The Rafi-Kishore saga
The following article appeared in The Statesman,Calcutta, on Aug.7 th 2005. It will give more food for thought to the ongoing debate about the Rafi personality and magic - Mohan Flora .
Mohd. Rafi was the greatest playback singer, asserts Ranjan Das Gupta as he pays tribute on the melody kings 25th death anniversary. Rafi was a classically trained singer while Kishore was naturally endowed with excellent resonance. The latter was a versatile genius, singer, music director, actor, writer and director all rolled into one. Both were proficient singers but had separate individual styles.
In the 1950s Rafi literally ruled the roost. He was the most favoured singer for veteran composers like Naushad, S.D. Burman, Shanker Jaikishan, Madan Mohan while Kishore was preferred by S.D. Burman and Salil Choudhury who was playback mainly for Dev Anand and his own films. Rafi on the other hand could balance his melodious voice for diverse stars like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Guru Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Shammi Kapoor.
It is an astonishing fact that O.P. Nayar used Rafi to sing for Kishore Kumar the unforgettable tune Man Mora Bawra in Ragini in 1957. Shanker Jaikishan also had Rafi to sing Ajab Hai Dastan in Shararat in 1958. Says record museum owner Vinod Santhalia, It is simply amazing. Imagine Mohd. Rafi sang for Kishore Kumar in films Kishore himself acted.
Shanker Jaikishan commented, No doubt Kishore Kumar is a good singer. He sang beautifully for me in Rangoli. But Ajab Hai Dastan was simply not Kishores cup of tea. The mukhdas and antaras required a singer of Rafis range and classical background.
Although Kishore Kumar felt bad about this, he could only marvel at Rafis brilliant rendering of the two songs. Rafi characteristically remarked, No one else except Kishore could sing Dukhi Man Mera in Funtoosh so well.
Salil Choudhury was not favourably inclined towards Rafi at one point of time, but even he was compelled to use Rafi for the unforgettable Tootey Huey Khuabo Nay in Madhumati and Koi Soney Ke Dil Wala in Maya and confess that Rafi was indeed peerless.
It is generally known that Rafi and Kishore went through a bad patch in their relationship. Yet it is also true that both liked and respected each other. S.D. Burman openly admitted to Kishore that the three solos in Guide by Rafi could not be matched by any singer. On Dev Anands special request, he composed the Kishore-Lata super hit duet Gata Rahe Mera Dil for Guide. Similarly, Rafis numbers in Teen Deviyan and the haunting duet with Lata Mangeshkar in Jewel Thief were far superior to the Kishore numbers in these films.
In the late 60s when R.D. Burman composed the melody for Tum Bin Jaaun Kahan in Pyar Ka Mausam, he experimented the same solo with both Rafi and Kishore. True, Kishore sang this number by melodiously incorporating his inimitable yodelling. But in the romantic number, Rafi scored over Kishore in melody.
The 60s was also considered Rafis decade though Kishore matured considerably as a singer during this period. The Jungle Mein Mangal number Woh Din Ke Baat Sharan Karo had both Rafi and Kishore together but is somehow not remembered that well. But Shanker Jaikishans Hanste Gate Jahan Se Guzar in Andaz by Rafi quite eclipsed Kishores entire Zindagi Ek Safar in 1971.
Madan Mohan also used both Rafi and Kishore in the song Yu Na Sharma for Parwana in 1972. Kishore sang the happy rendition for hero Navin Nischal. But there was Rafi again to do full justice to the Are Hansnewale, the melancholic aspect of the same song for Amitabh Bachchan.
In the 1970s the Kishore Kumar wave took the Hindi film music by storm and was backed by R.D. Burman. Some critics felt R.D was partial to Kishore and avoided using Rafi. The Rafi Kishore duet Yaadon Ki Barat from the film with the same title in 1973 turned out to be a superhit. But it cannot be categorised either as an exclusive Rafi or a Kishore gem for both sang in perfect harmony.
Subsequently, R.D. Burman opted for Rafi again after four years as no other singer could have rendered so skillfully Chand Mera Dil and Kya Hua in Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin; that too in a film with many Kishore Kumar superhits like Mil Gaya and Aa Meri Jaan.
