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.
May 19th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
Well said, Ali!! Kishore is alright in his own right, but is next to nothing as a singer when compared to an unbelievably gifted singer like Rafi!! The Rafi fans don’t even care about comparing Rafi to anyone else because they know for a fact that Rafi is so much greater than the rest. On the other hand, the KK fans are always trying to compare him to Rafi because they have a complex. They know that even though KK was a successful singer, he is nowhere close to Rafi when it comes to versatility, range, quality of voice, expressionism, and sheer “class”!!!
May 19th, 2006 at 12:37 pm
Dear kundu
As u said that SPB and Yesudas are better than KK now and many other singer are better than K K but not because of vote ,dear Kundu u have 2 agree that no way 2 compare Mohd Rafi 2 any singer around the world,As Ravi(MD) said that there are no song which singed by KK and Mohd Rafi can’t sing it but there are many songs which KK can’t sing it but Mohd Rafi singed,also LP ,Madan Mohan,S jai K and O P Nayer they all said that Ravi said that Mohd Rafi can sing any song by best way no singer can do as Mohd Rafi.
Dear Kundu jest be honest with yourself and say If “Kya hua tera waada”was singed by KK,Do u think that it was look same as Mohd Rafi singed it or better?I saw a programm at Zee Tv a look time go,Maybe u remmber it the programm was Amit kummar and his brother sons KK and Amit kummar tried to singed a song of Mohd Rafi and Lata , Amit kummar singed it but so bad way I don’t know about the music but the singing way was so bad also the people at stage said singing it again and amit kummar said that he will sing it othere time but he never.
Dear kk fans please be honest when we comare Mohd Rafi with any singer,As I think and many other there no male singer can be compare with Mohd Rafi,there is only one name in Bollywood we can jest compare her with Mohd Rafi and she is Lata,Jest compare not better than Mohd Rafi.
A man sing for all people and a man sing for money dear KK fans u have to answer it who sings for all and how sing 4 money.
May 19th, 2006 at 6:45 am
Asif Majeed wrote:
“Because Kishore would have failed miserably trying to go from the high to the low notes’
I guess you havent heard to ->
“Koi humdum Naa raha” from Jhumroo
“Dil aaj shair hain” from Gambler
Hear to them and come back to me.
I agree there are many songs that only Rafi could have sung. But please not “Kya hua Tera waada”!!. Anyone could have sung that song.
May 19th, 2006 at 6:39 am
LG Usha says:
“About 4 years we had done survey on film music amongst music lovers and lo Rafi sahab n Lata di were voted 75% followed by S.P.Balasubramaniam and Yesudas.”
So SPB and Yesudas are better than KK now. Please!!!
SPB is a great singer no doubt but I think its better he sings in Telegu and other south indian languages.
May 19th, 2006 at 1:13 am
Sorry K K fans,
K K was a great singer only for Indains as I thinks.IF u ask 2 any Pakistani how is the man from India all Pakistani like him?I think they will say Mohd rafi.
I think the best male singer is clear like the Sun and that is Mohd rafi as many who know about music said.
I don’t understant that why people compare Mohd rafi with K k because as I think(sorry kk fans)KK only be 10% of Mohd Rafi maybe less but not more.
really sorry K K fans.
please try 2 compare K K with other singer not with the King of Bollywood Mohd Rafi.
Please be honest ony 1% when u compare Mohd Rafi with K K,as I think if u will be honest 1% to compare mohd rafi and KK then u will say Mohd rafi
May 16th, 2006 at 1:42 pm
Hi Ashutosh n J.Kundu,
This is to inform u that as true Rafi Sahabs fan I would like to gift both of u with 2 classic masterpieces of evergreen songs sung by THE GREATEST MELODY KING OF OUR TIMES RAFI SAHAB. The songs are taken from 1950s 1960s with some great compositions by Naushad sab, Burman da, Shankar-Jaikishenji, Lakshmikant Pyarelalji,O.P.Nayyar sab etc. Kindly listen to them in silence and if both of u are not won by this mangnificent voice and then GOD save our few listeners like u.
