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.
July 11th, 2006 at 6:16 pm
Nice to see Rafi Sahab singing on stage. Thanks Mohan Flora!
July 11th, 2006 at 5:28 pm
Thanks mohanflora, a great job
July 10th, 2006 at 10:38 pm
Great job mohanflora. Thanks you so much for research into Rafi’s Sahib’s work. It is shamefull that the powers to be, under the conspiracy of the Lata and Asha have denied Rafi the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Can someone write and where to protest?
Asif
July 10th, 2006 at 11:54 am
Watch the mischievous Rafi- how he whistles when the damsel goes past!
Just click and watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLEBww7W82M&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
July 10th, 2006 at 11:46 am
Another live song from Rafisaab. Please see that it was Shanker-Jaikishen who were accompanying him on the stage. The debate going on is great but I just wanted to provide some RELAX! Carry on, brothers!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3uxSYskdiA&search=Mohammed%20rafi%20live
July 10th, 2006 at 11:35 am
For some of the unininitiated and those that have less time for browsing , please click on the following links for some rafi songs( i think there are two live ones) and some from junglee etc. OR else just go on to www.youtube.com and browse yourself for more Rafi videos both live and filmy.I may have made some mistakes in providing the links but please neglect them as them coming from a overzealous rafi fan!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oFt8O1rrs4&mode=related&search=mohammed%20rafi%
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ecAHzck2dE&mode=related&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcWvF0XuzqE&mode=related&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJwi5vRyfRk&mode=related&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V2dVCV-aC8&mode=related&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLEBww7W82M&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTYgscO-Lls&mode=related&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLX38Z9KC_w&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNKasCftpCk&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rhh-MlF5Ow&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
July 10th, 2006 at 10:39 am
Hi Sagar,
Just click on this link and see/hear for yourself!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjxn29dfln8&search=mohammed%20rafi
July 8th, 2006 at 7:31 pm
Sorry, I meant Anmol and all Rafians as well for the blog on Biography.
July 8th, 2006 at 6:24 pm
Dear Narayanan!
Regarding the biography on Mohammed Rafi, I had seen one in Malayalam - in the “Mahatcharita Mala” series (Garland of Narratives on Legends [rough translation]). It must be available in libraries.
July 8th, 2006 at 6:12 pm
Thank you Mohan Flora! There is a child-like charm in him. The graciousness, the innocence…..Can really somebody hate him? Not certainly…..no one on this planet….
July 8th, 2006 at 10:47 am
Dear Rafians
I am so happy to see and hear you all and the informaion you present here feels and also somewhere we feel that we are missing ” RAFI SAHAB ” every moment.
Wish we were born in the same era where RAFI SAHAB was to the fullest ,will the almighty god be again kind enough to give us an opportunity to listen to RAFI SAHAB and experience him one more time.
As per DADA SAHEB PHALKE AWARD is concerned its a MAN MADE AWARD and we all believe that RAFI SAHAB is GOD’S voice and no MAN is above GOD so lets forget why he didnt recieved that award.
My instinct tells me that not giving DADA SAHEB PHALKE AWARD to RAFI SAHAB is a conspiracy by lata mangeshkar and her followers because she is aware that if he gets the awards her fn followers might be aware who had real voice….so if she can give ” WARNING ” to Indian Government that if they construct the fly over in fromt of her residence she will move to some other country and will never return here , so did ASHA BHOSLE said thats the reason the FLY OVER work was pending for more than 4 years. These pissed sisters are very dangerous and I am also sure that at some stage they might have tried to do mental block of RAFI SAHAB also because he was far more superior to all of them.
I want to know what u guys think about this
July 8th, 2006 at 7:36 am
I have found it at last, guys!
SEE AND HEAR RAFISAAB LIVE! Just click on the following and scroll down!
http://www.musicnmovies.info/index.php/category/legends/
July 8th, 2006 at 7:08 am
Most of the awards in India, instituted either by the Government or by Private organisations, turn away from the path they were first formed for.
