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If Rafi had sung these songs

This article is written by Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy

Mohd Rafi with other playback singers

Mohd Rafi with other playback singers

Just imagine if Mohammed Rafi Saab had sung “Mere Naina Sawan Bhadon” from ‘Mehbooba’ instead of Kishore. Well, this classical song was a Do Pehlu, sung both by KK and Lata. RD Burman, the Music Director of the movie had chosen these two Singers for rendering the song. Where as Lata excelled, in fact sung effortlessly, KK showed the strain and could not match Lataji in this round and RDB lost a golden opportunity to give one of the best do-pehlu’s of Hindi film industry. KK was not suited for this classical number and if only RDB had given this song to Rafi, the Farishta would have converted this song to a memorable one, matching Lata, step by step, sur by sur.

The magnum opus of Raj Kapoor’s ‘Mera Naam Joker’ had a Mukesh-Asha qawali “Daag Na Lag Jaaye”. Definitely this song perhaps was composed with Mukesh’s limitations in mind otherwise, SJ could have made a much better fast paced qawali if they had chosen Rafi. But the hero was Raj Kapoor for whom Mukesh was the voice but let us not forget in the same movie, he had Rafi singing for him “Sazde Heer”.

Similarly Mahendra’s “Tum Nacho Ras Barse” should have been by Rafi as the efforts of Mahendra looks very pedestrian in this classical song from ‘Naagmandir’. Mahendra, the self confessed ‘Shishya’ of Rafi, otherwise was a good singer with a remarkable capacity to raise his pitch as in ‘”Na Muh Chupake Jiyo” of ‘Humraj’.

There are umpteen number of songs which when played on radio, we felt like closing our ears as the songs did not suit the singers or the Singers were not able to do justice to the songs. Agreed, the lyrics of some of the songs were pathetic and some had poor music, but those singers could not lift the song, the way Rafiji or Lataji or Mannada could do.

Mohd Rafi along with Kishore Da, Mukesh Bhai, Talat Saab and other playback singers

Mohd Rafi along with Kishore Da, Mukesh Bhai, Talat Saab and other playback singers

For example, for songs like “Aji Ho, Taas Ke Bawan Patte”, “Bina Badarake Bijuria Aise Chamke” from ‘Bandhan’, “Barkha Rani”, “Mehnat Hamara Jeevan” from ‘Nadaan’, “Ye Tere Pyaar Ka Dar” from ‘My Love’, even “Taron Me Sajke” from ‘Jal Bin Machli Nritya Bin Bijli’, etc. Rafiji should have been chosen and definitely Rafiji would have made these songs sound much better. Mukeshji, otherwise, has given us umpteen number of wonderful songs especially for Raj Kapoor, Manoj Kumar, etc. but he had his limitations and MDs who used Mukesh within these limitations were successful in getting hummable and memorable songs from him. If Rafi had sung the above songs, perhaps, the result would have been much better, though it should be admitted that these songs were not meant to be great songs.

Similar was the case with Kishore. KK was not suited for classical numbers, in fact, for hero Kishore, Rafi gave his divine voice in “Man Mora Bawra” in ‘Raagini’, because the song was slightly classical and the MD OP Nayyar felt that Rafi could do better justice. Similarly SJ chose Rafi to croon for KK in “Ajab Hai Daastan” in ‘Shararat’ because the song required singing at high notes, which KK was not adept at and which was Rafi’s forte.

I personally feel, songs like “Jara Nazaronse Kehdoji” from ‘Bees Saal Baad’, “Main Intezar Karun” from ‘Dushman’, “Jaise Ko Taisa Mila”, “Sala Main To Saab Ban Gaya” from ‘Sagina’, etc. would have been much better if the Music Directors had taken Rafi to play back. In fact, I read some where that KK was not ready to record the ‘Dushman’ song and suggested Rafi for the same, but the MDs LP forced him to record it, how I wish they had not done so.

The above mentioned songs neither were great songs nor made use of the strengths of the Singers singing them nor considered the weakness of these singers. No doubt, most of these songs were not meant to be great songs, but would have been made ‘passable’ by Rafi.

Agreed, singers like Talat, Mukesh, KK, Mahendra, Hemant, Mannada were all greats having given us very many memorable songs, but Rafi was the greatest, who could have done equal justice to any song sung by these great Singers apart from making some poor songs into passable numbers as he did for his own songs like “Ae Shukar Ke Tu Hai Ladka” from ‘Himmat’, “Aaaa, Lag Ja Gale Dilruba” from ‘Dus Lakh’, “O Jaane Jaan Chale Kahan” from ‘Gustaki Maaf’, “Chakke Me Chakka” from ‘Brahmachari’, “Ae Meri Jaane Chaman”, “Kauvan Chala Hansa Ki Chaal” from ‘Around the World’, “Main Hun Jaani Tera” from ‘Bhai Bhai’, “Jawani Mast Hai Dagar” from ‘Vachan’, “Dil Mera Legayi Lal Batuve Me” from ‘Rootha Na Karo’, “Ashiq Hun Ek” from ‘Pagla Kahin Ka’, etc. All these songs were so so, the only saving grace being Rafiji’s singing.

No doubt that the other Singers had their own strengths and when the MDs used these strengths, we got good songs. Mukeshji was very much suited for ‘dard bhare nagme’. Hemant was very much suited for songs of Mukesh type, and especially which were based on Bengal folk tunes and Ravindra Sangeet. Talat was king of gazal.

Mahendra was definitely a versatile singer, his forte being the effortless ease with which he used to raise his voice. He was also good at soft romantic songs. Kishore was another versatile singer who could sing any type of songs, especially he was very good for comic songs though he has also given us some soulful numbers in his career.

All these singers though had limitations while singing classical or qawali numbers or singing at high pitches or with much ‘alaap’. Also the ‘ada’ which Rafiji used to add in his numbers, the feelings, the trembling voice with which he used to sing the tearful numbers could not be found in the songs of most of these singers. Mannada was one exception, who was equally at ease in all type of songs like Rafiji, but some how, his voice could not be identified with most of the heroes except perhaps Raj Kapoor.

Of course, these are purely my personal views which some fans may not agree but, I am sure there will be some, who would think the same way.

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150 Blog Comments to “If Rafi had sung these songs”

1 2 3
  1. Priya Sanyal says:

    Its my last post…….
    anyway,
    Utthara ji u r not just amzing with writing articles on rafi ji,,but great with comments also….

    Muthy ji,,never minds critics,,,,u did a great job…

    best wishes to every one, everywhere,with liking of ,mukesh,lata,Rd kishore,manna etc..(sorry I couldn`t write name of asha ji,all those who know beshura story can understand,but love to her also.)..n namste in the name n voice of Mohd Rafi ji`s divinity….