In fact I used to scold some of our friends who told that in Ashique Kumar Shanu was better than Kishore da and Abhijeet singing better than Kishore in Yes Boss. Pl note that imitators cannot bebetter than original. This is the reason poor Mahendra kapporji or Suman Kalyanpur could not come into lime light like Rafi sahab or Lata di.
About 4 years we had done survey on film music amongst music lovers and lo Rafi sahab n Lata di were voted 75% followed by S.P.Balasubramaniam and Yesudas.
Ashutosh n J.Kundu pl email to me at ushanani1@hotmail.com with full address n tel numbers to get free casettes.
Usha Coimbatore
May 16th, 2006 at 5:46 am
As I said before, KK can never come close to matching Rafi’s talents. Rafi can sing with ease any of Kishore’s songs, but can you imagine Kishore trying to sing ” Oh duniya ke Rakhwale”, Madhuban me Radika, Or “Mere Mehboob tujhe” Even RD who clearly was biased towards KK had to chose Rafi for the sing Kya Huwa Tera Wada”. Anyone cares to guess why? Because Kishore would have failed miserably trying to go from the high to the low notes. KK prospered in an era of loud music, where beat and tempo meant so much more than the talents of the singer. Be real KK fans, MOHD Rafi is the KING, and this is confirmed by one of our greats Manna Dey.
May 15th, 2006 at 11:56 pm
Hi C. Rajendran,
It’s not even a debate as to who is the greatest — anybody who understands music, has a good taste, and is unbiased —- knows that it is Rafi and only Rafi because his body of work just towers over everyone’s else. I am just proud that India gave birth to such a rare talent!!!
And yes, I do have very high respect for Shri Yesudas and Dr. Bala Murali Krishna!!
Ravi
May 15th, 2006 at 5:37 pm
Though the debate is who is the greatest - Rafi or Kishore,
a mention must be made of two other geniuses Shri Yesudas and Dr. Bala Murali Krishna from South of India, the contribution from these veterans to the Music is very great.
Any comments please?.
May 14th, 2006 at 9:27 pm
dear jaydeep,
are u sure that u knows about music,sorry but how u said (naushad compose the hardest song in the world, make the greatest singer sing it, and if it does not get popular), the most popular song in all bollywood is O DUNIYA KE RAKWALE,SUHANI RAAT DACHUKI,MADUBAN MERA DEKHA NACHE RE,and many more in AAN,DEEDAR,MOTHER INDIA, KOHINOOR,GANGA JUMNA,RAM aur SHAM,BAIJU BAWRA,PALKI,MERE HUZOORetc.I dont think RDB/KK have abetter list than this.naushad never asked Kishore Kumar to sing for him because he always want the perfect work.RDB/Rafi make great work toghther.Itell u that after death of Rafi RDB also loose him .I belive he needed Rafi in sharabi to sing MANZILAN APNI JAGA HAIN because KK didt make fair on this song and got awarded.
May 14th, 2006 at 7:04 pm
Manoj:
What we are having here is a debate. If you look at the topic of this discussion, it says “Rafi-Kishore saga”. So I dont think I can find a better place to put forth my comments. So I am not going anywhere
But I guess I have said what I wanted to say.
Later folks.
May 14th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
Rafi and Kishore both are greatest singers. Let us respect the
contribution of these two singers to the world of music. No doubt both are gifted and are not replaceable.
May 13th, 2006 at 12:22 pm
The teenagers today are crazy after Himesh Reshammiya, Udit Narayan and Sonu Nigam, These three have this to say:
Himesh Reshammiya: I take inspiration from LP’s music and am trying to tread in their path.
Udit Narayan:Rafi is my idol and I am proud to belong to the Rafi school of singing.
