A tribute to Rafi on his death anniversary, July 31
If you revisit my earlier post on Rafi’s songs (solos) composed by SD Burman, along with the readers’ comments, you realise the high regard in which the music lovers hold their combination. In spite of his known fondness for Kishore Kumar, SD Burman had something special for Rafi. Canasya finds Rafi’s songs by SD Burman even more mellifluous and romantic than by Naushad. That is some high compliment!
Out of about 90 Rafi songs composed by SD Burman, half are duets. Therefore, we cannot have a full picture of SD Burman-Rafi magic without looking at his duets. Tere bin soone nain hamaare is an ultimate Piloo, and has come in for a long discussions on SoY. Chaand sa mukhadaa kyun sharmaya is another of unparalleled beauty. While SD Burman’s own singing was very grave and profound, this sports and paan-loving composer had a light-hearted and jestful side to his personality. Rafi himself was the most versatile singer, which was a perfect match for SD Burman’s ability to use all the great female singers –Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Geeta Dutt – with equal felicity. Thus, they could move effortlessly from serious, romantic melody to frothy, fast and naughty – Achhaji main hari chalo maan jao na, Hum aapki ankhon mein is dil ko basa len to. The duets are not only equal in number, they more than match up to their great solos we have discussed in my earlier post.
We have seen that the first Rafi song by SDB dates back to 1947 in Do Bhai. But, as Hans pointed out in his detailed analysis, in the first phase till 1956, SDB does not care much for Rafi, but in the middle period 1957 to 1966, he goes for him in a big way. This is the period when he created some of the greatest duets for Rafi, without which the latter’s music is not complete. Even well after post-Aradhana when Kishore Kumar overtook everyone, SD Burman could create a most melodious Rafi-Lata Mangeshkar duet, Teri bindiya re in Abhimaan (1973).
When I had to resurrect SD Burman on the readers’ request to cover the remaining singers, it occurred to me that for his two most important singers, Rafi and Kishore Kumar, their duets too would have to be covered to give completeness. Interestingly, if you look at his songs for the major female singers – Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Geeta Dutt – the duets do not have the same importance, for example for Lata Mangeshkar, out of 182 songs, 132 are solos (source: Surjit Singh’s site).
Continuing my series on SD Burman, let me present his duets for Rafi on the latter’s death anniversary (b. 24 December 1924; d. 31 July 1980).
1. Panghat pe dekho aayi milan ki bela (with Geeta Dutt) from Naujawan (1951), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanvi
Before I come to presenting the songs in the order of my liking, let me start with a bit of history, as I did in case of their solos. This unheard song should be their first duet.
2. Chand sa mukhada kyun sharmaya (with Asha Bhosle) from Insaan Jaag Utha (1959), lyrics Shailendra
The more I listen to this song the more unsure I become whether I should still rank Tere bin soone as my top favourite. The opening recital Natkhat taaro humein na nihaaro gives no indication of the tune to follow. Then the opening mukhada, Chand sa mukhadaa kyun sharmaya gives a delightful feeling. But SD Burman enhances it further with some heavenly musical interlude, and continues his great work with equally spectacular antara. The city-bred engineer on the project site, falling for a village belle is not my favourite scene, but the wonderful duet makes it lovely.
3. Deewana mastana hua dil jaane kahan ho ke bahaar ayi (with Asha Bhosle) from Bambai Ka Babu (1960), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri
My Asha Bhosle-fan friends would be mightily pleased that I am selecting one duet after another where she is crooning with Rafi. I have to say it is not only because Lata was missing from SDB-fold during the period, but that these songs are stunning both in absolute and relative terms. The song starts with Asha Bhosle’s haunting call with sargam notes, and after a full stanza by her, Rafi enters. In a unique innovation, both the singers use sargam taans before singing their lines, which creates an extremely pleasant effect. With the background of nature, the song is beautifully picturised too.
4. Manmohan man mein ho tumhi (with SD Batish and Suman Kalyanpur) from Kaise Kahun (1964), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni
This film also has a pure Rafi-Asha duet, Kisi ki mohabbat mein sab kuchh ganwa ke, but Manmohan man mein ho tumhi, based on Raga Adana, is on a different plane. In this triad song, Rafi is not the most dominant voice, but since this would be counted among his 90 songs, I am presenting it here, as it is one of my great favourites.
5. Achchaji main haari chalo maan jaaon na (with Asha Bhosle) from Kaala Pani (1958), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri
The Master of romantic poetry, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award-winner, Majrooh Sultanpuri, now creates a roothna-manaana song in reverse, where the lady (Madhubala) is trying to cheer up a sulking Dev Anand. In the end, both making playful faces shows everything is well.
6. Hum aapki ankhon mein is dil ko basa lein to (with Geeta Dutt) from Pyasa (1957), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanvi
Pyasa was the film which consolidated Sahir’s reputation as the poet of hard-hitting, anti-establishment verses of cynicism and dejection. He wrote not only Ye kooche ye neelaamghar dilkashi ke and Ye mahlon ye takhton ye taajon ki duniya, but also the comic Sar jo tera chakraaye, and this romantic duet between the doomed lover-poet and his ex-flame, Mala Sinha, picturised as a dream sequence.