Padma Sri, Arjuna,Bharat Ratna, Filmfare etc. have all become jokes!!HA HA HA! Most of the deserving candidates are given a blind eye and those having connections,political or commercial, are awarded by the lobbyists etc. I personally, do not view any award in corrupt India as a shining example of excellence. The only award is the one given by the people or fans for service as an exemplary human being and the best ever songster to grace Planet Earth-MOHD. RAFISAAB!
The following is a list of the Phalke recepients.Find out for yourself who was deserving or not!
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is an annual award given by the Indian government for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered the father of Indian cinema.
The award for a particular year is given during the end of the following year along with the National Film Awards.
The list of winners are:
1969 - Devika Rani Roerich, actress
1970 - B.N. Sircar
1971 - Prithviraj Kapoor, actor (posthumous)
1972 - Pankaj Mullick
1973 - Sulochana (Ruby Myers)
1974 - B.N. Reddy
1975 - Dhiren Ganguly
1976 - Kanan Devi, actress
1977 - Nitin Bose
1978 - R.C. Boral
1979 - Sohrab Modi
1980 - P. Jairaj
1981 - Naushad Ali, composer
1982 - L.V. Prasad
1983 - Durga Khote, actress
1984 - Satyajit Ray, director
1985 - V. Shantaram, director, producer, actor
1986 - B. Nagi Reddy
1987 - Raj Kapoor, actor, director
1988 - Ashok Kumar, actor
1989 - Lata Mangeshkar, singer
1990 - A. Nageswara Rao, actor
1991 - Bhalji Pendharkar
1992 - Bhupen Hazarika, composer
1993 - Majrooh Sultanpuri, lyricist
1994 - Dilip Kumar, actor
1995 - Dr. Rajkumar, actor
1996 - Sivaji Ganesan, actor
1997 - Pradeep, lyricist
1998 - B.R. Chopra, director, producer
1999 - Hrishikesh Mukherjee, director
2000 - Asha Bhosle, singer
2001 - Yash Chopra, director, producer
2002 - Dev Anand, actor, director, producer
2003 - Mrinal Sen, director
2004 - Adoor Gopalakrishnan, director
July 8th, 2006 at 2:41 am
Dear Narayanan, Sagar, and Unknow
My knowledge is that it was Pankaj Mullick who was awarded with Phalke award (1972) not Sardar Malik, who is Anu Malik’s father.
July 8th, 2006 at 1:38 am
Dear Sagar sir and Nair Sir, If i am not wrong that Sardar Malik was not a great MD like Naushad Ali or SJ or Madan Mohan or LP and many more,
IF SARDAR MILIK won the DADASAHED Award and others like Naushad Ali or SJ or Madan Mohan or LP and many more they don’t ,I think in this case the greatest mohd Rafi should not have this Award.
There is Award called RD burman Award for new comer if I am not wrong in filmfar!!!!!!!!I think RD was Good MD but he was not the best as SJ or Madan Mohan or LP,what we can do with these people?!!!!!
July 7th, 2006 at 8:45 pm
Dear NARAYANA sir,
SARDAR MALIK got DADASAHEB PHALKE awards because he was the one responsible to giv BIRTH to ANU MALIK ( CHOR CHOR ) who is a one piece in entire MILKY WAY….
So in that recognization Govt.Of India gave DADASAHEB PHALKE award to him…………
July 7th, 2006 at 8:36 pm
Dear Rafians and All KK Fans………….
Thank you for all your posts…KK fans ( AMIT ) you are calling KK’s voice as GOD’s VOICE and LATA and ASHA had pain in their voice….Let’s see now who is next to whom……….I am not inspired by a website blog this is my own evaluation and I hope RAFIANS will agree and KK Fans will have to agree……..so read the following :
LATA MANGESHKAR : Madan Mohan gave her best songs for ex: woh bhuli dastaan…. song is fantastic as we know MADAN MOHAN IS melody KING…so he knew how to get the song done right ….whats LATA’s PAIN in it…….
