Mohammad Rafi and Joy Mukherjee combination had only gave everlasting hits
By Dr. Souvik Chatterji
Joy Mukherjee and Mohd Rafi
There were many bollywood actors who acted in more than 200 films out of which 40 to 50 films were musical in nature. In case of Joy Mukherjee out of his 38 films in a career spreading over 15 years, almost all the films were musical and his everlasting combination with Mohammad Rafi only produced gems after gems.
Joy Mukherjee started his career with the film Love in Simla in 1960.It was directed by RK Nayyar. Iqbal Qureshi composed the music of the film. Rafi’s songs “love ka matlab hai pyar”, “dil tham chale”, “ae baby idhar aao” were fresh and peppy in nature. From that time the everlasting combination of Joy Mukherjee with Mohammad Rafi stormed bollywood music for the next 10 years. In Hum Hindustani, Joy Mukherjee’s next film Sunil Dutt was the lead star so most of the songs were picturized on him. In the film Umeed in 1962, Rafi’s song “mujhe ishq hai tumhi se” became big hit.
From 1960 to 1967, Joy Mukherjee had the rare record of giving hit films in such a way that his films used to rank among the first 5 hit films of all the years. One of the main reasons for the success of the films included the evergreen music of the films.
In 1962 his film Ek Musafir Ek Haseena created storms. It ranked in the first 4 biggest hits of the year. The songs “bahut shukhriya bari meherbani”, “aap yuhi agar humse milte rahe”, “phir tere shahar me mitne ko chala aya hoon”, “humko tumhare ishqne kya kya bana diya”, “Mai pyar ka rahi hoon”, “mujhe dekhkar aapka muskurana” made the listeners enchanted.
The Joy Mukherjee, OP Nayyar and Rafi magic continued in the film Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon in 1963. It was produced and directed by Nasir Hussain. Again the songs were masterpieces including “zulf ke chayon me chehereka ujala lekar”, “nazneen bara rangeen hai wada tera”, “banda parwar thamlo jigar”, “lakhon hai nigahon me”, “anchal me saja lena kaliyan”, “aji kibla mohe tarma”, to name a few. It was par excellence. Probably OP Nayyar and Rafi combination was at the zenith. The film ended up being the third biggest hit film of 1963.
In 1964, Joy Mukherjee’s film Ziddi did great business. This time it was directed by Pramod Chakravarty. The music was composed by SD Burman. Rafi’s songs “janu kya mera dil ab kahan kho gaya”, “teri surat se nahi milti kisi ki surat”, “pyar ki manzil mast haseen” were all melodious songs and became superhit. In 1964 film Ji Chahta Hai, Rafi Joy Mukherjee combination again created gems. Kalyanji Anandji composed the songs. Rafi’s songs “kya kehne mashallah”, “ae jane tamanna jane bahar”, “rang rangilla mousam leke” created sensation.
Rafi Joy Mukherjee continued in the films Ishaara, Door Ki Awaaz and Ayo Pyar Karen. Kalyanji Anandji composed the music of film Ishaara. Rafi’s songs “dil bekarar sa hai”, “he Abdulla naginwala” were very impressive. Ravi Shankar Sharma composed the music of Joy Mukherjee’s film Door Ki Awaaz. All the songs of Rafi were classically oriented and touchy namely “dil mera aaj kho gaya”, “ek musafir ko”, “husn se chand bhi”, “kya yunhi rooth ke”, to name a few.
Usha Khanna composed the music of the film Avo Pyar Karen in 1964. Rafi’s songs “dil ke aine me tasveer teri”, “jinke liye mai diwana bana”, “tum akele to kabhi bag me” caught the attention of listeners a lot. In 1965, Rafi sang excellent songs in Joy Mukherjee’s film Bahu Beti. Ravi Shankar Sharma composed the music of the film. Rafi’s songs like “jiyo to aise jiyo”, “meri jaan na sata tu”, were very sweet.
