Rafi – Lata Duets under Kalyanji Anandji
This article is written by Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy
Kalyanji and Anandji were two Music Directors who were fairly popular in the sixties and seventies. Though not in the same league as Naushad, SDB, OPN, MM, SJ, etc., they had their own place and loyal followers like Manoj Kumar, Prakash Mehra, Ramanand Sagar, etc.
It was apparent that their favourite Singers were Mukesh and Lata, though they made extensive use of Mahendra Kapoor especially in Manoj Kumar Films, Mohammed Rafi and Mannadey. In fact, during certain periods, they came out with hit movies fairly regularly.Â
Perhaps the first movie where they used Rafi Saab was in BEDARD ZAMANA KYA JAANE (Music by Kalyandji and Veerji Shah), with a hit Rafi – Lata duet, “Door Kahin Tu Chal“. The Rafi – KA combination also gave some wonderful songs in movies like JAB JAB PHOOL KHILE (Pardesiyonse Na, Ek Tha Gul, Humko Tumpe, Yahan Main and Suman duet “Na Na Karte“), AAMNE SAAMNE (O Mere Bechain, Aajkal Humse, Naina Milakar and Lata duet “Kabhi Raat Din“), HASINA MAAN JAYEGI (O Dilbar Jaaniye, Chale The Saath Milke and Lata duets “Dilbar Dilbar” and the super-melodious “Bekhudi Main Sanam“), EK SHRIMAN EK SHRIMATI (Asha duet “Pyaar Ko Ek Din” and solo “Chandani Raatme“), RAJA SAAB (Title song both in happy and sad version, Lata duet “Humne Aajase Tumhe“), incidentally all Shashi Kapoor starrers. In fact, we can even say that Shashi – Rafi combo was started by KA. Â
Lata Mangeshkar with Kalyanji
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Other movies where Rafi – KA team made their mark were BAIRAAG (Asha duets “Sare Shahar Me” and “Peete Peete“, Lata duet “Sunore Suno“), KAB KYUN AUR KAHAN (Dilto Dil Hai and Lata duet “Pyaase Dil Bharde“), DIL NE PUKARA (Dekha Hai Sabhine Chaand Ko and the unique Lata duet “Humko Hone“), LALKAR (Jaate Jaate, Aaj Galo Muskurao and Lata duet “Bolde Mere Sathiyan“), GEET (Mere Mitwa and Lata duets “Mere Mitwa” and “Na Itna Sitam“), MARYADA (Mohabbat Ke Suhane Din, Lata duet “Tu Bhi Aaja” and Asha duet “Humse To Hasina“) and RAKHWALA (Ye Kaisi Maine and two super duets, with Asha “Rehne Do” and with Lata “Dilne Dilse“), JEE CHAHATA HAI (Humne Dekha Hai Tumhe, Kya Kehne Mausha Allah and Suman duets “Kya Kehne Mausha Allah ” and “Meri Zindagi Tere Pyaar Me“), ISHARA (Dil Bekararsa Hai and Lata duet “Hye Abdullah“).Â
The other popular songs of Rafi-KA team were Akele Hain (RAAJ), Oye Tu Raat Khadi Thi (Usha Khanna duet in HIMALAY KI GOD ME), Kaali Kaali Raat (UPKAR), Bahane Kyun Karti Ho (SAHELI), etc.Â
But for the above movies, KA extensively used Hemant Kumar, Manandey, Mahendra, Manhar and of course, Mukesh extensively in all other movies. Came seventies, they used Kishore in almost all the movies and for all actors.Â
Shashi kapoor with Anand Bakshi, Kalyanji-Anandji, Mohd Rafi
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But still if observed carefully, it is revealed that KA came out with some scintillating Rafi – Lata duets in so many of their movies, though the main Singer in all these movies was Kishore or somebody else. Songs like Wada Karle Sajana (Haath ki Safai), Deewane Hain Deewano Ko (Zanjeer), Yun Hi Tum Muzhse Baat (Sacha Zhoota), Ek Baat Poochun (Katputli), Tumse Door Rahke (Adalat), Main Tuzhse Milne (Heera), Bahon Me Teri (Kala Pathar), etc. were not only melodious but became big hits. Even in MAHAL though the main Singer was Kishore for Dev Anand, still KA came out with a winner in the Rafi qawali “Toone Soorat Chupayi“. Similarly in GOPI they came out with a devotional song “Sukhake Sab Saathi” though other songs for Dilip Kumar were sung by Mahendra Kapoor. The song “Govinda Alare” in BLUFF MASTER is even now a MUST in any Janmashtami celebrations in the Country. Even in “Ek Hasina Do Deewane” Rafi came out with a dancing number “Yeh Naachvaach Kya Hai” though both Mukesh and KK also sang in the movie.Â
The Rafi-Lata-KA team carried a unique stamp and gave us memorable hits and invariably these duets became more popular than the other songs in the movie. Perhaps they reserved certain songs for the two best playback singers.
