Rafi in Background
This article is written by Mr. Anmol Singh.
Songs in background in films are used to describe a special occasion in a film where either there is turning point in the story or a special message to be conveyed. Among all the singers a classic example would be the legendary composer S D Burman who never gave play back to any actor as a singer. He sang for only special occasions in many classics like Bandhni, Sujata, Guide, etc. All most every singer has contributed incredible songs sung in background. There are few gems contributed by Rafi Sahab as well.
Majority films are about fiction & entertainment, which relives stress to some extend from this day to day hectic life. There are filmmakers like Guru Dutt who have dared to made films highlighting the materialistic world where all relationships are temporary. There one such gem is in the film “Kaagaz Ke Phool”. The song “Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari…Bichde Sabhi Baari Baari” is an incredible score delivered by Rafi under S D Burman. The song starts in background with a very high pitch Alap and later describes the materialistic attitude of this unforgivable world.
The year 1962 sees the Indo-China war where India suffered maximum casualty of soldiers. It was a huge defeat on part of India. The scenario is described the best by the film “Haqeekat” which has a patriotic song in background “Kar Chle Hum Fida”. The song is an ultimate tribute to soldiers who lost their lives in the battle. Rafi Sahab starts with a slow Alap and operates full throttle there after. The song is a great source of motivation in every aspect of life. Even if one has lost every thing, there is still enough strength left within us to recharge ourselves and fight back.
The song “Tujh To Pukre Mera Pyar” from “Neel Kamal” can best describe a soul, which is trying to seek salvation from centuries. The words “Aaja…Aaja…Aaja” in the Alap describes the eternal pain of the soul the best. Full marks to Rafi Sahab and Ravi for rendering this magnificent gem with great sensitivity. The song appears in background since the soul is invisible. Finally the song ends with same eternal pain “Aaja…Aaja…Aaja”. There is another song on similar lines “Sau Baar Janam Lenge” from “Ustaadon Ke Ustaadon”. Once again it is the magic of the Rafi-Ravi combo.
Life is a combination Good and Bad times. The song “Waqt Se Din Aur Raat” from the film “Waqt” describes it the best. The song is a formation of great lyrics written by Sahir. It appears in background in the film where the story has a turning point portraying the separation of the families due the natural calamity. Rafi Sahab once again deliverers a great High Pitch Alap “Kal Jahaan Basi The Khushiaan; Aaj Hai Maatam Vahan; Waqt Laya Tha Baharen; Waqt Laya Hai Khiza”. Yesterday where there was happiness, Today there is Sorrow; Time had brought happiness, Time has brought sorrow. There is no poetry other than this song which can define a “Time (Waqt)” so well. Rafi Sahab gives outstanding expression to Sahir’s work. Despite the differences with the B R banner, Ravi wanted only Rafi Sahab to sing this number. (Courtesy – Jai Mala Programme).
From a film “Daastan” where an individual is held on the cross roads of life where one doesn’t know where to go; is best described by the song “Na Tu Zameen Ke Liye Hai Na Aasma Ke Liye” from “Daastan”. Once again it is Rafi at his best for LP.
As we move ahead in the late 70s there are more such incredible gems delivered my Rafi Saab. The film “Mukti” starts with the following words “Mil Jaati Hai; Sasaar Se Mukti; Miltee Nahi Marke Bhi Magar Pyaar Se Mukti”. This is a music-less Alap sung by Rafi Saab to the perfection for Pancham. The song is “Pyar Hai Ek Nishan Kadmo Ka” written by Anand Bakshi speaks the summary of the entire film just in a few words. This song is a tribute to Rafi Sahab and all the great legends; who have left their physical form from this world, but are very much associated with their fans and all the well wishers through the love they had left behind. There is a very beautiful line in the song “Rok Leti Hai Rah Mein Yaaden, Jap Bhi Raahon Se Hum Guzarte Hai”. This line is dedicated to all the loved ones who have been very closely associated with Rafi Sahab.
There is a devotional song (Gurbani) from a Punjabi film “Guru Maneo Granth” which needs a special mention. The Gurbani “Koi Bole Ram Ram, Koi Khudaae, Koi Sewe Goseyaan, Koi Allaae” sung by Rafi Sahab appears in background. It signifies the realization of God where the devotee listens to his inner voice (conscience) after spending his entire life in improper deeds. Rafi Sahab has sung most Punjabi devotional songs in the early 70s during his lean phase under S Mohindar.
