Some Rare Diamonds Of Rafi Saab-8
Written By Venkatadri Brahmandam (Venkat from HF)
(Mohammed Rafi With Mubarak Begum)
Mohd Rafi
Mubarak Begum was a singer known only for her peculiar, nasal voice. Her vocal range and singing prowess had many limitations, of course. In my humble view, as a singer, she could attain only limited success that was just proportionate to her abilities!! However, in one interview of hers, she seemed to blame Suraiya for blocking her progress! Well, that is a different story for a different time!!
With Rafi Saab, she had the opportunity of singing about 10 duets, of which the only one that became very popular is from Film: Hamraahi (1963), composed by Shankar Jaikishan. The song is: “Mujhko Apne Gale Lagaa Lo, Ae Mere Hamraahi”.
Today, let us listen to some of her other duets with Rafi Saab!!
(1) In 1953, she sang a great duet with Rafi Saab for Film:Daera (1953) composed by Jamal Sen! The song goes as: “Daal Di Main Ne Jal Mein Nayya—Devta Tum Ho Mera Sahaara”. Lyrics are by Kaif Bhoopali.
This song has a tune that takes you into a sublime trance! Rafi Saab, as always, excels in this melancholy-laden bhajan!! Especially, his heart-rending alaap from 1:00 to 1:21 is simply superb!!
[audio:Daera_DevtaaTumHoMeraSahara.mp3]
Listen to Devtaa Tum Ho Mera Sahara from Daera
(2) Next, there was a film called Fariyad (1964). The Music Director is Snehal Bhatkar. The duet we are talking of is: “Tu Ne Teri Nazar Ne To Kaafir Banaa Diya” Lyrics are by Kedar Sharma.
Very nice tune and great rendition by both the singers!
[audio:Fariyad_TuneTeriNazarNe.mp3]
Listen to Toone Teri Nazar Ne from Fariyad
(3) Finally, we have another great duet from Film:Susheela (1963). Music Director is C.Arjun. This is the same Film in which we have another great male-male duet by Rafi Saab and Talat Mehmood, namely “Gham Ki Andheri Raat Mein Dil Ko Na Beqaraar Kar”!!
Now, the Rafi-Mubarak Begum duet from this Film we are talking of is: “Bahut Khoobsurat Hai Aankhen Tumhari”!
Very nice composition by C.Arjun. Listen and enjoy!!
[audio:Sushila_BahutKhubsuratHein.mp3]
Listen to Bahut Khubsurat Hein from Sushila
Please try and listen to each song at least two times in order to appreciate them fully!! Shall be grateful for your comments!
ASA, Janab Faiyaz Sahab,
To my knowledge, Janab Jaber Mubarak sahab is correct. At that time, Masood Rana of Pakistan was with Rafi Sahab during the Hajj in early 70s. Masood Rana confirmed this in the news paper in the Pakistan, about the Rafi Sahab’s request he was allowed to deliver Azaan at Khana K’aba and which was recorded by Masood Rana; he said this is the greatest treasure of his life. This news, I heard it long time ago from one of Rafi lover, with my inquiry about Rafi Sahab’s Azaan.
With regards,
A die-hard fan of Rafi Sahab,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin
Dear All,
Its my humbly request.. If any body have Rafi Sahab Azaan which he had given in Mecca plzzzz send a mpz file to my email.. i will be very much greatful. Hope u understand my love and affection for RAFI SAHAB.
Regards
Faiyaz
MOHAMMAD RAFI SAHAB
went to Hajj. and his desire was give the Azaan in Makkah tul Mukarrama.
no boddy can give the Azaan in Makkah tul Mukarrama but Al hamdullah after long struggle Rafi Sahab Got the Permission for One time Azaan. Makka tul Mukarrama’s Responsible listen Rafi Sahab’s Azaan and he announce same time Untill this Haji (Rafi Sahab) stay here he can give the daily Fajar Azaan in Makka tul Mukarrama Al Hamdullah.
Moammad RAFI SAHAB sang 90% of song for “Hidayaat” to human been any boddy litsen and use this meaning in life very well for better life.
Dear Venkat
Please allow me to also join in the chorus of compliments to you.
