Mohammed Rafi and Dev Anand
The article is compiled by Mr. Biman Baruah, Asstt. Finance & Accounts Officer, ONGC Ltd., Assam Asset, Sivasagar, Assam.
Rafi sang for Dev Anand “The Evergreen Romantic Superstar of Indian Cinemaâ€
Oh Oh Ho Ho………………………
Khoya Khoya Chand Khula Aasmaan
Aankhon Mein Sari Raat Jayegee
Tum Ko Bhi Kaise Neend Aayegee………….
Dev Anand’s films are best known for their great musical richness and melodious songs. Some most popular Rafi songs were picturised on him. Mohd. Rafi and Dev Anand’s association with music composers O.P. Nayyar, S.D. Burman, Jaidev, Shankar Jaikishan, Salil Chowdhury and lyricists Sahir Ludhiyanvi, Shailendra, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Hasrat Jaipuri, Neeraj has created some of the best memorable songs in the Hindi Cinema.
Mohammed Rafi Saheb sang the above song for the Evergreen Romantic Superstar Dev Anand in the film Kala Bazar (1959) music composed by S.D. Burman and lyric by Shailendra. The song would be neither appealing in any others voice nor preferable for other singers. There have been number of romantic heroes like Rajendra Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Biswajeet, Joy Mukherjee, Shashi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, etc. whose careers were short lived, so no one can beat the heartily youngest and charming old gold Dev Anand. At the age of 85, he is still active in the risky film making business. Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand were called Trimurti of Hindi Cinema in the 1950s. But 50 plus Dev Anand reached the peak in the 1970s as a lead actor and paired with new heroines like Hema Malini, Rakhee, Yogita Bali, Zennat Aman, Parveen Babi and Tina Munim, when the careers of Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor was declined. Thus he was the ultimate romantic with Rafi songs like “Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukar†serenading in the steps of Qutub Minar with Nutan, “Tere Mere Sapne Ab Ek Rang Hai†assuring his support to lonely Waheeda Rahman, “Ek Put Banau Tera Aur Puja Karonga Par Marjaonga Pyar Agar Main Duja Karonga†and “Mera Maan Tera Pyasa†expressing his eternal love to Sadhna and Zaheeda respectively.
Dev Anand in Tere Mere Sapne
Mohd. Rafi’s versatile voice made a hit paring with Dev Anand, which enhanced the career of Dev and they ever created a sign of mark in the golden era of Hindi Cinema. There are number of Rafi song in the classic movies of Dev Anand like CID, Nau Do Gyarah, Kala Bazar, Kalapani, Hum Dono, Sharabi, Love Marriage, Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai, Tere Ghar Ke Samne, Maya, Asli Naqli, Guide, Jewel Thief, Teen Devian, Gambler, etc.
The voice of Kishore Kumar, Hemant Kumar and Talat Mehmood has been used for playback of Dev Anand’s for hit songs in his initial films. Dev Anand came to stardom with Prabhat Talkies Hum Ek Hain (1946), which was directed by P.L. Santhosi (father of Rajkumar Santhosi), then Bombay Talkies Ziddi (1948), where voice of Kishore Kumar used for the song “Marne Ki Duaen Kyon Manguâ€, which was the Kishore’s first film as a singer. The songs “Soon Ja Dil Ki Dastan†sung by Hemant Kumar and “Jayen To Jayen Kahan†sung by Talat Mahmood for Dev Anand in the films Jaal (1951) and Taxi Driver (1954) respectively which were produced under Dev’s own banner Navaketaan.
The trademark composer O.P.Nayyar has first used the voice of Rafi for playback of Dev Anand in the Guru Dutt Production’s CID (1956) which was the debut of director Raj Khosla. The songs of the film “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan†was a Rafi’s famous ode to Mumbai which describes the shaded side of Mumbai City, the lilting Rafi-Geeta Dutt duet “Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein Ishara Ho Gaya Bethe Bethe Jeene Ka Sahara Ho Gaya†created sensations among the youths and the “Leke Pehla Pehla Pyar†by Rafi-Asha-Shamshad Begum was also very popular among common people.