Namaskaar !
Bahon Me Teri (Kala Pathar)- by Rajesh Roshan.
Regards.
Shailesh SSD.
One mistake sir.. Kala Pathar was credited to Rajesh Roshan.. Though styling is very LP kind.
KA had great talents but remained mediocre because of very less selection of Md. rafi as the main male voice. They did not do that mistake in their best work in film Jab Jab Phool Khile and we have got time immemorial song Ek Tha Gul aur Ek Thi Bulbul. Rafi Saab’s heavenly voice converted several ordinary songs into master piece. I really feel myself extremely lucky that during my lifetime I have got a genious like Md. Rafi. Long Live Md. rafi.
dear guru murthi, thanks for ur nice article about rafi and kalyanji anandji.according to me ka had given ear soothing music to samrat chandra gupt itself . you had not mention that filim and in post 5 dr.kaja sab had pointed about this.similely the famous tragic song in the filim gopi sugu mai sab saathi aur dukkh maina koi..also the out come of rafi’-ka association.in the filim himalay ki godu mai rafi sang with usha thimoti , not usha kanna, i don’t know whether it is the same person.dear sirs , have u heard about the song “mai hum pappa khan.. mademe bil bilan ..”.i think it was sung by rafi and geeta dutt.
With reference to iqbal sahab’s comment, the music for the 1969 film shatranj was composed by none other than shankar jaikishan. let me point out to the song ‘badkamma, badkamma ekada potora…’ sung by mehmood, rafi sahab and sharada. sharada has not sung any song for naushad sahab; she has sung only for sj and her own compositions in hindi films. One has only to listen to the tunes and the orchestra in the film shatranj to identify that they bear the shankar jaikishan stamp.
With due respect to Iqbal sahab, the music for the 1969 movie shatranj was composed by none other than shankar jaikishan. One has only to listen to the tunes and the orchestra to know that the SJ stamp is all over them. I would point out to the song ‘Badkamma badkamma …’, which has been sung by Rafii Sahab and Sharda. The latter singer has not sung not Naushad sahab at all. I do not know from where Iqbal sahab got the information that Naushad sahab has composed the music for this film
Hello there
First of all Shatranj’s music was done by the great Naushad Ali.
Does anybody remember the songs of rafi from qurbani – kya dekhte ho or professor pyarelal – tere siwa na.
Just some food for thoughts
Post 12: Saif, Salaam…. Your required song “Shatranj Ki Chaal Hamari…” from the film “Shatranj” is available with me and I am mailing same to you.
melodiousrafi@live.com
rafilover@live.com
In response to Janab Saifullah’s query: The song is from the film Shatranj (1969) starring Rajendra Kumar and Waheeda Rehman. The lyrics have been penned by Indivar and the music is by Shankar Jaikishan. The words are as follows: shatranj ki chaal hamari, tu ranj na karna pyaari, tujhe jeetke le jaayenge, dekhegi duniya saari. There were other lyricists too in Shatranj, such as Hasrat Jaipuri and S.H. Bihari.