    Priya.
    Kolkata/Delhi

    P.S It is my last post here,

    but my prayers r always with all of u…especially Mr Binu Nair,for such a dedication,Sir(binu)…plz u never quit to be voice of rafi lovers,,plz everyone stay with talks on rafi sahab,,as remebring him is tributing him with love,,…..actually I`ve a son,5 year old, when he fight with his friend,…whenever I yell at him,,he says,”Mumma don`t u grown up pipl also fight,in any form”….I feel it very much hurt,,,to admit I have also fighted with blogs n msgs……….
    But,can we remain dumb with such a mindless,n stupid rumours of 70s,,,did Md rafi ji got what he deserved,….answer is no n yes both…no for what he got he always deserved more than that,the talent of his divine singing n playbacks beyond human ratings,,,,,but unfortunatly,still we need to defend him…why???,,how long we need too prove him…..
    n Yes,,,for Rafi sahab ji never wanted any awards,,any money,,royality,,,prasie etc,,,he only wanted love….n Rafi lovers love Rafi sahab with so passionatly n divotionaly without being fanatic that….That rafi ji live in all of us now………….

  2. Priya sanyal says:

    binu ji
    n Every Rafi-lover……..if u love Rafiji plz read my post n comment…….
    obviously we all have liking for kishore kumar also,,,,,,n like his songs also,but how can we deny that name of kishore kum has been used to s\insult rafi ji,,however greatness of kishore kumar is that he rubishes such mindless stating that how much difference between him n Rafi sahab,,,,more than being modest he was honest,,,as its hnesty to admit Rafi sahab suprimacy,,n if rafi sahab used to prasie some one its rafi sahab`s modesty,,,,,but in 70s,,,its was something more than kishore Kumar……the great strategy n plot to make Rafi sahab out,,,,extremeness of absurdity is the person even started saying him besura,,can anyone blv this,,,,Rafi a besura!!!,,I know AR Rehman saying that whenever he compose songs,,,Rafi inspired him,we have heard many time Rehman admiting that how much he miss versatile n exceptional voice of Rafi ji,for so many raaga Mohd rafi can sing,,,,,n we see many of Ar rehman`s songs r mixture of both low notes n in the same song that low notes modulate in high,,typical of rafi style of singing,,but since ,no singer can match Mohd Rafi geniousness so we don`t feel Rafi with Rehman….however we have seen when its comes of some very ipt song,,,Rehman prefer sonu Nigham,,,sonu Nigham who I feel is an inspired son of Mohd Rafi…he is a flower of Garden name rafi,,,,…….not only sonu Nigham even most of the singer of Rehman school is Rafi-inspired,,,or concider Rafi sahab as very highest plane,,,however no one can ignore that materialism rule the glamour world,,,rarly any of even these inspired person could imitate Rafiji`s purity in complte form call it singing or human….
    I mentioned Rehman`s name as u mentioned RD burman,,,,,the western music that RD Burman copy word for word from different part of Globe(anyone can refer youtube to see RD Buman thieft so many songs from west tune per tune,,even mehbooba mehbooba is Demiss Roussoss`)..n Rehman,,is himself master of western tune,,,n has even won oscar n work on several international projects….If rehman,most modern of all musician as India,,rafi voice most extraordinary,then whats need of certificate by RD…the same Rafi whom kishore fan camp term as classical n says Kishore modern,,,but yet,,,to every Indian most of songs like Har gham ko dhuyen me Udata chala gya,is most modern,,that can never be possible without Rafi voice……..

    So many hits by rafiji every year in 70s but film actors,,mus directors producers,,colleuge singers everyone started spreading that Rafi is over,,n someone who really appeared looser was RD burman,,,,just imagine Andhi,,couldn`t aandhi be as great as Guide rafi sahab were main singer,,,,,tujhse naraz nahi Zindagi of maasum,,just imagine in rafi voice,,,,n imagine in the mid of song,,Rafi ji takes a pause n saying,,ek aansu chhipa ke rakha thha..,,,,not Just Rd only,,,yes surly RD was very talented so we talk of him so much I agree,,,but other music directors also Ignor Rafi sahab,,,even LP whom Rafi lovers concider very own,,,,could that LP could Imagine with the song,,,”main shayar to nahi”….even if Raj kapoor wanted something LP could have convinced,,there r many LP song,,that Rafi sahab would have much better………even Khayiam,,ignored rafi ji in 70s,,,yes Mukesh ji sang exceptionally well, kabhi kabhi,,,but what if when rafi sahab would have sung,,with modern studio voice of 70s,,,the song,,main pla do pal ka shayar hoon,,n also kabhi kabhi…..
    We have seen,,not just with kishore kumar,,but rafi sahab was tried to let down from every side….Yes Kishore kumar is good,,,but isn`t mukesh n mana de also good,doesn`t talat sahab also good,,,but kishore kumar was used as instrument to let down Md rafi,,,by so many who used to envy Rafi ji,,,
    with singing together with kishore kumar,,lataji became number one singer,,could she be while singing with rafi sahab????

  3. Harvinder says:

    Haldar ji’s trivia (9)-I concur with Anmol ji’s response (22).

    It is but natural for any fan to assume that any song would have sounder better in his/her favorite’s voice. Ths is a never ending debate.

    Just to throw my bit and seeking clarification from stalwarts like Haldar da/Anmol bhaji. I have read a couple of times that Manna Dey’s best number “Puchho na kaise maine rain bitaayee” was originally meant for Rafi Saheb- which the maestro passed onto his friend MannaDey. However Rafi Saheb’s critics and Kishore fans strongly disagree. Can anyone please throw some light on this sensitive querry.

  4. Ali(unknow) says:

    Sir rajprakash
    Please check about all Rajesh Khanna , amitab bachhan and RD Burman sang by Mohd Rafi and compare it with KK songs you will find that how great was mohd Rafi and you will feel that they made a big mistake to not use Mohd rafi as said by OPN that my best mistake was to not use mohd Rafi for two years,Rd Burman and amitab bachhan they back to Mohd Rafi that was greatness of mohd Rafi who ignored by them but still mohd rafi sang for them..

    Sir binu nair sorry to say but please don’t use the word that Mohd Rafi back to the top because he was he is and he will be at the top jest listen to mohd Rafi songs in 1970’s and other singer we will understand that media was wrong

    Sir VIKAS SHARMA
    (U CANT COMPARE SUNIL GAVASKAR WITH KAPIL DEV)who said you that boz one was famous with bat and one with bat and ball if am not wrong…sorry i have no good knowledge in cricket,why we compare Pele with Maradona both of are great??what wrong when we compare other singer songs if sang by mohd Rafi?why we say if this player should playing in the place of this player ?we never said that KK or Mukesh or any other singer is bad singer but it is true that if these songs sang by mohd Rafi be better as we all know that he was the best singer ever born on earth as a the best player is not playing……..

    who want to know by name ALI
    Regards Ali(unknow)

  5. Harvinder says:

    post 27 – Jaya. DIAGREE WITH YOU. ON THE CONTRARY RAFI SAHEB’S MALE VERSIONS WERE ALWAYS BETTER RECEIVED. EG

    1) TERI ANKHON KE SIVA
    2) eHSAN TERA HOGA
    3) AGAR BEWAFA TUJHKO
    4) DIL JO NA KAH SAKA

    YES, ARZOO’S AJI ROOTH KAR AB KAHAN JAAYIGE – IS EQUALLY WELL SUNG BY LATA AND RAFI.