When Rafi sang Darde Dil for Laxmikant Pyarelal in Karz in1980 based on a single note, he proved melody was indeed God-gifted to him, remembers upcoming singer Sujan Bose. Kishores Ay Mere Umar Ke and Ek Hasina Thi could not touch that level. The same can be said for Rajesh Roshan’s Yarana where Rafi’s Aare Re Aisa Tarana completely surpassed Kishore’s Sara Zamana and Tere Jaisa.
Mohd. Rafi left for his heavenly abode on 31 July, 25 years ago. Remembers author Nabaran Bhattacharya, The photo of a silent, sad and grief-struck Kishore in the newspapers portrayed very well that no one except him understood what an irreparable loss had taken place in Indian film music.
As Kishore himself said when Jagjit Singh criticised the Rafi gharana, How dare these so-called ghazal singers criticise an icon that Manna Dey, Mukesh and I dare not criticise. Rafi was unique.
April 13th, 2006 at 2:54 pm
Thank you for that wonderful comment Tripathy saab.
Khalid Rashid
April 12th, 2006 at 10:17 pm
The beauty of a rainbow is due to the combination of all its colors, we may prefer one color or other at different times. We have had a lot of highly talented singers, great musicians and a wide range of lyricists and everyone contributed to the wealth of Indian film music.
I hear most singers including Mukesh, Kishore, Lata, Talat and even Kundan Lal Saigal. I love them all, but the only voice that touches my soul, the only voice that mesmerises me irrespective of the type the song, is that of that of Mohammad Rafi. You need the ears to understand this. And every individual is entitled to his preference.
Very few can do justice while singing Rafi songs. Try ‘Jaane Kahaan gayee,
Dil Mera Legayee’ OR ‘Barbaade Mohabbat Ki Dua Saath Liyw Ja’.
There actually is no reason to compare, just enjoy the rainbow.
DPT
April 11th, 2006 at 7:03 pm
Both Kishore and Rafi were unmatchable in their own arena. Therefore we are not the right person to judge Who’s the best.
so just enjoy good song.
April 10th, 2006 at 1:01 pm
Dear Sanjay Gupta,
It gives us pleasure to all Rafi Sahabs fans that u are planning to organise and produce documentary film of the greatest in indian film industry Rafi Sahab the Badshah of melody.
I would also like to join you in this noble endeavour and for this you may pl note down my mob numb 09886779557 and email id bangaloreconsultancy@hotmail.com.
In fact I got in touch with Rasheed Khan mob numb o9869030908 who is based in Mumbai who with his friends are organising special magazine feature on our beloved Rafi Sahab during the 26 th anniversary in July06. He also informed me that some one from the Film Institute Pune are trying to make doc film soon.You may get in touch with Rasheed Khan for more details.
Also all Rafians should send email to Sahara,Sony and Zee channel to telecast special programme on Rafi Sahab on 31st July and 24th Dec by calling on the current leading singers like Sonu,Udit,Shaan, Abhijit,K,K,Kumar Ganjanwala, to name a few and their female co singers to pay tribute to legend of legends Rafi Sahab. Only viewers can put the right pressure to these channels.
In Dec05 Aaj Tak had aired very unique programme on Rafi Sahab and taken interview with a sindhi fan based in Ahmedabad by name Talreja I think who has converted one part of his house as a monument to Rafi Sahab which was simply amazing.
We should come together on a common platform to bring joy to all the music lovers living today by HONORING RAFI SAHAB AND BY GIVIGN AWARDS TO THE BEST TALENT IN RAFI SAHABS NAME.
P.Narayanan Bangalore . Requesting all Bangaloreans to come together for a common cause Rafi Sahabs legacy to continue forever……………………
April 9th, 2006 at 7:53 pm
There is not a day that goes by without thinking about Mr. Rafi. I don’t know where to find that voice but I believe in reincarnation and I think that someone somewhere in the remote villages far from the city lights that we will find him there. A raw talent waiting to be discovered.
I would like to pay a tribute to Mr. Rafi by organizing and finding finance to produce a documentry on him.
If you feel the same as I do then do something! This void is killing me.