Sonu Nigam:Rafi is God! - as told to Kathmandu Express.
What do you infer from the above? That Rafi rules in the heart and mind of people teenagers today are crazy after? Please draw your own conclusions.
May 13th, 2006 at 4:28 am
Jaydeep…nobody is getting personal here except you. The point is that if you want to show your love for KK & Hemant Da, you should share that in a forum that talks about those singers and I am sure you will get like-minded people, (mostly people who have li’l understanding and experience in the field of music) to agree with you and appreciate your comments.
Anyways, if you gauge somebody’s worth by looking at the teenage population, you would conclude that ShahRukh Khan is greater than Amitabh & Dilip Kumar because in most polls, SRK comes up the winner amongst the teens. It just goes to show how incorrect and incongruous your reasonings are. Anyways, you should know that the greatness of Rafi lies in the fact that not only is he hailed the greatest by most of the masters in the field of Bollywood music, but that he is immensly popular amongst the people all over the world. Even after 25+ years of this death, he is still the most heard and requested Bollywood singer on the radio all over the world, even more than Lata!!!
May 13th, 2006 at 1:12 am
Manoj:
Dont get personal dude. Its a forum. You write what you feel is right. If you like somebody fine but dont make judgemental remarks. I am not going to ask you or anybody who is best. I decide who is best. I dont know which world you live in but I believe in democracy.
You said “Manna Dey is/was a master singer, and knows everything about Rafi, KK, Hemant Kumar and the rest”. You speak as if you know these people personally and who is Manna Dey to decide who is best. Take a break.
Just because teenagers love RDB/KK doesnt imply these guys are not good. It just goes to show that RDB/KK had a wider audience than Naushad/Rafi etc etc. Its about being popular. You compose the hardest song in the world, make the greatest singer sing it, and if it does not get popular, whats the point.
May 12th, 2006 at 7:33 pm
Like I wrote earlier that Rafi had a vast range and had sung songs composed by a much greater number of composers than Kishore. There should be no doubt as to who is the better singer-Rafi is. Manna Dey says that Rafi is no. 1 to no. 10. Rafi has sung different kinds of songs to showcase his mastery. Kishore is limited to a certain kind of songs just as RD was. As for popularity, minus the Rajesh Khanna era and it was Rafi always. This doesn,t mean that I don’t like Kishore.I like him as much as Rafi but I also accept the facts. I listen to both Rafi and Kishore and enjoy the fare dished out by them equally.But I also know that Rafi Saab is the better and more accomplished singer.As far as Rafi’s versatility and popularity goes, here is this note- Come Republic Day and Independence Day and whose voice do we hear blaring out from functions all over the country-Rafi. During his time Rafi was the most popular singer of Bengali Puja songs in the sixties.Even in the late seventies he had the best selling Bengali song,” Pakhitar booke aman teer mero na,” and as everyone knows, he breathed his last after rehearsing for a Bengali Puja song for a crew which had set up studio in his house as Rafi was feeling not too well. Go to any temple along the Ganges or anywhere else and you are sure to hear his bhajans.His bhajans bring peace and calm compared to others.Rafi was an integral part of Punjabi films. His first ever song was for a Punjabi film Gul Baloch.The 50’s,60’s and 70’s had Rafi singing for all Punjabi films.He is the pioneer of Bhangra songs.Even in Hindi films, he had popular Bhangra songs starting from Raj Kapoor’s Jagte Raho.As for Punjabi devotionals, the shabads he has sung have become classics and you can hear them in Sikh homes and Gurdwaras everyday.What to write about Muslim socials and devotionals. He brought his own grace to them.During his heydays and not so heydays, he recorded for a lot of Telegu,Tamil,Kannada and Malayalam songs which were popular. There are so many other languages in which he has sung- not to forget Marathi,Gujrati and Sindhi. And what about his Christian devotionals? Just hear them.He has also cut a few records in English=including the songs ” the she I love is a beautiful dream come true” and “all through we hail from”=- and they were so popular and brought a smile to hear him give his own masti touch. I could go on and on but I have to go.Rafi is the Emperor and Kishore is King of playback singing. Bye.