Joy Mukherjee again stormed bollywood in the film Love in Tokyo. Shankar Jaikishan’s composition of music in the film rocked bollywood. Lata’s songs “sayonara sayonara”, “hume tum mil gaye humdum” was as popular as Rafi’s “Japan, love in Tokyo”, “aaja re aa zara aa”, “o mere shahekhuba”, and Manna Dey’s “mai tere pyar me bimar hun kya arz karun”. The westernized andaz of Rafi mesmerized the audience along with Japan’s exotic locations. Joy Mukherjee and Rafi combination did well in the film Saaz Aur Awaaz. Naushad Ali composed the music of the film. Rafi’s songs “dil ki mehfil saji hai”, “saaz ho tum awaaz hun mai”, “kisne mujhe sada di” showed the class and dignity of Naushad Ali’s creations.
Joy Mukherjee and Rafi again created magic in the film Shagird in 1967. This time Laxmikant Pyarellal stormed bollywood. Rafi’s songs “o bare miya diwane”, “o hai zara khafa khafa”, “duniya paagal hai” all created magic. Joy Mukherjee’s online chemistry with Saira Banu attracted the viewers. From Humsaya in 1968, gradually Joy Mukherjee’s box office popularity declined. OP Nayyar composed the music of the film and Rafi’s song “dil ki awaaz na sun” again became hit, but the film did not do great business.
From that time onwards Joy Mukherjee gradually faded out of the industry. His later films like Ek Kali Muskai, Dil Aur Muhabbat, Dupatta, Ek Baar Muskurado did very ordinary business. Rafi sang notable songs in some of these films, but neither the compositions nor the songs did touch the souls of the audience in the same way, the way it did in Love in Tokyo.
Joy Mukherjee had given lips in more than 200 songs of Mohammad Rafi. His songs and the films should be restored to remember the great combination of evergreen Mohammad Rafi with the romantic actor.
As long as melodious music will survive, Joy Mukherjee’s films will remain immortal.
Dr. Souvik Chatterji
I love joy too much & joy-mohdrafi combination is unforgatable
Mohammad Rafisahab had remained at the top of the male singer list. He is undoubtedly the badshah of badhshahs. We would have been happy had he got more votes than Shahrukh Khan.
But at least he had not let any competition to be there in the category of the male singers. He is way ahead.
Dr. Souvik Chatterji.
Last day to vote and make Rafi Saheb win! Rafi Saheb is leading the male playback singer category, but in the overall votes across all categories, Rafi Saheb is trailing the Number 3 by less than 50 votes, so all of you can help elevate Rafi Saheb easily by voting today! I’m not counting DDLJ votes since that is a movie, and not a person.
Vote by giving a missed call at 08082807871, or via http://www.historyindia.com/bollywood100/nominations/display#6
Vote, vote, vote! Less than 2 days before the voting deadline ends. Rafi Saheb is leading the male playback singer category, but in the overall votes across all categories, Rafi Saheb is trailing Number 2 & 3 by less than 300 votes, so all of you can help elevate Rafi Saheb to at least the Number 2 position easily by voting!
Vote by giving a missed call at 08082807871, or via http://www.historyindia.com/bollywood100/nominations/display#6
Last week left for voting now according to the update from CNN-IBN & History Channel on Twitter. Again, this is to vote for the greatest all-time Bollywood male singer.
To vote for Rafi Saheb, give a missed call to 08082807871. Additionally, you can vote via Facebook via the link below: http://www.historyindia.com/bollywood100/nominations/display#6
Check out all the latest updates on this poll on Twitter at https://twitter.com/search?q=bollywood100
Dear Bimanji,
Thanks a lot for the comments.
My email address is souvikchatterji2000@gmail.com
My Cell Phone No. is 09950836554.
I read your previous article on Joy Mukherjee and Rafisahab. It is a pity that whenever articles are written about Joy Mukherjee and great Rafi Sahab, discussions go on in respect of the acting callibre of Joy Mukherjee. There is no doubt that the music that was composed in Joy Mukherjee’s films were of A grade, whether it was Shankar Jaikishan, or OP Nayyar, or Naushad Ali. Mohammad Rafi Sahab had made the magic culminate into romanticism through his golden voice. The films did business due to a number of reasons but Rafisahab’s immortal songs gave a launching pad and the songs are still young.
