Romantic Rafi
This article is written by Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy
Recently there were two articles in the web site on romantic songs of Rafiji. Ms. Chandni in the issue of 25th December, 2007 had written about the NISHAAN song “Haye Tabassum Tera” and Ms. Asha on March 5th, 2008 had written about “Ishq Ke Garmiye” from GAZAL, especially for ‘Ishq Karnewalon Ke Liye’. How true, in those days wooing was done with Rafiji’s songs unlike these days with SMS, mobile / telephone, e-mail, etc. Whenever any one fell for some body, if he were bold enough, he would always praise his sweetheart with a romantic song of Rafi Saab in most of the cases and even the lady would have been too glad to be praised with such melodious songs.
Apart from the two songs mentioned in the two articles, there are umpteen number of songs of Rafiji, where in the lady is appreciated for her beauty and good nature in good poetry and sweet and melodious voice.
Take for example, “Apni Aankhon Me Basakar”, where Baldev Khosla is full of appreciation for Alka in the movie THOKAR. If any body remembers these two actors, mostly it will be because of this particular song. How nicely the song relates that the hero wants to have his heroin in her eyes and wants to lover her totally, instead of all the pleasure in life, the hero wants only a smile from his beloved, sitting in front he wants to sing her beauty, he is ready to promise that he will not leave her and ready to exchange all his happiness with her unhappiness, simple but meaningful lyrics but elevated by Rafiji’s rendering. Rafi Saab, Jee Me Aata Hai Ke Jee Bhar Ke Aapke Ganon Ko Pyaar Karun.
Another popular song in those days was “Khuda Bhi Aasaman Se” from DHARTI picturised on Rajendra Kumar and Waheeda Rehaman. The hero says that angels would be wandering where the heroine is, kissing every place wherever she is putting her feet, and only the person knows what is going on in his mind. The maker himself is astonished after seeing the picture of the lady, some times he must be feeling jealous himself (perhaps because his creation has become more popular than the maker) and some times, he must be feeling happy (because he is the maker of the beauty).. Beautiful lyrics, nicely picturised by Southern Director Sridhar and one of the best romantic songs sung by Rafiji.
“Jaane Bahar Husna” (PYAAR KIYA TO DARNA KYA) narrates how the hero feels that he is lucky to have his lady love, he will not even allow the sun rays to touch her. Picturised on the Rafi hero Shammi Kapoor, the heroine of the song was the Southern Actress B.Sarojadevi.
In “Prem Patra” (SANGAM), the lady is compared to Ganga and Jamuna, but not to Sun and Moon as Sun has fire and Moon has stain and even after death, the soul would cry waiting for the lady love. “Ae Jaane Bahara Rooh Ae Chaman” is another wonderful song of Rafiji where the lady love is told that she will shine better and become more beautiful if she comes to the hero and is called Khabon Ke Gagan Ki Shehazadi. “Husnase Chaand Bhi” (DOOR KI AWAAZ) praises the eyes dipped in love seeing which even Gods will stray, not to mention of ordinary human bweeings, without taking anything, he is feeling intoxicated. Also says that whenever she smiles, it is spring, wherever her shadow fell, flowers sprout, etc. etc.
One big song fully attributed to the beauty of a lady was the title song “Mere Mehboob”. Picturised with Rajendra Kumar standing on the stage singing and the beautiful Sadhana in a Burkha, each and every stanza is dipping with love. In fact, SPB in one of the Kannada programs in TV mentioned this song and also sang few lines. Similarly the title song “Chaudavin Ka Chand” on Guru Dutt and WR. Comparing her eyes to Sharab, Zulf to Cloud, her smile to lightning, her face to a blooming lotus in a tank or a Gazal tuned to life, she is the dream of any poet, well, the whole song just puts the listener in a different world and I am sure any lady love would be too pleased to listen to this song from her boy friend. Another perhaps not much popular song but equally good song was “Meri Mohabbat” (JANWAAR). The hero is so full of love and so happy, he says that no body is like her and his eyes have chosen her, the fire which has risen in his heart is like the light to his Manzil or destination. He even says that he would not mind dying if it is on her lap and even after cremation, his love will remain forever.
Other such romantic songs sung by Rafi Sahab include “Boonde Nahin Sitare” (SAAJAN KI SAHELI), “Maine Poocha Chaandase” (ABDULLAH), “Main Kavi Kahin Na Banjaun” (PYAAR HI PYAAR), “Teri Aankhon Ke Siva” (CHIRAAG), “Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahin” (GHARANA), “Na Zhatako Zulfase Paani” (SHEHANAI), “Likhe Jo Khat Tuzhe” (KANYADAAN), “Main Nigahen Tere Cheharese” (AAP KI PARCHAYIYAN), “Yeh Jo Chilaman Hai” (MEHABOOB KI MEHENDI), “Baharon Phool Barsao” (SURAJ), “Mana Mere Hasin Sanam” (ADVENTURES OF ROBIBHOOD), “Tere Is Pyaar Ka Shukriya” (AAG AUR DAAG), “Nigahen Na Phero Chal Jayenge Hum”, “O Mere Shahe Khuba” (LOVE IN TOKYO), “Mehabooba Teri Tasaveer” (ISHQ PE ZOR NAHIN), “Nazar Na Lag Jaye” (NIGHT IN LONDON), etc. I am sure our fellow Rafi fans would come out with scores of such songs and freshen our memories. Not only songs, perhaps they can even further elaborate the significance and beauty of all these songs.
