This article is by Mr. Anmol Singh.

Rafi with Usha Khanna

Usha Khanna is the only lady composer who came to the film industry to originally become a singer. Started her career in 1959 with Rafi & Asha in the film ‘Dil Deke Dekho’. In all songs whether solos or duets were picturized on Shammi Kapoor and Asha. Out all the songs, particularly the solos “Bolo Bolo Kuch Tho Bolo”, “Dil Deke Dekho”, “Rahi Mil Gaye Rahon Mein”, “Ham Aur Tum Aur Yeh Sama” and duets with Asha “Bade Hein Dil Ke Kaale”, “Pyar Ki Kasam Hai” & “Yaar Chulbula Hai” all are truly remarkable. Another aspect of the film was that apart from Usha it was a debut film for Asha Parekh and comedian Rajendra Nath.

Since then for next three decades Usha has carried out some remarkable compositions with Rafi Saab and other singers in the form of duets and solos. In her entire career Usha never had the fortune work under big banners except for Sawaan Kumar Productions in the 1970s & 80s, due to tough competition from music stalwarts like SJ, O P Nayyar, Ravi, Madan Mohan and later R D Burman, LP & Rajesh Roshan. She never won any nominations or got awarded as a music composer, but singers like Yesudas got awarded by Filmfare for her song, “Dil Ke Tukde” from ‘Dada’ and Kishore Kumar got a Filmfare nomination for “Shayad Meri Shaadi” from ‘Souten’. She is an icon of music in this male dominated field.
From the film ‘Shabaab’, Usha composes a masterpiece based on Arabic music, “Maine Rakha Hai Mohobbat”. Here Rafi Saab starts the song singing “Ya Habibi” in Arabic style. Rafi Saab’s Arabic pronounciation is such as if he belongs to Saudi Arabia, Middle East. Mehmood does a great job on screen. Another masterpiece from the 60s from the film ‘Ek Sapera Ek Lootera’, “Ham Tum Se Juda Hoke” based on Raag Darbari Kanada picturized on Feroz Khan is superb. The duet with Suman K, “Tum Akele Kabhi Baag Mein” is also memorable till date. There is another gem from the 60s sung by Rafi Saab for Usha, “Haseen Wadiyon” fom the film ‘Lal Bangla’. A ghazal composed by Usha for the film ‘Nishan’ is truly marvelous, “Haaye Tabassum Tera”. Rafi sings the ghazal with many twits and turns. The song for which Usha Khanna is best recognized is “Teri Galiyon Mein” from ‘Haavas’ in 1974. Here Rafi Saab sings for the new comer Anil Dhavan with great emotions and feelings. Then there is another high pitch & lively song from ‘Sajjan Ke Saheli’, “Jiske Liye Sab Ko Chhoda”. It’s a very lively duet, where Rafi sings with great enthusiasm along with Sulakshna Pandit.

There is a sad number where Rafi Saab sings along with Usha Khanna, “Dost Banke Aaye Ho”. The song is truly marvelous. Another song from the film ‘Aap To Ese Na The’, “Tu Istarah Se Meri Zindagi” sung by Rafi is also great. The same song has been sung by Manhar Udhas & Hemlata. Rafi Saab sings the fast number. From the same film there is a Rafi-Kishore duet which equally fascinating, “Khuda Hi Khuda Kare To Kare”. From the film ‘Dada’ there are two duets with Shailendra Singh, the most memorable one is “Gaddi Jaandi E Chalaangan Maardi” based on Punjabi folk.

A tribute from Usha Khanna

“His humility was amazing. I remember that at the recording of one of my Asha-Rafi duets in my first film Dil Deke Dekho, I was not fully satisfied with one part of the song, but was hesitant about telling him. He sensed that and told me, “Usha, tumne humse nahin seekha. Hamein tumse gaana seekhna hai.” He warmly embraced me after recording ‘Tu jis tarah se…’ (my last song with him which was for Aap To Aise Na The) and said that I had made a lovely composition. And he sang “Hum aur tum aur yeh sama…”, again from Dil Deke Dekho, which was my first-ever recording.”

A tribute from Nida Fazli

“Every mega-talent is blessed by God, and it is up to the artiste to preserve and develop it further. Rafisaab did that. His voice reflected his spiritual, pure nature. That golden voice was like the breeze that ripples during a puja or the holy atmosphere that pervades the namaaz. He sang few but great songs written by me, like ‘Tu is tarah se meri zindagi mein shaamil hai…’ (Aap To Aise Na The). I remember he wept and said that artistes lived to sing such beautiful songs.”

