for RR. Do you know any more personalities that used to play for RR ?. Besides Amar Haldipur, who else were RR’s assistants ?. There is hardly any info about RR’s team. His orchestra was excellent and complete, and had magic of its own.
Please reply either here or in the RD-Rafi thread. Mr. XXX and myself are having a great discussion about RR over there.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Binu-ji,
Can you please elaborate on what you mean by Jaikishan was planning something big for Rafi-saab, would love to know more about it.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:27 am
ref post 8:
mr. guru murthy, they are mehdi hassan, ghulam ali and nusrat fateh ali khan. Whenever a pandit jasraj or a ghulam ali or a nusrat fateh ali khan is quoted in the media, you’ll have to note which singers they keep talking about. Over the years, the names of these three singers (asha a little less than the other two) have been consistently mentioned by such knowledgeable folks.
May 7th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Jaikishan missed marrying the sweetest crooner on the words of his guru and in came Pallavi. Jai gave us great hits till andaz (72) and was planning something “big” for the badshah of playback singing : rafi saaheb until fate decided something else.
Some of the present singers want us to forget Shankar jaikishan, L & P, omnath prasad nayyar, ravi, chitragupta and others.
they would love us listening only to r.d.burman………for she says: he is the only great composer.
binu nair.
May 7th, 2008 at 10:11 am
it was after many years that miss ivy entered the jet bungalow, thanks to pancham. And dada, the king of duets, was thrilled that he could use the badshaah of playback singing and the suron ki mallika together, after having using chhoti bahen almost exclusively for around five years. Little did dada know what was in store. Why blame him when the two went on singing “tujhe jeevan ke do se bandh liya hai… mujhe kitna pyar hai tumse”. But the clouds had started gathering in the distant skies. Chhoti bahen, never one to give up hope, was always looking for an opening. But the badshah warned her “aap yunhi agar hum se milte rahe…” Didi was not amused, to say the least, though he kept telling her “baar baar tohe kya samjhaun” and asking the chhoti bahen “tum meri tasveer lekar kya karoge”?
The next year, despite him telling her “dekho rutha na karo”, all hell broke loose. “jhagre karne ki adat thi” didi would no longer sing with the badshah. And both would recede to their solitude thinking what had happened to their “jo wada kiya woh nibhana parega” promise, made only a few months earlier. In their loneliness, they would sing “tere bin sooni nain hamare” and “woh jab yaad aaye”. the badshah would go on to sing “mujhko apne gale laga lo” with another begum sahiba and “dil ek mandir hai” with the padmakar shivalkar of hfm.
Three years later, thanks to jai, the rift would come to end. Their emotions would come pouring out with “dil pukare aa re aa re aa re”. But the relationship would never be the same. The badshah would never again rest his hand on the suron ki mallika, like in the picture at the top.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:21 am
What about “teri bindiya re”? I love this song. Very well sung by both Rafi sahab and lataji.
May 7th, 2008 at 1:52 am
Rafi Saheb sang countless duets with Lata and Asha, and it is not possible here to mention the best! Each duet from them is a gem.
May 7th, 2008 at 12:50 am
Post 6 : suman-rafi ji duets, they are marvellous.
hear this : parbvaton ke pedon se, shaam ka basera hai, champai ujala hai,
great tunes by khayyam, written by sahir saab…..
binu nair… mumbai.
May 7th, 2008 at 12:06 am
Some of the finest duets are:
1.Teri dunya se door chale ho ke chale majboor hamein yaad rakhna
2.Tere bin soone nayan hamare
3.Dheere dheere chal chand gagan mein
4.Kaise samjhaun bare na samajh ho
5.Neel gagan par udte badal ja ja ja
6.Lagi choote na ab to sanam chahe jaye jiya teri kasam
May 6th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Mohd Rafi was great with any one he singed with,I think it is not easy to compare who was the best with Mohd Rafi Lata or Asha or Suman or Geeta ect..
same with male singers as I think Lata was the best with Mohd Radfi in Romantic songs after lata I think Suman.Asha had her best songs with Mohd Rafi I think under OPN.
I think if we compare best Duets SONGS I think THERE BE mOHD rAFI IN ONE SIDE EXAMPLE.1 MOHD RAFI AND LATA,MOHD RAFI AND ASHA,MOHD RAFI GEETA,MOHD RAFI AND KK, and so on…….
May 6th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Admittedly, the duets of Rafi and Lata and Rafi and Asha are numerous. However, I would like to point out two fabulous melodies. First, ‘Zara saamne to aao chalye…’ (Rafi-Lata, film Janam Janam Ke Phere, music S.N. Tripathi, lyrices Bharat Vyas, year 1957). Second, ‘Door bahut mat jaao…’ (Rafi-Asha, film Phir Wohi Dil Laaya Hoon, music Onkar Prasad Nayyar, lyrics Majrooh, year 1963).