Sachin Dev Burman mostly used the voice of Rafi for the playback of Dev Anand in the films like Nau Do Gyarah, Kala Bazar, Kalapani, Tere Ghar Ke Samne, Guide, Jewel Thief, Teen Devian, Gambler, etc. and their association created some wonderful evergreen songs. The Rafi-Asha duets from the film Nau Do Gyarah are “Aaja Panchhi Akela Hai†and “Kali Ke Roop Meinâ€. The film Kala Pani gives the evergreen Rafi song “Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukaare Chale Gaye†and the unforgettable duet “Acha Ji Mein Haariâ€. The songs of Kala Bazar “Apni Har Aah Ek Toofan Hai Uparwala Jaan Kar Anjaan Haiâ€, “Khoya Khoya Chand Khola Asmaanâ€, “Teri Dhoom Har Kahin†by Rafi and “Rimjhim Ke Tarane Leke Ayee Barsaat†by Rafi-Geeta Dutt created a landmark. The romantic comedy Tere Ghar Ke Samne gives some memorable songs and special credits goes to Director Vijay Anand for wonderful song picturisation, especially in “Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukarâ€, Dev serenading Nutan on steps of Qutub Minar . The other songs of the film are “Too Kahan Yeh Bata Ish Nacheli Raat Meinâ€, “Soon Le Too Dil Ke Sada†by Rafi and “Dekho Rootha Na Karo Baat Nazroon Ki Sunoâ€, “Ek Ghar Banaunga Tere Ghar Ke Samne†duet by Lata-Rafi. The three solos in Guide “Tere Mere Sapneâ€, “Din Dhal Jaye†and “Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya†perfectly matched for Rafi only and not for other singers. Another super romantic comedy Teen Deviyaan scores two Rafi solo “Aise Tu Na Dekho†and “Kahin Bekhayal Hokarâ€. The hunting Rafi-Lata duet “Dil Pukare Aare Aare Aare†in Jewel Thief and the heartily romantic number “Mera Man Tera Pyasa†in Gambler were the single ones for which voice of Rafi has been used by S.D.Burman to playback for Dev Anand and the voice of Kishore Kumar has been used by DADA for other songs in the two films.
After S.D.Burman, composer Salil Chowdhury recognized the voice of Rafi to playback for Dev Anand and Dev Anand-Mala Singha starred film Maya is a good example Salil-Rafi-Dev Anand combination. The Rafi song “Koi Soney Ke Dilwala Koi Chandi Ke Dilwala Mehfil Nahin Yeh Tera Diwanee Kahi Chal†is really peerless. The Rafi-Lata duet “Tasveer Teri Dil Mein Jis Din Se Utari Hai Piya Tushe Sang Leke Nayee Nayee Rang Leke Sapnoo Ki Mehfil Mein†is also memorable.
The first ever duo composer of Hindi Cinema Shankar-Jaikishan used the voice of Rafi to playback for Dev Anand in Subodh Mukherji’s Love Marriage, Nasir Hussain’s Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai and Harshikesh Mukherji’s Asli Naqli. The Rafi number from Love Marriage “Kahan Ja Rahe The Kahan Aageyee Hum Kisike Nighahoon Se Takkara Geye Humâ€, “She Ne Khela He Se Aaj Criket Match†the crazy cricket number was so popular and the Rafi-Lata duet “Dheere Dheere Chal Chand Gagan Mein Kahi Dhal Na Jaye Raat Tut Na Jaye Sapne†was very impressive. The Nasir Hussain musical blockbuster gives some evergreen memorable songs: “Jiya O Jiya Kuch Bol De Dil Parda Khol De†“Teri Zulfon Se Judai To Nahin Mangi Thiâ€, “Mohabaat Isko Kahte Hain†by Rafi and “Sau Saal Pahle Mujhe Tumse Pyar Thaâ€, “Yeh Aankheen Uff Umma†duet with Lata. After Hum Dono second and last Dev Anand-Sadhna starred Asli Naqli also gives some memorable songs like “Kal Ki Daulat Aaj Ki Khushiyan Unki Mehfil Apni Galiyanâ€, “Gori Zara Hansde Tooâ€, “Ek But Banaunga Tera Aur Puja Karonga†and the fast sharabi number “Chera Mere Dil Ne Tarana Tere Pyar Ka Jisne Suna Khogeya Pura Nacha Hogeya†by Rafi and the serious romantic number “Tujhe Jeevan Ki Door Se Bandh Liya Hai Teri Zulm-Sitam Shar Aankho Par†was the duet with Lata.