Rafi with Kalyanji Anandji (KA)

Both are brothers originally hailing from the Kutch region of Gujarat. KA have been instrumental in promoting Mukesh & Mahendra Kapoor for Manoj Kumar in the 60s and later Kishore Kumar in the 70s. KA have used Gujarati folk music in many songs. But both have composed some unforgettable gems for Rafi Saab in the 60s and 70s. KA can be best remembered for their compositions for the film ‘Jab Jab Phool Khile’. Songs like “Paradesiyon Se Na Akhiyan”, “Kahin Pehele…Yahan Mein Ajnabi” & “Ek Tha Gul Aur Ek Thi Bul Bul” are remarkable compositions picturized on Shashi Kapoor who plays a Kashmiri youth. From the same film there is a fun song, “Afoo Khuda…O Hum Ko Tum” sung by Rafi Saab in thrilled and joyful mood. Shashi Kapoor does full justice Rafi Saab’s work on screen.

Another master performance from the duo can be seen from the film ‘Mitwa’. The song “Mere Mitwa Mere Geet Re” is remembered till date. Filmed on Rajendra Kumar who provides an excellent performance on screen. The use of the flute in the song is magnificent. A song from the film ‘Zanjeer’ based on street show is also great, “Deewane Hein Deewane Ko”. Sung by Rafi & Asha, has a very effective use for harmonium rhythm to create the street effect. Songwriter Gulshan Bawara acts on the song in the film matches the body language of a street performer perfectly.

During one of the foreign tours Rafi Saab starts the show with the song “Badi Door Se Aayen Hein Pyar Ka Toofa Laye Hai”, expressing his love for all the NRI and people from other Asian countries, who come all the way to listen to the golden voice. In the Dilip Kumar starrer ‘Gopi’, Mahendra Kapoor provides the play back for most of the songs. But for one devotional number KA choose none other then Rafi Saab to render a classic performance, “Sukh Ke Sab Sathi Dookh Mein Koyi”.

Rafi Saab has sung some great solos under KA, “Akele Hai Chale Aao” based on Raag Charukesi, “Chale The Saath Milke”, “Rote Huve Aate Hein Sab (Sad)”, etc. Plus there are beautiful duets with Lata & Asha also “Ek Tha Gul Aur Ek Thi Bul Bul”, “Na Na Karte Pyar”, “Kya Dekhte Ho Surat Tumhari”, “Sare Sheher Mein Aap Sa”, “Pyaar Tho Ek Din Hona”, “Tumse Door Reheke”, “Wada Karle Saajna” based on Raag Basant Mukhari, “Bekhudi Mein Sanam” based on Raag Charukesi, “Yeh Raat Hai Pyaasi Pyaasi”, “Yeh Wada Raha Dilruba”, “Yunhi Tum Mujh Se Baat” and many more.

KA were very hurt to hear Rafi Saab’s sudden dismissal. Particularly Anandji in his tribute said that it is difficult to believe that Rafi Saab’s is no more with us.

A tribute from Anandji

“His God-fearing nature was so obvious in every song he sang - and Mohammed Rafi could sing and justify every kind of song. He was extremely versatile and very fast at pick-up. Of so many famous songs he sang for us my personal favourite is ‘Yahaan main ajnabi hoon..’ from Jab Jab Phool Khile.”

A tribute from Gulshan Bawra

“Bada hi bhola insaan that Rafi, aur badaa hi mehnati gaayak! He has sung so many songs of mine, but to me ‘Deewane hai deewanon ko na ghar chahiye…’ (Zanjeer) will always remain extra special. I remember that Rafisaab ke roze the. Because of the fasting and the restrictions, he was a shade irritable. One ‘take’ of the song had been okayed by the music directors, but co-singer Lataji wanted a retake for some reason. Uncharacteristically, he refused, and said, “Main jaa raha hoon.” I followed him out of the studio and told him, “Paaji, do you know who is going to enact this song on screen? It’s me.” He turned round and asked why I had not told him so before. He came back and gave not one but two takes, and sang in such a way that it would suit my persona!”

Rafi with Rajesh Roshan
Rajesh Roshan is the son of legendary music composer Roshan and uncle of the present Bollywood heart throb Hritik Roshan. Started his career in 70s, Rajesh Roshan has carried many mind-blowing compositions for Kishore Kumar, but there are a few golden classics for Rafi Saab too.