7. Aa ja panchhi akelaa hai (with Asha Bhosle) from Nau Do Gyarah (1957), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri
In a fine balancing act, SD Burman gives a solo and a duet to Kishore Kumar, and two duets to Rafi. Kali ke roop mein hali ho dhoop mein (Rafi-Asha) is equally good, but Aa ja panchhi akela hai picturised on Dev Anand and his lover-later-wife-in real life, Kalpana Kartik, is subtly erotic, when in this road movie the two take up a room in a motel, pretending to be husband and wife.
8. Rimjhim ke taraane le ke aayi barsaat (with Geeta Dutt) from Kaala Baazar (1960), lyrics Shailendra
In the middle period, SD Burman had started leaning towards Rafi over his favourite Kishore Kumar as the voice of Dev Anand. Besides some gorgeous solos in the movie, we have this very lilting romantic duet, set in the backdrop of rains, penned by the lyricist who was particularly fond of barsaat, which played an important role in his career. It was the eponymous movie that launched his career in a big way, with his first song Barsaat mein humse mile tum sajan tumse mile hum. He also had a great attraction for rimjhim, and named his bungalow as ‘Rimjhim’.
9. Dekho rootha na karo (with Lata Mangeshkar) from Tere Ghar Ke Saamne (1963), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri
Now it is Rafi all the way for Dev Anand. We are aware of his gorgeous solos – Dil ka bhanwar are pukaar and Tu kahan ye bataa is nasheelee raat mein. Lata Mangeshkar is now back to SDB fold. They have another duet, the Title Song Ek ghar banaaungaa tere ghar ke saamne. But Dekho rootha na karo, with its unhurried pace, is more mellifluous.
10. Dil pukaare aa ja aa ja re (with Lata Mngeshkar) from Jewel Thief (1967), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri
Now we enter the third phase of SDB’s career, and as remarked by Hans, he is back to balancing between Rafi and his favourite Kishore Kumar, which would soon turn into a clear preference for the latter. But with this sole duet, Rafi manages to leave a mark. Among the lyricists, Majrooh Sultanpuri was as versatile as SD Burman was among composers.
11. Ye dil deewana hai dil to deewana hai (with Lata Mangeshkar) from Ishq Par Zor Nahi (1970), lyrics Anand Bakshi
I end with a song from an era when Kishore Kumar had overtaken Rafi as the No. 1 singer. But SD Burman still had something special for Rafi. We have seen how he adapted his marvellous original Bengali song, Gaaner koli surer durite, into a most melodious solo in the voice of, who else but, Rafi in the same movie – Mehbooba teri tasweer. In this romantic duet too, you see the same careful chiselling of each note, each word, along with some great orchestration, characteristic of SD Burman.
{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }
Quite a coincidence, this, AK, because just yesterday I began reading Sathya Saran’s biography of SD Burman, and this morning I was reading about how he gave a break to Kishore, then drifted between him and Rafi (and various other singers, depending upon whoever’s voice he thought suited a song best). So coming to your blog and finding this list here was a pleasant surprise. 🙂 Lovely list, and some of my absolutely favourite songs – though I will admit that in both Nau Do Gyarah and Tere Ghar ke Saamne the duets you’ve mentioned but not actually listed score higher with me.
I find the Panghat Pe Dekho song so soothing. Rafi sounds sooooo young there. Didn’t know it was his first with Geeta Dutt. Would have loved to see Rafi and Lata’s Palkon ke peeche se tumne kya from Talash included in this list. that is mellifluous and ever fresh and so romantic!
Another fascinating pair like Anilda-Mukesh ! ‘Deewana mastana hua dil’ is really ringing in my ears as some heavy rain is striking surat this time…A wonderful list of rafi duets under SDB. The first song in ur list is still to be listened by me. My clear favorite is ‘tere bina sune nain hamare’ of this pair which u have mentioned in ur initial para. Overall nice post at an appropriate time. Thanx.
Madhu,
Ithought you also did Rafi’s duets by SDB! Nevertheless it is quite a coincidence.
SDB swung between KK and Rafi in different phases – KK’s primacy in the first phase, Rafi in a major way in the middle phase, back to KK in the last phase.
When two or more very good songs are there in a film, the choice becomes close, and a matter of personal preference. I have mentioned my reasons for selecting one over the other.
Personal Concerns,
Panghat ke peechhe se is indeed a very good song. But I generally prefer to include older songs, and try to keep the list to 10.
Jignesh,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation.
AK’ji , What a beautiful selection of Rafi SDB romantic songs . Thanks a lot for that . One can add Rafi’s solo……”tere mere sapne ab eak hi hain” from Guide. Today being death annev. of Rafi sahib I am recalling his most beautiful duet with Asha ‘ji ……” Hum safar saath apna chhod challe “. Will some one upload this song– beautifully composed by the great Madan mohan.
AK,
This was unexpected, what a pleasant surprise?
Rafi with SDB, what more can I ask for?
I too think Rafi was at his best with SDB and (not many would agree) vice verse.
Their songs are so good that even if you pick it randomly you might not go wrong,
But you have done a wonderful job. Your other songs are better than the more popular ones.
Thanks once again, you have made my day.