  6. Narayan says:

    Adaab Rafi ! Guruji
    Well you have rightly ehoed the sentiments of all music lovers envisaging interest in retro period. Rafi sahab would have done justice to all the songs composed by Panchamda for Bhupindra singh and to a larger extent with kishore da…
    But why not enjoy the treasures of evergreen musical ocean left by out icon which is so vast that many music lovers get immersed in them..

    Narayan

  7. Dear Murthy Sir,
    You have taken lot of pain to research on this article. Kudos to uou for that.
    But I personally feel that, this subject is purely hypothetical. But the response to your article seems to be very good to your article. So probably i am in a minority. But still, I stand by my words.

    with warm regards
    Shirish Kulkarni
    Mumbai

  8. Priya sanyal says:

    Utthara ji u r not just amzing with writing articles on rafi ji,,but great with comments also….

    Muthy ji,,never minds critics,,,,u did a great job…

    best wishes to every one, everywhere,with liking of ,mukesh,lata,Rd kishore,manna etc..(sorry I couldn`t write name of asha ji,all those who know beshura story can understand.)..n namste in the name n voice of Mohd Rafi ji`s divinity….

    Priya.

  9. Priya Sanyal says:

    binu ji
    n Every Rafi-lover……..if u love Rafiji plz read my post n comment…….
    obviously we all have liking for kishore kumar also,,,,,,n like his songs also,but how can we deny that name of kishore kum has been used to s\insult rafi ji,,however greatness of kishore kumar is that he rubishes such mindless stating that how much difference between him n Rafi sahab,,,,more than being modest he was honest,,,as its hnesty to admit Rafi sahab suprimacy,,n if rafi sahab used to prasie some one its rafi sahab`s modesty,,,,,but in 70s,,,its was something more than kishore Kumar……the great strategy n plot to make Rafi sahab out,,,,extremeness of absurdity is the person even started saying him besura,,can anyone blv this,,,,Rafi a besura!!!,,I know AR Rehman saying that whenever he compose songs,,,Rafi inspired him,we have heard many time Rehman admiting that how much he miss versatile n exceptional voice of Rafi ji,for so many raaga Mohd rafi can sing,,,,,n we see many of Ar rehman`s songs r mixture of both low notes n in the same song that low notes modulate in high,,typical of rafi style of singing,,but since ,no singer can match Mohd Rafi geniousness so we don`t feel Rafi with Rehman….however we have seen when its comes of some very ipt song,,,Rehman prefer sonu Nigham,,,sonu Nigham who I feel is an inspired son of Mohd Rafi…he is a flower of Garden name rafi,,,,…….not only sonu Nigham even most of the singer of Rehman school is Rafi-inspired,,,or concider Rafi sahab as very highest plane,,,however no one can ignore that materialism rule the glamour world,,,rarly any of even these inspired person could imitate Rafiji`s purity in complte form call it singing or human….
    I mentioned Rehman`s name as u mentioned RD burman,,,,,the western music that RD Burman copy word for word from different part of Globe(anyone can refer youtube to see RD Buman thieft so many songs from west tune per tune,,even mehbooba mehbooba is Demiss Roussoss`)..n Rehman,,is himself master of western tune,,,n has even won oscar n work on several international projects….If rehman,most modern of all musician as India,,rafi voice most extraordinary,then whats need of certificate by RD…the same Rafi whom kishore fan camp term as classical n says Kishore modern,,,but yet,,,to every Indian most of songs like Har gham ko dhuyen me Udata chala gya,is most modern,,that can never be possible without Rafi voice……..

    So many hits by rafiji every year in 70s but film actors,,mus directors producers,,colleuge singers everyone started spreading that Rafi is over,,n someone who really appeared looser was RD burman,,,,just imagine Andhi,,couldn`t aandhi be as great as Guide rafi sahab were main singer,,,,,tujhse naraz nahi Zindagi of maasum,,just imagine in rafi voice,,,,n imagine in the mid of song,,Rafi ji takes a pause n saying,,ek aansu chhipa ke rakha thha..,,,,not Just Rd only,,,yes surly RD was very talented so we talk of him so much I agree,,,but other music directors also Ignor Rafi sahab,,,even LP whom Rafi lovers concider very own,,,,could that LP could Imagine with the song,,,”main shayar to nahi”….even if Raj kapoor wanted something LP could have convinced,,there r many LP song,,that Rafi sahab would have much better………even Khayiam,,ignored rafi ji in 70s,,,yes Mukesh ji sang exceptionally well, kabhi kabhi,,,but what if when rafi sahab would have sung,,with modern studio voice of 70s,,,the song,,main pla do pal ka shayar hoon,,n also kabhi kabhi…..
    We have seen,,not just with kishore kumar,,but rafi sahab was tried to let down from every side….Yes Kishore kumar is good,,,but isn`t mukesh n mana de also good,doesn`t talat sahab also good,,,but kishore kumar was used as instrument to let down Md rafi,,,by so many who used to envy Rafi ji,,,
    with singing together with kishore kumar,,lataji became number one singer,,could she be while singing with rafi sahab????

  10. binu nair says:

    if only chingari koyi badhke and mere naina saawan bhadon had three versions – in the voices of lata, kishore and mohd rafi, the fare would have had a lasting impact and some more controversies.

    but, i am aware that composers may not try this experiment as they know of the serious weaknesses of the singers. that’s one reason why rehearsals were done behind closed doors – more often.

    one more if…….. if kishore would have “also” sung “kya se kya ho gaya, bewafaa tere pyar me” and the immortal ” din dhal jaaye, raat na aaye” – how it would have sounded.

    binu nair, mumbai

  11. Padmanabhan NR says:

    Guruji,

    An excellent theme and you have done full justice to the topic. That Rafisahab would have justified the task, if entrusted to him, is beyond conceivable doubt at least in this forum. He was born to sing and capture our souls.

    Utthara has mentioned about the version songs. you have also touched the do-pehlu songs in all of which Rafi sahab excels. I would prefer to take the reverse route to establish this point over anyone/ everyone else. I have heard the talat version of chal udja re panchi. Good to listen to but quite a notches below the master’s. I have also listened to Lataji’s rendition of man re tu kaahe na dhir dhare. No contest. What does it prove ? That here was a man who could be in anyone’s domain but none could even tread his shadow. Thus it is that you have so many Kishore, Mukesh or Talat clones but there is nobody even close to matching Rafi Sahab’s range.

