A to Z of Mohd Rafi Saab
By Achal Rangaswamy
Mohd Rafi
The singer with a complete range of songs
December is the month when I celebrate two birthdays – my own and that of my biggest idol – Mohd Rafi Saab. There is a difference of exactly two weeks between our birthdays, but I am in a celebratory mood right from the 1st of the month!
The other day I happened to try and list out Rafi Saab’s songs alphabetically by picking up Only 1 song beginning with each of the alphabets. What turned out as a result of this exercise was something truly profound- Rafi Saab’s songs encompassed every emotion, every mood and every kind of expression a singer could display.
I couldn’t help listing the songs, and here is the result. Kindly do not try and rate the songs in order of popularity or any other benchmark. Because each song is truly a gem.
Abhi Na Jaao Chhod Kar– from Hum Dono- if there is a romantic song ever created better than this, I would like to hear it NOW. The teasing, taunting, coaxing, cajoling, the entreaties, the simplicity in the background music by Jaidev, all combine to make this song, even 48 years after its composition, a true landmark song. Not me alone, there are innumerable fans who will say that this song features in their top ten or top twenty. Dev Anand definitely calls it one of the most romantic songs ever created.
Babul ki Duvaaen Leti Jaa– from Neelkamal– No marriage is complete if the band doesn’t play this song (generally in the wee hours of the morning) when the newly wed bride is being seen off by her parents. No other song has generated such emotions, either from a listener, or the singer, or the actor himself, when we think of this grief-stricken number rendered by Rafi Saab. His son Shahid has recounted how his father broke down during the recording of this song because he had just seen off his daughter a day or two prior to the recording.
Chun Chun Karti Aayi Chidiya– from Ab Dilli Door Nahin– a delightful song for kids. Remember, Rafi Saab was very fond of kids. He himself had many, and he has sung some beautiful numbers for them. I just love this song and grew up listening to it very often. No child would sit quietly listening to it. The song inspires everyone to get up and dance like little children. An absolutely heart-warming song.
Dil Jo Na Keh Saka Wohi Raaz e Dil– from Bheegi Raat– the jilted lover’s taunts come through so effectively and piercingly as Rafi Saab sings “aaj dil ki keemat jaam se bhi kam hai”. And it goes to Roshan made the song thoroughly enjoyable with the echo effect at the end of antara, as the great singer’s voice climbs to greater heights to bring out the hurt, the dejection and total agony the hero feels at the loss of his beloved to another person.
Ek Jaanib Sham e Mehfil– from Abhilasha– friends of mine know that I just love this song no end. I must listen to it everyday. A rare male duet in the sense that Rafi Saab and Manna Da turn out a truly peppy, zestful and playful number accentuated by the use of the piano, one of R D Burman’s very early compositions. Never mind that the film bombed. Never mind that the hero and the second hero never really made it big. The song just keeps its tempo right through and the two singers match each other brilliantly for effect.
Falsafa Pyaar ka Tum Kya Jaano– from Duniya– Dev Saab again, in a different mood. A song in praise of love, another lovely piano- based number. But here, the singer touches many notes and doesn’t lose control on a semi-classical compositon that has western tones. One of Shankar-Jaikishen’s truly hummable offerings.
Gham Uthaane Ke Liye Main toh Jiye Jaaoonga– from Mere Huzoor– a total contrast from the previous song. A totally dejected and repentant Jeetendra sings this song that Rafi Saab has put his heart truly into. “Tera mujrim hoon musibat ke siwa kucchh na diya” just about explains so beautifully the anguish and regret in the singer’s feelings. A beautiful S-J number.
Hum Bekhudi Mein Tum ko Pukaare Chaley Gaye– from Kala Paani– Dev Saab, Rafi Saab and total intoxication. A sad Ghazal, portrayed beautifully to the tune of a dancing Nalini Jaywant and a very nostalgic and melancholic hero. Majrooh scores with great lyrics like “sheeshe mein aapko bhi utaarey chale gaye” but one cannot take away the total involvement of the singer in making this song such a big hit.