This song, though it seems like a Lata solo, (this had come when Lata was not singing with SDB) Rafi’ sher in the prelude creates the magic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fL6WVG23TKo&feature=player_detailpage
Mumbaikar8,
Thanks a lot for your generous praise. Sheeshe ka dil ho ya pathar ka dil was a new song to me. Waheeda Rahman’s dance is outstanding.
KS Bhatia,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Hamsafar saath apna chhod chale (Aakhri Daao) is a superb song. Hopefully it would figure some time when I discuss Madan Mohan. Last year I discussed Rafi’s solo by SDB, I have given its link in the beginning of this post.
Like Madhu, I too prefer the song you mentioned rather than the one you selected from Tere Ghar ke Saamne. 🙂
I notice you didn’t post any songs from Manzil…
Here is a Rafi-Asha duet that I really like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbVl9pkzXhI
and I love this Rafi-Geeta duet as well (same film):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuyH3cm6ix0
I could come up with a few more songs as soon as I read an article on Mohammed Rafi Solos on Conversations Over Chai.
Similar off the cuff, yet meaningful, response to SDB- Rafi duets appeared to be not that easy, more so after such a representative presentation.
In fact, each of Rafi – Lata , Rafi- Asha and Rafi – Geeta Dutt duet combinations from SDB should enable an independent article in itself, which can then be subjected to all post-facto analyses from different angles so as to come up with a range of kaleidoscopic patterns.
For the present,
Let me join in by way of these songs:
Ho Laakh Musibat Geeta Dutt Mohd Rafi Film Pyaasa (1957) Music S.D.Burman Lyrics Sahir. http://youtu.be/COCgjv4i51k The song does not have the depth of Hum Aap Ki Ankhon Se, but use of piano accordion in the prelude does hold as much attention.
Lag Gayi Ankhiyan Tum Se Mori – Geeta Dutt, Mohammed Rafi Jeevan Jyoti 1953 http://youtu.be/RXrvpHMHjc8
Batao Kya Karungi – Geeta Dutt – Mohd. Rafi – EK KE BAAD EK [1960] . http://youtu.be/Pncb7PareoI
Tune Le Liya Hai (HD) – Miya Biwi Razi – Mohd Rafi – Geeta Dutt – http://youtu.be/cTWdYv9ctRs
Zara Jhoom Le Jawaani (HD) – Naujawan – Mohd Rafi – Geeta Dutt – http://youtu.be/X1F5OeyJ_Kc
Anu,
Since you don’t have a ‘favourite’ singer, why should it matter to you which one I selected? 🙂
Both the duets from Manzil are very good. Dil to hai deewana na reminded me of Samir’s post long back on Dev Anand’s sweaters in songs. If you have not seen it is worth looking up.
And one more from ‘Ek Nazar’ by Rafi and Lata,
Mujhe preet nagariya jaana hai
Ek Nazar 1951 Mujhe preet nagariya jana hai Lata …: http://youtu.be/Hpg9zKfLSAA
A song from ‘Ziddi’, of the 60s, starring Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parikh, by Rafi and Asha,
Champakali dekho jhuk hi gayi re, jaadu kiya tere pyar ne
Champakali dekho jhuk hi gayi Lata & Rafi Film Zi…: http://youtu.be/yuanWZzOlrA
(YouTube erroneously mentions it as a Rafi Lata duet).
Ashokji,
Each song you have added has something special about it, though I may not replace any song from my list from these.
The Pyasa duet shows Guru Dutt might have some masochistic streak in him. Here he is in down in the dumps when he sees a cheerful Mala Sinha, getting down from her car, and the romantic duet starts in flashback. Another romantic duet between him and Mala Sinha in the film was picturised in flashback.
Lag gayi ankhiyan, with Geeta Dutt taking the lead, bears her stamp.
Bataao kya karungi is a beautiful melody. Reminds me of a more famous song, which I am not able to recall right now.
Tune le liya hai: SDB again uses sargam taans, akin to Deewan mastana hua mera dil, though it does not reach the same height.
Zara jhoom le jawani is a beautiful fishermen/boatmen folk song, and beautifully picturised too.
Thanks a lot for these nice additions.
Sharmaji,
If Lata is there you can expect excellent melody. Both the duets are very nice. Thanks a lot.
Ak Ji,
I was expecting a post on Md. Rafi yesterday. Prior to that, I was wondering whether the post could be on Anil Biswas-Md Rafi. Albeit the songs rendered by Md.Rafi for Anil Biswas were just enough to do a post, I was not sure. But I never imagined that it could on duets rendered by Md.Rafi for S D Burman. Listening to Md.Rafi’s duets composed by S D Burman is a delightful listening experience.
The total MF duets of Md.Rafi for S D Burman would be 39. So it is very much appropriate to have a post on duets rendered by Md.Rafi for S D Burman, on this occasion. Here is the break-up.
Pre 1957 – Lata Mangeshkar 1, Geeta Dutt 4, Toatl 5
1957-67 – Lata Mangeshkar 6, Geeta Dutt 5, Asha Bhosle 17, Kamala Sista 1, Total 29
After 1967 – Lata Mangeshkar 4, Asha Bhosle 1, Total 5
MF duets 38, Lata Mangeshkar 11, Geeta Dutt 9, Asha Bhosle 18, Kamala Sista 1, Total 39
One duet with Shamsad Begum for the unreleased film Sazaa not included.