Dev Anand in Taxi Driver
Dev Anand’s banner Navaketan introduced the composer Jaidev in the film Hum Dono and he used the voice of Rafi to playback for Dev Anand in the songs “Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gayaâ€, “Kabhi Khud Pe Kabhi Halat Pe Rona Aata Hai†and the duet “Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar Yeh Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin†with Lata.
Modan Mohan also used the voice of Rafi to playback for Dev Anand in the film Sharabi and the Rafi’s solo sharabi number “Kabhi Na Kabhi Kyoi Na Kyoi Tu Ayega Apna Mujhe Banayega†was quit popular.
The popular mythology of Hindi Cinema has a view that Kishore Kumar was the voice of Dev Anand. But the view is totally disputable. The quality of Rafi songs are much high for Dev Anand films like CID, Nau Do Gyarah, Kala Bazar, Kala Pani, Hum Dono, Love Marriage, Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai, Asli Naqli, Tere Ghar Ke Samne, Guide, Jewel Thief and Gambler. From the viewpoint of comparing the singing of Rafi and Kishore Kumar for Dev Anand, the films Guide, Jewel Thief, Teen Deviyan and Gambler are the better examples. S.D. Burman used the voice of Rafi for three solos in Guide: “Din Dhal Jayeâ€, “Tere Mere Sapne†and “Kya Se Kya Ho Gayaâ€. He composed the Kishore-Lata super hit duet “Gata Rahe Mera Dil†on special request from Dev Anand. Dada Burman openly admired Kishore that the three solos by Rafi never matched for any other singer. Similarly, the Rafi numbers in Ten Deviyaan, Gambler and hunting duet with Lata in Jewel Thief were supersedes the Kishore numbers in the films. Any way both were proficient singers of their times but had own separate styles. Rafi Saheb was a classically trained singer. On the other hand Kishore Kumar was naturally endowed and self-brilliant singer.
The following are the one dozen selected Rafi gems picturised on Dev Anand: –
| Song | Year | Film | Music | Lyric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yeh Dil Hai Mushkil Jena Yeha | 1956 | CID | O.P.Nayyar | Majrooh Sultapuri |
| Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukare Chale Gaye | 1958 | Kala Pani | S.D.Burman | Majrooh Sultapuri |
| Khoya Khoya Chand Khula Aasman Aankhon Mein Sari Raat Jayegee |
1959 | Kala Bazar | S.D. Burman | Shailendra |
| Kahan Ja Rahe The Kahan Aageye Hum |
1959 | Love Marriage | Shankar Jainkishan | Shailendra |
| Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala | 1961 | Hum Dono | Jaidev | Sahir Ludhiyanvi |
| Koi Soney Ke Dilwala | 1961 | Maya | Salil Chowdhury | Majrooh Sultapuri |
| Jiya O Jiya Kuch Bol De Dil Ka Parda Khol De | 1961 | Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai | Shankar Jainkishan | Hasrat Jaipuri |
| Akela Hoon Main Ishi Duniya Mein Koi Saathi Hai To Mera Chaya |
1962 | Baat Ek Raat Ki | S.D. Burman | Majrooh Sultapuri |
| Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukar | 1963 | Tere Ghar Ke Samne | S.D. Burman | Hasrat Jaipuri |
| Tere Mere Sapne Ab Ek Raang Hai Tu Jahan Bhi Le Jayee Radhee Hum Sang Hai |
1965 | Guide | S.D. Burman | Shailendra |
| Aise To Na Dekho | 1965 | Teen Devian | S.D. Burman | Majrooh Sultapuri |
| Mere Man Tera Pyasa | 1971 | Gambler | S.D.Burman | Neeraj |
Amitabh Bachchan releases Dev Anand’s Autobiography Romancing With Life
Dev Anand is going to re-release his timeless classic “Hum Dono†in colour like Mughal-e-Azam and Naya Daur, where he plays his first and only “Double Role†for his banner “Navaketanâ€. After re-release of the film, the new generation will see the magic of Rafi songs in the Dev Anand’s mannerism. Dev Anand has released his autobiography “Romancing with Life†on his 84th birthday on 26th September 2007, Prime Minister Dr. Monmohan Singh at New Delhi does inaugural release, and fortunately it is also 74th birthday of PM. Penguin International Books published the hardcover autobiography cost at Rs.650 having 495 pages, which contains lot of reading material with selected pictures, and a CD of selected favourite songs from his films. After Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore, Dev Anand will take the book to the Frankfurt Book Fair in October and thereafter to Stockholm, London, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta and Canada.