Rajesh has used Rafi Saab in the film ‘Aap Ke Diwane’, which was the debut film for his brother Rakesh Roshan as a filmmaker. Rajesh Roshan as composer takes no chance here, uses Rafi in almost each and every song whether a duet with Kishore, Lata or Amit Kumar. In ‘Unees Bees’, again Rajesh uses Rafi for all the songs whether solos or duets. In this film the present day singer Udit Narayan gets his first opportunity to sing with Rafi Saab.

From the film ‘Inkaar’ the song “Dil Ki Kali Yun Hi” steals the show. It has two versions one is the enthusiastic and other the sad. Both songs covey the same message at different situations. A song sung for children from the film ‘Yaaraana’, “Bishan Cha Cha Kuch Gaayo”, Rafi Saab sings the song effortlessly to match the mighty and robust Amjad Khan on screen. Though Kishore rendered all the songs, but here it is only Rafi Saab who can do justice to the character. Rajesh makes the write choice here. In the duet “Kya Mausam Hai Aye” sung by Kishore-Lata, Rafi Saab makes a late entry at a very high scale for Shashi Kapoor. Shashi Kapoor once again brings back the ‘Jab Jab Phool Khile’ joy and thrill. Rajesh Rohan brings the best out of all three singers. A mind-blowing duet with Lata “Mujeh Chu Rahi Hai” is unforgettable. Here like other music composers Rajesh Roshan also uses Rafi Saab at higher scale compared to Lata.

A song from Man Pasand “Logon Ka Dil” is also great, where Rafi sings for Dev Anand along with Tina Munim. Dev Anand almost parted ways with Rafi in early 70s after marvelous contribution to his films produced under the Nav Ketan banner in 1950s and 60s. Perhaps this is the only song Rafi Saab sang for Dev Anand in the late 70s. But Dev Anand gave an excellent tribute to Rafi Saab on his death in 1980 on the Mumbai Doordarshan. A mind-blowing duet with Lata from the film ‘Kaala Pathar’ “Ankhon Mein Teri Masti Ke Phere” defines lovers the best. Again here Rafi Saab sings for Shashi Kapoor. Moving ahead there are duets sung with Sulakshna Pandit, “Ghadi Milan Ki Aayi” is a fun song; with Anuradha Paudwal, “Qayamat Hai Qayamat Hai” and the one with Usha Mangeshkar, “Are Hey Unchi Unchi Baanto Se”. Both songs are from ‘Mr. Natwarlal’. In the duet with Usha Mangeshkar again Rafi sings at a much higher pitch and sings for Big B matching his enthusiasm on screen perfectly. A Rafi-Kishore duet in ‘Duniya Meri Jeb Mein’, “Hum Ne To Mangi Hai” indeed signifies the love between to two legends.

There is another unforgettable number from ‘Kuwara Baap’ where Rafi Saab sings along with the comedian Mehmood. The song is “Saj Rahi Gali Meri”, has inspired many eunuchs to sing for any newborn baby celebrations all over India. Eunuchs mainly surive singing such songs. Mehmood who plays a serious character in the film puts the right emotions along with Rafi Saab to match the situation perfectly. Full credit goes Rajesh Roshan for creating such a marvelous gem. The ‘Kuwara Baap’ brought recognition for Rajesh as a music composer. Mehmood also needs to be credited for having a big heart to give break to many new comers, who later became super stars.

A tribute from Rajesh Roshan

“I really miss him. People complain that present-day music is not up to the mark, but then where are the singers who could, like Rafisaab did, enhance a song four-fold? You can listen to Rafisaab throughout the day and get tremendous peace of mind.I remember he never took a song back on tape to learn it, but remembered it completely by heart, even if the recording was a week later, as happened with ‘Chal kahin door nikal jaaye…’ (Doosara Aadmi). He would just write out the words on a piece of paper and would be perfect in all the small detailing on the day of the recording. When I went for rehearsals to his house, he would lift the harmonium himself from its place and refuse to let me or anyone else do it for him. When you entered his house, it was like entering a temple. To my surprise, my hand would automatically touch the marble of his gate and then go to my head!”

A tribute from Udit Narayan

“I admire all our great singers, but to me Rafisaab is the ultimate. I could not believe my luck when Rajesh Roshanji gave me my first break with a song in which I sang live with my idol -I felt blessed, especially after Rafisaab told me not to be nervous as he too had felt the same way at his first few recordings! Even today I try to emulate his great qualities, like his soothing voice that was as pure and as unadulterated as crystal-clear water. Yes, I am proud to say that I come from the Mohammed Rafi school.”

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