Speaking of the film Susheela, surely the best song there is Mubarak Begum’s own solo Bemurawwat Bewafa Begana-e-dil aap hein.
She sang four duets for Shankar-Jaikishan, the last in 1968. Check out YouTube.
When you have time, please check out this article which I wrote back in 2008.
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20081012/spectrum/main4.htm
And please do visit http://www.opnayyar.org, the official website of the great composer. The link between him and Rafi saheb is legendary.
Siraj Khan
Boston USA
Khansaheb2@aol.com
“Devta tum ho mera sahara” & “mujh ko apne gale laga lo” are very sweet songs. These are really gems from Rafi Sb and Mubarak Begum.
Regards,
-Imran-
Venkatadriji, that is a lovely article. Am glad that you have written about Mubarak Begum, the unsung singer. She has a unique voice. Mujhko apne gale lagalo with Rafi saab is divine.
Thank you for reviving these golden melodies
regards
Utthara
Many sincere thanks, friends.
Anwar Ji, the Qawali Ki Raat (1964) duet you mentioned is by Rafi and Asha.
However, there are two other Rafi-Mubarak duets also in this Qawali Ki Raat. 1.”Ae Jaan-e-Nazar Chilman Se Agar Halka Sa Ishaara Ho Jaaye” and 2.”Dekh Kar Meri Taraf Khamosh Ho Jaana Zara”. The MD is Iqbal Quereshi.
There is, of course, another great Rafi-Mubarak Begum duet in Film:Maa Ke Aansoo (1959) composed by Sardar Malik. “Kya Parvah Agar Loot Liya Hai Apnon Ne Ghar Tera—–Chala Chal Musafir, Chala Chal Musafir, Kabhi To Milengi Madine Ke Galiyan”!! Beautiful song!!
Venkat
Dear Venkatadri Brahmandam,
Another beautiful rare diamond from you side. Many many congratulations for writing this beautiful article and sharing some lovely duets of Rafi Sahab and Mubarak Begum.
Personally, I very much like the voice of Mubarak Begum. I wish she sang more songs with Rafi Sahab. Anyway, her ghazal with Rafi Sahab “Bohot khoobsurat hain aankhain tumhari” is the best of this combo.
One question: There is a beautiful duet sad song in film Qawwali ki raat that goes like “Pyar ki hasratain khak mein mil gayeen”. Is the female singer in this song with Rafi Sahab is Mubarak Begum?
Thanks and best regards.
Anwar-ul-Haque
anwarhq25@yahoo.com
GREAT SONGS OF MUBARAK JI… SURELY A COLLECTOR ITEM.
ABOUT 4 YEARS BACK, MUBARAK BEGUM WAS BROUGHT BACK FROM THE WILDERNESS AND THE LEAD WAS FROM THE RAFI FOUNDATION : MUMBAI…. she deserved a lot better but her stars and takdeer – were surely not with her.
however, from nothing to this-much has been a great grace by god himself. she used to sing in a kotha – its said. she has achieved so much – only by her perseverance.
well done mr.venkatadri – a very emotional rafi lover . one more gem saar.
Venkatadri ji many thanks for bringing to fore the fabulous combination of Mubarak Begum and Rafi Sahab. I have heard all the three songs earlier and they are indeed gems of songs. In fact, during her visit to Hyderabad in 2008, some in the audience had requested her to sing the first song :Devata Tum Ho mERA Sahara AND SHE Did oblige. On this article though, the second two songs are not opening up, despite refreshing the page. Could be some problem, but thanks for giving these songs as examples.
Dear venkat ji,
very nice article & thanks to tell us about the duets of Rafi Sahab & Mubarak begum.
All rafi fans/Bhakts plz… plz… plz vote as many times as possible by clicking the link on the home page of this website after each hour….
“SATHI HATH BADHANA… -2 EK AKELA THAK JAYEGA MIL KAR BOJH UTHANA….”
We wants to Rafi Sahab at the top very soon…
Thanks
-sanjeev kumar Dixit
rafisanjeev@yahoo.com
Friends,
The durations of the three songs are as below:
Daera song: 06:31; Fariyad song: 03:05; Susheela song: 03:19
In case, the above uploads are stopping earlier, kindly refresh the screen once and try again!!
Thanks,
Venkat