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.
June 22nd, 2006 at 4:25 am
I feel that the debate is heading towards redundancy. It is apparent from the blogs that all Rafi fans, including me, have some Kishore favorites, and all KK fans have Rafi favorites. Added to that, no Rafi fan can have a deaf ear to certain Kishore songs and the vice versa. That shows our mutual respect for each others’ favorite singer. It is, quite obviously, natural for both-groups (sorry for this expression; there is only one group and that’s music-group) to feel that their favourite singer is the best. But above all, we are all music lovers.
June 22nd, 2006 at 4:01 am
dear unknow,
yes. i think kk is great bcos he was not classically trained and yet he sang some difficult songs that only classically trained singers could sing.
do u think kumar sanu or udit narayan or abhijeet or even mukesh could’ve sung kk’s songs from movies like anurodh, amar prem, aap ki kasam etc. ? no way. to sing some of the songs that kk sang for LP (songs like “mere dil mein aaj kya hai”, “aap ke anurodh pe”, “jab dard nahin tha”, “”ek hasina thi”), u have to be either really talented or u have to be trained.
if u ignore that fact, u r extremely biased.
also, i think lata is easily as talented as rafi.
June 22nd, 2006 at 3:12 am
Dear Shankar,
Do u think that KK was great because KK was not trainted?!!!
dear Shankar
I don’t mean that KK was not great ,He was all in one also as singer kk was great but only when we compare kk as singer with mohd Rafi AS I THANK there is only one greatest and that is Mohd Rafi after Mohd Rafi only Lata.
Dear Shankar
when u speak about RD all will say that they made KK,as u said that mukesh was lucky because raj kapoor always took him and I can say same to kk was lucky because RD always took him.
mohd Rafi said do one thing by right way.
KK singed great way but when we compare him with mohd Rafi AS I THINK KK IS NOT A SINGER(AS I THINK ONLY)yes KK was talened singer.
Do u know what KK said when he can’t sing a songs?the answer was I will sing by this way and said to MD if u don’t want it go and look for an other singer.
June 22nd, 2006 at 12:55 am
hi,
just one more point. how many classically untrained playback singers can u think of, who can sing “mere naina saawan bhaadon” or “zindagi ke safar mein guzar jaate hain” or “chingari koi bhadke” or “kuch to log kahenge” or “salaam-e-ishq” or “aap ke anurodh pe” or “jab dard nahin tha seene mein” etc. ? none. that’s why i believe kk is more talented than people give him credit for.
kumar sanu sang kk’s songs for t-series before he became a playback singer but he sang only the easy songs that kk sang for rdb like “chala jata hoon”, “o mere dil ke chain”, “yeh jo mohabbat hai” etc. same goes for abhijeet. none of them can sing the difficult songs that kk sang. that’s why u can never hear kumar sanu sing any of the songs i listed above because he can’t and so he never even attempted.
sonu nigam can probably sing but he’s classically trained. hariharan can probably sing but he’s classically trained too. suresh wadkar, bhupinder singh, aziz, anwar etc. were all classically trained singers.
kk was not trained classically and still sang some difficult songs. that’s why, for me, he’s as talented as any other singer.
June 22nd, 2006 at 12:40 am
dear rafians,
except for anmol and nair, it’s surprising to see how the rest of u talk about kk. rafi is great but it doesn’t mean he’s the only great singer. i mean “UNKNOW” was really childish when he says he thinks rafi is the only great and so he doesn’t like when someone calls kk a great singer.
same goes for sagar, mohanflora etc. rafi was a great singer, yes. but kk was a great singer too. he was as talented as rafi, i believe so. u can criticize all u want. but it doesn’t change that fact. rafi was a talented singer who got training while kk was a talented singer who didn’t get any training. that’s the only difference between the two. and that’s the only reason why rafi got to sing all the good songs in the ’50’s and ’60’s. manna dey was a very good singer but lacked the voice of rafi or kk, his pronounciation of urdu left something to be desired while rafi’s pronounciation was perfect; mukesh was too one-dimensional, talat was very limited in his range, and same goes for hemant da. but mukesh was lucky because raj kapoor always took him.