I echo the voice of all the admirers of Rafisahab and request everyone to vote. Yes Rafisahab is at No. 1 position and I echo the sentiments of music lovers that I honestly want Rafisahab to emerge the winner.
Naushad Ali Sahab once said if God had any voice, Rafisahab’s voice would have come very close to that voice.
Warm regards,
Dr. Souvik Chatterji
Just one week left for voting now according to the update from CNN-IBN & History Channel on Twitter. Again, this is to vote for the greatest all-time Bollywood male singer.
To vote for Rafi Saheb, give a missed call to 08082807871. Additionally, you can vote via Facebook via the link below: http://www.historyindia.com/bollywood100/nominations/display#6
“jai Rafi sahab”
Now Rafi Sahab’s lead is 240 votes:-
Everyone can also VOTE TO RAFI SAHAB BY USING YOUR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT.
Click on the link given below and move your cursor on the picture of RAFI SAHAB & CHOOSE THE OPTION “FACEBOOK” FOR VOTE. PLZ HURRY
http://www.historyindia.com/bollywood100/#6
You can vote twice… with your mobile numbers at +918082807871 living
outside India, and on 08082807871 within India.
Can also vote with your facebook account. So, please, do it today itself
and ask your friends to vote Rafi Saheb, it will be very appreciated.
Thanks a lot…
Regards,
Sanjeev
Please keep voting by giving a missed call at the toll-free number 08082807871. This is for the Greatest All-Time Bollywood singer poll, and the results will matter since this is an important and well publicized poll from CNN-IBN.
All of you need to vote since Rafi Saheb is currently at the Number 1 spot, but is leading Sonu Nigam by less than 10 votes! I know it’s all very shocking given that Sonu, while being a good singer, is not even a tiny fraction of a singer that Rafi Saheb is/was, but I guess many of today’s generation is an ignorant lot. Therefore, Rafi fans need to keep voting to keep him at the Number 1 status he truly deserves.
Again, to vote for Rafi Saheb, give a missed call to 08082807871. Additionally, you can vote via Facebook via the link below: http://www.historyindia.com/bollywood100/nominations/display#6
rafi sahab ka naam hi kafi hai…..
Rafi Joy combination is the second line combination after Rafi Dilip, Rafi Shammi, Rafi Rajendra, Rafi Gurudatta,Rafi Bhushan, Rafi Johny,Rafi Dharmendra, Rafi Jeetendra etc
Rafi Biswajeet, Rafi Pradeep Rafi Uttam, Rafi Shashi, Rafi Manoj, Rafi Mehmood, Rafi Navin, Rafi Rajesh so on, and late years
Rafi Rishi, Rafi Amitabh, Rafi Vinod K combination did well
Hi all,
There is a very highly publicized CNN-IBN & History Channel polling in progress for the Greatest All-Time Bollywood Male Singer, and I will like you all to vote as soon as possible before the voting deadline is over. As per the latest results, it’s a very close race for the #1 spot, but Rafi Saheb is trailing by a few votes. If you want to vote for Rafi Saheb, you have to give a missed call to 08082807871. Additionally, you can also vote via Facebook through the links I have given below.
Link to the Best Male Singer Poll : http://www.historyindia.com/bollywood100/nominations/display#7
Link to the Leaderboard that shows the latest vote count : http://www.historyindia.com/bollywood100/nominations/leaderboard
Regards,
Rahul
Please vote for rafi saab for the “greatest male singer” by
giving a missed call to 08082807871
Rafi fans…a call for all of you to vote for the best all-time Bollywood singer. This is a brand new poll from CNN-IBN & History Channel to determine the greatest Bollywood male playback singer:
http://www.historyindia.com/bollywood100/nominations/display#7
Nice article sauvikji
Joy Mukherjee was joy of indian cinema, first lover boy of Indian cinema and one of the box office toper from 1960 to 1967. He was very fortunate that his career was fully supported by voice of god, Mohammed Rafi from Love In Shimla (1960) to Love In Bombay (1974) and established him as a “Romantic Lover Boy”. 9th March,2013 was his first death anniversary and i planned a tribute article on the combination of Rafi Sahab and Joy Mukherjee, but unable to complete due to official business.
