50 + song of Rafi Sahab singing for street vendors
By Mr. Swaminathan
During our childhood days, most of us would remember street vendors selling various items like chana, icecream, toys etc. with a song, at times composed by themselves. As kids (and even adults) one used to be mesmerised by their creativity and the fun of the song.
Hindi films also used this and occasionally street vendors were shown singing while selling their wares on the streets (sadly both in real life and in reel life these simple pleasures of lives are vanishing with boards in many societies –“vendors not allowed “ perhaps depriving the present generations of this wonderful facet of life).
Rafi Sahab has sung many such songs for street vendors ranging from toys to marriage broker, from insurance to tel malish, from photographs to datoon.
I have compiled a list of 50 + such songs of Rafi sahab, some common ones and some lesser heard ones. I gratefully acknowledge the help of Rafi Sahab WA group members who helped me consolidate this list.
Am sure the list is far from complete and would welcome additions.
| Song | Profession / Selling | Film | Lyricist | Musician |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Lo Hamaare Gubbare | ballons | Bandish (1955) | Raja Mehdi Ali Khan | Hemant Kumar |
| mera naam phataphat (with shashi) | barber | shehzaada (1955) | Tanveer Naqvi | S.Mohinder |
| Hum Yaar Ki Gali Mein Pukaare Chale Gaye.. Bartan karai kala | Bartan kalai | Girls Hostel | Ravi | |
| Duniya Ki Haalat Naram Garam | Bhajiya | Guzaara | Raja Mehdi Ali Khan | Ghulam Mohammed |
| Baaman Ho Jaat Bhikhaari Ho (with Chitalkar) | chaat | Kaarigar | Rajendra Krishan | C.Ramchandra |
| Naram Naram Yeh Hai Garam Garam | chana | Rangeela | S.H.Bihari | Jamal Sen |
| Pandit Ho Ya Lala (with Geeta Dutt) | chikoo | Rickshawaala | N.Dutta | |
| Le Lo Choodiyaan Main Laaya | choodi | Ghar Ki Laaj (1960) | Rajendra Krishan | Ravi |
| Le Le Gori | choodi | Paapi (1953) | Raja Mehdi Ali Khan | S.Mohinder |
| Bachiyaan Jawaan Te Budhiyaan | choodi | Phaansi | Gulshan Bawra | Laxmikant Pyarelal |
| Main Toh Chhurriyon Ki Dhaar (with Asha) | Churi ki dhaar | Ek Se Badh Ke Ek | Verma Malik | Kalyanji Anandji |
| logon ka dil agar (with Tina Munim) | datoon | Man Pasand | Amit Khanna | Rajesh Roshan |
| Dupatta Mera Saat Rang Ka (Le Lo Le Lo Ji) (with shamshad) | dupatta | Meena Bazaar | Qamar Jalalabadi | Husnlal Bhagatram |
| Aao Khaana Hai Taiyyar (with chitalkar) | Hotel | Hungama | Rajendra Krishan | C.Ramchandra |
| Zindagi Hai Kya | ice cream | maya | Majrooh Sultanpuri | Salil Chowdhary |
| Beema Life Beema Policy | insurance | Kala Aadmi (1960) | Hasrat Jaipuri | Dutta Ram |
| Laila Ki Ungliyaan Bechun | Kakdi | Ghar Ki Laaj (1960) | Rajendra Krishan | Ravi |
| Tera Khilona Toota Baalak | Khilone | Anmol Ghadi | Tanvir Naqvi | Naushad Ali |
| Aaya Re Khilone Waala Aaya Re (Part i) | Khilone | Bachpan (1970) | Anand Bakshi | Laxmikant Pyarelal |
| Raja Ka Haathi Le Le (with Asha) | Khilone | Mastaana (1954) | Rajendra Krishan | Madan Mohan |
| Aaya Re Aaya Khilone | Khilone | Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath | Asad Bhopali | Usha Khanna |
| Kanna Manna Kurr Meri Phirki Boli Phurr | Khilone | Trunk Call | Qamar Jalalabadi | Chitragupta |
| Aa Gaya Madaari Leke | Madari | Zameen Ke Taare | Anand Bakshi | S.Mohinder |
| Le Lo Babu Pudiya (with manna dey) | magic potion | Madan Manjari | Hasrat Jaipuri | Sardar Malik |