kishore da was versatile too but lacked the training, so rafi was the obvious choice. if u read what salil da said, u’ll see why. he said “many of us composers wouldn’t listen to kk because he had no classical background. it wasn’t until he sang “koi hota jisko apna” 18 yrs later in “mere apne” that i realized how grossly i underestimated the depth and potential of the lad”.
same thing goes for most of u here.
June 21st, 2006 at 11:45 pm
Dear Avi,
That great that u like KK and Mohd Rafi,If some one from Mohd rafi fans said something bad about KK u said should not say bad about Mohd Rafi because you are also a Mohd Rafi fan.
Dear Avi Do u know why we Mohd Rafi fans don’t like KK?As i think because as singer Mohd Rafi is more better than KK because that when some one say 2 us that KK is great we don’t like that because for us there is one great and he is Mohd Rafi and all people who know about music they said that Mohd Rafi is the best.
KK was good singer there are many singer are tring 2 copy KK and as I think they coped him well but Mohd Rafi is only singer no one can copy him as people who know about music they said.
jest listen to your fav song”Hai unki Tamnna hai Barbad” I think this is the best in all film.I saw this film because of this song.
To KK Fans
people mostly say that Mohd Rafi singed 4 KK but I want tell that In jugnu film Mohd Rafi is playing role singing with dilip kumar and there is other singer who gave his voice 2 Mohd Rafi and Mohd Rafi Voice used for Dilip Kummar.
June 21st, 2006 at 11:11 pm
Thanx mohanflora,
Thats what i am looking for.
Dear Unknown,
I have hugh collection of Rafi and i am very good music listener.
There are many Rafi songs which r my fav.
I can list few of them as follows:
1. Hai unki Tamnna hai Barbad ho ja …Inteqaam
2. E dil tum bin kahi lagta nahi hum kya kare …Izzat
3. Tum jo mil gaye Ho…Hanste Zakham
4. DIl ki awaaz bhi sun…film name i forget but i know composed by O P Nayyar.
Boss, I am hugh admirer of Rafi but i m more inclined to KISHORE and whole saturday, i listen to KISHORE. His voice touch my heart. Thats why i said KISHORE is best.
RadioCity started saying 3-4 months back that “CAN SONU NIGAM become next KISHORE KUMAR”, I was pissed off. I can’t tolerate if anyone get compare with KISHORE and Rafi.
But yes i have problem with Rafi fans when they started saying that RAFI is greatest and ignore KISHORE.
Yoday there was interview with SHREYA GHOSAL on Zee Music and she said “KISHORE is her Favorite”.
June 21st, 2006 at 7:23 pm
Dear avi,
If you go to the Rafi song archive section of www.abuparker.com you will find four unreleased and other songs of Rafisaab.
June 21st, 2006 at 7:20 pm
dear Avi are u sure that KK is better singer than Mohd Rafi?!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t know about music but i am sure there are no away 2 compare Mohd Rafi with any one as singer.
who is best together dear Avi?mohd Rafi with Shammi or KK with KK or Bachchan or Rajesh Khanna.
really dear Avi I never saw one that who said the that KK is better as a SINGER than Mohd Rafi.Are u the first who I know?
Please close u r eyes and listen from u r heart Mohd Rafi voice in song Rukhse zara nakaab uthado and many more.
Dear Avi I think u never listen 2 Mohd Rafi If u do I think will never go for other singer,There many people they like Sonu Nigam more than Mohd Rafi and they say Sonu is better singer than Mohd Rafi!!!!!!!!Sorry 2 say dear Avi u r one of them
June 21st, 2006 at 3:16 pm
Dear Anmol,
Regarding last 2 songs, both songs are composed by Rajesh Roshan, LP respectively n KISHORE was his co-singer along with LATA.