With reference to item 17 in Shri Anmol Singh’s comments, the song ‘tumne kisise kabhi pyaar kiya hai’ has been sung by Mukesh and Kanchan not Asha Bhonsle.
Saifullaji,
Refer Post No. 12. The song is from the movie “SHATRANJ”, starring Rajendra Kumar and Waheeda Rehmaan, music by Shakar Jaikishan. The song goes like this:
“Shatranj Ki Chaal Hamari, Tu Rang Na Bharna Pyaari, Tuzhe Jeet Ke Lejayenge, Dekhegi Duniya Saari”.
The movie also had other wonderful songs like Rafi solo “Aao Tumhe Pyaar Karna Sikhandun”, Asha duets “Samzho Jara Kehti Hai Kya” and the super melodious “Tumhe Main Agar Apna Saathi Banalun”.
Post 14: KA did not compose music for ‘Aaya Saawan Jhoom Ke’. Laxmikant-Pyarelal were the music directors.
Dear Writer of this article!
I think that you have forgotten one film which is proof of Rafi-KA’s peak. This film is “Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke”. In which Rafi sahib sang marvelous and superhit songs like yeh shama to jali, manjhi chal and with lata tital songs Aaya sawan jhoom ke and Saathia nahin jana ke ji na lage.
The brother duo of Kalyanji Anandji did come up with some creative and superb compositions in the 1960s and 1970s. But at times their music was mediocre. In KA’s Vardaan (1975), Rafi Sahab’s rendition of the song ‘Kucch log yahan par aise hai’ was really touching, especially his stretching of the word ‘log’.
Hi All Rafians,
I am an ardent Rafi fan from Dubai. This comment of mine has nothing to do with any of the articles which have come out here.
There is a Rafi song which goes some what like this…Shatranj ki chaal hamari, dooran………..karna pyari, tujhe……………..le jayenge, dekhe he dunia sari…
I am not sure of the lyrics in between and hence the blanks. Can anyone tell me which movie this song is from and will it be available with anyone?
If anyone has it, please send it across to my e mail id, which is godfather62.h@gmail.com
Thanks and regards
Saifullah
Dubai
KA were successful composers, but had a special association with Mukesh. They were successfull with almost all singers. career best songs, he If we select 25 of their best shows that they have used singers as per the situation demanded. I could figure out 7 best of Rafi songs among 25. Over all their composition was never mediocore at any point. They gave music in a few films but mostly good.
1. Neend Na Mujko Aaye – Hemant/Lata
2. Mujhe Es Raat Ke…Aawaaz Na Do – Mukesh (Best of Mukesh)
3. Mein To Ek Khwab Hun – Mukesh (Best of Mukesh)
4. Mere Desh Ki Dharti – M Kapoor (Best of M Kapoor)
5. Kasme Waade Pyar Wafaa – Manna Dey (Best of Manna Dey)
6. Hai Preet Yahaan Hai Reet – M Kapoor (Best of M Kapoor)
7. Pardesion Se Na Akhiyaan Milaana – Rafi/Lata (KA’s start of association with Rafi)
8. Yehaan Mein Ajnaabi Hun – Rafi (Rafi’s one the best sad songs)
9. Mere Mitwa Mere Meet Re – Rafi/Lata (Both Rafi and Lata are excellent)
10. Chandi Ki Deewar No Todi – Mukesh (Mukesh’s all time best sad song)
11. Yaari Hai Imaan Meri Zindagi – Manna Dey (Manna Dey is excellent)
12. Zindagi Kaa Safar Hai Kaisa – KK (KK’s one the best sad songs)