| Rang Rangeeli Botal Ka | magic potion | Shriman Satyawadi | Gulshan Bawra | Dutta Ram |
| Humse Shaadi Karwa Lo | marriage broker | Taqdeer (1967) | Anand Bakshi | Laxmikant Pyarelal |
| BA MA PHD Yeh Diplome Yeh Degree | Misc items | Badnaam Farishte | Asad Bhopali | N. Dutta |
| Lete Jaao Babu Lete Jaao Lala (with suman) | Misc items | Chandrashekhar Azaad | Prem Dhawan | Sardul Kwatra |
| Lo Aaya Japanwala (with Geeta Dutt) | Misc items | Tel Maalish Boot Polish | Prem Dhawan | Chitragupta |
| Hum Albele Saudagar (with Usha Khanna) | Misc items | Nateeja | Asad Bhopali | Usha Khanna |
| O Babu Aji Babu Gali Mein Teri Chaand Chamka | Misc items | Saajan (1947) | Qamar Jalalabadi | C.Ramchandra |
| Door Desh Se Aaya Hoon | Mithai | Black Prince (1970s) | Upendra | Dulal Sen |
| Main Hoon Bhola Vyopaari | old clothes | Miyaan Biwi Raazi | Shailendra | S.D.Burman |
| Aana O Bhai Jaan Khilaaun Paan | Paan | Taxi Stand | Majrooh Sultanpuri | Chitragupta |
| Jungle Ghooma Basti Ghooma | Perfume | Baadshah Salaamat | Shafiq Kanpuri | Bulo C Rani |
| Le Lo Le Lo Do Phool (with shamshad) | phool | Jaadu | Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad Ali |
| Dilbar Pe Ho Na Qaabu | photographs | Pehli Raat | Majrooh Sultanpuri | Ravi |
| Duniya Ki Tijori Mein | Pickpocket | Kanhaiya | Vithalbhai Patel | Basu Manohari |
| Main Rickshaw Waala | rickshawala | Chhoti Behan | Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan |
| Rikshe Pe Mere (with Asha) | rickshawala | Dil Tera Deewana | Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan |
| Ae Tarak Tarak ..Jaadugarni Cheen Ki (with Asha) | street magician | Hum Bhi Kuchh Kam Nahin | Anand Bakshi | S.D.Batish |
| Tum Kaun Mamul | Street Magician | Phool Aur Patthar | Shakeel Badayuni | Ravi |
| Naam Hai Jhatpat | street Magician | Dushman | P.L.Santoshi | Husnlal Bhagatram |
| Zara Sambhal Ke Beta Zamoora | Street Magician | Hazaar Raatein | Shakeel Badayuni | Ghulam Mohammed |
| Bol Jamure Bol (with chitalkar) | Street Magician | Insaaniyat (1955) | Rajendra Krishan | C.Ramchandra |
| Beta Jamoore Kehde Duniya Ko (with Manna) | Street Magician | Biraadari | Prem Dhawan | Chitragupta |
| O Babu Tel Maalish (with Manna Dey) | tel maalish | Baraat | Majrooh Sultanpuri | Chitragupta |
| Sar Jo Tera Chakraaye | tel maalish | Pyaasa | Sahir Ludhianvi | S.D.Burman |
| Ghoda Peshauri Mera | tonga | Pyaar Ka Bandhan | Sahir Ludhianvi | Ravi |
| Thap Thup Thip Ki Taal Pe | tonga | Taangewaala | Majrooh Sultanpuri | Naushad Ali |
| Dekho Taanga Mera Niraala (Chal Mere Ghode) | tonga | Taangewaali | Prem Dhawan | Salil Chowdhary |
| Mooli Ram Aur Bhindimal Ka Nikal Gaya Diwaala | vegetables | Dulhan | P.L.Santoshi | Ravi |
46 Arkwright Walk
The Meadows
Nottingham
Good Evening Swamy sir,
Very valuable post with amazing compilation.
Thanks for sharing this treasure.
Regards
Uma
Stupendous work by the author. More we read, write and hear about Rafi Sahib, it is insufficient.
Rafi saahab ki gayi Kawaalio ka ek list ban jaaye to badhiya kaam ho jaye….kya khayal hai ?
Very good !! List complete ho jata agar ” Mehlo me rehnewalo hame tere dar se kya”…gaana bhi include kar lete…Shaayad shabab ka hai ye gaana .. beggars ki toli milke gaati hai… Aur ek gaana Mirza Galib film se hai…Hai bas ki har ek unke ishare me guman aur !! Thik na lage to avoid karna… Aise rare kam karne par aapka shukriya !!