KK : Mein Shayar Badnaam : again a monotonous song by KK and his mentor MD …pathetic voice its a SAD song not a DUMB song u will find the same similarity in voice and tone if you listen to KK voice in ANDHI….
ASHA : She has failed to bring and twist her voice in ” KAISE SAMJHAOO ” film SURAJ and bottomline is that ASHA is not a ” SINGER ” she is a ” DISCO SINGER ” .
RAFI : Only one word ” DA BEST ” ” BAAP OF ALL “.
I will tell you why we RAFIANS are so adament about calling other singers a nightmare,……the reason is that we are not looking at only one ASPECT which is ” SINGING ” and ” VOICE ” and ” SONGS which he/she got in their career…
But we RAFIANS are looking for HUMANITY , SIMPLICITY, HUMBLE NATURE , TRUE TO MUSIC , which is only in RAFI SAHAB…..
So AMIT if you are talking about TALENT then RAFI is amongst the TOP and other singers may be after him….but if you think about other qualities then only RAFI SAHAB is on TOP i.e. next to GOD.
OTHERS ARE NOT…..LATA,ASHA,KK etc.
So if you wanna talk about singing as a TALENT then this room is not for you but if you have anything for a proper HUMAN QUALITIES then bring up any singer , then we will see about it.
Regards
Sagar
July 7th, 2006 at 5:46 pm
So far there are eleven cases of posthumous awarding of Bharat Ratna. Longevity is a major factor here, especially for those legends of arts. I believe that Rafi Sahab’s chance cannot be fully ruled out yet. Am I correct?
July 7th, 2006 at 5:32 pm
>
I believe freedom fighters like Sardar Vallabhai Patel was given Bharat Ratan after 50 years of independance. The award was received by his son from the President of India.
The same should hold true for Rafi Saab as well.
July 7th, 2006 at 4:38 pm
Dear brethen of Rafians,
Yes it is true that Rafi Sahab did not get Bharat ratna but I personally feel that all these awards including Dada Sahab Phalke awards were politically motivated. You will be surprised to note that Sardar Mallik( Anu Malliks father) is also a Dada Saheb Phalke award winner.Sorry no offence to Mallik but how can few people who determine such decisions as a part of trust ingnore Rafi Sahabs CONTRIBUTION WHICH IS PHENOMENAL TO THE FILM INDUSTRY. Now they are saying that for departed legends we do not honour such awards.
HENCE THE BEST WAY IS THAT ALL MUSIC LOVERS N RAFIANS WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN THE MIDST OF RAFI SAHABS MELODY AS LONG AS THE SUN,MOON,STARS AND THE EARTH EXISTS.
I fully agree to Anmols suggestion that Biography of our beloved legend has to be published. I have the infromation from the Hamara forums n Mohan that such a biography exists in Hyd in the Sangeeth Sansar stores written by Saleem. When I go on tour to that place surely I will try to get the same.
Let us enjoy this song of our favourite legends:
Na ja tuhi ab na jaa dil ke siva from the film Hum Dhum mere dost……. where I like how Rafi sahab croons dil ke siva
Aap ke haseen rukh…..O.P.Nayyar sabs composition which is simply spell bounding.
Narayanan
July 7th, 2006 at 8:18 am
I am sorry for the long piece above. I should have just given you the web-site www.itwofs.com/hindi-rdb.html where you can hear both the original and inspired scores!
July 7th, 2006 at 8:13 am
You can make popular music by plagiarism or inspiration(if you call it so). Luckily Rafisaab’s best music came before the period of plagiarism. Some of RD Burman’s hit songs plagiarised/inspired as noted by ItwoFS:
R D Burman(Hindi)
1 Mehbooba Mehbooba [Film: Sholay (1975)]
Inspired from Demis Roussoss’s Say You Love Me.
Listen to Mehbooba | Say you love me
Demis’ original was released in 1974, while Sholay came out in 1975. See Link - Check out the 3rd album listed!
2 Tumse milke [Film: Parinda]
Inspired from Leo Sayer’s When I Need You.
