Common Man Rafi
This article is written by Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy
Mohd Rafi
Mohammed Rafi Saab has sung hundreds of songs to suit various moods like happy, sober, Bhazans, patriotic songs, qawalis, classical, ched-chad, Yahoo type, etc. A common man can always imagine a Rafi song while celebrating or wooing or on any other occasions when he gets excited. For example, as written by Mrs. Chandni in one of the earlier articles in the web site in December’ 2007, a person would feel like singing “Haye Tabassum Tera†to his beloved and in fact, his beloved would also be longing to listen to such songs. Similarly, a person can easily express his unlimited love while singing “Apni Aankhon Me Basakar†(THOKAR).
But there are certain songs of Rafiji which a common man will be able to readily associate himself. Certain songs sung by MR truly reflect a common man’s life with which the person can really equate and associate himself and compare his life with the song and perhaps imagine that the song is especially written and sung with him in mind. Of course, the good lyrics in such songs contribute to a great extent the popularity of those songs, but the Singer has elevated these songs on to a pedestal putting as usual meaning and feeling into each word.
For example, what better song than “Saathi Haath Badana†(NAYA DAUR) for Labour work force, highlighting how united people should work to ease the burden and share the load.
Farmers can always experience their work / plight in songs like “Pagadi Sambhal Gaccha†(SHAHEED) and “Neel Gagan Par Udte Badal†(KHANDAAN). The SHAHEED song especially is highly emotional and explains the plight of a Farmer who is called Annadata but he himself is hungry, who has developed the grains with his efforts but finally somebody else steals all the produce, etc. etc. The song can be compared to the life of most of our Farmers.
Mohd Rafi
A good teacher interested in the next generation of people of our Country can always fall back on “Hum Laye Hain Toofanse†(JAGRITI). I still remember when we were in School, our Teacher used to train us for singing “Nau Jawano Bharat Ki Taqdeer Banadoâ€.
Rickshaw drivers can easily associate themselves with the song “Main Rickshawala†(CHOTI BAHEN) which eulogizes the job. Janmashtami celebration will not be complete without singing “Govinda Alare†(BLUFF MASTER).
Oil Massagers can always look to “Sar Jo Tera Chakraye†(PYAASA) beautifully picturised on Johnny Walker. This hit song narrates the significance of oil massage for all the common people like businessman, leaders, etc. though in a very jovial mood.
“Auladwalo Phoolo Phalo†(EK PHOOL DO MALI) and “Garibon Ki Suno (DUS LAKH) were two famous songs sung by or for Beggars on screen. The last stanza in the EPDM song “Dhanya Hey Woh Insaan†reaches new heights when the Beggars praise and wish the Couple who have given alms.
A server in a hotel can imagine himself to be Amitabh singing “John Jaani Janardhan†(NASEEB). Tangawalas can always sing “Ghoda Peshauri Mera†(PYAAR KA BANDHAN starring Raaj Kumar) and “Tap Tip Tipati Chaal Se Mera†(TANGEWALA). The later song is highly rhythmic set to music by Naushad.
Persons flying Kites would feel like singing “Chali Chalire Patang Meri Chalire†(CHOTI BAHEN). Most of Baaraatiyas in a Marriage sing “Ghodi Pe Hoke Savaar†(GHULAM BEGUM BADSHAH) or “Aaj Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai†(AADMI SADAK KA).
Similarly, whenever it is time for Bidaai, the song which readily comes to mind is “Babul Ki Duayen Leti Jaa†from NEEL KAMAL. No wonder, even Rafi Saab, it seems cried while recording this song as he remembered his daughter’s Bidaai during its recording. Another wonderful Bidaai song is from UMANG – “Babul Kaun Ghadi Le Aayiâ€. Listening to such songs bring tears to most listeners.
“Ek Banjara Gaye†(JEENE KI RAAH) was also a song about a common man. Similarly a Kolkattan will always enjoy singing “Eant Ki Dukki Paan Ka Ikka†(HOWRAH BRIDGE), a song describing Kolkatta. The song “Ae Dil Hai Mushqil†(CID) clearly describes the plight of people in Mumbai, which a Mumbaiker will readily associate himself and so also, “Mai Bambai Ka Babu†(NAYA DAUR). “Har Chehra Yahan Chand†(AABROO) highlights Kashmir.
Mohd Rafi with his secretary Zahir Bhari
Whenever one is in the midst of a beautiful journey with springs, cool breeze, flower garden, in general in a surrounding with significant natural beauty, that person would feel like singing “Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai†(LOAFER) or “Aane Se Uske Aaye Bahar†(JEENE KI RAAH) or “Dil Kahe Ruk Jare Ruk Ja†(MAN KI AANKHEN) or “Is Dharti Is Khule Gagan Ka Kya Kehna†(GANGA TERI PAANI AMRIT).