Possibly the last song sung by Rafi Saab is also in background from the film “Aas-Paas”. “Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost”. It is indeed a very unfortunate coincidence that after singing this song Rafi Sahab goes in background forever from his world. We as Rafi fans are left nothing but to feel Rafi Sahab’s present through his songs speaking to ourselves “Tere Aane Ki Aas Hai Dost….Sham Phir Udaas Hai Dost….Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost”. Indeed without Rafi our every moment is Udaas.
Some of the other incredible songs sung by Rafi Sahab in background are - “Sapne Jhade…Caravan Guzar Gaya” from Nayi Umar Ki Nayi Fasal; “Ab Koi Gulshan Na Ujade” from Mujhe Jeene Do; “Rahein Na Rahein Hum” from Mamta; The title song “Ganga Tera Pani Amrit”; “Taqdeer Ke Suron Se Koi Bach Na Payegaa” from Be-Rehem.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Isn’t there any moderator to this site? If yes, isn’t he seeing all this crap going on here? What the hell is this? is this some non-sense orkut community wherein one can write anything to anybody? Please stop this immediately and ban some idiots from writing some stupid personal comments. Just throw them out of this forum. else we would need to say such a great site has been fallen into wrong hands.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
mr salim shaikh : pls read post no.70 as its applicable to you. and pls go back to the gulf where you will not be able to ask for any proof on any matter without any risk to your life.
you are too far from realities of life and i know some arabs who are rafi fans who talk to me every week. they know the dirt and the politics of rafi haters when rafi saaheb was alive and they are more enlightened than you. I pity your thinking and your ignorance . please be the 2 minute critic and we do not care about ur jaundiced and ignorant views on rafi haters.
binu nair.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:45 am
salim shaikh : pls mind your own business and dont advise . we have the freedom of speech and if someone talks ill s about any legend we have a right to object.
are u a chamcha of someone? it sems so . pls shut up and dont be a defender of someone who badmouths the great music legends of this land. we strongly object to it.
binu nair, mumbai…
May 14th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Post 60 : Shaad khan : there is a word in the dictionary called “ignorant” which suits u - quite well.
do you think a person badmouthing a legend will allow it to be recorded with camera and tape recorder in a recording studio.
there is also a word called “foolish” in the oxford dictionary which i think you are aware of. pls do not become a laughing stock over here by your foolish remarks and show your skills
i will also request you to write somethings concrete about music and rafi saaheb if possible and stop ur tirades directed at rafi lovers which will find no takers herein.
ur frustrations are showing up and before late please mend it by listening to good music and following it up with positive things in life.
binu nair, rafi foundation, mumbai….
May 14th, 2008 at 11:27 am
the only thing anmolji says the proof, please upload whatever the proof you have, dont write, give the proof to the entire rafi fans. sitting somewhere and giving the comments come forward. i read your comments, but not satisfied for such things.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Mr.Anmolji, kumarji, Mehboobji, i tell u all write articles instead saying somethng against vikasji or others. we will give benefit of doubt to such people who want that the rafian site should be sacred instead of writting any thng illegal any such legends. do you understand. and post no 58: mr anmolji we dont want to read such things in the site which you have written to all the fans. aap sambaliye ye mat socho ki mukeshji, kishoreji aur kisiki against kuch liko. and the fact , whoever written the comments against ashabhosale who called besura to mohdrafi, tell him to keep his mouth shut for this illegal things. if you support such writer who says besura to mohdrafi and for excuse somebodies name like asha bhosale, i feel that fans should take a legal action to those fans who write against such great legends. if asha bhosale said this please come to the stage in front of asha bhosale and say this. sitting somewhere you are writing such an horrible and unwanted comments. Binuji as a founder such comments should nt be written by you. dont say anything who give you the answer in such a manner because when you have written this comment the fans got angry on you now. please apolozise for this comments immediately. i am staying in mumbai for some days, but orginally from gulf.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:22 am
the rafi foundation by its live programmes on second saturdays also gives work to musicians who have been displaced from the music industry due to the advent of electronic instruments. the live programmes also bring back the magic of yesteryear golden era songs and give the singers to perform on stage.
music lovers are all loving it and joining us - slowly and steadily.
our aim is to perform at the shanmukhananda hall one day sooner and i will ensure that our two critics (armchair ones who spend two and half minutes in underming rafi lovers) will be seated in the front seats, if that will make them happy. (free of cost of course)
binu nair, rafi foundation, mumbai
May 13th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Some readers have asked about proof.