Listen to Tumse Milke | When I need you
When I need you was recently popularized by Rod Stewart. R D Burman’s was a good Indianized version of the original!
3 Chura liya hai [Film: Yaadon ki baraat]
Rehashed from the theme of the movie ‘If its Tuesday this must be Belgium’
Listen to Chura liya | If its Tuesday
It was indeed part of the movie soundtrack of the same name. The version I’ve posted is by Bojoura. Well, there are sure traces of the original in the hindi version but this could be termed as a good inspiration - again, no way a blatant copy!
4 Jeevan ke har modh pe [Film: Jhoota kahinka]
Looks like it is inspired from a Azerbaijani number ‘Gulsenim’. Stumbled upon this track by chance while searching for some Azerbaijani tracks via Napster! The track song clip is here to listen, but it could be a possible reverse copying too - possibly the Azerbaijani number has been inspired by some other number, based on which RDB created the hindi song!
Listen to Jeevan ke har | Gulsenim
Sure looks inspired, either way!
5 Dekta hun koi ladki haseen [Film: Sanam teri kasam]
Inspired from a traditional Egyptian track, ‘Mustafa mustafa’, made popular by Bob Azzam’s French version.
Listen to Dekhta hun | Ya mustafa
Nadeem Shravan used the original to create a song in Aatish!
6 Milgaya hum ko sathi [Film: Hum Kissse sai kam nahin]
From ABBA’s Mama mia!
Inspired!
7 Kaisa tera pyar [Film: Love Story]
From ABBA’s ‘I have a dream’
Inpsired.
8 Jeevan ke din chotte sahi [Film: Bade Dilwala]
From the theme of Love Story, by Francis Lai!
Listen to Jeevan ke din | Francis Lai’s theme from Love Story
Inspired, but not copied!
9 Aao twist karein [Film: Bhoot bangla]
From the track ‘Come lets twist again’ by Chubby Checker!!
Inspired.
10 Tera mujhse hai pehle ka naata koi [Film: Aaa Gale Lag Ja]
From the track ‘The Yellow Rose of Texas’ by Elvis Presley!
Listen to Tera mujse | The Yellow rose
Yup copied!
11 Phir wohi raat hain [Film: Ghar]
The opening 3 lines same as the Carpenters’ song “Sing a song”
Listen to phir wohi | sing a song
Surely inspired, but no copy, this!
12 Kahin karti hogi [Film: Phir kab milogi]
Inspired by The Lonely Bull by Herb Albert and Tijuana Brass.
Listen to Kahin karti hogi | The Lonely Bull
Inspired.
13 Tum ho meri dil ki dhadka [Film: Manzil]
Inspired by Procol Harem’s ‘A whiter shade of pale’
Listen to Tum ho meri | A whiter shade of pale
The inspiration stems from the organ played at the beginning of Procol’s track which forms the base of the beginning of vocals in the Manzil number. In any case, it looks like Pancham has surely heard the original number, but as usual created an amazing song out of a marginal inspiration. Take a look at a page which collects versions of Procol’s this number - AWSoP, Manzil is listed there too!
14 Sapna mera toot gaya [Film: Khel khel mein]
Inspired by Ennio Morricone’s piece ‘The story of a soldier’ from the Sergio Leone cult western classic ‘The good, The Bad and The Ugly’.
Listen to Sapna mera | The story of a soldier
This is the piece which plays while Blondie (Clint Eastwood) and Tuco (Eli Wallach) are held up in the prisoner of war camp. As usual, the inspiration is limited to the opening 2-4 bars and the rest is Pancham’s own gem of an imagination.
15 O mehki mehki thandi hawa [Film: Bombay to Goa]
Inspired by the Beach Boys number ‘Help me Rhonda’
Listen to O mehki mehki | Help me Rhonda
Lifted!
16 Ek main aur ek tu [Film: Khel khel mein]
Inspired by the nursery rhyme ‘If you’re happy…’
Listen to Ek main aur ek tu | If you are happy
The version of the rhyme added here is sung by Elvis Presley!