Asha Bhosle sang almost 50% of the duets with Md.Rafi and as you have pointed out that was due to Lata Mangeshkar’s absence for 5 years, and it is quite natural to find 4 of her duets with Md.Rafi in this post.
But if you consider the MF duets from 1962 onwards, Rafi’s duets with Lata would account for 60% of his MF duets.
Chand sa mukhda carries one to the seventh heaven, where both Rafi’s and Asha giving their best in their melodious voices. Tere bin soone is definitely a very beautiful number, but I like Chand sa mukhda more. Deewana mastana hua dil jaane kahan ho ke bahaar ayi is another thrilling duet.
Among the duets with Geeta Dutt I liked the song Rimjhim ke tarane le kea aayi barasat, the most.
Needless to say any Md.Rafi.- Lata duet will have special charm, that too with SDB as the composer. Among the duets with Lata, I liked the one from Jewel Thief.
There are more duets in the comments section. I could listen to Mubairkar ji’s addition. A good addition. Most of the sites mention the female singer as either Suman Kalyanpur or Asha Bhosle. Thank you Mumbaikar Ji. I will listen to the other duets later.
Let me add another duet. A nice full throated peppy number.
Paani Hota Doob Hi Jaate Aag Hoti Jal Jate withKamala Sista, lyrics Shailendra, film Miya bibi Raazi (1960)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_apFrbfiz4#t=150
Thanks for yet another wonderful post and selection of songs.
Here is one more melodious duet
Kisi Ki Muhabbat Men Sab Kuchcha Bhla Ke – Kaise Kahoo (1964) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41ZpCln5f5A
With Mr. Venkataraman’s statistical clarity, all these put together does not seem to leave any song which was as good as any of the Top Rafi duets under SDB baton.
For once, a post on SoY that doesn’t have many ‘unheard’ songs – except the first. SDB with any singer is magic, and he exceeds himself when the singers are as versatile as Rafi or Lata. Each song in this list is very high on my list of duets. In fact, half of this list could figure in my ‘top ten playful duets’. Despite the known fondness of both Dev Anand and SDB for Hemant and Kishore, the combination Dev-SDB-Rafi really captures the blithe spirit Dev portrayed on screen, and has given us some unforgettable songs. Thanks for helping us relive these wonderful memories.
Since you don’t have a ‘favourite’ singer, why should it matter to you which one I selected?
It had nothing to do with the singers, since both are Rafi-Lata duets. As a song, I prefer Tere ghar ke saamne to Dekho rootha na karo, that is all. 🙂
Venkataramanji,
Thanks a lot for your very thorough analysis, and the really nice duet which I am hearing for the first time.
Anil Biswas-Rafi would have been quite contrived not only because of negligible numbers, but also because Anil Biswas was quite open about his diffidence for Rafi. His style of music did not suit Rafi – that is what he said.
Subodh,
SDB’s these duets (the first was for historical purposes) never lose their charm no matter how many times you hear them. I had no reason to look for ‘unheard’ songs.
Venkataraman Ji,
Thanks for appreciating my effort. At times we do get misinformation on websites, I trust my ears at such times and if I have doubt with my ears then I turn to SOY.
Baat ek raat ki had 3 Asha Rafi duets.
This Jamoora song is fascinating.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgwyxMggRc4&feature=player_embedded
Yes, indeed a fascinating song, Mumbaikar8 Ji.
I was expecting this. Since you were in B-mode (Biswas/Burman) it was expected that on 31st it would be from them. But, since Biswas did not have anything significant for Rafi, it was deemed to be Burman.
I am glad you gave ‘chand sa mukhda’ and ‘deewana mastana’ the importance they deserve. I would have also preferred the title song from Tere Ghar Ke Samne, though it is very hard to pick any of them. ‘Palkon ke peechhe se’ from Talash referred by Personal Concerns and ‘chupke se mile’ referred by Anu are special songs, which could have been included. But, it is your list and most of the songs I hear regularly.
The Rafi-Lata duet from Ek Nazar referred by Sharmaji was the first duet of this pair. Perhaps you have not seen Nau Do Gyarah, because Dev Anand goes as a manager in search of the ‘will’ of his uncle and not in a motel.
Though Venkatramanji is an automatic statistician for this site, I would like to commit the sin of correcting his stats as I am particular in keeping stats where Rafi is concerned. To my knowledge there are 95 songs of Rafi-SDB out of which 49 are duets. Out of these 42 are male-female duets, Lata has 13 and one duet with Suman in Benazir has been left out by Venkatramanji. Lata has 6 duets post 1967 – one in Aradhana, two in Talash, one each in Ishq Par Zor Nahin, Anurag and Abhiman.
Although most of the duets not in the list have been mentioned by the stalwarts already, I give one picturised on Johny Walker in the film Baat Ek Raat Ki. Aaj ka din bhi pheeka pheeka :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDReJr47jmg
Watch the difference in style with the songs ‘sar jo tera chakraye’ and ‘hum tum jise kahta hai shadi(kagaz ke phool)’. There are two more solos on Johny Walker in film Sitaron Se Aagey, for those who are interested in Johny Walker songs. It was difficult not to find a song on Johny Walker by Rafi, in which he was acting and Rafi was singing.