The biggest proof is a filmfare award for the best upcoming music director in the name of R D Burman. Film fare needs to be questioned on this. No wonder R D Burman was a great composer but there where many far superior than him. Shankar-Jaikishan(SJ) combo have won the max film fare wards followed by LP. Plus by giving such an award the entire achievement of all the great composers in the history of Indian music is being down played. Filmfare has lost his charm long back.
But main question here is who influencing all this? The readers can think themselves.
May 13th, 2008 at 9:29 am
If we are daily visiting web sites like mohdrafi.com or rafifoundation.com, it is only to read about Rafiji and his songs and not to read about the personal abuses of some of our Rafi Fans. Please let us keep the web site sacred and clean and not indulge in some unparliamentary acts and degarde the sites.
May 13th, 2008 at 8:57 am
mr.shad khan: Post 63 : thankyou. because of our work in the rafi foundation you can see your name in print . good self publicity. can u do anything more than criticising the good work done by the rafi foundation - after all these long years.
this is for our critics : we at rafi foundation at bombay and elsewhere, spend our time, money, efforts and our skills in promoting the good music of yesteryears and the works of rafi saaheb - whom we adore and love. We have helped a yesteryear singer with medicines for few months and given her work so that she earns at the age of 72.
what have the critics done? take out two and a half minutes of their time and write garbage stuff about rafi lovers…. we definitely have scant regard for them and their “stupid thinking”.
the armchair critics will never appreciate the good things. shaad khan writes : we are doing self publicity. yes sir, you are right. we do it for self publicity only…… be happy.
and listen what naushad saaheb once said : some of the lady singers must have done a course on “art of living”.
another singer says : op.nayyar, s.d.burman and others were all ordinary. only rd burman was the perfect singer and the composer, even though the former two composers were instrumental in giving her livelihood and songs in ample measure.
we will difinitely talk of rafi saaheb, his admirers and his detractors in the industry and we do not care for some of the rare chamchas like shaad khan
and his ilk who give stupid statements from their comfort zones.
we promise that rafi foundation is growing everywhere and there would be “no stop” to this musical effort in taking the hfm legends works - further.
binu nair , rafi foundation.. mumbai.
May 12th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
very well said mr. kumar. here you need to always market yourself and sell yourself. and this has been done by many ‘renowned’ artists.
And I’m seeing too many personal (and very stupid) comments on this forum during these days. Don’t know what people try to achieve or prove by that. this should be stopped as this is a sacred place for us. one who abuses others doesn’t really deserve to be called as fan of Rafisaab. So guys, grow up and stop this. this is for good discussions and thought sharing and not for fighting over non-sense matters.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Ref post 61:
Ditto.
Well said Kn. Kumar.
Binuji, we true Rafi fans appreciate the work you are doing.
Thank You.
May 12th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I thank Mr Anmol Singh for enlightening many Rafi Fans on the great injustice done to Rafi Saab during the 60’s and 70’s by the biased Media.Even though he was the reigning male playback singer, there were constant articles written on some perceived drawbacks in his singing. No such articles were written on Lataji and Ashaji.The Film Industry is a cruel place and one has to constantly promote oneself to remain at the top.Rafi Saab,being the humble soul he was, never understood the politics played. He just sang the song,went home and spent his time with his family. He helped so many people that they literally worshipped him.
What Mr Binu Nair has revealed is something many film industry people know and will vouch for. How can such comments by Ashaji or others be recorded?
We all know that South india’s greatest female singer Susheela could not get a break in Bombay. She has sung more songs than Lataji in all the southern lanuages of Tamil ,Telugu,Kannanda and Malayalam. We also know what happened to a fine singer like Vani Jairam. It was only Rafi Saab, who never felt threatended by anybody else since he was blessed by God with the finest voice and who enjoyed singing with all, wheather old or new comers.
We should be grateful to the wonderful work being done by the Rafi Foundation and Mr Binu Nair and his friends. We Rafi Fans don’t want to criticise others but just enjoy the life and songs of Rafi Saab, but at the same time we cannot allow others to say whatever nonsense they want to say about our idol Rafi Saab.