    In a sense it is good that others also existed ; their existance provided Rafi Sahab at least a semblance of a comparison. Had they not been there, how would you rate him ? It is in this context that the role of a talat or mukesh or kishore or manna de assumes importance. they were mind or body or heart or souls. Rafi sahab was mind and body, heart and soul. All inclusive, all pervasive.

    Padmanabhan NR

    Rafi Foudation, Hyderabad Chapter & Baar Baar Rafi, Bangalore

  12. Nasir says:

    Thanks for the article Mr. Murthy.
    Some as we have seen above did not like the idea. That’s okay. Instead of the singers, the heroes should have been drawn into the picture. Those of my generation who were used to seeing the heroes of the Fifties and the Sixties singing Rafi Sahaab’s songs, could not digest the songs sung by other singers. Not that they did not sing well. It was just simply beyond belief. For example I was used to seeing Dharmendra, Shashi Kapoor, Jeetendra, lip-synching Rafi Sahaab’s songs and when I found them singing songs of other than Rafi, it just didn’t click. It looked as if the song was a different entity, the hero was a different, the picturisation was forced. The only actor who made no difference was of course Dev Anand since he had lip-synched the songs of many singers other than Rafi Sahaab from the beginning, notably Kishore Kumar, Talat Mehmood and C. Ramchandra.

    However, if we have to indulge in the wishful thinking of a Kishore Kumar’s song that should have been sung by Rafi Sahaab and which has not been indicated in the above posts, it is this: ARRE RAFTAA RAFTAA DEKHO AANKH MERI LA.DEE HAI. Now this one is an authentic thinking since Rafi Sahaab himself sang a few lines on the stage at Calcutta so that he could pass on the stage to Kishore Kumar, since the crowd was unwilling to let him go, shouting ROFI, ROFI….

  13. Romandas says:

    Sir,
    With due respect to Rafi Saab, I dont see any strain on the part of Kishoreda when he sang ‘Mere naina saawan bhadon”. May be we are used to hearing Kishore sing racy numbers. Of course, Lataji and Rafi Saab would easily saunter along with any song.

  14. Gan Sharma says:

    Achal bhai : Apropos post # 11

    For the longest time, I actually thought that “Chalo ek baar phir se” was actually sung by Rafi saab. A beautiful song, rendered beautifully by Mahendra Kapoor saab.

    Gan

  15. H.V.GURU MURTHY says:

    Doston,

    Definitely while penning the article or earlier or even now, I never mean any disrespect to any other Singers. In fact, I like almost all these singers and I think I have clearly brought out this fact in my article. I really enjoy so many of KK, Mukesh, Mahendra, Hemant & Talat songs.

    Well I also read some where that Rafiji was about to record “Poocho Na Kaise” but became very emotional during recording and finally Mannada sang the number, and this particular song is one of Mannada’s “best”.

    I also undertsand Rafiji has sung “Roop Tera Mastana” perhaps during a stage show. If any body has the MP3, it will be great if they can send it across to hvgurumurthy@yahoo.co.in as well as the Mannada’s version of “Suhana Safar” and “Jinhe Naaz Hai”.

    The resposnse to this article shows that lot of people are thinking in the same way.

  16. Utthara says:

    Murthyji,

    In my humble opinion, legends are legends. I don’t think we should compare one with the other. Having said that, there is no harm in specualting in fun how one song would have sounded in another singer’s voice. Legends like talat, Mukesh, Kishore, mannada, Mahendra kapoor Hemant are all part of the golden era of Hindi film music.

    I am just picking two examples for each singer

    Mannada __ you have Aye mere pyare watan and Pucho na kaise __ two gems among his many fantabulous songs.
    Kishore __ Jeevan se bhari teri ankhen, Chingari koyi bhadke
    Talat: Humse aaya na gaya, Ye hawa yeh raat yeh chandini
    Mukesh__ baharon ne mera chaman lootkar, Teri duniya mein dil lagta nahin
    Hemanth __ yeh nayan dare dare, Pukaro….tumhara intezar hai
    Mahendra kapoor __ Aap aaye toh khayale, Dil lagakar hum yeh samjha

    There are no two opinions that rafi saab is matchless, incomparable and divine.

    Regards

    Utthara

  17. pratik garg says:

    what a fun really! This shows idle mind devil’s den..

    Why to scold Raju Bharatan when we have so many fantasy makers here??

    Get matured, guys!!

  18. P. Haldar says:

    ref post 26:

    Dear Vikas,

    I think you are being unnecessarily harsh on Gurumuthy ji. This forum is for mohd rafi saab’s fans and sometimes the articles and posts may be too strong for neutral music lovers like you. So keep that in mind when you read the posts here.

    But let me make a comment on what you wrote in your post:

    ———
    “I ALWAYS WISH THAT IF THE SONG OF 1942 A LOVE STORY THAT HAVE BEEN SUNG BY KUMAR SANU IF WUD HAVE BEEN SUNG BY THE LEGENDARY KISHORE DA IT WUD HAVE BEEN THE MOST PROLIFIC MOVIE OF THE CENTURY MUSIC WISE WITH BRILLIANT SINGING FROM KISHORE DA .”
    ——–

    Yes, Kishore da would have easily trumped Kumar Sanu, but if Rafi saab had sung “ik ladki ko dekha”, then it’d have been much, much better. Vidhu Vinod Chopra made a simple request to pancham: “Sound like your dad”. And if you listen to the song carefully, you’ll find that it was inspired by one of his dad’s memorable scores for Rafi, in which the young pancham had played a major role.

    I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, that if both Rafi and Kishore were alive at the time of 1942, pancham would have given the song to his favourite Kishore (unless, of course, VVC forced him to select Rafi).

  19. P. Haldar says:

    ref post 22:

    Dear Anmol ji,

    You are right on spot. These are the three songs that could have gone to Rafi. In my humble opinion, Talat did a wonderful job in “Phir wohi sham” (one of my all-time favourites). I also like Kishore’s “Geet gaata hoon main”. Among the three, the song that I wish had gone to Rafi is “jalte hai jiske liye”; Talat is very good in this song but I think Rafi would have taken it one notch higher.

    Regards,
    P. Haldar

  20. Anjali S says:

    i am a grt fan of rafi sahab……..but i would only like to say that we can not pin point any music directors choice of singer as they are the same people who have given rafi sahab the best songs ….