May 6th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
rafi lata asha duets r wonderful n loving evergreen they hv permanant appeal n sweet melody…..in most of the duets rafi did better as he could as usual keep his in control whether high or low pitch….rafi lata n rafi asha duets r divine blessings on all of us…there can never be such melody in future….becoz we dont hv md,lyricists n singers of calibre of those greats we had before 1980….todays cheap md n songwriters…n bathroom singers can not creat that magic n melody…today generation watch songs(no poetry nor singing talent) while we listen to old melodies…we r lucky to hv greats md,lyricists….and mohd rafi….my jaan…he is god to me….his voice is medicine for me…he should hv been honoured with bharat ratna while alive…sorry he is still alive….kudos to rafi foundation…salute to their efforts …..my MOHD RAFI IS GREATEST….
May 6th, 2008 at 10:11 am
ref my post 5–small typographical error–read “kabhi in fizaon mein pyaas thi…ab mausam-e-barsaat hai” instead of what I typed–sorry for error.
Whatever may be the difference between the two giants -Rafi & Lata , but as singers this combination is the ultimate in duets-especially in romantic songs. You can really feel the romance when both of them sing. Next would be Rafi-Suman, Manna da-Lata .
May 5th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
here are two more rafi-lata duets
1. raat rangili mast nazare, movie name-dulari(1949), music by naushad
2.ek shenshah ne banva ke hasin tajmahal, leader(1964)
May 5th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
duets ki baat chal rahi hai magar “wo jab yaad aaye, bahut yaad aaye” ka kahin zikr nahi!!!! , anyways, here is link(having comments by lata) to this masterpiece composition by l-p from parasmani(1963)::
http://www.esnips.com/doc/769e2e68-e70f-4bcb-bbbd-97c252059161/01—Mohd-Rafi—Wo-Jab-Yaad-Aaye
and here is youtube link to masterpiece rafi-lata duet by jaidev, movie-kinare kinare(1963), feel the range and melody of rafi ji::
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XekAPuiJRIA
May 5th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
Gurumurthy Ji,
Great article!
This is a great topic, where discussions will be endless. The use of Rafi with female counterpart on higher scale has been witnessed in many songs right from the 50s.
Perhaps there is one duet where the female counter part and Rafi Sahab have almost sung the song on the same scale. The song is “honth hain tere laal heere inhein kholna tu” sung by Rafi & Dilraj kaur under O P Nayyar.
Perhaps there are many solos sung by Rafi and Lata with same lyrics almost on the same scale. “Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhe par” from Junglee; “Aji Hum Se Bach Kar” from Arzoo; etc.
There are many Rafi-Lata classic duets under LP. “Yeh Dil Tum Been Kahi Lagta”; “Ki Aaja Teri Yaad Aayee”; “Dafli Waale Dafli Bajaa”; “Koyal Boli Duniya Boli”; “Parbat Ke Us Par”; “Adami Mussafir Hai”; “Aashaon Ke Saagar Mein”; “Aa Batade Ki Tujhe Kaise Jiya”; etc.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Nice article Guru Murthy sir. Let me add here that Rafi sahab was the best co-singer one could ever hope for. With his huge vocal and moods range, he could gel well with anyone sharing the mike with him. He also had this uncanny ability to compliment his co-singer and make up whatever is lacking in his counterpart’s voice/ rendition. A knowledgeable gentleman in Rafi sahab’s orkut community terms Rafi sahab as a ‘goal keeper singer’; someone who provided a safe platform on which his counterpart could do their own things. I’d also say he combined the best qualities that are there in both Lataji and Ashaji. Voice quality/clarity, technical finesse and range of expressions of one and the verve, versatility, flexibility and adaptability of the other.
@Haldar sir: Nice to see you back in action. You (as always) raised a very
valid point here.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
HALDARJI,
WHO ARE THE THREE GIANTS ACROSS THE BORDER, YOU ARE REFERRING TO? I AM SORRY FOR MY IGNORANCE.
May 5th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Dear Sri.Gurumurthyji,
In this divine site after Mohamed Rafi Saab,it is the most important
topic.The duets Rafi saab with Lataji and Ashaji.As you told in the song of
“Maya” lataji’s voice became shrill at higher pitches but Rafi saab’s voice
steady at all pitches.There are so many reasons for the superiority of
Rafi Saab on these sisters.Even Mannadeyji once told in some songs
lataji’s voice is not suitable to match Rafi saab’s voice.Still some people
are of the opinion lataji is more popular than Rafi saab.We are nothing
infront of these veterans but the man who deserve it should get it.
Once the south indian singer Mr.Jayachandran told Rafi Saab - Lataji
combination is the best in Indian Film Industry.
