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 8th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Its not true to say that Asha Bhosale said this against rafi. if its true and there is a proof, then upload it in youtube and then publish it in the site that all rafian fans shold listen to it and judge it.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Post 47 : mr vikas : aap ghar baith kar “radio” sunno aur sab believe karo, door punjab, rafi saaheb ke pavithra rajya mein.
hum yahan rafi ji ke friends, industry - wale, jis mein rafi faithfuls hai, un se
unki aur industry wallon ke baat rafi lovers tak reach karenga. aur hum bambai mein rafi saaheb ke gaane bhi live sunenge aur sunayenge.
saath hi saath rafi foundation sab jage reach karne ke koshish bhi karenge.
aap gaana door bathkar radio me suniye aur humko internet ke jariye “bhala-bhurra” kahiye.
what better you can do? what u are doing is the easiest thing aur aap apne kaam me “lage rahein” . all the best.
binu nair.
May 8th, 2008 at 4:45 am
Re. Post # 41: The song ” Bhala Karne Wale…” is from the film “Ghar Sansar”, anybody need it, can mail me.
melodiousrafi@gmail.com
May 7th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Dear binu nair sahib,
Do u judge fans by age ? or do u want show to the world that you are actually the greatest fan by saying anything that you want.Do u have the audio proof of what you are saying .Asha bhonsle has sung even more songs with rafi sahib than the sarsawati mata lata mangeshkar because of the rift b/w lata and rafi sahib.
IM A REGULAR LISTENER OF ALL INDIA RADIO SINCE LAST 6-7 YEARS AND HAVE LISTENED TO ALL TYPE OF COMMENTS AND VIEWS REGARDIND THE PERSONA AND MAGNETIC PERSONALITY THAT RAFI SAHIB HAD SINCE THEY BROADCAST NUMEROUS PROGRAMS RELATED TO RAFI SAHIB ESPECAILLY ON HIS DEATH ANNIVERSARY.NEVER EVER I HAD HEARD A HINT OF WHAT YOU ARE SAYING INFACT SHE HAD ALWAYS ADMIRED RAFI SAHIB’S RANGE AND VOCAL CAPACITY.
DEAR AS FAR AS LEGAL ACTION THAT U ARE TALKING ABOUT TAKING AGAINST ME THAN I MUST TELL U I M FROM LAND OF RAFI SAHIB’S BIRTH THAT IS PUNJAB AND CURRENTLY LIVING IN JALANDHAR(PUNJAB) AND U KNOW PUNJABI’S NEVER BACK OFF SO TRY TO GO OUT OF THE WAY.
I HIGHLY RESPECT U SIR BUT I M COMPLETELY HURT BY UR RECENT COMMENTS .AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS SITE IS LOSING ITS REAL POSSESION THAT IS BRINGING THE GREAT LEGENDS LIKE RAFI SAHIB AND KISHORE DA,LATA ,ASHA A BIT OF POLITICAL DOWNFALL.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:14 am
If Ashaji says that Rafi was the most besura singer in bollywood, it must be true. After all she is the most melodious singer of all time. Who else but her could know the difference between a besura (non-melodious) and a melodious singer? Who are these people named Naushad, Madan Mohan, O.P. Nayyar, L-P, SDB, Rajesh Roshan etc.? What do they know about melody, anyway?
Naushad had the audacity to say “mere sathi (Rafi) aaj mausiqui ko tujh par naaz hai”. He even said that 50% of him died the day Rafi passed-away. He must be lying when he called him “Suron ka Baadshah”. And this O.P. Nayyar - he was quoted as saying that had there been no Mohd. Rafi, today people would not even know who O.P. Nayyar is. And this Madan Mohan, he must have forgotten all about music when he said that it is such a pleasure to work with Rafi that when he sings, MM should not even be paid. And what about that Rajesh Roshan, who said that Rafi’s home was like a temple to him. Whenever he went there for a visit, he automatically put his hand on the ground and then touched his forehead with the dust from the threshold. He even had the guts to ask the critics of the music directors – “where are the singers like Rafi who could increase the beauty of a song four-fold by their rendering”. He must not know the difference between melody and non-melody.
The old stalwart of Bollywood – Mann Dey says that when it came to playback singing, the entire space between 1 and 10 was occupied by Rafi, every other singer should be ranked from 11 onwards. Why would he imply that there was such a large difference between Rafi and other singers? It must be because the old man can not recognize melody anymore. And what about this young guy, Sanu Nigam? He calls Rafi “bhagwan saman” (godlike). I heard him say in a program in Atlanta, “A singer like Rafi has never been born and never will be born”. But excuse him, he is just an immature singer who has yet to learn about Sur (melody). (By the way Ashaji was the opening act for Sanu in Atlanta.)