Ik But Banaaongaa Tera Aur Pooja Karoonga– from Asli Naqli– truly romantic number. A school teacher being wooed with rain in the background and a naughty attempt to gain the lady’s attention. Hasrat Jaipuri has always been known for his heart-warming lyrics. Rafi Saab adds his weight to the pleasant song with just the right touch of peppiness and vigour. The song remains one of the freshest songs even today.
Jahan Daal Daal Par Sone ki Chidhiyaan karti Hai Baseraa– from Sikandar E Azm– Total patriotism, as Rafi Saab makes one’s chest swell with patriotic fervour. This song is sung even today at various functions and every time Indians get together to celebrate national festivals. My personal favourite, and way way better than those Purab aur Paschim songs.
Kya se Kya Ho Gaya Bewafa Tere Pyaar Mein– from Guide-Shailendra wrote some mesmerizing lyrics and Burman Da gave magical music, but it is Rafi Saab’s powerful voice that takes this song to great heights. This song symbolizes wistfulness and a feeling of abject surrender and loss and helplessness. A truly terrific song.
Leke Pehla Pehla Pyaar– from CID– a wonderful song in the “teasing” mode. The street singers gently and lovingly tease the lovelorn lady as she goes around looking for her man. The mood is absolutely light hearted and pleasant and Asha Bhonsle renders tremendous support to Rafi Saab in making this song really memorable. Simple tune, the evergreen harmonium, O P Nayyar’s magical touch make the song one of my all time favourites.
Main Zindagi ka Saath Nibhaata Chala Gaya– from Hum Dono– my “signature song”. The philosophy of life. Forget the past, live in the present, enjoy each day, and make light of anything. Just a cigarette lighter, simple hummable tune, and what a rendering by Rafi Saab. My caller tune for so many years that I can’t even remember. Anybody who listens to this song is going to say- har fikr ko dhuven mein uda………………..!!!!
Na Tu Zameen Ke Liye– from Dastaan– a Dilip Kumar movie where the singer expresses total dejection and loss. Defeated, cheated and thoroughly out of sync with the world, “garaz parast jahaan mein wafaa talaash na kar” brings out the loss of faith in the world and a feeling of deprivation that only Rafi Saab could express so beautifully and with dignity. One of the last few songs that one would associate for the Rafi- Dilip combo, which produced many great numbers.
O Duniya ke Rakhwaale– from Baiju Bawra– Who doesn’t know this song? If anybody doesn’t know this song, he doesn’t know Mohd Rafi. And if anybody doesn’t know Mohd Rafi he doesn’t know music. And if anybody doesn’t know music he should just listen to this absolutely stunning song of Rafi Saab’s. In the movie, Baiju Bawra makes the idol weep in response to his song. I have no doubts that the Gods would have wept at the soulful rendering that continues to touch everybody’s heart even today.
Pyaar ki Raah Dikha Duniya Ko-from Lambe Haath– A sensitive yet stimulating patriotic song specially sung for kids by Rafi Saab. When he says”tum mein hi koi Gautam hoga, tum mein hi koi hoga Gandhi”, he inspires every child. The song explores high and low notes and has a children’s chorus which matches Rafi Saab beautifully to create just that right note of love for one’s country and the desire to excel in own’s work.
Qayamat Qayamat Hai, Yeh Kaisi Gham ki Shaam Hai-from Mr Natwarlal– Many people wrote off Rafi Saab in the 70s, saying his singing had declined. This song amply puts paid to such thoughts. In fact this film was made in the late 70s /arly 80s. It may well have been one of his last twenty five songs. This sorrowful community song offering prayers to God and asking for protection from evil and the misdeeds of a few, has been sung beautifully. Rafi Saab had another lovely number in the same film, where after the villagers get together to teach the villains a lesson, they celebrate by singing “Oonchi Oonchi baton se kisika pet bharta nahi, Ram ka bharosa jisey kabhi bhookha marta nahin”.
Radhike Tune Bansuri Churaayi–from Beti Bete– Rafi Saab continues to demolish the theory put forward by detractors that he was basically a Qawaali singer. A beautiful classical number with devotion oozing out of every word sung, it has remained for years a favourite of many fans of Rafi Saab. There are many songs of Krishna that the great singer has rendered but this one is definitely a notch above all the others. If Surdas had been alive today he too would have got up and applauded the great effort.