13. Mera Jiwan Kora Kagaz – KK (The best of KK)
14. Woh The Jinke Sahare – Lata
15. Wada Karle Sajna Tere Bin – Rafi/Lata (One of the best Rafi/Lata duets)
16. Yuhin Tum Mujh Se Baat – Rafi/Lata (One of the best Rafi/Lata duets)
17. Tumne Kabhi Kissi Se – Asha/Mukesh (Possibly Mukesh’s last best under KA)
18. Tumse Door Rah Ke – Rafi/Lata (One of the best Rafi/Lata duets)
19. O Saathi Re Tere Bina – KK (KK is far better the female counter part)
20. Roote Hue Aate Hai Sab – KK (Rafi sings the Sad version)
21. Salaame Eshk Meri Jaan – Lata/KK (KK’s late entry is too Good)
22. Hum Tumhe Chahte Hai Ase – Manhar/Asha
23. Yeh Wada Rahaa Dil Rubaa – Rafi/Asha (Possibly Rafi’s last best under KA)
24. Or Es Dil Mein Kya Rakhaa Hai – S Wadkar/Asha
25. Tera Saath Hai Kitna Pyaara – KK/S Sargam (Possibly KK’s last best under KA)
Ishmeet, Divya Dutta get Rafi awards
P.K. Jaiswar
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October 13
Star Voice of India late Ishmeet Singh was declared the best singer while Labh Janjua of “Jee Karda†(Singh is King) fame was awarded with the best playback singer award in the 28th Mohammad Rafi night organised by Mohammad Rafi memorial society here in the evening.
Among others who were awarded during the function include famous Bollywood and Punjabi films actress Divya Dutta and fight director Mohan Baggad. Best Punjabi singer award went to Firoz Khan while Rana Ranvir got the best comedian award. Dr Daljit Singh, senior director, Jalandhar Doordarshan, received the Rana Jaspal Singh award for the best promoter of rich Punjabi culture.
The audience kept one minute silence for two departed souls – Mahindra Kapoor and Ishmeet Singh, on the occasion. Incidentally, Ishmeet Singh was declared the best singer a day before his death.
Hailing from Khanna, Labh Janjua made his mark in the Hindi film industry and become a favourite with bollywood producers after his hit songs and chartbusters ‘O yaara dhol bajake’ and ‘Soni de nakhre’ from the film “Partnerâ€. But one song which brought him fame world over was “Jee Karda†in Akshay Kumar-Katrina Kaif starrer “Singh is Kingâ€.
A versatile actress, Divya Dutta ultimately made her presence felt after 10 years of struggle in Bollywood with mega hit “Veer-Zaara†in which she acted alongside Shahrukh Khan, Priety Zinta and Rani Mukherjee.
Thanks for receive of information and so kind of you
I AM HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS ARTICLE AS IT APPEARS NO RESEARCH HAS BEEN DONE BY MURTHY SAAB,JUST FOR THE SAKE OF WRITING THE ARTICLE HAS BEEN WRITTEN.
RAFI SAAB`S ASSOCIATION STARTED WITH KALYANJI VEERJI SHAH ( THE ELDER OF THE TWO ) WITH `SAMRAT CHANDRAGUPT1 AND IN SIX OF THE SEVEN MOVIES ( BARRING GHAR GHAR KI BAAT ) HAD DUETS WITH LATA & SUMAN & ALSO SOLOS ),BEFORE STARTING AS KALYANJI ANADJI WITH `SATTA BAZAAR` AND ENDED WITH KASHISH,EVEN THOUGH RAFI SAAB`S SOLO & DUETS COULD BE HEARD TILL `KAATILON KE KAATIL`.
CONTEMPRORY TO POPULAR BELIEF RAFI SAAB WAS THEIR MAIN SINGER AND EVEN IN THE LATE SEVNTIES RAFI SAAB `S DUETS & SOLOS COULD BE HEARD IN MAJORITY OF THE FILMS OF KA.