Most of us Rafi fans must have been hallucinating all these years thinking that what we enjoyed as utter enchanting music from our Rafi sahab was nothing but besuri awaaz. Fortunately, that is not true. This humble writer recognizes a besuri awaaz when he hears one. In the aforementioned program in Atlanta, when Ashaji started the program I was so shocked to hear her voice sound like a split bamboo (phata baans). Being an old time fan of hers, I was so shocked and disappointed to see the degradation of the voice with age. As she warmed-up her voice did pick-up the depth and did not sound as hallow as it did in the beginning but the charm was not there. Now one can understand why she will falsely accuse Rafi sahab as besura. This is just to hide her own voice’s deterioration. Accuse the best and most revered voice as non-melodious may be then people will not mind the short-comings in your voice that has crept-in due to age. I wish she had retired from singing when she was still singing well.
May 6th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
In addition to ‘tujhko pukare mera pyar….’, there is ‘babul ke duaaein….’ in ‘Neel kamal’. I suppose this song also is in the back ground and has few peers when it comes to expression of raw grief.
May 6th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
REF : POST NO.40
DEAR ANMOLJI
THE SONG ” AAJ KAL MEIN DHAL GAYA ….” IS FROM THE FILM: BETIBETE ; MUSIC BY SHANKAR JAIKISHAN .
THIS SONG IS NOT A BACKGROUND ONE . AS THIS SONG HAS TWO VERSIONS : MALE & FEMALE , IT IS PICTURISED ON SUNIL DUTT FOR RAFI SAHAB’S SONG AND BABY FARIDA ( MOST PROBABLY ) FOR LATAJI’S SONG .
BEST REGARDS/ A.T.M. SALIM.
May 6th, 2008 at 8:39 am
RAFIJI BESURA. SHALL WE ASSUME THAT ASHAJI SAID THOSE WORDS IN JEST?
May 5th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
If Rafi saheb is besurra, why did the Burman family use Rafi’s Voice before she (Asha) became a member of the Burman Family?
He sang Bapu ki amar kahani. is that besurra?
I think the hate of the sisters towards Rafi Saheb is becomming bigger and bigger.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Kudos to Anmolji for an intresting write up. It appears from the list of Rafisaab’s backgraound songs that Ravi-Rafi pair has given maximum number of background songs.
One nice song has been missed out so far. “Bhala Karne Wale Bhalai Kiye Ja Burai Ke Badle Duaen Diye Ja”, song from Rajendra Kumar, Nargis & Balraj Sahni movie in which Nargis plays RK’s bhabhi. If I remember well, this song goes in the background when Nargis was thrown out of house by her husband Balaraj Sahmi.
Does anybody have this beautiful song? If yes, I request you to kindly mail it to me.
Regards
Ashok Parekh
May 5th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Just wanted to known whether the song “Aaj kal mein dhal gaya” is sung in background. If picturized on any actor, then who is the actor?
May 5th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Post 37: vikas sharma: i talk with proofs and witnesses. what is your age? I am asking you this as only by maturity you will understand the “dirth & filth” behind the glamour of bollywood.
and are you the official spokesperson for this untrustworthy singer and what is your remuneration for services rendered ? or is it free services??
whichever, i reserve the right to send you a legal notice for the words u have used in your post : no.37 and i request the moderator to forward me this vikas sharma’s address details for suitable action.
binu nair, rafi foundation…mumbai.
May 5th, 2008 at 12:04 am
Which is the first solo song of rafi saaheb? and could anyone send me a song in the voice of madan mohan : Maai re, mai kaase kahoo apni jiya se……….
we are tributing madan mohan in saturday night rafi fever programme on 10th March.
binu nair.
May 4th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
BINU NAIR HAS GONE MAD A SINGER OF A CALIBER OF ASHA BHONSLE CAN NEVER SAY SUCH WORDS ABOUT RAFI SAHIB AS SHE HAD ALWAYS LOVED TO SING WITH THE LEGEND
BINU NAIR SEEMS TO HAVE GONE MAD HOW ON EARTH HE CAN SAY THAT ASHAA SAID SOMETHING LIKE THAT INFACT ASHA IS HERSELF A BIG FAN OF RAFI SAHIB AND I HAVE HEARD LOTS OF HER INTERVIEWS PRAISING RAFI SAHIB.SHE HAD ALWAYS PRAISED RAFI SAHIB AND KISHORE DA.