  21. M V Devraj says:

    Guruji: My 2 cents.Comparisons especially of an apple and an orange,are always fraught with the possibility of upsetting an apple-lover and an orange-lover.Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara are both great players in their own individual way and to say that how I wish Sachin had played that shot which would have been better than Lara would not lead to any conclusion.It will almost amount to an effort in futility.I have seen in other similar forums,such comparisons have invariably led to indiscriminate acrimonious mails flying all over the place.
    There are no two ways about it that Rafisaab was the greatest and God’s gift to all of us.He could have sung any song well.But at the same time,the other singers named in the article had also given us great joy and pleasure by their various songs over the years.We should enjoy and discuss the beauty and melody of the respective songs.Therein lies the treasure called Old Hindi Film Music.I salute Kishore Kumar,Manna Dey,Mukesh,Talat Mahmood,Hemant Kumar,Lata,Asha,Suman,Saigalsaab,Pankaj Mallick et al.I bow before my God Rafisaab.
    Just my personal views Guruji.
    M V Devraj
    Best wishes.

  22. binu nair says:

    Rafi Lovers : My take on various singers of the hindi play-back arena is slightly unorthodox and different. in many ways my preferences of songs matches with that of haldar saaheb and many rafi fans.

    i would agree with haldar ji that kishore made a hash out of “mere naina saawan baadon”. some of the listners i have talked to said ” one feels pity for the singer more than for the situational background of this song.

    the song ” chingari jo badkhe to ” was very badly sung. rd burman should have recorded the song in the voices of kishore and rafi with the same tune. this would have been a vintage fare for rafi/kishore lovers.
    just compare the song made by sdb, sung by rafi from guide. just imagine how kishor would have sung ” din dhal jaaye ” in comparison to mohd rafi?

    one more song come to the mind : how would have kishore sung the song “Ka karoon sajni, aaye na baalam” which is originally sung in the mellifluous voice of classical king k.j.yesudas……………

    though i am an ardent lover of rafi saaheb, i have some very different views on some of rafi songs of the seventies . in the same vein i have an extraordinary liking for kishore songs such as from Pavitra paapi : terei duniya se hoke majboor, mai chala bahut door, bahut door…………and some more which i do not readily recollect now.
    mohd rafi has one more in this movie : “allah hi allah, kar pyar, wai allah hi allah” all tuned by prem dhawan…

    ———————————————————————————–

    Post :24….Krupesh ji… U are right abot the song : “waada tera waada” which was sung by kishore – outstandingly. pyerelal wanted kishore to sing even though he was backing out from singing the song.

    Postscript:

    If mohd rafi had got timely medical aid and survived the massive attack, surprisingly, mohd rafi would have become the main singer for r.d.burman. the signs were already visible. but only if…………………………………….

    binu nair, mumbai : cell : 9833 250 701

  23. Utthara says:

    Murthyji, an interesting topic and a great write-up. All of us at some time or the other wonder how a Kishore song would have sounded in Mukesh’s voice or any of the singers for that matter.
    Aap aaye toh khayale..I used to think was sung by Rafi saab. Mahendra Kapoor sounds almost like rafi in this song. Yes, rafi saab should have sung this song, though this is Mahendra Kapoor’s best number and my fave.
    I think Kishore has sung Mere naina sawan bhadon beautifully.

    here is an interesting trivia. HMV some decades ago used to bring in cover versions..where one singer would sing the song of another singer. HMV would record these songs and release them in the market. It stopped this after the singers protested. Some examples..
    1. Rafi saab’s Chal udjare panchi sung by Talat.
    2. Rafi sab’s Jinhe naaz hai sung by Manna Dey. Mannada told me recently in an interview that Rafi saab had sung this song so beautifully that he(Mannada ) knew that he could in no way better it. So, he totally followed the style of Rafi saab. if you listen to it, you will notice that Mannada’s voice and style are so much like rafi saab’s in this song.

    3. Mannada recorded Mukesh’s Suhana safar aur yeh mausam haseen for HMV.

    The film Saranga has the title song sung both by Mukesh and rafi. Rafi saab sings the mukhda..and it is almost without background.

    Then some eyars ago at a tribute to Rafi saab, Kishore sang Man re tu kahe na dheer dhare. I feel kishore shouldn’t have even attempted this song. Though I like Kishore’s songs like Jeevan se bhari, Kuch toh log kahenge , Kishore ruined Man re tu kahe.

    This one and Yeh duniya agar mil bhi jaye toh kya hai should not be sung by anyone. They are classics. They belong to the one and only Rafi. And he is the God of songs.

    Regards

    Utthara

  24. Jaya says:

    Imagining Rafi singing the other songs is a good idea but if you actually think of the songs sung by rafi which also have a female version you will notice a bigger anamoly. The female version usually received much more air play on binaca geet and awards but actually they deserved to go to rafi. and as rafi says “Main ne chand our sitaro ki tamanna ki thi” but if you check the old records like mere mehboob, barsaat ki raat etc all the credit and accolades goes to the female version of the song. The rafi version did not get the credit it deserved. Like rafi said”mujhko raato ki siyahi ke sivah kuch na mila” But he was no someone to begrudge another person. He was much bigger person. But i wish he got more credit.

  25. VIKAS SHARMA says:

    Rediculous article considering the man of ur stature guru murthy.This is really sad that people like u always like to indulge in blamegame indstead of constructive sort of views and ideas .
    TELL ME HOW THE HELL U MANAGE TO COMPARE THE TWO PHENOMENONS OF INDIAN PLAYBACK INDUSTRY. U CANT COMPARE SUNIL GAVASKAR WITH KAPIL DEV BUT IT IS REALLY A SHAME THAT U HAVE QUESTIONED THE GREAT KISHORE DA SINGING CAPABILITIES AND ALSO THE QUESTION HAVE BEEN RAISED ON THE GREAT MUSIC MEASTRO RD BURMAN THIS IS REALLY REDICULOUS WHY DONT U JUST LISTEN TO THE SONGS AND ENJOY THEM AS THEY GEM OF SONGS RATHER THAN THINKING THAT IF RAFI SAHIB OR OTHER SINGER WUD HAVE SUNG IT WUD HAVE BEEN BETTER .
    R U A BETTER JUGDE THAN R.D BURMAN AND HAVE BETTER KNOWLEGDE THAN HIM ABT THE MUSIC AND WHOM TO INVOLVE IN WHICH PROJECT OR SONG. SHAME ON SUCH A BETTER ARTICLE.

    ON THE CONTARARY IF U WUD HAVE PUT A SONG FROM THE PRESENT GENERATION THAT U WUD HAVE WISHED TO BE SUNG BY THE GREAT RAFI SAHIB OR KISHORE DA THAN IT WUD HAVE BEEN MUCH BETTER.

    I ALWAYS WISH THAT IF THE SONG OF 1942 A LOVE STORY THAT HAVE BEEN SUNG BY KUMAR SANU IF WUD HAVE BEEN SUNG BY THE LEGENDARY KISHORE DA IT WUD HAVE BEEN THE MOST PROLIFIC MOVIE OF THE CENTURY MUSIC WISE WITH BRILLIANT SINGING FROM KISHORE DA .FURTHER IF THE SONGS OF MOST OF SONU NIGAM ONES IN THE CURRENT MOVIES IF WUD HAVE BEEN SUNG BY RAFI SAHIB IT WUD HAVE CREATED A BRILLIANT IMPACT AND EVER LASTING IMPRESSION.