May 12th, 2006 at 6:35 pm
Being a Rafi fan, it took me several years to appreciate KK. This was only possible when I stopped comparing KK with Rafi. This goes by theory with other singers as well.
Rafi was the greatest, but I appreciate KK was his fighting spirit. The song from Imtehaan sang by KK “Ruk Jana Nahi Tu Kabhi Haar Ke” is one of my favouraites.
May 12th, 2006 at 2:21 pm
A short note, particularly on National Awards; when Aradhana wave hit Bollywood, the National Award for the best male playback singer that year went to the bag of SD Burman himself for his song “Safal Hogi Teri Aradhana”. Mohd Rafi was honoured with National Award twice, first for “Jinhen Naaz Hai Hind Par” (Pyaasa) and then for “Kya Hua Tera Vaada” (Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin).
Nair
May 12th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
Dear jaydeep sorry if u mind that I said ever 5 year like k k born but when we speak about playback singer there is one King(mohd Rafi) and one queen(Lata).
Some said that some songs which singed by KK Mohd Rafi can’t sing that songs!!!!!!! and some songs singed by Mohd Rafi K K can’t sing that,I think they are wrong because If we go to Shammi kapoor songs I thing 95% singed by Mohd Rafi and few by Manny day if we go for Rajesh khanna or big B as I thing they have there greatest songs with Mohd rafi,Rajesh Khanna was at the top when he used Mohd rafi voice or go K K as actor K K has his best songs with Mohd Rafi(as I thinK),Mohd rafi jest singed few songs for K K but I think that are great songs.
dear Jaydeep Kundu I like my child more than any one in world it not mean that they are best in world.
we are speaking about Mohd rafi and K K as a singer and we should answer on that jest,we should be honest on that,really I can’t understand how some one can said that KK or any other singeris better than Mohd rafi!!!!! as a singer,As I think Mohd Rafi is live of Music and body without live it is nothings as we see now days,
I think K K was a great actor we should speak about him as actor not compare him with Mohd Rafi if we compare k k with Mohd rafi as singer as I think and many more who know about music they said that Mohd Rafi is best ever born in Bollwood,P from LP said once that it is easy 2 make songs form Mohd Rafi,Lata and Asha because how we make it they will sing it but other singer we should make songs for there voice 2 sing it.
Dear Jaydeep Kundu or Kk fans please jest give me one name who said that he came famous because of K K,about Mohd rafi there are big names in bollywood they said like LP,O P Nayer,Shammi K and many more.
Sorry KK fans if u don’t like what I said.
May 12th, 2006 at 10:34 am
Hi Jaydeep,
You should really quit writing because as I mentioned in my previous post, you seem to have a habit of putting your foot in your mouth everytime you try to speak. It’s laughable to even think of Hemant Kumar as a better singer than Rafi, and I am from Bengal and have heard most of Hemant Da’s Bengali songs. And a singer is a singer is a singer, no matter what the language is!!! Hemant Da was a pretty good singer but had too many weaknesses and limitations, especially when compared to somebody as gifted as Rafi….just ask another Bengali Manna Dey and he will tell you everything you need to know about Rafi being the greatest ever. Manna Dey is/was a master singer, and knows everything about Rafi, KK, Hemant Kumar and the rest. I can understand if you are some teenager or something who is into RDB/KK, but if you are an adult then please don’t show your musical ignorance and bad taste anymore
)
May 12th, 2006 at 6:41 am
Mr Manoj:
But again not to digress from the point, I prefer listening to Kishore more than Rafi because I like Kishore’s voice. Doesnt make Kishore a better singer. People will always have different opinions on what they like to hear but its just stupid to say that Kishore’s voice is harsh or bad or things that some people have said in the previous posts. If you think Rafi is a better singer, so be it but do not belittle yourself by belittling a legend.
