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 24th, 2006 at 9:17 pm
Mr. Avi, you are insensitive and very fanatic fan of KK. You will never be able to understand the depth of music which Rafi Saheb has provided to Indian film industry. You are always giving examples of Rajesh Khanna & Amitabh Bachan, you don’t have any other artist in your list. Why, because you don’t have better understanding of music and you have got immune to listening absurd songs like Khaike Pan Banaras Wala; in this songs one line goes like this Khul Jaye Band Akal Ka Tala but your akal ka tala has not yet open. You are always critising Md. Rafi and his fans. I think you have come here with the intension of insulting Rafi Saheb and his fans.
You have given several examples of K.K. songs which you believe that these songs makes K.K. better than Rafi Saheb. Tell me one thing if K.K. is brilliant singer, which we Rafi fans believe that he really his but not better than Rafi, than why doesn’t he has sung devotional songs like Rafi Saheb and patriotic songs which Rafi Saheb voice have made immortal because KK doesn’t have that ability to mould his voice according to the demand and situation of songs which Rafi Saheb had.
It is better that you keep mum or else it will only expose the dark side your intellectual and nothing else.
Rgds
Suhail
July 24th, 2006 at 8:42 pm
dear prashant,
thnks for ur comments u sound like a kk fan n not FANATIC.i hope avi wud take a leaf from ur comments. we never said tht we dont like kk infact he has sung many beautiful numbers like -’chingari koi bhadke’,'main shair badnaam’,'tum aa gaye ho nur aa gaya hain,’aanewaala pal’ n many more.kk was alegend no doubt n we rafians wud never ever wanna pass derogatory remarks against him.i hope avi u wud write somethng sensible next time!!!! i hope u listening to ‘khatun ki kidmat’ everyday!!!!
July 24th, 2006 at 2:50 pm
Possibly the world would laugh at the following comment.
“I don’t know why you people talk abt Rajesh khanna and Amitabh.
Tell me sir, Rajesh Khanna was nowhere after 76 but Kishore was on top till he last breath.”
Rajesh Khanna was not no 1. after 1973 with the rise of Amitabh, but was certainly there till mid eighties. He had a few hits in early 80s
‘Kudrat’, ‘Souten’, Avtaar’, ‘Agar Tum Na Hote’. All had KK songs picturized on Rajesh K.
“Dekha na Hai Re socha na” did not establish Amitabh as an actor. It was Zanjir which made him the superstar ad brought end the Rajesh k era but not to Rajesh K as an actor.
Amitabh is not known as a musical hero, but as ‘Angry Young Man’. He is not KK dependent.
I agree with Prashant’s comments on films produced in 70s and 80s.
July 24th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
Hello Avi,
I am a KK fan. I stay in US, originally from Kakinada, AP. I have seen your comments in the entire blog, they are just rediculous. Probabily you are a KK fanatic and not at all music lover. I have seen many Rafi fans giving excellent tribute to KK, of course we cannot expect each and every Rafi fan to do so.
KK was a vertaile but not a complete singer like Rafi. Rafi is far ahead of KK. Listing to Rafi I feel why KK could not sing classical, patriotic and devotional numbers like many singers. Probabily he was not a trained singer unlike Rafi and Manna Day. The result of which he was never a complete singer.
Once I was watching a film ‘Kanyia’, a Rajesh Khanna & Sharmila Tagore starter film in which Rajesh Khanna is Lord Krishna devotee. I felt very astonised when all the songs were rendered by Mahendra Kapoor. Possibly KK was never very comfortable with devotional songs.
Then there was film called ‘Akramann’ starting Rajesh Khanna in special appearance. KK sings one patriotic song at low scale which doesn’t look upto the mark. This is where Rafi and Mahendra Kapoor were far ahead.
1950s & 60s films were musical hits i.e. what ever be the story line be the songs were mainly responsible for the film’s success. This was not the case with 70s & 80s. Films were more dependent individual performences and dialogs.
I like KK’s sensitive numbers. But if songs like ‘Khaite Pan Banaraas’ & ‘Pag Ghungroo Bandh Meera’ are awarded, then it is indeed an insult to music and KK’s singing potential as well. This is because of Amitabh’s popularity on screen in the 70s and 80s. Possibly the reason KK’s announced his retirement in the mis 80s, due sub standard music compositions.
When ever I listen Rafi singing ‘Madhuban Mein Radhika’ or Manna Dey singing ‘Laaga Chunari Mein Daag’ or Mahendra Kapoor sing ‘Mere Desh Dharti’, I wondered why such songs never came out of KK’s voice. It many occasions makes me very sad.