17 Meri jaan [Film: Do chor]
Inspired by Cliff Richard’s ‘Fall in love’
Listen to Meri jaan | Fall in love
Very Pancham’ish sorta inspiration.
18 Tum mere zindagi mein [Film: Bombay to Goa]
Inspired by the Theme from Limelight composed by Charlie Chaplin for the 1951 movie of the same name!
Listen to Tum mere zindagi mein | Theme from Limelight
Amazing inspiration and very typical Pancham’s way of localizing! Also refer to the other two versions of the same original - by Salil Chowdhury (Salil’s Page - 4th listing) and Rajesh Roshan (RR Page - 21st listing)
19 Koi ladka koi ladki [Film: Seeta aur geeta]
Inspired by ‘Did you ever’ (1971) by Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra.
Listen to Koi ladka loi ladki | Did you ever
Inspired!
20 Jab andhera hota hai [Film: Raja Rani]
Inspired by ‘The age of aquarius’ by The Fifth Dimension.
Listen to Jab andhera hota hai | Age of Aquarius
Inspired.
21 Mera kaha manoge [Film: Gurudev]
Inspired from Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound machine’s ‘Oye mi canto’ (Released in 1989) (’Hear my voice’ in English).
Listen to Mera kaha maanoge | Oye mi canto
Ditto
22 Zindagi milke bitaayenge [Film: Satte pe satta]
[ItwoFS] comments:
Inspired by ‘The Longest day’ from the movie of the same name, by Paul Anka.
Listen to Zindagi milke | The longest day
Heavily inspired.
23 Main jhonka mast hawa ka [Film: Double Cross]
Inspired by Frank Sinatra’s ‘What now my love’ (1966).
Listen to Main jhonka mast hawa ka | What now my love
Heavily inspired. Double Cross was released in the year 1973.
24 Maine tumko chaha pehli baar [Film: Double Cross]
Inspired by Jose Feliciano’s ‘Listen to the falling rain’ (1972).
Listen to Maine tumko chaha | Listen to the falling rain
Inspired! Also listen to Anu Malik’s version of the same original - Anu Malik page - entry 15.
25 Kaahe apnon ko [Film: Raampur ka Laxman (1972)]
Mukhda inspired by the central motif in the second movement (’Romance’) Lieutenant Kijé (opus number 60) - a symphonic suite by Sergei Prokofiev.
Listen to Kaahe apnon ko | Lieutenant Kijé suite: Romance
The suite was composed in 1934. Raampur ka Laxman was released in 1972. Sting has also used the same original in his ‘Russians’!
Listen to Russians - Sting
Also, S D Burman’s 1969 Talaash has a song, ‘Aaj ki jhunali raat maa’ which has an interlude similar to ‘Kaahe apnon ko’ and in turn, to Prokofiev’s piece in question! Very interesting!
Listen to Aaj ki jhunali raat maa (Mohd. Rafi and Lata open this audio clip and the interlude in question plays at the end of their singing)
26 Teri hai zameen [Film: The Burning Train (1980)]
Inspired by the Christmas carol, ‘The first noel’!
Listen to Teri hai zameen | The first Noel
Inspired! John Denver’s rendition of The First Noel added here!
27 Mausam pyar ka [Film: Sitamgar (1983)]
Inspired by the Christmas carol, ‘The first noel’!
Listen to Mausam pyar ka | The first Noel
Inspired! John Denver’s rendition of The First Noel added here!
28 Aaja o mere raja [Film: Apna Desh (1972)]
Inspired by the song ‘Blue Light Yokohama’ by Japanese singer, Ayumi Ishida (also noted as Ishida Ayumi in some websites)!