May 10th, 2008 at 3:34 am
Mr Binu Nair seems to be more interested in self-promotion (Rafi Foundation) and least interested in supplying the valid proofs against the allegations he has made against these legends (Ashaji included).
Mr. Nair, there is an old english saying that goes like this “Either put up or shut up!!!”. This fits perfectly on you at this moment until you provide some proof. Once the proof has been provided, I will be the first to apologize to you and the entire Rafi Foundation.
BTW - My name is Shad Khan and I live in Atlanta, GA (USA). I will be waiting for the legal papers. LOL
May 9th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I wonder why Lata commented that she sang the maximum duets with Rafi. Of course it was an honest mistake. I think the reasoning is that for duets, Rafi and Lata were most associated with each other. When you think of a Lata duet - Rafi immediately comes to mind. When I think of Rafi duet - Lata immediately comes to mind. Maybe the same happened with Lata’s way of thinking. After all, their peaks both coincided. This is why I agree with the peculiar observation that Lata fans prefer Rafi or Rafi fans prefer Lata whereas Kishore fans prefer Asha or Asha fans prefer Kishore. The peaks of Kishore and Asha also coincided hence the associations.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Vikas Sharma Ji,
We need to read between the lines. Possibly what we see and hear there is the huge difference.
Just go though the following detailed analysis of the early 70s.
The endless fued between Rafi and Kishore fans is result of wrong propaganda done by the media in the early 70s against Rafi. This was controlled by the Anti-Rafi lobby which also influenced the film fare awards criteria. Remember this Anti-Rafi lobby was never Pro Kishore at all. They used Kishore’s popularity to tarnish Rafi’s image. As a result Rafi fans had all the right to protest.
When Rafi became popular in the 50s Mukesh, Talat, Manna Dey & Hemnat Kumar were already established singers. The media never wrote against any of these singers after Rafi success. When Mahendra K become famous in the 60s, again the media never wrote against Rafi. So why suddenly why the media became so much anti Rafi in the 70s. Plus in 1972 Rafi took a break for 8 months, which gave media enough excuss to write all sort of rubbish againt him at the cost of Kishore. The media has to an extend witten the Rafi and Kishore never use to talk to each other, they were rivals. But the fact remains Rafi and Kishore were “FRIENDS FOR LIFE”.
Analyzing the period of early 70s, which was primarily a Kishore era. But Mukesh has won the maximum number of awards during 1971 to 1976. How come Mukesh got so much importance when Kishore was excellent during the early 70s. After going the nominations of early 70s it has been observed that there were mainly 2 film-makers Manoj K and Raj Kapoor who were the most influencial in winning film fare wards in old categories. Kishore won many nominations in early 70s but was Mukesh who walked away with Max awards including one national award as well.
Coming back to Rafi, he won only 2 nominations between 1971 to 1976, that to songs composed by music composers of 60s i.e. SJ and Sharada. The songs nominated are very ordinary compared to the hits which Rafi delivered between this period for all composers. In the other words the Anti-Rafi lobby was powerfull enough to prove the world that Rafi cannot sing with new generation music composers. But Rafi proved it wrong in 1977 when he won film fare and national award for the same song sung for Pancham in “Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahi”. It was thrashing slap to the Anti-Rafi lobby who wrote against him.
Another interesting fact has been observed that songs of Mukesh was appearing in the film fare nominations even after his death. But once Rafi and Kishore leave us there is no single nomination under the film fare criteria. So was Mukesh a better singer than Rafi and Kishore in the 70s? Certainly not. There are all great in their own respects.
All this possibly could be the result of the rift between Lata and Rafi on the royalty issue in mid 60s.