I hope you write sensibily about KK and other singers instead of providing stupit and disgusting remarks.
July 24th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
Dear Unknown,
I never said Mukesh is better than Rafi. I have just drafted few things which was telecast in NDTV on 2 days back.
Mr Rajiv who wrote book on Mukesh gave 2 songs as example to compare both legend and he said Mukesh supersede Rafi. Once gain i never said Mukesh is better than Rafi.
July 24th, 2006 at 4:15 am
The new strategy of Kishoreans of comparing Mr. Mohammed Rafi with other singers, at least, means something, as those singers are worth comparison with a Legend like Rafi, although Kishore was never one. So far Kishoreans were raising arguments of such character as if comparisons are being made between two actors. Yes, their arguments will have some value when it is made in a forum where talents of Charlie Chaplin or the likes are discussed. An enthusiast of music has nothing to get from the blogs of Kishoreans; yodeling, comedy…..oh no…..very boring! Now, someone (unknow(n)) just said it; “ignore” – sounds good. At least readers will be saved from being mislead; at many points I was made to think that “Khaike Pan Banares Waala” is a song (which in fact is a rhythmic speech) – how innocent I am.
One doubt; by the way who is this Pt. Ustad Rajesh Khanna to pass judgments on music?
July 24th, 2006 at 3:25 am
Dear Avi,
you said that Mukesh ,Kk and Anwer all these singer are better than Mohd Rafi?!!!!You don’t think that Mohd Aziz and Kumar Sanu are better than Mohd Rafi !!!???
To all music lover
why we should speak 2 some one who don’t know anything about the magic of Mohd rafi for him all singer are better than Mohd Rafi!!!!once he said Rajesh khanna said that Anwer singed the songs if Mohd Rafi was he can’t sing it as singed by Anwer!!!now he said that Mukesh is better than Mohd Rafi.I think we have to stop with him because first he said that kk is better now Mukesh and what will be next!!!?
really i don’t undrestant him when u speak him as singer he speak with us as actor.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????
July 24th, 2006 at 2:43 am
Dear avi,
Just read what Manna Dey has to say about Rafisaab in his interview to Ananda Bazar Patrika, May 13 2006. It has appeared today on this site titled NAUSHAD THE PERFECTIONIST!
July 24th, 2006 at 12:42 am
in the last blog i meant even rishi k considers the song ‘dard e dil’ as the best song of the movie.
July 24th, 2006 at 12:36 am
dear avi,
now u taking it too far by saying tht mukesh was much better than rafi.i like al the three singers . they were legends in their own riight.i will tell at an incident wch will tell u who was better.in a recent interview of rishi kapoor he was asked wch was his fav song in the movie ‘karz’ he said whn the movie was released he liked the songs”om shanti om’ n ‘ek hasina thi’ but now whn he considers the song ‘dard e dil’ as the best song of the movie.
mukesh was a vry good singer but bcoz of his inability to increase his range
he cud never sing like rafi or kishore.mukesh himself admitted tht rafi was a better singer than him.mukesh’s advantage was a voice similar to RK.but those who say mukesh n kishore were better than rafi shud go n take a bath.
July 24th, 2006 at 12:13 am
Dear mohanflora,
Agreed KK would have been better regarded as a singer if LP and not RDB was his godfather. However, KK could not have sung the full range of LP’s tunes and would have still been found wanting. I don’t know how many times KK tried to rehearse the “Nafrat ki Duniya” song in Haathi Mere Saathi(if it is true!) before LP had to finally bring in Rafi to sing the great song(which has become the signature tune for the SPCA!), but for more confirmation on KK’s range listen to another song with music also by LP. It is “Jaaneman, Jaaneman, janeman kisika naam nahin” from the Devanand starrer Jaaneman and it shows how hard KK finds to climb over the higher notes(usne poore butt tak zor lagaa diya tha!) On the other hand, hear a song on similar lines” Aaj mausam bara beimaan hai” sung by Rafi all along in high tone and he makes it look/feel so easy.
No doubt KK was a popular singer and had his time.His songs with RDB were popular for sometime only and the listener would wait for the next tune from the RDB assembly line. However after a period of time the listener got over the RDB/KK rage and wanted something more lasting. Who else but Rafi only could fulfill the the craving of the listeners and thats what he finally did! No wonder it is with reason that a great musician remarked,” For momentary pleasure listen to Kishore but for perennial pleasure you have to go to Rafi!”