Other Singers also came out with hummable romantic numbers like the phone number “Jalte Hain Jiske Liye” (SUJATA) by Talat, “Tum Hi Pukar Lo” (KHAMOSHI) by HK, “Kahan Se Layi” (DIL AUR MOHABBAT) and “Mera Pyaar Woh Hai Ke” (YEH RAAT PHIR NA AAYEGI) both by MK, “Woh Sham Kuch Ajeeb Thi” (KHAMOSHI) and “Chookar Mere Manko” (YAARANA) by KK, “Ae Sanam Jisne Tuzhe” (DEEWANA) and “Tum Jo Hamare, Meeta Na Hote” by Mukesh, etc. etc.
How we wish things were as simple and innocent as they were earlier and we get all those romantic, meaningful and melodious songs. But the fact is neither we have lyricists like Sahir, Shakeel, Kaifi Azmi, Shailendra, Majarooh Sultanpuri, etc. nor we have MDs like Naushad, SJ, OPN, MM, SDB, etc. nor Singers like Mannadey, Hemant, Talat, Mukesh, KK and above all Mohammed Rafi. So, even now we listen to all these old golden songs and enjoy.
My suggestion to all the present day young lovers is to try these old romantic songs on their lady loves and I bet the reaction will be much better and positive. In our days, we were not as bold as you are now-a-days and perhaps, most of us kept our feelings inside though we knew all such romantic songs by heart, but you, young and bold people, can try out this new suggestion. Any lady in real love would like to listen to a good romantic song from her lover boy rather than the remix-pop songs in vogue these days.
May 13th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Thank you Guru Murthyji for a wonderful article. What a wonderful era it was when the heroines were blessed to hear the heros singing in the immortal voice of Rafi Saab.People went to films to listen to Rafi Saab. A.S. Murthyji, you are right. What a wonderful song -Ishq par zor Nahin - only Rafi Saab could have done justice. Another few songs which come to my mind - from
Mere Mehaboob -Ae Husan Zara Jag Thuje ishq jagaieh, From film Dil Deke Dheko - Hum or Tum, From film Junglee - Aahe Saaz tera hoga mugko.
Where are the great song writers now to compose such beautiful songs and where can we find a replacement for Rafi Saab. NEVER. We were lucky to live in an age when Rafi Saab was alive. Now the times have changed and the younger generation doesn’t believe in wasting time in singing to thier loved ones.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:20 am
ref post 34,the music of beti is by SONIK OMI,HERE ARE TWO MORE GEMS OF BADSHAH FOR SANJAY KHAN
1) TAUBA YEH NAZARE YEH QATIL ISHARE -DILLAGI ,MD LAXMI PYARE
2) MERA YAAR BADA SHARMILA -MILAN KI RAAT,MD LAXMI PYARE
SOME MORE I WILL ADD LATER ON
May 8th, 2008 at 1:09 am
excellent article..is ther any tamil or malayalam song by rafi?
May 7th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
film “ishq par zor nahin”, the song - mehbooba teri tasveer kis tarah main banaoon. yet another top class romantic song in praise of his beloved, this song cannot be sung by any other singer the way Rafi sahab has rendered it. when you listen to the song now, one forgets the film’s hero and only the picture of rafi sahab is before our eyes. the song becomes difficult to sing as the stanzas grow but for rafi sahab it was straight from his heart and hence the quality of singing. i dare fans of other singers to visualise this song in the voice of their ‘masters’, the best of singers will have to cut a sorry figure. i do not mean to belittle any singer, but songs of this genre were only made for rafi sahab. “tere jaise kahin koi dekha na suna hai” rafi sahab - you are really unique and no human can be compared to you.
May 3rd, 2008 at 7:49 am
hey guys
omke khayal aaye to aatey chale gaye and Door rahe kar na karo baat kareeb ajaao are my fave ghazals os rafi sahib
April 30th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
ref.post no. 25
Dear Shashank Chickermaneji
please inform me -where is Pradeepji as i am not receiving any mails/replies from him . i used to send him photos of rafi sahab & other singers, artistes for uploading to the respective photo albums and he used to upload those photos so very beautifully !
should i now send photos to you for uploading ?
please guide me in this matter .
thanks & best regards/ a.t.m. salim.
April 30th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
REF: POST NO. 3
DEAR A.S. MURTYJI
THANKS FOR YOUR VERY NICE COMMENTS .
KEEP-IT UP !