1. “DOOSRA AADMI” song Rafi sang for Shashi and KISHORE sang for Rishi
2 “Badlate Rishte” song Rafi sang for Jeetendra and KISHORE sang for Rishi
My dear friend there are another good song where Rafi made late entry is
1. MILE JO KADI KADI EK ZANZEER BANE from “Kasmevaade” n again with the great KISHORE and ASHA, composed by RDB.
2. PYAAR KA SAMAY KAM HAI YAHA LADTE HAI LOG kyon YAHA …from RAMPUR KA LAXMAN n again with the great KISHORE and LATA, composed by RDB.
I have listed only 2 among many..
Hope it enhance ur knowldge.
June 21st, 2006 at 2:11 pm
Some work Innovation.
There is a song “Chahere Pe Giri Zulfen” in which Rafi Saab pronounces “Gustakhi Maaf” in a different tone after every antara. Rafi indeed goes deeper & deeper after every antara when ever he says these words.
A song “Pher Miloge Kabhi Es Baat Ka Wada” shows Rafi Saabs terrific control of the voice. The Sthai of the song can be described as ‘Rising from the bottom of the sea to the sky’.
Pher Miloge - Bottom
Es Baat Ka Wada - Surface of Water
Hum Se Ek ur Mulaakat - Sky
Its like firing a torpido from a submarine which shoots down an enemy aircraft.
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Lets explore a Rafi Patent quality of resonating the words like a tunning Fort vibrating a particular frequency. Indeed this quality cannot be seen in any order singer doing it so perfectly.
“Parbat Ton Ke Pedon Par” - the word PEDON resonates at a constant frequency
“Ye Duniya Ye Mahfil” - The word KAAM resonates at a constant frequency
“Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho” - The word JAHAN resonates at a constant frequency
“Tum Bhi Jahun Kahan” - The word CHAAHAKE resonates at a constant frequency. The same song sung by KK pronounses CHAAHAKE straight, indeed compensates with Yoodling between the Sthai and Antara.
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There are duets where Rafi operates at very high scale where as the female counter operates at a normal scale.
“Diwana Hua Badal” - A song from Kashmir Ki Kali Rafi saab operates at a very high scale when he sings “Barson Se Khesaa ka Mausam Tha”, where as a Asha operates at a much lower scale singing similar rythmn
“Bahut Shukria Bahut Meharbani” - A song from Ek Musafir Ek Hassina Rafi saab operates at a very high scale when he sings “Khuda Jaane Ese”, where as a Asha operates at a much lower scale singing similar rythmn.
“Dekho Rotha Na Karo” - A song from Tere Ghar Ke Samne Rafi saab operates at a very high scale when he sings the Antara, where as a Lata operates at a much lower scale singing similar rythmn.
The operation of high scale at Rafi is perfectly co-ordinated with the charater’s body language in the film.
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There are songs where Rafi makes a late entry in a song at high scale.
“Kya Mausam Hai” - The song from Dusara Adami here Rafi makes an entry singing “Ye Mastiyan Ye Samaa”.
“Na Jaane Kaise” - The song from Badalte Rishte here Rafi makes an entry singing “Rishte Kabhi Tute Nahin”.
June 21st, 2006 at 1:55 pm
Dear Sagar Donkey,
advice to Saagr, “Control ur words while writing comment aginst KISHORE and his fans”. We have not written anything against Rafi. I can’t write against Rafi because i have respect to him and KISHORE is as superior as Rafi. According to me, KISHORE is superior. I know u will not accept but u can’t stop me saying so. Here i am just saying my view, i am not abusing. So mind ur words.
Whatever songs u people are mentioning, i already have collection of those. I am surprise to read ur taste. U people r claiming u r Rafi’s fans but still u peole r talking abt his famous songs.