Saaz Ho Tum Awaaz Hoon Main– from Saaz aur Awaaz– Naushad Saab got just that bit more out of Rafi Saab than all others, say many music lovers. If that is so, this is a fine example of a classical number to accompany a dancer’s movements. The song explores many Raagas (Patdeep and Madhubanti for sure), many moods, and climbs to various levels in the notes, but Rafi Saab leaves one with a great feeling of satisfaction after listening to this one. Khumar Barabankwi wrote it beautifully, Naushad Saab gave it new flavours, but Rafi Saab topped it up with his zest, devotion and involvement.
Tere Mere Sapne Ab Ek Rang Hain-from Guide-Which lady love wouldn’t want to be assured thus? Who would not want someone to sing like this with just the right emotions and words combining to make one feel that there is nothing else in the world but YOU. It is not just because I am a Dev Anand fan, the song on its own stands the test of the time when it comes to being adjudged one of the most evergreen romantic solos in Hindi Films. It is now 45 years and even today the song continues to tug at heart strings, like always. An award winning song in any era.
Unke Khayal Aaye Toh Aate Chale Gaye-from Lal Patthar– a Ghazal par excellence. Rafi Saab’s own idol G M Durrani sat singing this song in the film, and what better tribute could one give to his senior than by singing such a delicately beautiful number. Rafi Saab was not all Yahoo or boisterousness personified. The film had many songs, each vying for attention against the other, but I choose this one right at the top. Even way ahead of Re Man Sur Mein Ga by Manna da and Asha Bhonsle.
Vada Kar Le Saajna-from Haath ki Safaai– Many people will wonder why I picked this song. The reason quite simply is- yes, quite simply, a simple love song. A duet. After many years one heard a Lata-Rafi duet that was so simple that it brought back memories of Ek Tera Saath Humko do jahaaan se pyaara hai, or Tum hi tum ho mere jeevan mein. Remember, this song is from the 70s, and Rafi Saab was sadly getting fewer numbers to sing. This duet stands out as a calming reassuring and an oh -so -absolutely-in-love rendition.
Woh Hum Na They Woh Tum Na They-from Cha Cha Cha-Unsung, treated as low priority, and perhaps not so popular, this song tugs at the heart strings. It makes you feel the agony and the sorrow combined with nostalgia that the great singer expresses here. A forgettable film, a low ranking hero, an unusual heroine, a lesser known music director, but Gopaldas Neeraj got Rafi Saab to mouth one of the most touching songs ever composed. Iqbal Quereshi kept the tune simple and Rafi Saab scored. Please do listen to this song and tell me why it should not be rated as one of his top 25 sad songs. Who else could justice to such lines as ”luti jahaan pe bewajah, paalki bahaar ki”?
X – I know Rafi Saab had no song beginning with this so very English alphabet. But I can only think of one word to describe every song of his. Excellent.
Yaad Na Jaaye Beete Dinon Ki– from Dil Ek Mandir– a song that must have got the other tragedy king, Rajendra Kumar get kudos for yet another performance. Without the voice that sang this super nostalgic piece, who would recognize the actor? “kehne ko hain who paraaye”, these lines make one shudder with abject dejection and loss, but also feel thankful that there was one singer who could evocatively bring out just those right emotions and so perfectly too. This song is one which I say “seene se rehta lagaaye”.
Zindabaad Zindabaad Ae Mohabbat Zindabaad– from Mughal E Azm– this is not just a song. It is a powerful wave of emotions, a rebellion against the enemies of love, a staunch protest against hatred, and a revolution in its own way. A ballad or an ode to love, sung by a mad man. And the mad, open and absolutely zealous protest against an emperor with a heart of stone is bound to make anyone weep and take notice of the young lovers who are so besotted with each other. The chorus, the lovely use of the classical ragas in each antara, and Rafi Saab’s total devotion to this song makes it unforgettable. The courageous voice says “Seena Taane Maut se khele, kucchh na karey fariyaad”.
Now we all know why Rafi Saab was known as the singer for all occasions, for all moods and for all times.