Listen to Aaja o mere raja | Blue Light Yokohama
The original belongs to the 60s but I couldn’t not trace the exact year of release so far. There’s also a later cover version of this song by Tony Martin and more recently by another Japanese singer, Tomoko Tane. The song is credited to Jun Hashimoto and Kyohei Tsutsumi. It seems Ishida changed her singing style for this song, adopting one taught to her by Jun Hashimoto. The song seems to be quite popular as one site calls it, ‘a saccharine-sweet Japanese pop oldie’. Incidentally there’s also an optical mouse (as in, computer mouse!!) from a company by name Century Corporation, which is called ‘Bluelight Yokohamouse’ where the name is said to be inspired by this song! - Boy, this is one helluva trivia! Coming back to the inspiration, this time its a bit more blatant…as usual I’m adding the relevant portion only, not the entire song.
29 Maine dil diya [Film: Zameen Aasmaan (1982)]
Inspired by the song ‘Pulstar’ by Vangelis!
Listen to Maine dil diya | Pulstar
Pulstar was from Vangelis’ album by name ‘Albedo’ released in 1976.
30 Tumne yeh theek socha hai [Film: Imaan (1974)]
A small phrase inspired by the Beatles track, ‘Norwegian Wood’!
Listen to Tumne yeh theek socha | Norwegian Wood
Also check out Anu Malik’s inspiration of the same Beatles’ track - In Anu Malik page, entry no. 42. Norwegian wood was part of the 1965 album Rubber Soul.
31 O Maria [Film: Saagar (1985)]
The opening line of the song inspired by the song ‘Mamunia’ by Paul McCartney and the Wings!
Listen to O Maria | Mamunia
‘Mamunia’ by Paul McCartney and Wings was released in 1974 as a part of the album, ‘Band on the run’. Not to rob any credit from Pancham, just the opening line has been used by him and the rest of the song is completely his own. Trivia: Paul derived the song title ‘Mamunia’ from a house name-plate he saw in Marrakesh (Morocco’s capital) during a Wings holiday earlier in 1973 (Mamunia incidentally means a ‘ safe haven’ in Arabic).
32 Aa Dekhe Zara [Film: Rocky (1981)]
Partly inspired by the track, ‘Eve of the war’ by Jeff Wayne.
Listen to Aa Dekhe Zara | Eve of the war
What Pancham seems to have used is just snapshots of the original in the prelude of the Rocky number. The actual tune for the words ‘aa dekhe zara’ remains Pancham’s original.
More trivia on ‘Eve of the war’: Composer Jeff Wayne’s musical adaptation of the H G Wells sci-fi classic, ‘War of the worlds’ (originally published in 1898) saw its commercial release in 1978. Jeff Wayne composed, orchestrated, conducted and produced the album. The lyrics were written by Gary Osborne and Paul Vigrass while Richard Burton did the narrative part for the role of ‘The Journalist’. Jeff Wayne’s version of the story is considered much more true to the original than 23 year old Orson Welles’ 1938 Radio Broadcast version or the 1953 George Pal movie version. It tells the listener how the first cylinder lands on Earth in the uptempo ‘Eve of the War’, on which Justin Hayward (of Moody Blues) does the vocals (’The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one’ he said)
33 Aaya hoon mein tujko le jaaoonga [Film: Manoranjan (1974)]
Inspired by the track by Sergio Mendes, ‘After Sunrise’.
Listen to Aaya hoon mein tujko | After Sunrise
The Manoranjan song, in itself is a pretty unconventional number with a really strange tune pattern. The actual mukhda of the song goes, ‘Aaya hoon mein tujko…’. The antara is what R D Burman seems to have borrowed from Sergio Mendes. The interesting fact is that in the original there are no lyrics and all it has is a series of ‘la la la la’s’ interspersed with music. Its the tune of the la la la (which plays just for about 10 odd seconds, but repeatedly, all through the song) that RDB has used to create his antara. On second thoughts, I think the tune for the mukhda too (Aaya hoon…) is partly inspired by the Mendes number, because it has similar twists in tune like the antara, and RDB has also made it a bit faster. But this is definitely one of RDB’s most interesting influences!