KA MADE AMPLE USE OF RAFI SAAB `S VOCALS IN ALMOSTALL THE THIER MUSICAL SCORES FROM 50`S TO 70`S AND MAJORITY OF THIER SCORES HAD SCINTILATINGS DUETS WITH LATA & SUMAN.
`JEE CHAHATA HAI `( 1964 ) HAD 4 DUETS OF RAFI SAAB & SUMAN.
KA WERE NOT RESTRICTED TO SHASHI KAPOOR ONLY ( AAMNE SAAMNE ,JJPK) BUT THEY ALSO COMPOSED FOR DHARMENDRA ( RAKHWALA – WHICH HAD MARVELLOUS DUETS LIKE -RAHNE DO RAHNE DO, DIL NE DIS SA NA JAANE KYA ) AND FOR SHAMMI KAPOOR ( BLUFF MASTER – HUSN CHALA KUCH AESI CHAAL AND `PREET NA JAANE REET` – O JAAANE WALE SUN ZARA `) AND ALSO FOR MEHMOOD STARER `KAHIN PYAAR NA HO JAAYE`
SINCE THIS THREAD IS ONLY FOR DUETS I AM NOT COMMENTING ON THE SOLOS OF RAFI SAAB WITH KA.
Very nice article….
But KA were very unfair to Rafi sahab and only in duets they used him the most.
Even for Qurbani they used Anwar for the title song for the male duet with KK. Only 1 Rai-Asha duet kya dekthe ho was recorded…
Infact during the process they lost all loyal banners like Manoj Kumar,Feroz Khan,Ramanand Sagar,Prakash Mehra,Manmohan Desai to others mainly LP…
It is good they lost otherwise we would have left with less Rafi sahab’s voice in the late 70s.. Thankfull it did not happen…
Thanks Imtiyazji for the correction.
As usual very nice article Guru Murthyji. congratulations!
I will add few more duets with your due permission.
Samrat Chandergupta – Chaahe pas ho chaahe dur ho
– Bhar bhar aayi ankhiyan
Two more duets in Bedard Zamana kya jane – Mai yahan tu kahan mere dil
– Kyon mile tum hum bewafa O’ sanam
Passport – Saaze dil ched de (very romantic duet)
Gangoo – Ek nazar teri, ek nazar mer, jab takrayi
Bluff Master – Are husn chala kuch aisi chal
Kahin piyar na hojaye – tunak tun tun bole jiya
Upasna – Aao tumhe mai piyar sikhadoon
Agni rekha – Tu uspar mai uspar, yeh kaisi taqhdeer hai
Adalat – Tumse door rahkar
Lagam – Aadhi aadhi raat meri payaliya baje bairi
Do Musafir – ham hai pyar ki dagar ke do musafir
Sweet Heart – Banke saathi piyar ki rahon me
Ulfat – Baharon se kahenge, sitaron se kahenge
Raaj Mahal – O’ Sonali
I would like to mention one more duet, which was very popular duet of 1980
and still is sada bahar duet with Ashaji from film “Qurbani”. – Kiya dekhte ho soorath tumhari, music was given by KA.
With regards to all Rafi lovers,
Long live Rafi Sahab,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin,
Chicago
KA they was great but not great as OPN or Naushand or Madan Mohan or SJ or SDB all because of Mohd Rafi (AS I THINK ONLY)I think his best films as music is JAB JAB PHOOL KHILE and as famous Don,(as I think)
As I think after LP he used KK the best
“Bekhudi Mein Sanam….” and “Kabhi Raat Din Hum Door the….” from the movies “Haseena Maan Jayegi” and “Aamne Saamne” respectively are among the best duets by Rafi Saheb and Lataji, composed by late Kalyanji and Anandji.
I think ‘Bahon Me Teri (Kala Pathar)’ song mentioned in this article is composed by Rajesh Roshan and not Kalyanji Anandji. Will someone confirm?
Nice article. Song “Bahon mein tere” of Kala Pathar is composed by Rajesh Roshan, and not by KA.