Long live Rafi Saab. A Very Happy Birthday to my Idol. He shall live forever in our hearts.
What about ”Aap ne yaad dilaya to mujhe yaad aaya..from film Aarti.
“RAFI SHAB ” Bhagaban ka hat se likha hua ek “ALFABET HAI WO NATURE HAI”
Yes the list almost complete but among moods of songs a lullaby is missing and I append it.
aaj kal mein dal gayee din huva tamamm tamam thu bi so ja
from the film Beti Bete
I have sung this song several times to put my grand daughter to sleep
Thanks to Rafi sahib and ofcourse the Shankar Jaikishan my fav.composers.
I happened to this write up only today hence the late submission.
ek bache mein itni masumiyat na ho jitni teri awaz mein jitna sufi dil tha woh awaz byan krti we miss you rafi ji
I thought that there will be many collection of Rafi’s song but on the contrary I have much more collection (A-Z) than you have shown here.
I thought that there will be many collection of Rafi’s song but on the contrary But on the contrary I have more collection than you have shown here
HAZARON SAAL NARGIS APNI BE-NOORI PE ROTI HAI,
BADEE MUSHKIL SAY HOTA HAI CHAMAN MAIN DEDAWAR PAIDA.
Very good attempt to remember a divine singer! But no one can complete this list. If you cite one song, immediately another song comes to your mind. It is impossible!
What about these numbers? Mein yeh sochkar apne ghar se – ( Haqeekat);
mohbath zinda rahta hai, muhabat mar mar nahi sakthi: Door rahkar na karo baat karib aa jawo, apni aakom mein basakar (Thokar): suhanalla (kasmir ki kali), babul kaaun gadi se aayi, Dil ne phir yaad kiya ( rafi, suman & mukesh), Mere payar mein tuje kya mila ( ending in a high pitched note–yahi faisala, yahi faisala……) and so on.
Gokuldas Kumar.M
almost forgot
mujhe dekh kar aapka muskurana
nice piece of collection there.
though it is impossible to encompass rafi saab’s work from A to Z but still a job well done in portraying the different moods.
my personal fav songs sang by rafi saab were missing but i am not complaining
patthar ke sanam
mere mehboob
din dhal jaaye
kabhi khud pe kabhi halat pe(best song , most truest lyrics )
gulabi aankhen
It is an amazing blog. I am also a biggest fan of M.RAFI from my childhood till the end of my life. I have also a large collection of his song but I want more and more things that belongs him, I want his family too meet them and I JUST LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE
I am also a biggest fan of his voice and songs. He is the king of all singers .I have a big collection of his song but I want more and more things that belongs him. I love M.Rafi Always in my life.
Contact me pls- 7275656436
there are two appearances the almighty made in the blessed land of bharat and every bharatvaasee never refutes and protects it with a smile ( irrespective of religion caste creed colour ) simply because in both the appearances the birth life and death was in bharat itself.
krishna
rafi sahab
ramesh narain kurpad
Anchal ji
Fantastic compilation…. our Rafi Bakts are better than any legend’s fans with superlative devotion to the one and only Faristha IN THIS FILM INDUSTRY
Narayan
I like to in know new film Yamla Pagla Deewana who is the singer Mohd Rafi or Sonu ji because On the cd there is Sonu ji voice but in the film it is m rafi voice I think!!? Please answer only if you are sure only 100%
walijah sahab and all rafi bhakts,
a glorious year ahead to you all along with peace progress and prosperity – a fantastic 2011.
ramesh narain kurpad
dear achal thx for this site i just joined this today , am an ardent lover of mohd rafis songs and cant get anough of this great singer. i hv almost 240 plus songs of him in my lap top. listening to him is like listening to god. thts his magic even after 30 years. hes my inspiration. so thx for making this site
Dear Rafians,
WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2011
Best regards
H.A.K. Walijah
Good compilation — Rafi sahab was matchless ! India’s greatest singer
my dearest rangajee,
gurujee koh mera pyaar bharaa pranaam aur ek bahut umdaa lekh par khoob saari badhaayiyaan. ( in the navy we have instructors – refreshers course – much much younger to us – real task masters – but – great teachers – and a pleasure to start learning all over aqgain )
rangajee – you may be a few years younger to me – but you are able to teach/give something to all of us in your owbn unique way – thats why i call you gurujee.