Hans,
Film songs statistics is a very dicey business, in spite of HFGK. Surjit Singh’s site films.hindi-movies-songs.com gives the following break up of Rafi’s songs by SDB:
FILMS – 41
Solos – 45
M-F duets – 38
M-M duets – 3
Mix songs – 4
TOTAL – 90
They also acknowledge their source is HFGK. Therefore, I take all these statistics as a trend. The important point is that his duets are no less important than the solos, both in numbers and quality.
I have a notoriously short memory in remembering detail plot of a movie, even of those I have seen recently. So you must be right that duet they sang when they reached his uncle’s place. But do you remember if they did stop at a motel? I do remember they stopped at his ‘friend’ Madan Puri’s place in between.
Aaj Ka din bhi pheeka pheeka is a very nice song. Thanks for adding it. Is it a duet or solo? It does not seem to be listed in HFGK.
AK ji,
The song ”aaj ka din bhi fika fika” is mentioned in HGFK,but in “addenda”. It is a Asha/Rafi duet.
-AD
Arunji,
Thanks a lot for the info.
Hans Ji,
I was very much saddened by your comments (#25).
Yes, you are right. My list does not contain Suman Kalyanpur’s duet with Md.Rafi from the film Benazir. Next, you have mentioned that there were two duets with Lata Mangeshkar in Talash (1969). Since I found the voice of R D Burman rendering the line “ke jaas re bhaati gaan gaiya’, although for 10 seconds, in the song Aaj ko jhunli raat ma, I made the mistake of treating it as a triad. Thank you for pointing out the errors. BTW the wordings of the original Bengali song was “ke jaas re bhaati gaang baaiya’.
Still it does not solve the problem concerning the figures, AK ji says we are looking at trends only and not on the lookout for perfect figures. Yet I would like to correct my statistics, later. If I can get your mail-id, I would send my list to you for correction. If you have the time, I do have the inclination.
But I am not saddened because you pointed out my mistakes. Hans Ji, I do not claim to be the automatic statistician of this site. Again I was not saddened on this count too.
“I would like to commit the SIN of correcting his stats”
Why should you consider it a sin to correct someone’s mistake? Generally, the bloggers at this site and in other sites too are broad minded people. And we are more than delighted to share our love and passion for music in general and HFS in particular. Just out of fun, for figures, I do this statistical stuff. Unfortunately, more often I end up with imperfect figures. And it will give me immense pleasure, if somebody comes up with perfect figures which is certainly not a sin.
Thank You Hans Ji.
With love and respect.
NVR
AK,
I know stats are always fallible as is HFGK. But, when HFGK came and internet had not yet arrived, people believed in it. Now they want to cross-check. I agree that in the initial print of HFGK the total was not even 90. But, people have discovered songs mostly through Youtube. You have talked about ‘aaj ka din bhi pheeka’. That is a duet and is given in addenda of HFGK itself. Some entries in singers’ column are not correct there. SDB is one of my favourite MDs, so I prepared a summary of his songs and during that process I found there were some gaps, which I cross-checked with youtube and I found two new songs in film Doctor Vidya. They are ‘main kal fir milungi’ a Rafi-Lata duet picturised on Manoj and Vyjayantimala and a qwwali picturised on Helen and Prem Chopra ‘yun hans hans ke na dekho’ Both are very good songs and since nobody has mentioned them, I give their links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp6DiJIFnno
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIR2mip-Nx0
The fourth one is Rafi-Suman duet in Benazir ‘ae mere dilruba’. This was also not in the HFGK. These are the 4 added songs which brings the number of MF duets to 42. I have a complete list of the 95 songs which I have double-checked. There were 45 solos, but I have taken the poem recitation ‘tang aa chuke hain’ in Pyasa as a song though its record was not released. The 95 does not include the duet of Pyasa ‘hon lakh musibat raste men’ mentioned by Vaishnavji, because that is not a full song, though I feel it can be included.
You are right about the duets composed by SDB. His duets are over-shadowed by solos because solos are talked about more. Some MDs like C. Ramchandra and Nayyar excelled in duets, while some like Madan Mohan struggled with them or at least had few outstanding duets as compared to solos, but SDB could compose both solos and duets with the same felicity.
I could not find the details in Surjit Singh site. Perhaps that site is under construction.
About Nau Do Gyarah, I remember this because I have seen this many times, though my memory is hardly different than you in remembering details. Actually in the film Madan Puri gives Dev the idea to go there as manager and tells him they want a married manager.
Deshmukhji,
Nothing can escape your eyes.
All shayari recitals of Pyaasa were included on LongPlay record.
I would suggest Hansji to do a series of articles w.r.t. SDB- Rafi duets @ SoY . i.e. taking up Rafi’s pairing with Geeta Dutt, Lata Mangeshkar , Asha Bhosle and Others as individual article. The articles can use trigger points fro the comments in this lead article, for a more detailed analysis and observations.
