This article is written by Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy.

Mohammed Rafi Saab showed his versatility and genius whenever he was posed a challenge. While singing “Do Pehlu” songs, i.e. same song sung by two different Singers separately or two different versions, Rafiji almost always came out triumph.

Let us first consider Rafi and Lata Do-Phehlus. The “Mere Mehaboob” title song was sung by both Rafi and Lata. Without belittling the talent and contribution of Lata, one can still notice that Rafi could put some thing extra, some pathos, some more feelings, something much more extra in his version and the male version became a huge hit. The picturisation was also superb with Rajendra Kumar standing on stage and in front of a mike and singing the song continuously containing five stanzas. The expression on the faces of Rajendra Kumar and Sadhana coupled with Rafiji’s voice has made this song one of the best ever picturised song on Indian Film screen. In the “Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai” title song, how many remember Lata’s number, but Rafiji’s song became a hit what with Dev Anand singing on top of a Jeep under the direction of Nazir Hussain. Similarly “Taj Mahal” had ‘Jo Wada Kiya Wo’, both versions duets and both became real hits. “Taqdeer” had ‘Jab Jab Bahar Aayi’ and though both versions became hits, Rafi number always appeared to be superior. How many remember Lata’s version of ‘Taqdeer Ka Fasana’ in “Sehra”, but Rafi’s version was a classic, even today very fondly remembered after more than four decades. Similarly, in “Aayee Milan Ki Bela”, we had ‘Tum Kamsin Ho’, but Rafi version was definitely more popular. In “Ishara” starring Joy Mukherjee and Vyjayantimala, these two great singers sang ‘Dil Bekarar Sa Hai’, but Rafi’s version was definitely better. Similarly in “Sajan” title song, though Lata’s version was more popular, Rafi’s version was sung in a unique way for Manoj Kumar. In “Pagla Kahin Ka” - ‘Tum Muzhe Yun’, the male version was a bigger hit. We also had ‘Aaj Kal Me Dhal Gaya’ in “Beti Bete”, but every one knows that Rafi’s song was superb and a bigger hit. Similarly, in “Abhilasha” we had ‘Vadiya Mera Daman’ but the melody of Rafi’s version is missing in Lata’s version. Also the title song of “Barsaat Ki Raat”, Rafi’s song became a superhit. “Taqdeer” had ‘Jab Jab Bahar Aayee’ but Rafi’s version became a bigger hit. “Junglee” had ‘Ehsaan Tera Hoga Muzhpar’, “Aarjoo” had ‘Aji Humse Bachkar’, “Raaj” had ‘Akele Hain Chale Aao’, “Love In Tokyo” had ‘O Mere Chahe Khuba’, “Pagla Kahin Ka” had ‘Tum Muzhe Yun’, “Chirag” had ‘Teri Aankhon Ke Siva’, “Yakeen” had ‘Gar Tum Bhulana Doge’, but one could easily notice that Rafi’s version had some thing extra.

The “Yadon Ki Baraat” title song had two versions one by Lata and the other by Rafi and Kishore, but the second versions became much more popular especially the way Rafi enters the song mid-way. Incidentally this particular song was picturised in a memorable way by Director Nazir Hussain.

With Asha, Rafi had ‘Aap Se Pyaar Hua’ in “Abroo” of MD Sonik Omi, but Rafi version was much more popular than Asha version. In Raj Kumar – Leena Chandavarkar starrer, RD had Rafi and Asha singing ‘Sundar Ho Aisi Tum Jidhar Chalo Ekbaar’, but the male version was a bigger hit.

With Sharada, Rafi had ‘Hum Ko To Barbad Kiya Hai’ from “Gunahon Ka Devta”, of course the Sharada number was no where near that of Rafiji’s. People must have heard over Radio Sharada’s hit song ‘Sun Sun Sunore Balam’ from “Pyaar Mohabbat”, but if anyone has seen the movie, he will definitely remember equally good but short version of Rafi with only Mukhda and no Antara. Even the song from “Maa Behen Aur Biwi” – ‘Achcha Hi Hua Dil Toot Gaya’, one could notice Rafiji’s superiority.

Suman Kalyanpur also had a song with Rafi in “Jab Jab Phool Khile’ – ‘Pardesiyon Se Na’, but Rafi version became a top hit. Similarly the title song of “Suhana Safar”, Rafi version became a much bigger hit. “Jee Chahta Hai” starring Joy Mukherjee and Rajashree had a Do Pehlu title song, one sung by Rafi and the other a duet by Rafi and Suman, both versions became hits.

The Rafi version of the song ‘Agar Bewafa Tuzhko Pehchane Jaate’ became a top hit song as compared to the female version of Krishna Kalle.

Rafi and Kishore had ‘Tum Bin Jaoon Kahan’ from “Pyaar Ka Mausam”. Kishore had his favourite MD RD and had full scope in picturisation as well as other nuances, but Rafi was able to match him with his much more melodious version. In fact, the movie also had a third version sung by Rafi (sad Piano version) apart from the two happy Guitar versions. Rafi and Kishore again had ‘Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana’ from “Andaaz”. Of course, Kishore version became a big hit with its beautiful picturisation Rajesh Khanna singing the song on top of a Byke, but people who have seen the movie and listened to Rafi’s slower version always felt cheated that not much opportunity was given to Rafi. Almost similar is the case in “Muqaddar Ka Sikandar” title song.

The “Brahmachari” Lori ‘Main Gaoon Tum So Jao’ had both happy and sad versions sung by Rafi and both became hits. In fact, Rafiji was awarded Filmfare award for this song. The “Shahid” number, ‘Ae Watan Ae Watan’ also had two versions both sung by Rafi, one slightly faster than the other but both became gems clearly demonstrating the genius that was Rafi.

Rafi had something extra which other Singers lacked. He also could come out with something special in each song which after listening one felt that only Rafiji could do justice to such songs.

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