Trivia Note on Sergio Mendes: Sergio Mendes’ Biography | The song ‘After Sunrise’ was part of Sergio Mendes’ 1972 album ‘Primal Roots’. The female vocals in the song include Mendes’ wife, Gracinha Leporace. The song is supposed to have been written by Mendes’ bassist, Sebastian Neto.
34 Kahin na jaa [Film: Bade Dilwala (1983)]
Inspired by the French singer Edith Piaf’s 1946 number, ‘La vie en rose’.
Listen to Kahin na jaa | La vie en rose
‘La vie en rose’ (roughly translates to ‘Looking at life through rose-coloured glasses’) was also featured in the 1954 Billy Wilder smash hit, Sabrina, starring Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn and William Holden - Audrey sings La vie briefly while in the car with Humphrey [Video of Audrey and Bogart in the car with Audrey singing…available at http://www.audrey1.com/sounds.html]. Pancham’s version is a rather direct but with his usual add-ons.
Trivia note on Edith Piaf [Detailed biography - Very interesting!!]: Born Edith Giovanna Gassion she was a street singer from the age of 15. Mother was a cafe singer and father was a well-known acrobat. Given the stage name ‘Piaf’ (Parisian slang for sparrow) when she began singing in nightclubs. Later appeared in theatre and films. The self-penned ‘La Vie en Rose’ became her theme song. Many of the songs she is associated with depict defiance and despair eg, ‘Je ne regrette rien’ (I regret nothing). Known for her husky and emotion-laden voice.
35 O Jab Tak Hai Jaan [Film: Sholay (1975)]
Inspired from the prelude of ‘Jomeh’, by Iranian singer Googoosh!
Listen to O jab tak hai jaan | Jomeh
Googoosh’s track Jomeh was released in 1972. This reminds me of Pancham’s use of the prelude to Procol Harem’s ‘Whiter shade of pale’ to create the Manzil track, ‘Tum ho meri dil ki dhadkan’. The rest of ‘Jomeh’ is very different, like Procol’s track. In fact the prelude in Jomeh sounds completely out of place to the rest of the song, moreso since we’re used to the Sholay tune and just cannot imagine it to be opening a Persian song!
Trivia Notes: Googoosh is one of the most popular singers from Iran. Googoosh was born Faegheh Atashin in 1951, in Tehran, to Azerbaijani immigrant parents. When she was two, they separated. Because of her father’s profession - he was an acrobat and an entertainer - she grew accustomed to the stage early on, and was part of his act until she was three. She began doing impersonations of some of the singers of the time. When her father discovered this talent, he put her on stage. She has been on stage as a paid professional since she was three. During the 1970’s Googoosh began a meteoric rise to fame and success as she drove the edge of Iranian pop music further and further. Known for her flamboyant outfits, and fashion sense, Googoosh wowed her pop culture hungry fans in Iran and abroad with her trademark hairdos and hip-elegant style. Iranian women changed hairdos with Googoosh and she was always one step ahead of them with a new look. She has even acted in Persian movies. After the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979, Googoosh had been forbidden from performing and her material had been banned. Googoosh is back now with new concerts and albums.
TIME Magazine’s 2001 interview with Googoosh about her comeback tour! - Read here!
36 Aaj tu gair sahi [Film: Oonche Log (1985)]
Originally composed by Kemal Ahamad, for the 1983 Pakistani movie ‘Dehleez’ and sung by Mehdi Hassan.
Listen to Aaj tu gair sahi (Oonche Log) | Aaj tu ghair sahi (Dehleez)
Oonche Log is a freemake (remake without appropriate credit?) of Dehleez and its no wonder both the film and this track conveniently forgot to credit the originals!
37 Aap sa koi haseen [Film: Chandi Sona (1977)]
Gharibeh Ashena, composed by Shamaiezadeh and sung by Googoosh in the early 70s.
Listen to Aap Sa Koi Haseen | Gharibeh Ashena
This page also lists the Indian version and even gives out a audio clip to compare! No mention of the Hindi film or the composer. Now we know! Yes, its inspired but, as usual, in the inimitable R D Burman style which involves tweaking the tune beyond the initial 4 lines. Was Pancham a fan of Googoosh? Two inspirations!