Sungma
July 23rd, 2006 at 8:17 pm
The period 1972-1976 has proved to be a goldmine for Rafi fans. Many of the songs by Rafi in non-Rajesh Khanna films were given less air play or relegated due to the euphora of the Rajesh Khanna-KK wave. The wave is long gone but Rafi fans are being treated to songs which were ” not heard”in the early seventies but are considered classics now by all music buffs. A friend who is a KK fan( he does not blog on this site and is certainly not adamant or biased) told me in private that he feels KK would have been more highly regarded if he had LP and not RDB as his mentor. He admitted that Rafis songs for RDB had more staying power than most of KK’s songs for RDB. When I told him that he was trying to fool me(as he knew that I was more inclined to Rafi), he told me that he had listened to two of Rafi’s songs in two very weak RDB scores and accepted that if it wasn’t for Rafi’s touch the bad scores wouldn’t have reached us. The songs are”Champa Khile Dar Palak…” film Faisla(1988) and “Samjha Main Kismat Khul Gayi” film Daulat KE Dushman(1981). My friend is great-he is a KK fan not a fanatic!
July 23rd, 2006 at 7:27 pm
Hi friends,
Kati Patang had a couple of good songs by KK with modern-at that time-music provided by RDB, Initially,”yeh jo mohabbat hai” and “Yeh Sham Mastani” proved popular but it was a Mukesh number in the same film that took the cake and became the biggest hit. It proved to be more durable, whereas the two KK numbers faded away. The song by Mukesh was”Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday Tod De——-Mera Dar Khula Hai, Khula Hi Rahega Tumhare Liye!”
July 23rd, 2006 at 6:58 pm
I hope you saw Amit when he singed Mohd Rafi song and people said him sing it again and Amit Kummar said I will sing it other time but he didn’t,
I saw at Aaj Tak but there was nothing about Mohd Rafi,I hope Aaj Tak they will show program on Mohd rafi on 31/7 next week.
If we speak about Mukesh I think mukesh was better than kk in sad songs.
July 23rd, 2006 at 6:22 pm
Dear Ali,
I spoke abt Mukesh and anchor was Rajiv who wrote book on Mukesh. It was telecast yesterday on NDTV, AAj-Tak.
I am not talking abt programmed anchored by Amit Kumar. It was old story.
July 23rd, 2006 at 4:26 pm
dear Avi,
I hope u saw a program on ZEE TV called Yoodly by Amit Kummar and his brother(sons of KK).
July 23rd, 2006 at 1:05 pm
Sorry dear Avi I don’t mean anything wrong sorry for that,as u said that people know truth,
You didn’t answer what I asked???!!!!!
July 23rd, 2006 at 4:43 am
Wah Tim, I like your analogy on Rajeev’s book, Mukesh, and KK. Rafi is indeed the Socrates of music world.
July 23rd, 2006 at 4:30 am
On the other side, World is going to a get a genuine work on the only Legend; the King of Music – Mohammed Rafi
July 23rd, 2006 at 4:28 am
Tom wrote a book on HARRY and said HARRY is the best and added that DIC(KK) is exceptional. However, why should they like Socrates?
July 23rd, 2006 at 2:15 am
Some more clips taken from The Tribune, Chandigarh.
Believe it or not.
RARE FOOTAGES ON RAFI RELEASED
KOZHIKODE: A comprehensive documentary on Mohammed Rafi, the legendary singer, has been released with Director-Producer of yesteryears in Malayalam N P Abu parting with his decades-old precious personal possession of rare footage and interview of Rafi. ‘Rafi ki yaaden’ (memory of Rafi), shot in 1975, much before the demise of the great singer, has been finally released on a CD and Abu has tied up with a private channel for its telecast on television. — UNI
Twists of Naushad
Naushad had a special love for introducing aalaps in his compositions and if the singer was Mohammad Rafi then the desired effect had always been doubly achieved. Remember “Ho ji ho, tu Ganga ki mauj main Jamuna ki dhara in Baiju Bawra,” and “Chalo dildar chalo chand kay paar chalo in Pakeezah; as also, Mujhay duniya walo sharabi na samjho in Leader.
His sudden twists and counter melody as in Mughal-e-Azam’s only number in male voice — Taj hukumat jiska mazhab phir uska imaan kahan — did make a lovelorn person feel the pinch of knotty entrails deep within.
The lovemaking scene was enriched with Bade Ghulam Ali Khan’s rendering of Prem jogan in Mughal-e-Azam when Dilip Kumar and Madhubala lay on a marble platform amidst falling petals.
Matter of Faith
The offerings at the famous “samadh” (tomb) of Baba Rode are in form of liquor. The Baba himself belonged to a Jat Sikh family and was a teetotaller.