BTW I am sure every one has noticed “striking similarity” of “Main Kal Phir Miloongi” – Dr. Vidya (1962) and “Kisi Ki Muhabbat Men Sab Kuchcha Bhla Ke – Kaise Kahoo” (1964) !!!!!
dear all,
if one analyses in a different way, when it comes to usage of rafi versus kishore, SDB largely relied upon rafi for the non-dev anand films. the greatest examples of this are pyasaa, kagaz ke phool, benazir, talaash, insaan jaag utha and many others. i am sure the kishore nos. of SDB in non-dev anand films would be much lesser !! SDB also endorsed the unmatched versatility of rafi saheb ! also, between 1957-1964 sort of period, even in all dev anand films it was rafi all the way almost !!
Vaishnavji,
SDB has been wholly milked by AK already, though at some time I may write something if allowed by AK.
About the shayari recitals, the info is given in HFGK, but still they did not include ‘tang aa chuke hain’ in the list. Rafi was master in such poetry recitals without music. There was another such poem written by Hasrat Jaipuri and composed by Madan Mohan in film Naya Kanoon ‘ unhen kissa-e-gham jo likhne ko baithe’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJu84sGDOuY
Incidentally, female versions of both these were sung by Asha Bhonsle. ‘Unhen kissa-e-gham’ was used in the same film with the same mukhda and different antaras:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y33gY0SW9A
‘Tang aa chuke hain’ was used again in 1958 film Light House with only one common antara and was composed by N. Dutta.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKvkL–3ROg
Vaishnavji,
The similarity between ‘main kal phir milungi’ and ‘kisi ki muhabbat men’ is almost complete, because even the antaras are composed in a similar manner. It is obvious that none has noticed this. At least I did not notice it. You are a specialist on such similarities.
But, I would mention two similarities of another kind, which may be useful for you for your future articles. In the 1951 AK song list, there is a song by Asha Bhonsle in film Sabz Bagh, ‘yaad teri aayi to main chori chori royi re, neer bhari ankhiyon se chunri bhigoi re.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lr8_QBP6qwU
Similar mukhda has been used by Anjan and composed by GS Kohli in the 1963 Dara Singh film Faulad. The mukhda there is ‘yaad tori aayi main to chham chham royi re, preet bhare ansuon men chunri bhigoi re’. What a beautiful song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Sxw1_TzFXQ
The second one is from films Baarish (1957) and Jahanara (1964). In Baarish – the film in which Chitalkar so beautifully sang for Dev Anand – Lata and Chitalkar sang for Dev Anand and Nutan, ‘phir wohi chand wohi hum wohi tanhai hai, aaj phir dil ne muhabbat ki kasam khai hai.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayrJfNGoul0
Perhaps everybody has already guessed the similarity. Yes it is ‘phir wohi sham wohi gham wohi tanhai hai’ It appears like a high class parody with slightly different tune and just two words replaced in the first line of the mukhda. And again the man is Madan Mohan.
AK, & SOY family,
Aaj ka din hai phika phika has been discussed earlier as Rafi Asha duet,
after listening to it carefully I have come to the conclusion that the female singer is not Asha, but I cannot figure out who she is, is she Usha Khanna?
Hans,
Delighted to know you are open to writing for SoY. I have sent you a mail.
Mumbaikar8,
I heard Aaj ka din hai pheeka pheeka carefully. To me it sounds like Asha Bhosle.
Hans,
Thank a lot for the detailed clarification. Here is the link to Surjit Singh’s site. I think it should work.
http://films.hindi-movies-songs.com/
Hans,
Yes, there is an uncanny similarity between Main kal phir milungi and Kisi ki mohbbat mein. Yet when I listen to the two songs I find a subtle difference. While the first song seems to be a hurried job, in the second song SDB seems to have spent some extra time in polishing it. It comes out as more chiselled and unhurried job.
Auto-inspiration (earlier I had used the expression auto-plagiarism) is quite common in many composers. Another song which comes to my mind is Roshan’s Tera dil kahan hai sab kuchh yahan hai by Asha Bhosle from Chaandni Chowk (1954), and its adaptation Lata Mangeshkar’s Rahe na rahe hum from Mamta (1966). You see the same phenomenon – the music director consciously trying to make the later version sound much better. Goes without saying that the Lata Mangeshkar version is a major landmark.
The interesting thing is when another set of lyricist-MD take the same mukhada to create another song. Is there an issue of plagiarism here? In Yaad tori aayi main to chham chham royi re you see the same phenomenon – the later version being vastly more popular. (A small correction – Farooq Qaiser is credited as the lyricist of the later version.)
Phir wohi chaand wohi gham – the same lyricist-MD pair has done both the versions. Though the later version is better known, the first version is no less beautiful.
Hans Ji, AK Ji,
There is another duet, which is more similar to the duet you’ve mentioned from ‘Baarish’.
Phir wohi chand wohi gham wohi tanhai hsi
Please listen to this duet by Rafi and Suman from ‘Rooplekha’,
Chand hai taare bhi hain aur ye tanhai hai,
Tumne kya dil ke jalane ki qasam khayi hai
rooplekha ”’ chand hai tare hain aur ye tanhai h…: http://youtu.be/MfDH9sMmQvE
Mumbaikar8,
The song ‘aaj ka din bhi pheeka’ is certainly Asha-Rafi. Asha is trying to modulate and sing like an anglo-indian girl which is the character for which she is singing. But, you have guessed it right that the voice is like Usha Khanna. Asha has sung many songs earlier in the voice of Geeta and Lata. You must have seen Asha playbacking for Johar in Bewaqoof.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssv1c12Ixj8
Such modulations were common for the great singers. AK and I discussed a few songs in which Lata was singing like Suman in the article on Chitragupta-Lata. Now see this song ‘dekhoji dekho’ Lata sings in the film Singapore, where she is trying to sing in chinese accent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37KbQj0GPaI
Rafi’s Devar Bhabhi song and Manna Dey’s ‘jodi hamari’ are too famous modulations where there voices are hardly recognisable.