May 4th, 2008 at 8:05 am
rafi saaheb lovers are asking me : what asha b. said about rafi saaheb. yes, i am duty bound to say the truth…. about what transpired in a recording.
asha said : the most besurra singer of the film industry is Mohd Rafi.
why she said that: its due to royalty factors. she is the wife of rahul dev burman. she gets his royalty. she is the daughter in law of s.d.burman. she gets his royalty.
in programmes she is promoting kishor kumar ; its her choice. she forgets that rafi ji has sung 11 songs for kishore kumar on screen some of them duets with her.
people are selfish but not all are. the lyricist on hearing ashas comments walked out and left the recording. he told her : u are talking bullshit.
i salute the lyricist.
binu nair.
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:01 pm
The song “Maut mehbooba hai apni” the last song of rafi was indeed picturised on Amithabh bachchan in the climax of Muqadar ka sikander.
May 3rd, 2008 at 2:54 am
Dear Anmol Singh ji,
Vinod Khanna is on the screen but he is not lip synching the song and the song is running in background.
Thanks.
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:46 pm
and a comment on this wonderful video says it all –
Truly, a voice from the Heavens!
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:43 pm
our good friend from Chennai, K.S.Ramachandranji (chandanji) today sent me a link on youtube to this great masterpiece of a song “Mere Pyar Mein Tujhe Mila… (Suhagan)”. What a fabulous song and it has to be heard to be believed for the depth and style of singing by Rafi Sahab. I had not heard this song earlier, but it is a must for all music lovers. this song also plays in the background in the movie. for those interested to watch the video on youtube here is the link : http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=lzpuw_j3Vig
Chandanji thanks for this lovely gift.
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Ref - 27
Anwar-ul-Haque Sahab,
Thanks for the compliments. The song “Rote hue aate hain sub” is possibly picturized on Vinod Khanna, on screen.
May 2nd, 2008 at 5:21 am
here’s some more light on the mughal e azam background song of rafi.
i’m quoting the ever knowledgeable mr b venkatadri:
Secondly, the other song,.” AKELA HAM KO CHHOD KE HAMARE DIL KO TOD KE KAHAAN CHALE”—Music: Naushad–Film: Mughal-e-Azam–Singer: Rafi, might have been recorded for Udan Khatola, but was actually picturised in Mughal-e-Azam. It was viewed for the first couple of weeks by cine-goers, but was later removed probably due to length considerations.
May 1st, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Dear Anmolji,
Your contribution to this devine site is very large.please refer your
comment no.12 Eventhough we are all great rafians,we could not
hear all the songs of rafi saab.then also we are keeping him with
us 24 hours a day.since 35 years I am enjoying his songs.Then also
still new songs of rafi saab is hearing from various radio stations.
Still a lot has to come.If we hear all of his songs 24 hours a day is
not enough and to keep with us his menories one mind is not enough.
Rafi saab was not a philosopher - not a community leader - not a
politician.then also he is the miracle to keep the fans 24 hours with
them and we are all lucky to be a fan of him
May 1st, 2008 at 8:38 am
Contrary to popular opinion, Rafi has two songs in Mughal E Azam. I think he’s got Ae Mohabbat Zindabad AND a background song. Don’t recall the title at the moment.
May 1st, 2008 at 2:01 am
Great topic and great article!!!
Here are three more background songs of Rafi Sahab:
1. Damen mein daagh lega bethe from Dhool ka phool (Actually this background song is for female actress but sung by Rafi Sahab. This validates the post # 15 from unknow).
2. Jab bhi ye dil udaas hota hai from Seema (In film, this song is run through radio while hero and heroine listen it. The heroine sings it with the radio voice of Rafi Sahab. The heroine voice is of Sharda).
3. Zindegi to bewefa hai from Muqedder Ka Sikender (This song is the sad version of famous Kishore Kumar song “Rote hue aate hain sub” title song of the film. The version sung by Rafi Sahab is played in background when Amitabh dies at the end of film).
All these songs are sung greatly by Rafi Sahab.
And yes. There are many many more songs of this genre.
Anwar-ul-Haque
April 30th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Re. Post # 25: Rafi Saheb’s songs from “Mukti” remind me my school days. So nicely sung by the legend. Both versions of the songs from “Mukti” are available. Anybody need can mail me.
melodiousrafi@yahoo.com