Very glad to read your article on this combinations and the songs are very joyful. If you don’t mind, let me know your personal e-mail or mobile no for keep in touch.
Thanks & Regards
Biman Baruah
bimanbaruah@yahoo.co.in
we can not forget melodious”jahan tu hai wahan fir chandaniko kaun poochhega” fro usha khanna’s aao pyar karen,can we sauvikji?
any actor whom rafi saab landed his voice became superstar of bollywood.
It was rafi saab’s magic.
Long live rafi saab. I love you.
Regards,
Birendra Singh Bisht
rafi sahab very nice men rafi sahab kabile taarif
rafi sahab mere guru
Dear Khwaja Sahab,
Aadab, Taslim.
You are great.
You had dug out those songs of great Rafisahab which were not played and publicized to that extent.
Besides films of Joy Mukherjee that you had referred to had hardly been shown in the popular TV channels.
These films should be shown in the popular Television channels.
The FM and the radio channels should telecast Rafisahab’s great songs for Joy Mukherjee.
Even the new generation will admire that.
Dr. Souvik Chatterji
Dr. Souvik Chatterji, Adab Araz Hai,
As usual, fabulous writing on Joy Mukherjee and our Rafi Sahab.With your permission, I want to add few more songs of this combo.
Bahu Beti: Ravi/Sahir
1) Sab me shamil ho magar
2) Jiyi to aise jiyo
Ehsaan: RD Burman/Majrooh
1) Oh tauba yeh nigahen, dekhne se khumar aaye
Mujrim: Sonik-Omi/ Varma Malik
1) Ai meri jane chaman
Aag aur Daagh: N.Dutta/SH Bihari
1)Tere is pyar ka shukriya
2) Yeh pyar ka jhagda hai to
Looking forward to see more writings from you on our Aawaz ka Badshah, Rafi Sahab. Shab Bakhair,
A die-hard fan of Rafi Sahab,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin
Good day to all. Very nice to enlighten us Rafi devotees of this singer/actor combination. It is a part of THE GOLDEN ERA and I am thankful for this bhaiji.
Yesterday: it IS Rafi (Correction of grammar does not apply here)
Today……. it IS RafT
Tomorrow. it WILL BE Rafi
I can NEVER forget: PHIR WOHI DIL LAYA HOON
Thank you Dr. Souvik.
Soni
Superb collection, mazaa aagaya
Dear Dr. Souvik Chatterji,
Please research that how many high level filmi personalities have used the word “VOICE OF GOD” for Rafi Sahib. Thanks.
How many High Level Filmi Personalities have used the word “VOICE OF GOD” for Rafi Sahab? Please research!
Dear Sundeepji,
Greetings!
Thanks a lot for clarifying the mistake. Yes, Door Ki Awaaz music was composed by Ravi Shankar Sharma. I was wanting to write about Saaz aur Awaaz which was composed by Naushad Ali, and it was my typographical error of mentioning Naushad Ali’s name.
Thanks once again for clarifying the mistake.
Ravi Shankar Sharma had composed music in many films of Joy Mukherjee, and in all those films great Rafisahab contributed the most. Naushad Ali had composed music only in one film of Joy Mukherjee, Saaz Aur Awaaz and Rafisahab’s rendition of the songs were outstanding.
Separate articles can be written on each of the films.
Thanks Taseerji and Aliji for your comments too.
Warm regards,
Dr. Souvik Chatterji.
Joy Mukherjee was the actor who was popular only for his music in his films
Yet another Bollywood Actor who became popular with Rafi’s immortal voice.
I can recall another film Yeh zindagi kitni haseen hai directed by R K Nayyar where the title song sung by rafi sahib was picturised on Joy mukherjee music was again by raviji
sauvikji Door ki awaaz music was by Ravi and not Naushad