As a ritual, devotees bring bottles, pouches and buckets containing a heady cocktail of drinks. People having faith in Baba Rode are seen offering prayers for jobs, happiness and success in life. As the folklore goes, Baba Rode underwent austere penance and was blessed with mystical powers. Today, the shrine is known for its “miraculous cures”, even as the Taraksheel Society members (rationalists) have openly challenged this.
Devotees offer liquor at the “samadh”. The offerings measure up to thousands of litres, particularly during the three-day fair. The liquor flows into an iron pipe and devotees line up, holding steel glasses in their hands.
A devotee claims that the famous singer Mohammed Rafi, who lived in the nearby Kotla Sultan Singh village, was one of the disciples of Baba Rode.
Classics in Colour
In 1951,the Censor Board cleared the black and white print of Aan for exhibition. However, Aan was released in colour in 1952. Its popular numbers i.e. Mohabbat chume jin ke haath and Takkra gaya tum se dil hi to hai were sung by Hemant Kumar and Dil mein chhupa ke pyar ka toofan ley chaley was sung by Habib Wali Mohammed. These three songs were later re-recorded in the voice of Mohammed Rafi.
M. L. Dhawan, Chandigarh
STUMPED ON SCREEN
It seems that cinemagoers enjoy cricket in small doses, when it comes as a surprise element. Dev Anand-Mala Sinha starrer Love Marriage had a delightful number penned by Hasrat Jaipuri and sung by Mohammed Rafi. It went like this: “She ne khela he se aaj cricket match/Ek nazar mein dil bechara ho gaya lbw”.
July 23rd, 2006 at 1:33 am
Hi friends,
This is what I got from www.manicfish.com :
A BOOK ON MOHAMMAD RAFI
By mohammadrafi, 2005-12-17 10:04:23 in Music
A book on Mohammamd Rafi/Biography of Mohammad Rafi has been published.
Presently this book (Title - MERI AWAZ SUNO)is in Hindi (Indian Language), But soon it will be published in English and other languages
There are 150 pages and price of this book is Rs 100.(Hundred Rupees)
Those who are interest to buy or read this book may
contact Vinod Viplav
vivijournalist@yahoo.com
ph- 09871320399
09869674140
screennews@gmail.com A book on Mohammamd Rafi/Biography of Mohammad Rafi has been published.
July 23rd, 2006 at 12:53 am
Dear Unknown,
Kishore is not like my father. Please mind ur writing. DOn’t go on father. Its humble advice to you otherwise i can write most of the humble word in favor of ur family. Don’t get personal. Its advice to you.
I am great fan of Kishore, and i want to let you people know the truth that there is world beyond Rafi. I am sure you people know the truth but you did not accept it.
Today there was one program on MUKESH telecast on all channels. One guy “Rajiv” who wrote book on Mukesh, He said Mukesh is far better than Rafi and he gave 2 example and i am agree to it and he said KISHORE was exceptional.
One example he gave
1. Ramya vasta vaia.. where Mukesh sang last few lines and he steal the show
2. There was another song where Lata, Rafi and Mukesh sang under Sonic-OMi composition, once gain he sang better than both.
I am agree to it.
Boss it is not my word. It published in all news channel.
July 22nd, 2006 at 12:02 am
dear Avi u didn’t answer my Q,when i asked u that as a honest Indain,If there is award for best male singer in the world and they need one singer for each country,How will should be from Bharat Mohd Rafi or KK?please answer honestly.also u didn’t answer abou Bhagat singh,
dear Avi sorry to say KK like u r father and don’t want beleave the real.IF some one father bad but he never say to his father bad u r like that.
Dear Avi if we Mohd Rafi fans we don’t know but what about people who know about music and they know both Mohd Rafi and KK?
July 21st, 2006 at 11:40 pm
Dear Anmol,
I am not frustated. If i am frustated then i would have never visited this site.
I don’t know why you people talk abt Rajesh khanna and Amitabh.
Tell me sir, Rajesh Khanna was nowhere after 76 but Kishore was on top till he last breath. Now you people will say, amitabh was there. It means Kishore was not because of Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh. He exist because of himself.
Again and again, I am saying ur analysis is wrong. Nodoubt abt it.
Kishore gave first hit to Amitabh when Amitabh was not known as
Superstar in “Bombay to Goa”.
“Jag Chhoda hai Tere pyar me e sanam”
“Dekha na Hai Re socha na, hai re rakh di nishane pe jaan”
Please do more analysis and be more practical.
I am not shifting focus but i wanted to make you peole feel that it was just coincidence that Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh were on top in KISHORE list.
But he gave majot hits for other actors like “Rishi Kapoor”.