As I am a KISHORE fans and i have almost all his hits songs. So now i am collecting all his unreleased or not so famous songs.
for e.g.
1. PYAAR AJANABI HAI, JAANE KAHA SE AAYE..
(KISHORE OWN composition for unreleased film PYAR AJNABI HAI..)
dear Anmol, Pls. hear this song, u can find the great difference btn USHA KHANNA and KISHORE as composer.
2. MOUSAM MASTANA HAI, DIl DIWANA HAI..PYAAR ME HUM TUM KYON NA KHO JAAYE… (best duet KISHORE-LATA).
Boss, i m eager to know some of the good Rafi’s song which is not famous or not yet released. I am intersted to collect those songs.
Dear Sagar, grown up n stop writing ur bullshit view.
Ur behiviour shouws how cheap u r and Rafi fans should not allow this guy to penned in the forum.
Sorry to all genuine Rafi fans for using such hard words, If you read Sagar comments against KISHORE, You will find that his comments really shameful for all music lovers.
June 21st, 2006 at 12:06 pm
Dear Mohan,
Thank you so much , I appreciate your prompt reply and help.
Regards
Sagar
June 21st, 2006 at 11:18 am
Hi sagar,
Just sent the above song. Pl. hear and comment!
June 21st, 2006 at 9:27 am
hi mohan,
can you please send this song to me which RAFI Saab has done YODELLING my email is ” aries6271@excite.com ”
Thanx Pal for the info
Sagar
June 21st, 2006 at 8:22 am
According to the OXFORD dictionary, Yodel means to sing or call in the traditional Swiss way, changing your voice frequently between its normal level and a very high level.
We are familiar as KK was adept at it and used the art in some of his songs.
Now be prepared for the bombshell! RAFISAAB HAS YODELLED TOO! The song is,”Dil ke aine mein, tasveer teri rahti hai, main yeh samjha koi zanat ki pari rahti hai,” from the film Aao Pyar Karen, a Joy Mukherji-Saira Banoo starrer, music by Shanker Jaikishen???. At the end of the song the song he begins a half minute yodel –Hey -ooo–oa, yooo-udlee ooo- ho ho hooo.He has done just like what the Swiss would have done from top of their hills. AMAZING! I had sent the song to be posted on this site. I hope they will do so. I can also send it to anyone who would like to hear it. Rafisaab could do anything, even yodelling, but he had many other jewels to offer us!
June 21st, 2006 at 7:57 am
The couplet which Rafisaab recites in his inimitable style before singing, “Rukhse zara nakaab uthado, mere huzoor,” music by Shanker Jaikishan, is truly mind-blowing as sensed by Anmol, and goes like this: ” Apne rukh par nigaah karne do, khoobsoorat gunah karne do,rukh se parda hatao jaan-e-haya,aaj dil ko tabaah karne do”.Imagine the effect!
Another awesome couplet is from the film Ek Kali Muskayi(music Madan Mohan?) and also comes before the main song,”lo ek kali muskayi,’(Rafisaab in his charmingly seductive voice) and goes:Apne chehre se zara zulfen hatate jaiye,meri kismat ki andheron ko mitate jaiye,band kaliyan,in haseen hoton ki,ab khilne bhi do, muskarane ke hi din hai,muskarate jaiye, muskarate jaiye, muskurate jaiye-ye-ye—hoooooon,hoooooon,hoooooon–lo ek kali muskai!-This song is sung in a rare soft style by Rafi saab. On the other end we have the rough and tough Shammi Kapoor macho style in”Budtameez” where he recites,”Haseen ho, Khuda nahin ho,Tumhara sizdah nahin karenge,Magar mohabbat se hukam doge,To haste haste yeh jaan bhi denge,” before singing the song.There are umpteen examples of the Rafi adaygi and you can go on and on.Some of his songs are in the so-called “talking mould” sung softly and slowly-one example as given above by Anmol-”Aaj ki raat yeh kaisi raat,ki mujhko neend nahin aati” with Saira Banoo. Another is the start of the song,”Kahin bekhayak hokar, yoonhi choo liya kisine,” from Teen Deviyaan and also the songs from Ishq Par Zor Nahin music SD Burman.