May 5th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
WHAT ABOUT 135 DUETS OF RAFI SAAB & SUMAN KALYANPUR,AND OUT OF THESE 90 % OF THESE DUETS ARE SUPERHIT.AND THE BAAP OF RAFI SUMAN DUET IS -TUJHE DEKHA TUJHE CHAHA -FROM CHOTI SEE MULAQAT.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Nice article. Although it is impossible to cover all the good songs in a short article, I would like to add two duets of RAFI SAHAB-one with Lata & one with Asha which are masterpieces :
1) With Lata-Kahin raat din hum door the, din raat ka ab saath hai-music by Kalyanji Anandji-this is one song where Lata ji had almost reached Rafi sahab’s singing nuances. I can listen to this song 10 times continously without getting bored. The typical Rafi’s touch somes in the lines(Rafi fans would be able to understand if I mention about the typical way in which he used to sing “nigahen” in many songs:
a) teri aankh mein hai khumaar sa , meri chaal mein hain suroor —the way sahab sings “chaal”
b) kabhi intizaon mein pyaas thi , ab mausame barsaat hai—the punch is in “intizaon”
c) Lata matches this typical Rafi sahab’s style when she sings “teri shaoukh nazaron se poochkar” with the punch in “shaukh”
2) With Asha -Ek chameli ke mandve tale, do badan pyar ki aag mein jal gaye. music by Iqbal Quershi-basically a poem by the Urdu poet Maqdoom Moiuddin-Film Cha Cha Cha. This song may be rare but it is ultimate in defining the form of duet singing as both Rafi & Asha sing the lines together for most part of the song-perfectly matching each other-I cannot think of any other duet in this way to the best of my knowledge
May 5th, 2008 at 10:40 am
As mr. a. s. murty has rightly remarked, rafi saab has sung hundreds of great songs with the two sisters. The quality of those duets is of the highest standard. The nightingale has said that she keeps listening to her duets with rafi saab over and over again. The pair has been used successfully by so many md’s — from husnlal bhagatram to rajesh roshan — that it’s almost impossible to list them all. But here are a few special ones: sj, sd, naushad, lp, madan mohan, roshan and ka. To start a discussion on some of the greatest duets that the pair has sung, let me start with a few immortal ones:
jeevan mein piya tera saath rahe (goonj uthi shehnai) composed by vasant desai:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=q8b5ejRNxw0
chalo dildar chalo (pakeezah) composed by ghulam mohammad:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XJBIkFG0CzU
tere bin sooni (msta) composed by s. d. burman:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3iHL8xZ3OR8
do ghadi woh jo paas aa baithe (gateway of india) composed by madan mohan:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-DObsicnD-k
do sitaron ka zameen (kohinoor) composed by naushad:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7ZGGelubVlw
paon chhoo lene do (taj mahal) composed by roshan:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HkQtBQ_k8hs
awaaz deke hamein tum bulao (professor) composed by sj:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=a0AyHol9eYA
and the hit duet that heralded the 70’s, aaja tujhko pukare mere geet re, composed by ka for geet:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Jp5LtQhslwQ&feature=related
May 5th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Janab Guru Murthy Sahab, Adab Araz Hai,
As usual superb article, Congratulations. After reading this beautiful narration, I remembered this sher of Sahir, which suits perfect on you. I admire you, I adore you.
” Duniya ne tajrubath woh hawadis ki shakal men
Jo kuch mujhe diya hai woh lauta raha hun main ”
With regards to all Rafi lovers,
Long live Rafi Sahab,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin
May 5th, 2008 at 2:41 am
guru murthy ji, you have addressed an interesting topic. Despite some of the biases we rafians have, let me tell you that the three singers you mentioned in your article are considered by many — including well-known classical singers/musicians and the three giants across the border — to be the greatest singers of all time. It is true that Miss Ivy crept up much higher than Mrs. Hope, but here’s a thought to ponder on. If both of them were singing now, catering to genX folks, who don’t have the hangups about “a virtuous indian nari”, wouldn’t asha have had more hope? After all, isn’t she the second-most versatile singer in hfm?
May 4th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Excellent article by h v gurumurthyji once again. A topic that can be discussed and debated for ages is difficult to be written about. There are as the author himself pointed out close to 1450 duets that rafi sahab sang with Lata and Asha and except for a few hundred mediocre songs, the rest of the thousand and odd duets that Rafi paired with either Lataji or Ashaji can be rated as the best that the indian cinema has given to our musical taste-buds till date. these duets, apart from the solos of these singers, were the hallmark of hindi film music and therefore, however much one tries, it is not possible to encompass them in one single article. the articulate writer that mr gurumurthyji is, he has clearly and cleverly not trodded on the ‘comparison’ front but only tried to highlight the basic differences in the style of singing by the distinctive duet-pairs. lists from readers pointing out their favourite duets will start pouring in. asha as her wont was, came a distant second when it comes to sad songs and that reflected in her duets too. she was better in the party-based songs and western instruments based music where lata came a close second. however as an exception and not as a rule, ram aur shyam had two lovely duets of rafi sahab, one each with lata and asha. “main hu saaki tu hai sharabi sharabi” with lata was more of city-based song than the village belle “o balam teri pyar ki thandi aag mein jalte jalte” with asha. besides the hundred of very romantic duets, some of them mentioned in the article, the two sisters also provided with the best of chorus songs with rafi sahab separately. they say there is no smoke without fire, but i do agree that a hype has been created about the attitude of the mangeshkar sisters towards rafi sahab and their tributes on his death are a pointer in case. but instead of drifting on that subject, we would do better to comment on the wonderful duets that rafi sahab sang with lata and asha and which form the greatest tribute to the high standards of music creation.