April 9th, 2006 at 1:09 am
Nice article,its really annoying when people compare RAFI SAHAB and KISHORE DA.When someone compares them it brings grin on my face,it simply shows how much that person knows about music.No doubts that RAFI SAHAB is the only KOHINOOR this world has ever got.I would say that RAFI SAHAB sang songs of all genres.Even THE BEATLES song that RAFI SAHAB sang was better then them.”I wanna hold your hand-The Beatles, RAFI SAHAB-dekho ab to kisko nahin hai khabar (janwar 1965)”
JAAN PEHCHAN HO JEENA AASAN HO-Gumnaam is an open challenge not only to all Indian singers but also to all english singers.This song is used in the english movie GHOSTWORLD,they just praised RAFI SAHAB.
As long as people love melody RAFI SAHAB will not be forgotten.
April 8th, 2006 at 3:52 am
No one will ever be like Mohd Rafi. He was and is the greatest singer of all times. Kishore Kumar was simply not in the same league. In my opinion the seventees was an era of loud music and a lot of Raa Raa Raa. Kishore did well with this of music, as it did not require the range that Rafi had. Compared to Lata, Mohd Rafi was also superior. Songs such as “Ehsaan Tera Hoga” for Junglee, “Jab Pyar kisi say hotahai” from the same film, “Mere Mehboob” title songs, sung by both Lata and Rafi, the version by Rafi was a bigger hit. Will Lata fans agree?
April 6th, 2006 at 4:32 pm
A very good informative article for someone like me ………who was not much aware about Rafi Saab even though i am his fan. Thanks a lot Sir for increasing my knowledge about a great legend like Mohd. Rafi.
Harshita.
April 5th, 2006 at 2:28 pm
Dear friends,
I think it must be a mistake about Jagjit Singh criticising Rafi gharaana because he himself
has paid rich tribute to Rafi sab in the Legends cassette and CDs of Rafi sab where all his living colleagues like Lata di,Manna da,Naushad sab pay homage n tribute.
PLEASE LET US BE AWARE THAT NO ONE CAN POiNT AGAINST THE BADSHAH OF LEGENDS AND FARISTA LIKE RAFI SAB. HE IS DEMI GOD NOT ONLY TO SONU NIGAM,UDIT NARAYAN,S.P BALU, YESUDASJI, AND MANY OF RAFI CRAZY FANS LIKE US.
If we get an opportunity the same can be clarified with Jagjit Singh especially Mumbaikars can do this as he is based there.
Thanks to this unique website for airing our views freely,
P.Narayanan
Bangalore 09886779557.
April 4th, 2006 at 4:18 pm
It’s very surprised to know that Jagjit Singh criticized Rafi Saab, when Ghazals singers like Gulam Ali, Mehndi Hasan, Begum Akhtar, etc always appluaded Rafi Saab for his greatness.
I heard that Jagjit Singh criticized India in one of his concerts held in Pakistan, not sure to what extend it is true.
April 4th, 2006 at 3:38 pm
Yes that is true as well Manish.
Kishore Kumar saab was a good singer but for me Rafi saab was the ultimate.
This is the first time I have heard of Jagjit Singh critising Rafi saab. Not very professional is he I mean what did he say. Sorry dont tell me as anything bad heard or said against Rafi saab is a sin.
He was the best
Khalid Rashid
April 4th, 2006 at 3:36 pm
Yes that is true as well Manish.
Kishore Kumar was a good singer but for me Rafi saab was the ultimate.
This is the first time I have heard of Jagjit Singh critising Raf saab. Not very professional is he I mean what did he say. Sorry dont tell me as anything bad heard or said against Rafi saab is a sin.
He was the best
Khalid Rashid
April 2nd, 2006 at 12:08 am
well, i am total BHAKTA of rafi sahab. i love him and his voice.
but kishore kumar is also not far behind. There is slight marigin between them. Margin of excelance.
i recon kishore was total artist and rafi was total singer.
we know rahul dravid is very good batsman but we love sachin.
we know kishore kumare was very good singer but we love rafi sahab.
April 1st, 2006 at 12:19 am
OH CMON! it wud b unfair to compare rafi ji n kishore da…they both r the gr8est music legends… our music industry is incomplete widout both of em… they both had different styles…bt two things in common..THEY BOTH WERE PERFECTIONISTS…N THEY BOTH ROCK!!! *~*lEt D mUsIc pLaY*~*
March 31st, 2006 at 8:33 pm
I liked the Article.I regard Rafi’s, Kishore’s and Mukesh’s voice as God’s voices.They should not be compared among themselves.Its simply foolishness to do so.