Rafisaabs voice is magic and the best part is you never get bored listening to them over and over again. Best part is you always come to learn about other nuances of expression and feeling which you had not noticed earlier! Lajawaab Rafi!
June 20th, 2006 at 8:50 pm
Hey guys,
please listen this song too alongwith above songs :
“Jaane Chaman Shola Badan Pehloo mein Aajaon,
Aye Mere Dil Mere Humdum Bahoon Mein AAjaon”
I think a duet from Gumnaam, Madhoshi song.
Thanx everybody
Sagar
June 20th, 2006 at 8:44 pm
hey guys ,
please try to listen the following songs :
1) “Yaad mein teri jaag jaagke hum,
Raat Bhar Karvate badalte rahen”
2)
“Paanv Choo lene do phoolon ko Inayat hogi, Inayat Hogi;
Warana humko hi nahi, Inko Bhi Shikayat Hogi, Shikayat Hogi”
Really CLASSIC Ones of Rafi Sahaab
June 20th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
DEAR SHAMBHU MAHARAJ,
No probs take your time but if you have can you please share with me.
Regards
Sagar
June 20th, 2006 at 8:00 pm
Dear Narayanan Sir,
Hello !! CHILMAN means ” PARDA ” , for ex : the qawalli of RAFI SAAB from AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY … ” PARDA HAIN PARDA …….”
CHILMAN is nothing but ” PARDA “.
I am also thankful to all rafians here who have immense knowledge of RAFI SAAB and also of music world ( I AM TALKING ABOUT HUMANS , NOT ABOUT ” MONKEYS ” ) .
Again please continue the thread and god bless you all. ( god bless you all KK fans you poor soul needs blessing )
Regards
Sagar
June 20th, 2006 at 7:30 pm
DEAR MOHAN,
IT IS A FANTASTIC NEWS THAT THE WHO IS WHO OF THE CURRENT MUSIC WORLD HAS VOTED RAFI SAHAB AS THE BEST SINGER . THANKS FOR THE INFO.
FOR ORDINARY MORTAL FANS LIKE US IT IS THRILLING NEWS. OF COURSE WE NEVER NEEDED SUCH CONFIRMATION .
DEAR SHANKAR,
KINDLY NOTE THE POINTS
DEAR ANMOL,MOHAN,SHAMBHU,NAIR,SAGAR AND ALL RAFI FANS,
MANY THANKS FOR THE EXCELLENT FEEDBACK ON MY QUERIES.
PLEASE CONTINUE THE THREAD. I HAD ASKED THE MEANING OF CHILMAN. CAN U PL TELL ME?
WARM REGARDS
P.NARAYANAN
IAM NOW TRAVELLING IN PUNJAB AND HERE MANY OF MY CLIENTS HAVE TOLD ME THAT RAFI SAHAB WAS VOTED THE SINGER OF MILLINIUM BY THE PUNJAB GOVT. THE ARTICLE APPEARED IN HINDUSTAN TIMES AND MY CO-FANS RASHEED KHAN N ANSARI BHAI HAVE THE NEWS CUTTING WHICH IAM TRYING TO PROCURE.
June 20th, 2006 at 7:10 pm
Dear sagar,
I am not sure,but I will search for it when I go back home, know I am on duty which is far from my home.
June 20th, 2006 at 6:55 pm
Dear Shambu,
DO YOU HAVE THAT MOVIE JUGNU WITH YOU ?
June 20th, 2006 at 6:41 pm
Dear rafifans,
In jugnu Rafi is playing role of a (group friend) of dilip kumar
which are used to sing one song toghther(Vo apni yaad dilane ko ek ishq ki duniya chod gaye)