Thanks for you kind comment. FYI I was answering Mr Ali Baluch who I think was trying to say that a man like KK can be born every 5 years. I do NOT wish to compare KK with SRT or SRK. That is not my point here. And btw you might be a singer and a great one but as you said everybody has his own choice. If you like Rafi fine, but what soothes your ear might not soothe mine. If you ever listened to Hemant Kumar’s bengali songs (rabindra sangeet) you might think Rafi is not even close to Hemants league but then that is my opinion and I will not force it on anyone. Maybe you will then say we are comparing who can sing hindi songs better
The statement you made that “everybody universally acknowledges that Rafi is the greatest in pretty much all aspects of singing” is a very bold statement and foolish. You might want to rephrase that as: “everybody I know acknowledges that Rafi is the greatest in pretty much all aspects of bollywood singing”. I wouldnt use the term “universal” in any statement I make unless its a fact and nothing is a fact unless its agreed upon by everybody.
May 12th, 2006 at 12:09 am
Dear Jaydeep Kundu,
As u said there There are many great singers in this planet but there is and there will be one greatest and he is and will be Mohd Rafi these are not my words.
Yes u r right that KK was all in one,I think we r human and we can’t do many think together if we do it ,i think we will come bad in what we was good in,KK was one of the best actor.
Mohd Rafi I can do what KK done as I think because Mohd Rafi was an actor in one or two films and also give music for some songs(no films).
Mohd rafi don’t like bollywood also put his family away from bollywood.
dear Jaydeep Kundu we are speaking about singer not all in one,it is not mean that the song became famous that he or she is great singer if like that I think the Big B is the best singer because all songs he singed are famous also Amer Khan singed a song it became so famous.
I don’t know about music but about the Name like Naushad,Lata,Manny day,Asha,madan mohan and many more
May 11th, 2006 at 12:31 pm
Hi Jaydeep,
Everytime you write on this forum, you dig yourself a bigger hole!!:-)) We all know that Kishore Kumar was an alright actor, producer, director etc. but it was very clear from the discussions over here that we were talking only from a singing perspective, and which part of that was so unclear to you???? What’s next….are you going to compare Sachin Tendulkar with Rafi and then later clarify that you were referring to Sachin’s cricketing talents and not his singing abilities.
Plus, one would rather be the GREATEST in one field like Rafi was in the field of singing rather than being average-to-good in several fields.
And by the way, if you understand music you will know that none of Hemant Kumar, Manna Dey, and KK are in the same league as Rafi as singers. I am a singer myself and understand Hindi film music quite a bit, and also hang around with musically literate people and they all believe that Rafi has no peers, and that he is miles ahead of the rest of the pack. Everybody has their own favorites for different reasons, but everybody universally acknowledges that Rafi is the greatest in pretty much all aspects of singing.
May 11th, 2006 at 7:45 am
Mr Ali Baluch,
There are many great singers in this planet. Rafi was a great singer, no doubt and one of the best, maybe better than Kishore. But the reason I said a man like Kishore will be born every 500 years was because Kishore was not only a singer but also a musician, a writer, an actor, a comedian, a director and a producer. And he was good at most of them. Look at Hemant Kumar, Manna Dey. They are all in the same league as Rafi and better singers than Kishore. But then all of them were only singers (Note Hemant Kumar was a musician too). I hope you get the point by now. I have been ranting too much. I’ll stop now.
May 11th, 2006 at 2:15 am
hello rafi is a great singer he is a man who sing very very difficult songs like ‘gham uthane ke liye’of film mere hazoor.I also want to be a singer like rafi so u can give me one chance to sing songs of rafi.please contact me.My email address: salmansinger2007@yahoo.com THANKS YOU