38 Kabhi bekasi ne [Film: Alag Alag (1985)]
Blatant, direct lift from the Pakistani track ‘Kabhi khwaishon ne’ from the 1982 film, Mehrbani, sung by Akhlaq Ahmad and composed by M Ashraf.
Listen to Kabhi bekasi ne | Kabhi khwaishon ne
Smacks of a ‘Prodoocer-ne-kaha’ type of lift considering the extent of lift in terms of tune and lyrics. Even the lyrics seem to have been lifted - just interchanged the bekasi’s, bebasi’s, maara’s and loota’s!
39 Raju chal raju [Film: Azaad (1978)]
Inspired by the song, ‘It was a very good year’, composed by Ervin Drake in 1961 and subsequently made popular by Frank Sinatra as a single in 1965.
Listen to Raju chal raju | It was a very good year
Pancham has tweaked with the song’s pace and also added a few twists, in his own inimitable style, that you really do not catch the inspiration early on
Trivia on ‘It was a very good year’: Frank Sinatra’s version of this track won him the Grammy for Best Vocal Performance in 1966!
40 Karo baaten [Film: Bhanwar (1976)]
Inspired by Donovan’s 1968 track, ‘Jennifer Juniper’.
Listen to Karo baaten | Jennifer Juniper
Need not necessarily be classified as a lift, but could merely point to what Pancham might have heard and worked on when he started creating Bhanwar’s track.
Trivia: “Jennifer Juniper” is supposedly inspired by Jenny Boyd, sister of George Harrison’s wife Pattie Boyd!
July 6th, 2006 at 1:56 pm
Dear Amit,
If u speak about great singers there not five only as u said there are more than that.
some of us like Mohd Rafi and some of us like KK but it not mean that he or she is bad singer which we don’t like.
Dear Amit what wrong If we said samething bad about a singer that is right not wrong like KK converted to Islam and was renamed Karim Abdul to marry.Is it was it greatness?!!we r music lover and we love good music for me no problem who singed but also I should be honest when we compare between two singers.
July 6th, 2006 at 1:36 pm
Dear Rafi Fans,
Some time back I was going through the Biographies section at crosswords. One thing which stricked to my mind unlike Amitabh Bachchann there should be a biography of Rafi Saab also, which could cover
- his early years of childhood
- this teachers and Gurus in his teenage time
- coming to Bombay
- working under Naushad
- recogination with other MDs one by one after the success of Baiji Bawara
- his peak period with Shammi Kapoor and other stars.
- his assignments during the KK era
- his comback
- foreign tours
- relationship with other singers and song writers
- Music after his death
July 6th, 2006 at 2:32 am
Hi Guys,
Why all are you denigrating other singers like Kishore, Mukesh , Lata in praising Rafi?
You all should remember Rafi, Kishore, Mukesh are the greatest male singers to have been born in this world.Similarly Lata and Asha are the greatest among female singers.
Their voices are embedded in divinity.Each of them mentioned above is having different flavours of divinity entrenched in their voices.
Can anyone forget the song “Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hai” of Rafi.
Can anyone forget the song ” Main shaayar badnaam” of Kishore
Can anyone forget the song ” Main to ek khwaab hoon” of Mukesh
Can anyone forget the song ” Piya tose naina laage re” of Lata
Can anyone forget the song ” In aankhon ki masti ke” of Asha
These are mere examples to prove my point.If you have really musical ears you can feel the divine pains of these singers who simply sang from their hearts.
I too believe if one has to choose only one among the above singers, Rafi will be the one but this does not mean we should try to compare Rafi with others and denigrate them.
In simple words..The voices of Rafi, Kishore,Mukesh,Lata, Asha are the voices of God with different flavours.I think if one can feel the voices of these singers one can get spiritually developed in this birth and one’s soul can get liberated in fewer number of rebirths!!!!
Please feel this singers from heart!!!!!!!
Amit