Sharmaji,
Great discovery, at least for me, because I had not heard this before, though I have listened to some songs from Rooplekha.
AK,
If he could not make subtle differences in using the same tune again then he would not have been SDB.
Yes, the lyricist is Faruq Kaiser. I just wrote from the youtube link instead of checking with HFGK. But, the MD for Baarish was C Ramchandra. But, the lyricist is Rajendra Krishan in both cases. He had perhaps the habit of whispering tunes in the ear of the MD, because I have earlier also seen a song in which the tune of his earlier song was used later by some other MD. At present, I dont recollect that song.
There are a number of songs with similar tunes by the same or a different MD. I had once prepared a list, but I have got that paper mixed up somewhere. But, I also like you dont take these as copying or plagiarisms and just enjoy the song. Some MDs used to take verbal permissions where they used the tunes of others in older times. It was very common. It is said that Madan Mohan duly took permission from Sajjad Hussain, but the latter taunted him in public despite that.
Hans ji,
Ref comment no. 43..
Asha Bhosale has also given playback to Kishore kumar in film ‘Baap re Baap’-55
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh6IhNGExXY
-AD
#Hans and all other subsequent contributors,
Thanks for opening up a Pandora’s box.
Now whenever we will listen a song, we will first try to delve deep into the memory to find out if there was a similar sounding song or not !! 🙂
Hans, Ak,
Asha had this ability of singing like other singers, in fact I had discussed earlier with AK that she was like mimicry artist ready to cater to her MDs, be it Lata, Geeta, Suraiya, Sudha Malhotra, but I did know she was so good at it.
To be honest it is difficult for me to digest that this is Asha except for the two dialogues by the neighbors, the song I feel is some other singer, I am not certain about that, but one thing I am certain about is that you’ll are more knowledgeable than me and hence I take your word.
AK ji,
I hope you don’t mind me diverting the topic back to Anilda.
May I please know what was the tally of Rafi-Anilda?
I also take this opportunity to thank Venkatraman ji for the threadbare analysis of Mukesh-Anilda solos, duets and other songs in the “Maker of Mukesh” post.
It was probably to my comment that he came up with the full details and I did not acknowledge his help also. The delay in thanking was due to my travel, poor net accessibility and also as to how to react to his heart-bare in the comments. 🙂 :). Many Thanks Venkataraman ji.
AK ji & other contributors
I love old songs sang by Shri Mohd Rafi I am crazy the way he was singing Please if you can do me a favour send me old songs romantic and sad duet & solo sang by Rafi I will be thankful to you for this task. the songs of film Gyara hazar ladkiyan “Mujhe tum se Mohabat hea” and School Master “A piya A sajaniya A” and many more of these type of songs.
I think you have not received my comments so once more I am trying to submit thanking you once again
Mahesh,
I have sent you the complete Anil Biswas filmography with song details. I could count less than ten songs, with just three solos. The only remarkable song, to my mind, is Le ja uski duaayein ho jo tera na ho saka. However, its charm lies in that it is a traditional Pahadi, which had been done earlier by C Ramchandra in Kah ke bhi na aaye tum (Safar, 1946), and later by OP Nayyar in Dil de ke daga denge by OP Nayyar (Naya Daur, 1957). Its interesting that all the three songs are sung by Rafi. No one could have done it better.
When I hear the three songs carefully, I find Anil Biswas creation the best, though it seems to be the least known. However, their chemistry did not match, and Anil Biswas was quite open in saying that Rafi’s style of singing did not match his music. Since I am not going to do an Anil Biswas-Rafi post, let us enjoy his matchless creation for Rafi.
A Latifee,
Welcome to Songs of Yore, and thanks for your interest. There are many sites dedicated to Rafi. A very good site to look for any song is
http://atulsongaday.me/
If you google the song title and Atul Song A Day, you should get to the song very quickly.
Deshmukhji,
Thanks for the post. You have amazing memory and knowledge of hfm. That is why AK and others in SOY family always look forward to you for trouble-shooting.
In Baap Re Baap Asha sang for the hero, the heroine and the counter heroine.
Mumbaikar8,
I have read your comment in the Sudha Malhotra column. You have called Asha mimicry artist and you may have some solid grounds for that opinion. If Asha was working to the wishes of the MDs there is no harm in it because it is the duty of the singer to do that. You also say that she had some lady luck but you have not elaborated and may be you have some reasons to say so.