    IF U TRY TO COMPARE THE LIKES OF LEGEND RAFI SAHIB WITH GENIUS KISHORE DA THAN U ARE NOT A GOOD MUSIC LOVER BUT A VERY KID LIKE MENTALITY OF LISTENING TO THE SONGS AND FURTHER U HAVE QUESTIONED THE GREAT MEASTRO R.D BURMAN THIS MEANS UR NOT AT ALL A MUSIC AFFICIANDO.SHAME ON THIS COMPARISON THIS IS REALLY REDICULOUS

  26. Krupesh Patel, Toronto says:

    Dear Guruji,

    one more thing my & our guru singer Rafi Saab is/was really SAINT, he don’t play dirty politics to gain more songs. He was the only one singer most used by all MD & actors.

    If rafi saab could have same nature like lata to become rule over female singing. Definately, kishore never enter to sung remaining songs of ARADHANA & history may be something different.

    Personally I am admire rafi saab more as Human being then Singer. (OP Nayyar also have same opinion as he told to Amin Sayani just one year before his death.)

  27. Krupesh, Toronto says:

    Dear Guruji,

    Qawwali from Dushman “Vada tera vada”, actually kishore kumar , Rajesh khanna & Laxmikant all agreed to sung by Rafi Saab, but Pyarelal of LP, choose kishore for this song.

    Laxmikant always & always preferred Rafi Saab for any song, for any actor or for any banner, He compromised only beyond his decision power.

  28. Anmol Singh says:

    Hello Guru Murthy ji,

    Good topic of discussion.

    You have mentioned about RDB in your article. RDB’s use of singers in my opnion was quiet misappropriate at many occassions.

    In the 70s between 72 to 76 his use of Rafi was completely mainly for mediocore songs only. Many songs like “Beeti Na Bitaye Raina”; “Naam Gum Jayega” and songs all songs of Aandhi were classical based mainly suited for Rafi.

    Similarly in the 80s between 83 to 87 his use of Kishore was also mediocore leaving a few exceptions like composition of Saagar. Possibly he had done so much of experimentation in the 70s with Kishore’s voice at the cost of Rafi, later in the 80s there was hardly any further scope left to experiment.

    Comparitively SDB was one of best in the choice of singers.

  29. Anmol Singh says:

    Hello Haldar Ji,

    Namsate

    Song 1 : SD wanted rafi to sing “Jalkte Hai Jiske Liye” but Bimal Roy insisted for Talat – Film “Sujata”

    Song 2 : The film maker wanted Rafi to sing “Phir Wahi Shaam, Wohi Gham” by MM insisted for Talat – Film Jahan Aaraa

    Song3. : (This is wild gess) Film – Lal Pather “Geet Gaata Hun Mein” sung KK for SJ.

    There are many more such examples.

    Film – Basant Bahar. Producer Shashi Bhushan insists Rafi to sing all the songs, but Shanker puts his foot down and insists for Manna Dey.

    Film – Meri Surat Teri Aankhen. The song “Poocho Naa Kaise Mein Ne Rein” initially rehersed by Rafi inventually when to Manna Dey, since Rafi was getting too emotional and backed out himself.

    Film – Hindustan Ki Kasam. Song “Har Taraf Ab Yahi Afsane Hai” initially Manna Dey insists Rafi to be used. But MM conveinces Manna to sing the song.

  30. Imtiaz says:

    Very very good article. Infact I have been waiting for such article as I believe there are hundreds of such songs which would have suited Mohammed Rafi saab.

    1. Salame ishq (Muqaddar Ka Sikandar)
    2. Yeh vaada raha (Yeh vaada raha)
    3. Sohni meri sohni (Sohni Mahiwal)
    4. Mujhe dulhe ka sehra (Sohni Mahiwal)
    5. Saari duniya ka bhoj (Coolie)
    6. Accident hogaya (Coolie)
    7. Mujhe peene ka shauq nahin (Coolie)
    8. Jawani ki rail kahin (Coolie)
    9. Mard tangewala hoon (Mard)
    10. Sun rubiya tumse pyar (Mard)
    11. Ham to tambu main (Mard)
    12. Main Allah Rakha (Allah Rakha)
    13. Na amar na akbar (Allah Rakha)
    14. Chahe sholon main (Allah Rakha)
    15. Parwar deegare alam (Allah Rakha)
    16. Oye ka cheez hai tu (Jaal)
    17. Rab roothe roothe (Jeete hai shaan se)
    18. Govinda govinda (Jeete hai shaan se)
    19. Koi shikayat nahin (Jeete hai shaan se)
    20. Allahu Allahu (Jeete hai shaan se)
    21. Main teri mohabbat main (Tridev)
    22. Yeh jeevan jitni (Banjaran)
    23. Des badalte hain (Banjaran)
    24. Teri meri kahaniya (Banjaran)
    25. Aaj kal yaad kuch (Nagina)
    26. Maa sheronwali (Ek chadar maili si)
    27. Na sona na chandi (Ek chadar maili si)
    29. Naam saare mujhe bhool (Sindoor)
    30. Aadmi zindagi (Vishwatma)
    31. Tere mere honthon main (Chandni)
    32. Maine kya jurm kiya (Eena meena deeka)
    33. Dulhan bani meri (Izzatdaar)
    34. Yaad rakhiyo (Izzatdaar)
    35. Teri bewafaai ka (Ram avtar)
    36. Jinhe chaahiye daulat (Main tera dushman)
    37. Saare jahan ke saamne (Main tera dushman)
    38. Tauba tauba jab (Main tera dushman)
    39. Tere har kadam pe (Aag ka darya)
    40. Rishta yeh mohabbat ka (Aag ka darya)

  31. Zulfiqar Ali Gill says:

    Hi Rafians,

    I am joining after a long time.

    I would like to here some songs in Rafi voice

    Kk;

    Jevan se bhari teri aankhain
    Aap sa koi haseen dil ruba o dilnahen
    Same tu dheray dheray chal from karam
    Ishq mera bandagi he (as it would have been a memoriable quwali type songs from ye wada raha).