Of course, there are scores of Rafiji’s patriotic songs which any freedom fighter, army personnel, why even a common man with patriotic feelings will get goose pimples listening to such songs.
No wonder even 28 years after Rafiji left for his heavenly abode, common men still remember his songs as he has sung for every one of them. In fact, during one of the recent discussions among Rafi fans of Bangalore, some of the Lady Rafi Fans expressed that they always felt as if Rafiji is singing romantic songs just for them, as if he is singing those songs directed at the listener. That was his magic, he made every listener feel as if he his singing for him.
“khaana milega peena milega” is from the film Maalik made in 1972, starring Rajesh Khanna. the song is from a scene depicting the baraat ceremony of the hero’s elder brother.
regards
achal rangaswamy
achal.rangaswamy@gmail.com
Dear Sir,
You are really a GEM how made the site possible for Modh Rafi
Songs os keep it up.
Can you please HELP me I’am looking for a song starting like this :-
KHANA MELIGA PEENE MILAGE
BHAYYA KI SHAADI HAI SUB KUCH MILAGE
Can you tell me which MOVIE SONG is this ?
I’will be great ful if you reply me on EMail
farooq_sultan@alfalak.com
Keep it up.
Farooq Sultan
++
Here’s ‘dil kahe rukh ja…’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlqMnZtZvYQ
and here’s ‘ek banjare gaaye…’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9HXiu2ldiE
Dear Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy,
Nice article, I like your write ups which are based on common but important topics.
I would like to add some other gems in addition to your discussed aspects.
For drinkers… Rafi Sb sung many song like….Mujhe Le chalo from Movie Sharabi, mujhe duniya walo sharabi na samjo from movie Leader and many other great songs which express feelings of drinkers.
Regards,
-Imran-
Note: Contd (Post No 10). Its not possible to give each and everything. I m contributing this legends in a true respect, but people takes otherwise. Please see that if such things happen then it want be possible to share the rare photos in future. I will not take such things lightly. Now also I have lot of rare photos which I may not contribute in future.
thanx
shashank chickermane
Really fantastic article by Gurumurthyji. You have given a detailed information about his songs. ok.
Note: I want to inform everybody ie (fans and also the admin) of this site. I am a only a contributor of this site, but some are there who want everything from me. I want to tell that some days back I got a strange call from somebdy, that he threatened me that he wanted all the photos which I have shared in this sites urgently, but I told him not to do this thing. If this type of mischievous things happens once again then I will stop contributing in all the sites with immediate basis. I ignored it, but some wanted books, photos, articles from me. to collect such photos or articles or books its really painful hobby.
aasmaan se aaya farishta – a feast of rafi rare songs will be held on :
feb . 15, sunday at Naushad Hall, sion-Koliwada from 6.00 p.m. onwards.
admission is by membership only and please get in touch for the live programme.
binu nair : cell 9833 250 701
Baruaji,
The song “Tuzhko Rakhe Ram” from ‘Aankhen’ was sung by Mannadey.
respected Guru Murty Ji
Congratulations for your out of track title “common man rafi”. Its a very good and heart touching article. Rafi saheb’s songs are the best songs of HFM easily touching the heart common man. The songs mentioned in the article are great songs of Mohd Rafi for common people. I would also like to add the following which are too pertains to common man :-
1. “Kaal Ki Daulat Aaj Ki Khusiya, Unki Mehfil Aapni Galiya” from Asli Naqli
picturised on Dev Anand.
2. “Hasinoo Ki Sawari Hai, Badi Taqdeerwali Rickshaw Hamari Hai” from Love
in Shimla picturised on Joy Mukherjee.
3. “Onchee Onchee Baaton Se Pet Kisika Dekho Bharta Nahin” from Mr.
Natwarlal picturised on Amitabh Bachchan.
4. “Pardesioo Se Na Aakhiaan Milana” from Jab Jab Phool Khilee picturised
on Shashi Kapoor
5. “Dede Bhai Allah Ke Naam Pa Dede, Tujkoo Rakhen Ram Tujko Allah
Rakhen” from Aakhen picturised on Mehmood.
6. “Aate Jate Huyee Main Sabpe Nazar Rakhta Hoon, Naam Abdul Hai
Mera Saab Ki Khabar Rakhta Hoon” from Shaan picturised on
Mahzar Khan.
Above all the Chokidaar song “Yeh Duniya Nahin Jagir Kisiki, Raja Ho Ya Rank Yahan Saab Hai Chokidaar, Kush Tu Aakar Chalee Gayee, Kush Jaane Ko Taiyar” is one of the best song of this category.
with best wishes & regards to all Rafi Lovers.
biman baruah
sivasagar, assam
09435744610
How come everyone is forgetting rajesh roshan’s first film song?