rangajee in flow is just an epitome of a masterly wordsmith.
waah rangajee – many may have taken up this task of picking the avataar’s songs but after the most daunting task undertaken – exasperated saying what a herculean war and an exhaustive mind weary exercise.
you have made the same task – look so sweet that your knowledge of selection and then briefly adorning them with the right aroma of prose – captivating the reader/listener into agreeing – what a great selection.
indeed a tough call – accomplished with conusmate ease.
these 25 gems picked by you – i am going to star it and i am sure many will agree with me when i say that they have become more appealing and apt more after your intelligent explanations.
rangajee – please let an article a month flow out of your pen – and we all will enjoy learning / reading / commenting.
i rate you as one among rafi sahab’s STRONG BHAKT’S.
ramesh narain kurpad
Dear Friends and Fellow Rafi Saab’s fans,
adaab rafi
i am overwhelmed and humbled by your feedback and your very kind words on my tribute to Rafi Saab on his birthday. believe me, your most generous compliments and comments make me feel that there is surely a very strong bond between us all. rafi saab has brought us all together to bask in his presence (he is very much around us all the time) and to enjoy his gift to us for years to come. we shall all ensure that future generations grow up listening to this angel’s voice and his expressions and learn the real meaning of music.
that apart, his simple lifestyle, his generosity towards his fellow-men and his frank and forthright nature serve as guide posts for all of us as individuals.
a true role model if there was one.
thanks once again, all of you for your very kind words and feedback.
i am blessed to have friends like you all.
warm regards
achal rangaswamy
Achal ji,
A VERY GOOD COMPILATION OF RAFI SAHAB’S SONGS & THEIR EXPLATION.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RAFI SAHIB..YOU ARE FOREVER ALIVE THROUGH YOUR VOICE
“LONG LIVE RAFI SAHAB”
Dear Achal
As I was going through the list and the write up, several things came to my mind-
1.Whatever you do, you do it out of love and passion.
2.You are a writer par excellence
3.The book” time is money” coudn’t have been written by a better person than you:-)
4..You have given the best gift to Rafi saab on his b’day.
A very novel,innovative approach to a subject that is very dear to all of us.Each song you have selected seems to be always on the tip of your tongue and in your mind.You have given apt and wonderful explanation.
Kudos to your herculean effort
Vasudha
Parvez Bhai
Thanks a lot for provide the Rafi sahab blog in which we have seen beautiful photographs of Legendary Rafi Sahab. On this day when we are celeberating Rafi Sahab’s birthday, I wish all rafians should pray to Central Government that they should do something for Rafi Sahab like they should make a documentary film for Rafi Sahab, they should award Bharat Ratna to him, they should release postage stamp, 24th Dec should be celeberate as Mohd. Rafi day or Music day so that the grace of Rafi Sahab should go to next generation on and on. Parvej bhai , Further if you have time please let me know how i can purchase the book of Rafi Sahab which I seen the blog.
Sachin Sharma
(09812004044)
ssssbhardwaj76@yahoo.co.in
Dear Achal ji,
Brilliant!
Excellent!!
Fabulous!!!
Awesome!!!!
Nothing else to say!!!!!
Anwar-ul-Haque
anwarhq25@yahoo.com
Dearest Achal ji,
Outstanding write-up specially selection of songs are very high each song is a gem and you have justified the situation very nicely on true basis, without seeing any picture we can easily measure the situation about the song. Now I am hearing a beautiful song of Rafi ji, from Barhamchari. La La La La Main Gaau Tum Soo Jao Dukh Sapno. Music by Shanker Jai Kishan ji. I salute Rafi ji for your melodious Song “Tu Bey misaal hey teri tarif kia karun Mastana Chaal hey teri tarif kia karun. Special thanks to Achal ji for outstanding article and all viewers. Ghulam Mujtaba, Lahore Chapter Old Home Town of Mohammad Rafi Sahib. (Bhatti Gate Lahore)/ Pakistan.
Nice article by Achal ji – You brought back fond memories.