    Bhopinder:

    Methay bool bolay from kinara or sittara

    Mahinder:

    Hath aaya he jab se tera hath men
    Ye zindagi jo thi ab tk tary panahon me
    Tere piyar ki tamana

    Sonu:
    Refuji Songs on Abishak

    Yasu das

    aap ki mehki hui from trishol

    Mukesh:

    Husne jana idhar aa aaena hon main tera

    Udat;

    Chah he tum ko chahen ga hr dum
    Sitaron si jagmaga rahe hain on boby deol
    Ab ye mohabbat nasha ban k dil pe chani lagi kiya karin
    Are re are ye kiya huwa (Dil to pagal he all songs)
    Pehla nasha

    Kumar sanu:

    Ek larki ko
    Tum milay dil khilay

    Suresh wadikar:

    Mera dil ne tujha chaha

    Aziz;

    Bali umer ne mera haal wo kiya

    Shabbir kumar:

    Tum se milke najane q

    O yar a long list. Rest i will share next time

    Enjoy and may God Bless Binu Nair who is torch bearer of Rafians in subcontinent. Blessing for all Rafians

    Zulfiqar Lahore Pakistan

  32. A S MURTY says:

    Guruji this is one topic which most of us have been discussing within our small groups for the last several years, but which may generate divergent views from many and possibly also some hard feelings among fans of other singers. I had myself on several occasions had wanted to write but refrained fearing that I may unknowingly hurt the feelings of some of our friends. But all in all, most of us have indeed nurtured this feeling about several songs that we feel would have come out in much more splendor had they been rendered by rafi sahab. Let us hope your article brings forth positive comments from all.

  33. gurujee –

    a great attempt made by a great rafi fan – you have wonderfully written som many instances or renditons – if picked up by rafi sahab would have sounded better – yes – many would agree to that theory.

    if all songs were sung by rafi sahab only – this world would have been a dull place to live in – simply because only in the back drop of the other singers that – rafi sahab stood out – as a shining star.

    rafi sahab was the greatest singer – any song would have felt indebted to have had his voice sing it.

    i would once again re-iterate and emphasise – agreat attempt by a great die-hard rafi fan like you gurujee.

    the mantra is live and let live – all singers have their space – rafi sahab had his too.

    your write up was interesting to read though.

    ramesh narain kurpad.
    rameshkurpad@gmail.com

  34. Good Article..In addition,How about the songs sung by Talat Mehmood. A great singer undoubtedly.., BUT imagine songs like jayen to jayen kahaan, Teri AAnkh Ke aansoo pee jaaooin,Main teri nazar ka surroor hoon and Jalte hain jis ke liye etc, if sung by Mohd Rafi would have had made these songs more sweeter and immortal..

  35. abbas sadik masanvi says:

    dear,
    i think you have some d,t about rafi saab,he can sing every thing,very well.pls do not mind it.

  36. Siva says:

    Guru murthy sahab, good imagination. Sometimes it happend in HFM that due to many constraints, certain songs went to others, when actually the music director would have preferred someone else. One classic example is that of film Saathi, in which Naushad sahab would have obviously chosen Rafi sahab (the hero was also Rajendra Kumar -for whom the golden combination of Rafi-Naushad & Shakeel gave so many jubilee hits) . But I understand due to pressure from the producers from south who always preferred Mukesh all the songs went to Mukesh. No doubt Mukesh also sang them so beautifully. While on the subject of producers from South(I am also incidentally from South), I believe they always had a preference for Mukesh-be ot AVM/L.V Prasad. In case of Chori Chori also the first choice was Mukesh(Raj Kapoor being the hero) but it was Shankar’s insistence for Manna Day and rest, as they, say is history with Manna Dey giving his career best , evergreen duets Yeh raat bheegi & Aaja sanam .

    Coming to the quiz of Haldar sahab I know for sure the answer to the first one-Jalte hain jiske liye from Sujata. Second , i am only guessing-could be Hamse aaaya na gaya . Third one -a very wild guess-is it geet gata hoon mein gun gunata hoon mein?????
    I am eager to know the answers, Haldar sahab.

  37. Bina says:

    Guruji:

    Aapke research ka jawaab nahin…aur Rafi Saab ki prati pyaar ka koi hisaab nahin.

    As much as I adore and love my Rafi Saab, I have the greatest regard for the others too…

    Har ek singer ke career mein aate hi hain chand ‘below par’ gaane.. I guess its entirely a matter of personal opinion, what is suitable or unsuitable for a particular voice.

    There is no doubt that Rafi Saab could definitely have sung every song mentioned above, but the songs that exist in the voices of other singers, I cannot imagine them being sung by anyone else..

    Bina

    Bina

  38. Salu says:

    Dear Guru Murthy,

    Nice article. Thank you for keeping the forum active with the types of article.
    But I have a question to all of you.

    Can you tell me a song which Rafi Saab wouldn’t have made better????

    Love

  39. rajprakash says:

    guru murthiji,

    a very good article indeed.rafi was rafi and no two arguements about it.but when rajesh khanna and amitab bachhan came to the scene, kishore kumar also came back for his second innings (some period during 1960s kishore kumar was not to be seen or heard and it was rafi,rafi and rafi only) those were the days of rajendra kumar,shammi kapoor and shanker jaikihshan’s music and hence rafi’s voice suited them. but when rajesh khanna,amitabh bachhan, r d burman came to the scene, the voice of kishore kumar suited them the most, especially amitab and kishore kumar (just like Mukesh and raj kapoor) rajesh khanna was having a face which suited kishore kumar and this was the reason even Shanker jaikishan took kishore’s help to sing “zindagi ek safar hai suhana” from andaz. after 1973 majority of the songs lovers like me started to loose interest in the hindi film sangeet because the melody in the songs started to fade away.eventhough rafi was a great singer he would have been a total misfit during the present day.open for corrections.

  40. achal rangaswamy says:

    dear guru murthy ji

    thank you for this very nteresting and thought-provoking write up.

    there are some songs that i always personally wished to hear in Rafi Saab’s voice. from guide-“gaata rahe mera dil”, from jewel thief-“aasmaan ke neeche”, from baat ek raat ki-“na tum hamein jaano”. and i always wondered why Rafi Saab was not given “bahaaron ne mera chaman lootkar” from devar, an excellent composition by Roshan Saab.

    of course gumraah had this lovely song-“chalo ek baar phir se anjabi ban jaayen hum dono”.

    in no way have the original singers done injustice to these beautiful songs but Rafi saab would have added the proverbial “chaar chaands” to them !!
    🙂

    regards
    achal rangaswamy
    achal.rangaswamy@gmail.com

  41. shrirang nawathe says:

    Guruji,

    What an article, Your thought for trying to imagine Rafi sahab in place of other singers for the selceted songs is quite different and innovative. I hope Rafi sahab would have been a better choice to replace Mahendra Kapoor in the songs like
    LAAKHON HAIN YAHA DILWALE…(KISMAT)
    ANDHERE ME JO BAITHE HAIN..(SAMBANDH)
    Liked your idea and hope to have more interesting writeups from you.

    Regards;

  42. P. Haldar says:

    Guru Murthy ji,

    Good article. As you are aware, I’m not particularly fond of Kishore’s “mere naina sawan bhadon”. Rafi would have definitely trumped Kishore in this song but I’d also point out that he would have just as easily trumped Lata (though she had no problems with the song), as he had done all through his career in the dual versions.

    Here are a few quiz questions on this topic:

    SD badly wanted Rafi to deliver the song but it went to Talat.