Pranams! Gurumurthy sir. What great service you are doing to Rafians around the globe with one superb article after another after another. And pranams to A.S.Murthy sir too for the informative post as well as all the wonderful efforts to promote Rafisahab and his music.
Dear All,
Thank You Guru Murthy for such a peculiar topic.
Myself Ashok from Bombay. I am always in search of the rarest of rare songs of Rafi Sahab. I always thought of writing on this topic – that of the Poor Labourer in Bombay of the 1960s. The one who pulls Hand Cart, sells bangles, a construction worker, who delivers mortar in ghamelas…
But since I am not in the habit of writing, I postponed.
I would like to add some more songs to your list such as these…
1. Kaam Ki Pooja Karnewale – ( Mazdoor Zindabaad – Usha Khanna )
2. Bin Maa Ke Bacchhe (Title Song – O.P.Nayyar )
3. Bambai Hamari Bambai Yeh Jaan Se Pyaari Bambai
( Street Singer – Chandrashekhar – MD – Suraj )
4. Le Lo Duwayein Maa Baap Ki ( Title song – Chitragupt )
5. Shaadi Karwalo ( ???? )
6. Bartan Kalai Karalo ( ??? )
7. Le Lo Ji Paanch Aane ( Mera Ghar Mere Bachhe )
There are many such songs that pertain to the common and poor man on the street, more specific to the labourer of the 1960s.
These songs give us a realistic picture of the lives of the poor person.
Ashok
ashok_science@yahoo.com
having been away from hyderabad the past one week, i could not log on to the internet and today just as searched this website, i read this newest article by gurumurthyji. a vey fine topic that deviates from the routine and gives food for thought. well done gurumurthyji for highlighting the essence of some of the many gems of songs by rafi sahab that have special relevance to cities, professions, feelings and occasions, etc. endless listing of songs can be given by readers and rafi sahab excelled in almost all styles and all kinds of songs. Rafi Sahab understood the lyrics, picturisation and the mood that the director and the artiste would best desire and then went on to go into the soul of the song. it was these qualities that made him the numero uno among all singers and this is also the reason why his songs will remain immortal. There are “social message” songs of Rafi Sahab for e.g. “tu hindu banega na musalmaan banega insaan ki aulaad hai insaan banega” or a “insaf ka mandir hai yeh bhagwan ka ghar hai” (they are not bhajans sung in praise of the almighty) or yet again “aana hai to aa raah mein kuch der nahi hai bhagwan ke ghar der hain andher nahi hai” and several more falling under this category. Songs are there for children too and Rafi Sahab renders them in that typical childlike mannerisms. there are songs on birthdays like “tare tare kitne neel gagan pe tare” besides the more famous “baar baar din yeh aaye”. Songs emoting the deepest love between living beings for e.g. nafrat ki duniya ko chhod kar pyar ki duniya mein” are classic examples of the high altitude that rafi sahab attained in playback singing and he was peerless. the best part is that rafi sahab “enjoyed” singing more than he treated it as a profession and the results are there for everyone to relish. he never said no to any song of any music director and rendered it just as the latter had wanted it, perhaps a little better that what could have been visualized by the mds. he would have given a “fresh lease of life” to many of the otherwise mediocre songs that he was asked to render. rafi sahab was instrumental in making of several heroes or character actors and even comedians, for he was the voice for all. his diction and modulation were the hallmarks that separates him from the other singers. na tu zameen ke liye hain na asmaan ke liye (dastan) is one classic example of perfect diction, modulation, emotions, range and depth in all their glory. also, “kal raat zindagi se mulaqat ho gayi” defies all ‘set-standard” compositions and it looks like the composer designed it to hear the song in rafi sahab’s voice alone.
good topic that can be discussed endlessely.
dear sir,
thank you very much for this article.Rafi tu zinda rehe ga jab tak yeh sound system hai,teri awaz apna jadu jagati rehe gi
dear gurumurthy saab great article you have described rafisaab as common man yes indeed he was a common man
I INVITE EVERY BODY TO VISIT MY BLOG DEDICATE TO OUR BELOVED RAFISAAB I HAVE UPDATED MY BLOG
http://rafifanblog.blogspot.com/
Excellent article! Lately I’ve been trying to explore new songs and resist the temptation of listening to again and again the songs I already know and like so much. So you’re article was especially good for me because I picked up new gems I hadn’t heard before.
I would also add Ravi’s composition from Naya Roshni: “Gharibon Ka Jeena Bhi Hai Koi Jeena O Garmi O Sardi, Paseena Paseena”. Rafi at his best!