Wishing all Rafi Saheb fans Happy Birthday as if this is indeed our own.
I am surprised at the ommision of “Din Dhal Jaaye” and preference towards Dil Jo Na keh saka – A great number also.
I salute Achaji for picking up most underrated song of Cha Cha Cha – Woh hum na they – My all time favourite.
Rgds,
Harvinder
very nice compilation achal ji
I am wordless today……
Dear Achal Rangaswamy Ji
You have written a wonderful article A-Z the songs sung by Rafi Saab. It is the sheer love and respect that shows your immense attachement to our great rafi saab.
I congratulate you for your commendable article. Please keep going
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR RAFI SAAB.
Regards
H.A.K. Walijah
hey people a new member to this blog but need to know any concerts goin on in mumbai plzz do post or give me a site wer it is regularly posted
Happy Birthday Rafi Saab. Let the Rafi cult grow further and further. This is a wonderful article. The service done by Rafi Saab to Indian people through his inimitable voice is can only be compared to the sacrifices rendered by our freedom fighters and social reformers. With his soothing voice Rafi Saab has been disseminating pleasure and peace among humanity for over five decades. Rafi Saab Zindabad.
Happy birth day to greatest legend rafi sahab on his 86th B.A.
Achal Rangasawamy Sahab, Bahut khoob, Meri taraf se mubarak baad qhabool farmaiye. Bade ghazab ki tahreer hai, Wah Waa. Is article ko to sunehre alfaz me likhna chaiye.
Happy birthday to our beloved Rafi Sahab.
Long live Rafi sahab,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin
Dear Achalbhai,
A floral bouquet adorned with 25 exotic flowers, each fragrant and beautiful
in their own ways, placed at the altar of the great man.
Loved your passion, loved the labour and loved the songs. Indeed woh
hum na the woh tum na the, isn’t rated that high and it is a matter of
surprise. Infact I had this as my hellotune for a while.
Thanks very much for the wonderful birthday gift, that’d be cherished
for long.
Adaab Rafi
Nagesh
On this great day I am requesting all fans to go to google site and open on your tube this song” din dhal jaye kumar ranjan” and enjoy this tribute.
If these detailing of rafi saab’s songs are by Mr Rangaswami, my hats off to you for such beautiful explanation of this greatest ever play back world has given to bollywood. Today, play back is because of rafi saab. Had he not brought changes in style of singing earlier which was only” trend following”, I don’t think even now play back would have been the way it has been thereafter.People do not realise this. But a good music follower will certainly understand it
Fantastic and well done – it was so good to see an article like this on the birthday of our idol. Achal, your love came through and since y ou’ve had a birthday too this month, wishing you a belated Happy birthday. I am almost sure you celebrated by just listening to his songs because that is the best gift of all.
Loved your choice of songs, even though it must have been a hard task picking out only one song out of thousands of gems. But good on you for doing it, and giving us such a nice article to read on his birthday.
Nasreen
Anchal Ji,
Many many happy returns of the day. It is such great coincident that i’m too a Rafi fan,my bithday also falls a day before Rafi Saab’s birth day and ‘main zindagi ka saath nibahta chala gaya’ is too my phone’s ringtone.
your write up is an excellent piece of work.
regard
ravi
Dear Mr Achal
Few months back I took a decision not to write anything in this site as the acrimonious fight between variuos fans was too much for me to digest. Just for today, for the sake of Rafi sahab and for the sake of you who has written a truly top of the world article (being the birthday of Rafi sahab, my and all our beloved farishta) , I am breaking my vow.
Excellent-I wish to preserve you article as I preserve the farishta’s songs.
Long live Rafi sahab.
dear mr achal rangaswamy ,thanx for sharing great article with us, you have selected great songs of rafi saab , i would like to invite each and every one to visit our beloved rafi saab”s blog, i have posted rare pictures, scanned articles,interviews,tributes,and many more,total over 500 pages are there,to go to next page,kindly click older posts,you will find bottom of every page,please don”t miss any page,kindly visit this link,take care
http://www.rafifanblog.blogspot.com/
GOOD COMPILATION..HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RAFI SAHIB..YOU ARE FOREVER ALIVE THROUGH YOUR VOICE..