    Rafi would have dearly loved to deliver the song but MM gave it to Talat.

    Shankar tuned the song for Rafi but it went to Kishore.

    Both SD and MM were right in their thinking. Which are those two songs? As for the third one, Kishore delivered a beauty after Shankar adjusted the pitch. Which song is that?

  43. s ravishankar says:

    Guruji,
    A fine article wherein you have expressed your love for Rafi saab very eloquently. By and large, I agree with what you have written. However i do not agree with your take on the song from Mehbooba. KK has done justice to this song. Yes, at times his voice sounds jared at higher octaves. But, considering that this is filmed on Rajesh Khanna, I think it is only fair that KK be given his due. Having said that, it is not fair to compare any singer to Rafi saab because of the fact that Rafi saab was above everybody and the gap between Rafi Saab and others is enormous. The bottom linne is that your article made interesting reading. Thanks for this article.

  44. binu nair says:

    JYOTI JI : U HAVE STATED THE obvious Post 4……Deep down one’s heart “one” will always be thinking “why ?, why ? there were less songs of rafi the titan during the phase of five years. this questions will never wither away dear rafi lovers because how can one or two good songs of a particular singer bring down a great singer like mohd rafi.

    there was an artificial situation where a “caucus” , a “group” of music companies, composers, radio presenters, etc… worked overtime to undermine mohd rafi. the binaca geet mala it’s now being alleged – used to charge money for every slot of a song. can’t believe no……….

    it was like the filmfare awards where a crass movie like be-imaan gets the best music award vis-a-vis pakeezah. it was so sordid a tale that good hearted pran returned his filmfare award gained by his role for be-imaan in a vivid and laasting protest against the industry machinations.

    that mohd rafi too lost his confidence for a while cannot be wished away due to the solid machinations of this music caucus. many of the songs meant for him suddenly went to other singers who made a hash out of it – in many cases.

    it’s a different story that many composers were washed away as they succeeded only, only in scoring “bankrupt music and boxoffice disasters for their producers.”

    and, mohd rafi after break and a much needed rest from 1977 onwards fought back with full gusto and claimed his numero uno position in the industry by virtue of his devotion to his art.

    all competition was thus whisked away and he was back – at the top of playback singing.

    Postscript :

    the fm radios these days play less mohd rafi numbers. this is brought to my
    notice from various listeners from delhi and elsewhere. my take is that we must write to the radio stations and ask them to play songs of “all great legends ” other wise their “radio stations” would become obsolute very soon.
    fifty thousand music lovers calling them up or writing to them strongly willllll “force” them to an early wake up and “mend-ing ” their ways.

  45. Gan Sharma says:

    Guru saab,

    What comes through in your well-written article is your deep knowledge of Hindi film music, your obviously well-heard and anlyses of many, many, many songs; but above all, your unrestrained love for Rafi saab’s singing.

    Great, sir!!

    Mohan

  46. J.K. Bhagchandani says:

    I would like to add a couple of more songs (of other singers) which even originally have been sung brilliantly, but had Rafi sung them… it would have had that something extra. ‘Aap aaye to khyal-e-dil-e nashaad aya….’ from the film ‘Gumraah’ rendered excellently by Mahendra Kapoor; … then Mukesh’s great song ‘Jis gali mein tera ghar na ho baalmaa…’ from ‘Kati Patang’; imagine these songs sung by Rafi saab. From category A these songs would have become A+ songs.

  47. jyoti mohanty says:

    Dear gurumurthy saab
    Great article !!I am overwhelmed by the facts and figures you put up to prove the point.but let us not forget that till the advent of 70’s,rafisaab used to record more songs than all other male singers in the business put together.however,this trend changed in the early 70s.I can name a number of songs which on. Its merit should have gone to rafisaab but rendered by kk,bhupendra,shailendra singh or x,y,z.despite of being the finest voice with asomuch of expression and feeling,I still wonder how and why he was ignored for those 5 years !!!???

  48. sid sen says:

    To Murthy ji,

    Your article might bring in a few “guests” to our site 😉

    Anyways usually I like to not think about how would this song sound in this ones voice, but mohd rafi’s voice was so flexible.. it could be as mature like in khilona jaan kar tum, youthful in khoya khoya chand, absolutely masculine in aa jaa re aa zara and pukarta chala hoon main, and delicate like in is rang badalti duniya mein.. so many levels of thickness were posessed by his voice!

    Let us see here:
    1. mere naina sawan bhaadon – no doubt that rafi saahab would get these 2 aspects better, ie the classical aspect and the high pitch, but kishore kumar’s voice I feel suited this one perfectly as well and I love listening to it. Think mere mehboob tujhe, barbaad e mohabbat and jab bhi yeh dil udaas hota hai combined.. thats how it would have been in rafi’s style.. lovely!

    2.Pal pal dil ke paas- this song would have suited both imo, but mohd rafi’s voice went best with dharamendra.

    the above were “both would be great for me” cases. a few more are ek mein aur ek tu,khullam khulla pyar karenge , pyar deewana hota hai,etc

    Now here are some songs that I really wished I could hear in Rafi saab’s voice:

    kishore kumar’s:
    1.shokhiyon mein gola jaaye
    2.om shanti om
    3.yeh vaada raha altho it was after 1980

    the shashi kapoor songs with the excpetion of the sharmilee ones

    mukesh:
    kabhi kabhi mere dil mein
    ek pyar ka nagma hai
    maine tere liye hi saath rang
    suhana safar

    shailendra: the bobby songs and hoga tumse pyara kaun.

    suresh wadekar:tumse milke

    bhupinder: dil dhoondtha

    mahendra kapoor: not joking, but all his songs.

    Among the new songs(90’s till today) I would like to have heard
    pehla nasha, kuch na kaho and ek ladki ko dekha, the songs of rangeela, raja hindustani,.. well basically all songs of sonu nigam and udit and a few of kay kay and sanu.

    Nice article! but controversial and “inviting” 😉

  49. unknow says:

    A great topic Sir thanks
    when they asked P from LP do you make the music as singer?the answer was yes but when mohd Rafi or Lata Ji or Asha ji singing we jest make the song because we know that how we make it they will sing it but other singer they can’t
    Talat ji said about mohd Rafi that his voice is gift of God but Mohd Rafi made it gift to God

  50. AHAMED KUTTY says:

    Dear Guru Moorthyji,
    Very attractive article.i wish some of the songs rendered by Mahendra Kapoorji
    would have sung by rafi saab.especially the evergreen song “tum magar saath
    dene ka wadha karo”.no doubt mkji had done 100% justice to the song.it could have been much more better if rafi saab sung that song.

    also the song “meraa jeevan kora kagaz” sung by kk will be remarkable one
    if it is sung by rafi saab.i think it resembles the very beautiful song”yeh duniyaa yeh mehfil mere kaam kee nahee” which is my very favourite one.

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