The only thing I could not tolerate in this article was Jagjit singh’s criticism on Rafi.I think he is not even comparable to the dirt of Rafi sahab’s feet and so for him to criticize Rafi is nothing but height of unashamedness.(Nirlajjata ki parakaashtha)
His(Jagjit Singh) all Ghazals will simply fail to excel in front of one single Ghazal of Rafi Sahab “Tumhari Zulf ke saaye me shaam kar lunga”. Not to speak of other Ghazals of Rafi sahab.
March 30th, 2006 at 1:07 pm
it was very sad to learn that jagjit critised The Mohd. Rafi. how dare he do that?
March 29th, 2006 at 8:54 pm
Hi friends,
Great article but not everthing in it, there are some songs should be sing by K K but it (songs)singed by Mohd Rafi from Laxmikant Pyarelal , RD, madan mohan.
K K is a great singer but to be honest that no one can be better than Mohd Rafi,Mohd Rafi I think he have got 100% vote and no one can get more than 100%
March 28th, 2006 at 12:41 am
Kishore was a great singer but Mohd Rafi is the only singer all said about him good things as Actor or singer or music D or ect….
Manny day(singer) said once that Mohd Rafi is the best male singer and we other fighting 4 no two.
I can say that Mohd Rafi is No 1 and before one it is Zero and after one it is two.
March 19th, 2006 at 11:29 am
the article written on Rasi sahib is much amazing, this should be noted that india has produced so many singers that can never be forgotten, it will be a great injustice to rank one singer on other, if we think that it was not only Rafi sahib, who brought fame to indian music, but all singers of his time which we can name like Mukesh jee, hemant kumar,Talat mahmood, manadey,Kishore kumar shortly all have played thier best part in popularizing indian music worldwide.
March 19th, 2006 at 8:33 am
No question that Rafi saab was one of the best singers Indian Film Industry ever had. Even Mr. Bachchan (Big B) said him self that “… Khuda bhi vo aavaz bana na bhul gaya…” on Rafi Saab’s dath. I love M. Rafi and his songs, his voice - he was truly just imparrell. Yet, Kishore Kumar was just simply the Genious. Lata Mangeshkar said once “… I call Kishore Kumar, a sampuran kalakar… Indian Version of Dany Kay… His voice was next to God.. He was truly a MASTER…” I love Kishore Kumar’s songs - I love Kishore Kumar - Each and every songs of his is like… its next to GOD.
March 11th, 2006 at 3:57 am
Mohammed Rafi is no doubt the best singer ever and I think no one has been able to match his excellent God Gifted voice. Kishore Kumars voice again was good but even now you hear any of Rafi Saabs songs they sound so fresh and you can listen to them again and again One of my Fav RAFI-KISHORE song is from Dostana - Bane Chahe Dushman Zamana Hamara salamat rahe dostana hamara - Their duets were the best…I cannot go any day without hearing Rafis voice. Rafi saabs voice has touched millions and I can say that it will continue to touch music lovers whatever their age may be.
March 9th, 2006 at 6:28 pm
Rafi jee and Kishore jee both were great and had different style. and it depends on the inndividual’choice wich style he likes more . according to that he compares these two greats. but Rafi jee certainly had far more range than any singer that i have ever heard and i rate him the best.
March 7th, 2006 at 7:32 pm
Fantastic article. I am an big fan of Rafi saheb and everything what is written in this article is correctly. Can somebody put some songs of Rafi saheb on this website for download? Especially love songs of Mohd.Rafi.
Thank you.
March 7th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
I got goose pimples just by reading this article. Kishoreji was a brilliant singer no doubt about that. Rafi saheb was the uncrowned king, simply incomparable. I must share this with all.
When you enter Kishoreji’s Bungalow in Bombay, the 1st thing which hits you is a huge portrait of Rafi saheb. Hows that ?
Ruhi Khan- Rafi Lovers Circle, Calcutta
March 5th, 2006 at 12:38 pm
Congratulations! Great article. I am an avid fan of Rafi Sahab and believe every single word of this article. Can some body send me the songs featured in this article. Moreover I would appreciate if somebody can send me links to download Rafi Sahab’s songs especially rare songs. Please keep up the good work.