In Dev Anand’s words, “Romance is taking life as it come, it is beautiful. But the word romance need not limit itself to a relationship between a man and a woman. A good book, a good poem, a beautiful girl, making a movie, that’s romance for meâ€.
Dev Anand
At the age of 85, he is making films one after one with amazing energy without bothering the box office results of his films. His philosophy is to think positive. In his words, “I never give myself a chance to get depressed. In think aheadâ€. His most recent releases were “Censorâ€(2001), “Love at Times Squareâ€(2003), and “Mr. Prime Ministerâ€(2005). His forthcoming films are “Beauty Queen†and “Charge Sheet†in Hindi, “Song of Life†an American Musical to be shot in US with American star cast and “When Hearths Meet†to be shot in Croatia which has been invited to make by the Government of Croatia.
The evergreen actor and the ultimate romantic Dev Anand’s personality is best manifested in the following Rafi song from his film “Hum Donoâ€(1961) which was produced under his banner Navketan:-
Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya
Haar Fiqar Ko Dhuen Mein Udata Chala Gaya….
Barbadiyoon Ka Sauk Manana Fujul Tha
Barbadiyoon Ka Jasan Manata Chala Gaya……
Mr. Biman Baruah with his wife, Angana and son, Anshuman
It is a great effort by Khurram DBG to have brought out the list of Rafi-Dev hits. Let me add the following to the list:
(1) Koi sone ke dil wala….. (Maya)
(2) Sathi na koi manzil …. (Bamabai ka babu)
(3) Deewana Mastana… (Bambai ka babu)
(4) Jawaan tum ho jawaan hum hain… (Duniya)
(5) Kal ki daulat aaj ki khushiyan…. (Asli Naqli)
(6) Teri dhoom har kahin… (Kala Bazar)
(7) Pyar Mohabbat ke siva ye zindagi kya zindagi… (Pyar Mohabbat)
(8) Dil pukare aa re aa re aare… (Jewel Thief)
(9) Kahan jaa rahe the kahaan aa gaye hum… (Love Marriage)
(10) Dheere dheere chal chaand gagan mein….. (Love Marriage)
(11) Ye aankhen uff uma… (Jab Pyar Kisi se Hota hai)
(12) Rimjhim ke tarane leke aayi barsaat… (Kala Bazar)
(13) Akela hoon mein is duniya mein… (Baat Ek Raat ki)
(14) Kabhi na kabhi koi na koi… (Sharabi)
(15) Mujhe le chalo… (Sharabi)
(16) Sawan ke mahine mein… (Sharabi)
(17) Dekh humen awaz na dena (Amar Deep)
So 30 of Post 49 and 17 here, total 47. We may still have missed out some. Now, if we include post 1970 era, it is possible (I am not sure) that the Dev-Kishore combination songs will outnumber the Dev-Rafi combination, but the hard fact is that qualitatively Dev-Rafi combination was way ahead. Post 1970 the Dev-Kishore combination songs (barring a few exceptions) were highly forgettable. It was Rafi who gave the Dev Anand his romantic, debonair image.