So far as I am concerned, Asha came with a handicap of the sword of Elder Sister Tax always hanging on it and lady luck, if any, worked in favour of Lata. So Asha had to work harder than others to prove her separate identity. Her singing like Lata was quite a natural phenomenon and she copied Geeta at the behest of Lata. For me that was all what she copied. She never copied Sudha. It was Sudha who copied her. Sudha’s career started in 1955 but she actually warmed up in 1957. By that time Asha’s voice tone has already been set. I will give you examples. Sudha first copied Lata then Asha. You can call it modulation also. But, she did this modulation business to such an extent that people were confused which was her original voice. Out of her about 300 songs you will hardly find 20 songs in her ‘salame hasrat’ voice which is considered to be her original voice. i must have heard the ‘changez khan’ song ‘rukja rukja laut ke ana hoga’ several times believing it to be a Lata song before coming to know that it was a Sudha song. So she lost one of the most popular early songs to Lata. I may tell you that she is a marvellous singer and I love her songs and I think if she had stuck to her own voice she would have given the Mangeshkars run for their money.
Now, kindly listen to the following songs sung by Asha from 1953 to 1955, to see whether she had got her distinct voice tone or not.
1. Yaad teri zindagi ka saaz ban ke rah gayi (Laila Majnu-1953)
2. Ae ghame dil kya karun (Thokar – 1953)
3. Dedi hamen ajadi bina khadag (Jagriti – 1954)
4. Chalo chalen maan (Jagriti – 1954)
5. Raat rangili chamke tare (Baap Re Baap – 1955)
6. Chanda mama door ke (Vachan – 1955)
7. Aji hum aur tum hon sath sath (Marine Drive -1955)
8. Piya khul ke na nain milaye re (Milap – 1955)
9. Hum sang naina kahe ko (Joru Ka Bhai – 1955)
Believe me this is only a sample and there are a number of quality songs and the list is only upto 1955, by which time many think she was not even born as a singer.
Hans,
I will not defend Sudha Malhotra because I do not think that Sudha Malhotra was a better singer than Asha.
Lata and Asha were, are, and will remain the most talented singers but they were, the Champions of non-fair trade practice.
I have no doubt that, with the talent they possess their achievements would have been the same, without any manipulations, perhaps with some more love and respect.
Asha was aware of her own talent, was hard working and ready to do whatever it takes to make it, until 1957 she was the victim, but in 1957 when the opportunity arrived she behaved as ruthless as her sister and eliminated Geeta Dutt out of O P Nayyar camp.
I did say that Asha was like a mimicry artist, because she had shown the ability to sing like most of the singers, but I did not say that singing like someone was wrong or harmful in fact I admire her ability to do it and do it so well.
I remember her singing like Suraiya, Mubarak Begum, Sudha Malhotra Shamshad Begum but I am handicapped too, by my memory, I assure I will come up with some examples soon, right now I can talk about the Baat Ek Raat Ki song, did you not you convince me that, Asha has sung this song but like Usha Khanna.
Now the lady luck, look at the coincidences happening 1957 onwards O.P Nayyar rising to glory, Lata out of SDB camp, Anil Biswas sliding, Lata C. Ramchandra’s relation cooling down, Geeta having marital problems, Sudha Malhotra giving up singing. I call this lady luck in action.
There is no question of not believing you, in fact I will add one more incredible song from her per-birth period that I love.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=_7wRlJn0uEE
AK ,
Similar tune?
Repeated by maestro himself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXrupGDF79M&feature=player_detailpage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lenBwlmgMBE&feature=player_detailpage
Mumbaikar8,
This is wonderful. I hope you are keeping track of all the wonderful things you have discovered for SoY. I hope Ashokji is also following it.
Hats off mumbaikar8 for this absolutely amazing discovery. Shamshad song is a superb one.
Thanks for this great addition to the collection of SoY.
AK,
Thanks for your kind words.
Sharma ji,
Thanks, I absolutely agree with you, Shamshad Begum’s song is simply superb.
Hi AK Ji,
Being an SDB-maniac I really loved this write up. SDB as a singer + composer was in the league of the most extraordinary music personalities of India. So far I have enjoyed all SDB articles written by you.
I really can’t get enough out of Lata, SDB and Rafi. As for Rafi’s association with various MDs, I think so far you have covered Rafi-Naushad, Rafi-SDB and Rafi-Roshan only. In case you entertain the requests of visitors and if time permits you, please write on the following Rafi-MD associations as well:
Rafi – O.P. Nayyar
Rafi – Madan Mohan
Rafi – Ravi
Rafi – Shankar – Jaikishan
Rafi – Chitragupt
Thanks & Have a good one!
Kapil,
So you have been a regular follower, but as this seems to be your first comment, let me welcome you to the family.
I have covered Chitragupta too in some form. Rafi is not complete without OPN, SJ and other composers you have mentioned. They would surely come some day.
Reders are the mainstay of SoY. It is their participation that sustains the bolg. Feel free in suggesting and commenting.
These are the very such nice listing of the songs composed by the S.D. Burman. From the above such listings some of the really nice and also one of the my favourite songs such as “Manmohan man mein ho tumhi…” and also “chand sa mukhda kyun sharmaya” Such a nice collection….Really superb songs
Very nice article. I would have loved if you had given ‘palkon ke peeche se’ song an entry in your list.
Shaurya Singh,
Welcome to SoY. Palkon ke peechhe se is a very nice song. But I post only about 10-15 songs, which means some very good songs are left out.