In other words what Binu Nair and other rafi fans have written is correct. One more interesting fact, there is discussion forum “Rafi Haters” under Yahoo Groups. Why there is no such group for Kishore, Mukesh, Talat else, why only Rafi. In the words the Anti-Rafi lobby is present today, actively involved in re-write film music history and misguiding all young generation.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Aap ye gaana suno aur bhata dijiye , “kya miliye aaise logo se jiski fitrat chupi rahe”, ye gaane kaise aur kiskeliye likha huva hai. mein jo bhi comments lik te hai unse gujaris karunga ye jadga band kijiye aur rafisahaab ke baare mein kuch acha articles likiye. mein samjata hu ki ye ashaji aur doosre singers ke baare mein aaisa vaisa likna band kijiye aur acha kuch likiye, hum sab rafi ke fans hai. ashaji, lataji aur doosra kalakar ek legends hai unke baare mein likne ke pehle soch lijiye. isliyye ye sab kuch chodijiye aur kuch ache kaam kijiye. jo kuch articles likte hai unke baare mein achaiyi sochkar comments pass kijiye. sambalna aap ki haat mein hai. bura comments dena band kijiye. kuch aaisi baate hai ki is site mein bahut kuch publish huve hai jo logo ko aab bahut afsos ho raha hai. sab ke baare mein ulta seeda lika huva hai, sharam ki baat hai ki kohi kisine ye baate seriously nahi liya hai. mein kuch kehta hai ki agar kohi insaan ashaji, lataji, rafisahab unke against likte hai tho bahut bada action lenge hum log. dyan mein lijiye. bas huva.,.
May 9th, 2008 at 11:44 am
whenever i watch any movie with a background song so shabbily sung n picturised ….. i miss my mohdrafi saab whose voice was most impressive carried strong message with the story n characters of film…it was always dominant..his voice alwaysmost heroic ….perhaps his did not need any hero in the film…so much GOD GIFTED rafisaab…can not be forgotten for the centuries to come…mohd rafi was,is n will be greatest singer ever the country has produced….his voice so soothing to heart n soul…but our govt did very little for this genius….i appeal on behalf of billons of his fans accross the globe…to bestow him highest award…bharat rattan..plus memorial in his memory which will be relaying his songs in audio n video 24 hrs….sothat future generation can enjoy n soothe their mind n soul…..wah kya awaz hai…RAFISAAB AAP TOH BHAGWAN HO…..
May 9th, 2008 at 7:23 am
Vikas sharma: I am not writing for you. please ignore them and carry on listening to the radio and digesting all that is being said over this medium. and maturity must come with age but it seems different in your case. again, pls do not bother about the first hand accounts mentioned in my lines - from industry wallahs in mumbai who are hard core rafi fans. its not for you.
binu nair.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:42 am
Rafiji’s background songs had meanings, and were sung so nicely from his heart, one of them is “Us mulk ki sarhad ko koi chhoo nahin sakta…” from a movie called ‘Aankhen’.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
DEAR SALIM SAHIB AND G. S Sagir SAHIB,
THANKS FOR UR SUPPORT AND WONDERFUL COMMENTS IT IS UNBELIEVABLE ON THE PART OF BINU NAIR SAHIB TO COMMENT LIKE THAT
IF HE HAS ANY PROOF THAN HE SHOULD POST THAT ON WWW.YOUTUBE .COM OTHERWISE I ADVISE HIM TO KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
BINU NAIR SAHIB,
I DONT KNOW WHAT DO U WANT TO PROVE BY COMMENTING USELESSLY AND TRYING TO CREATE A RIFT BETWEEN THE LEGENDS OF INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY FURTHER UR ADVISE TO ME TO LISTEN TO RADIO IS QUIET AMAZING DONT U AT THIS AGE KNOW THE VALUE AND DOMINATION OF RADIO.
RADIO HAS BEEN THE MOST PROLIFIC MEDIA OF ENTERTAINMENT FOR DECADES AND WILL REMAIN SO
IN TODAYS TIMES WHEN WE SEE THOSE DIRTY SORT OF REMIXES AND OTHER VULGAR SORT OF DANCES AND SONGS WITH DOUBLE MEANINGS ON THE TELEVISION WE ALL TEND TO FIND THE COMFART OF RELAXING BY LISTENING TO THE RADIO AND VIVID BHARTHI. THEY HAVE KEPT THERE CLASS AND TRADITION.
IT IS EVEN MORE FUNNY TO KNOW THAT U WANT ME TO ENJOY RADIO IN PUNJAB AND URSELF CLAIMS TO BE ENJOYING RAFI SAHIB IN MUMBAI THAT TOO LIVE , SIR PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME THAT WHAT SORT OF A DIFFERENCE IT WILL BE IN RAFI SAHIB’S VOICE .
I DONT WANT TO COMMENT FURTHER AND APOLOGISE TO U BECAUSE U ARE THE PROUDEST RAFI SAHIB FAN THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE
May 8th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Mr. Vikas this is fact that Ashaji sang more duets with Rafi Saab than Lataji. Even more than 200 songs