BEST REGARDS/A.T.M. SALIM
April 30th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
DEAR GURU MURTYJI
THANK YOU FOR YOUR VERY NICE ARTICLE !
I AM ADDING 3 MORE SONGS ( SANJAY KHAN STARRER FILM SONGS ) FOR THIS CATEGORY :
1) HASEEN ZUFON KA RANG DEDO….
( FILM : BETI ; MD : LAXMIKANT PYARELAL )
2) MAINE CHAND DEKHA HAI….
( FILM : WOH DIN YAAD KARO ; MD : LAXMIKANT PYARELAL )
3) AA LAGJA GALE DILRUBA ….
( FILM: DUS LAKH ; MD : RAVI )
4) DEKHA HAI SABHI NE CHAND KO ….
( FILM : DIL NE PUKARA ; MD : KALYANDJI ANANDJI )
BEST REGARDS/ A.T.M. SALIM.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
only two days back our good friend hussein sheikh who sends so many songs to many of us sent this rare song - koi phool na khilta, yeh kali bhi na hoti, zindagi bhi na hoti, agar tu na hoti - and this songs is once again a great tribute to his ladylove. Rafi Sahab has sung it so beautifully and we had almost ignored this one. thanks to hussein bhai for reminding us all and for sending the song.
April 16th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Rafi lovers,
the kerala unit of rafi foundation had a great inaugural meet and
a successful musical concert in calicut.
the rafi magic is traversing many directions and touching many
hearts and now is the time for planning the July 31 st tribute
programme to the saintly singer.
we have a new website : rafifoundation.com for interaction among
rafi lovers and pradip ji, the moderator has sent in his best wishes
to us. he has also asked us to send a pdf file so that he could put
it as an advertisement. what a great person and rafi fan pradip ji
is can be judged by this act of his.
indeed, a very true rafi ji fan. thank you, pradip ji.
binu nair
www.rafifoundation.com, mumbai, 9833 250 701
April 16th, 2008 at 11:31 am
And here’s the song from cha cha cha that binuji has been talking about:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YoZ1iMLUA1M
April 16th, 2008 at 11:16 am
here’s the video of the song “deewana kahke aaj mujhe phir pukariye”:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xsnm41wZI9M
What a great composition by Ravi! Another composition of his that I have loved since my childhood days is “itni haseen itni jawan raat kya kare”:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=405zHIw8-qA
The voice expresses a myriad of romantic emotions. it seems rafi saab is playing with the tune and the words. The portion between 2:20 and 3:10 just blows your mind away.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Then there are the two of the loveliest songs from “aap aaye bahar aayee” one is the title song itself - saare zamane par, mausam suhane par….” and the second one “poochhe jo koi mujhse bahar kaisi hoti hai, naam tera lekar kehdun ke yaar aisee hoti hai”. these two songs are qualify to be on the top of the ‘romantic rafi’ songs.
April 16th, 2008 at 12:17 am
janab aliuddin sahab, on youtube you will find the audio version of the song - deewana kah ke aaj mujhe phir pukariye, hazir hun koi teere nazar dil pe maariye. there are others too but am giving the link for those interested to hear this great song : http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1497657988483374810
April 14th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
dear mr. guru murthy,
thanks for the excellent article. its a timely reminder to todays md’s of what present-day hindi movies lack . having said that, a thought crossed my mind about writing an article entitled rafissab’s ‘naughty songs’. before u all jump at me, let me state that it is to the full credit of rafisaab that some of his songs are so catchy and popular even to this day that ‘roadside romeos’ find them most useful in doing what they know best–teasing a passing lady with a song!!
three songs of rafisaab straightaway come to mind. these are:
i) lal chari maidan khari…(janwar)
ii)tumne kisiki jaan ko jahte hue dekha hai…(rajkumar)
iii)jaan pehchan ho,jina ehsan ho…(gumnaam)
there are probably many more catchy numbers that could fall into this particular category. fans of rafi saab may wish to add -on to this list.other playback singers have also sang catchy numbers that lads may have used to tease a passing damsel but i would think that even in this category, rafisaab comes out head and shoulders above the others.
arshad hussain
April 14th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
‘Gulabi ankhen jo teri dekhi’ from “The Train” is another romantic number of Mohammed Rafi saab.
‘Tere husn ki tarif karun’ from “Leader” picturised on great Dilip Kumar Saab in 1964.
‘Chand mere dil chandi ho tum’ a slow romantic song from the movie “Hum kissi se kum nahin” in 1977 picturised on Tariq, son of director Nasir Hussain.
In Madan Mohan’s “Laila Majnu” in 1976 Mohammed Rafi saab’s ‘Likh ke tera naam zameen par us ko sajde karta hai’ is a lovers greetings to his beloved.
A beautiful romantic song ‘Phool ka shabab kya’ from “Farz ki Jung” was the last song of Mohammed Rafi saab in a bollywood movie picturised on Govinda as late as 1989!!