If Dev Anand still thinks that Kishore was his ‘real’ voice…. well he needs to revisit all the songs of his and make a qualitative assessment impartially without the baggage of his personal friendship.
J.K. Bhagchandani
Here is the list of Hit songs of Rafi + Dev Anand. Even if after all these songs Dev anand still thinks that Kishore was his real voice, I would say he lost his mind with age.
1 – Sunle tu dil ki sada – Tere ghar ke samne
2 – Kahin bekhayal hokar yunhi chu liya – Teen Deviyan
3 – Tere ghar ke samne ek ghar banaon ga – title song
4 – Aise toh na dekho – Teen Deviyan
5 – Tu kahan yeh bata iss nashili raat mein – Tere ghar ke samne
6 – Aap naraz khuda kheir karey – Pyar Muhabat
7 – Kabhi khud pe kabhi halaat pe – Hum Dono
8 – Acha jee main haari chalo maan jao – Kala Pani
9 – Main zindagi ka sath nibhata chala gaya – Hum Dono
10- Khoya khoya chand – Kala Bazar
11- Apni toh har aah ek toofan hai – Kala Bazar
12- Kya se kya ho gaya bewafa tere pyar mein – Guide
13- Din dhal jaye haaye – Guide
14- Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hain – Guide
15- Chheda mere dil ne tarana tere pyar ka – Asli Naqli
16- Zindagi hai kya sun meri jaan – Maya
17- Tasvir teri dil mein – Maya
18- Hum bekhudi mein tumko pukare chale gaye – Kala Pani
19- Abhi na jao chhod kar – Hum Dono
20- Ek but banaon ga tera – Asli Naqli
21- Tujhe jeevan ki dor se – Asli Naqli
22- Kali ke roop mein chali ho – Nau do gyara
23- Aaja panchi akela hai – Nau do gyara
24- Mera mann tera pyasa – Gambler
25- Jab pyar kisi se hota hai – Title song
26- Teri zulfon se judai toh nahi mangi thi – Jab pyar kisi se hota hai
27- Sau saal pehle mujhe tumse pyar tha – Jab pyar kisi se hota hai
28- Ankhon hi ankhon mein ishara ho gaya – CID
29- Chupke Se Mile Pyase Pyase – Manzil
30- Falsafa pyar ka tum kya jaano – Duniya
no doubt, the voice-over by rafi on dev anand is superb. although kk was used prior to rafisaab, thre is no doubt that the crooner’s voice is immaculately matched……………dev was no great actor, but the picturisation of songs sung by the legend made him look act-worthy. one, however, cannot discount his brilliant role in GUIDE, for which he won the second of his filmfare awards. another point is that dev alwys looked better in black and white than in the present day gevacolor>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
NO WORDS TO TALK ABOUT RAFI SAHIB .
MR.ANAND YOU ARE THE BEST
THERE IS NO ONE BETTER THEN RAFI SAHIB AND DAV ANAND
No any doubt about the talent of Dev Sahib and his popularity. He used voices of Rafi, Kishor, Hemant mainly and also manadey and Talat at times. All of them gave him wonderful songs and ever green songs. But as per my rating his most popular songs were sung by RAFI followed by Hemant and then Kishor. Rafi was a rare voice ( unparrallel in all forms of songs). No doubt Dev looked handsome, attractive and graceful in Rafi’s songs. Dev lost grace later because of his reluctance to look young and match with the action heroes like Dharmendra or Ambitabh in his later part especially in 70s. He gave some good hits using mainly voice of Kishoe at that stage also, i.e., Johyny Mera Naam, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Banarsi Nabu, Amir Garib, Warrant, Des Pradesh, Lashkar etc. But the grace of dev-rafi was never seen again.
May long live Dev Anand and ever live Rafi
aap naraaz khuda khair kare from pyar mohabbt is a great rafi song on dev anand.also doobte huye dilko from kahin aur chal.these are really rare gems.
Dev Anand has always been my favourite actor..I’ve watched most of his oldies films and admires his good looks and well acting. I wish one day I will get a chance to meet him in singapore.
Mohammed Rafi’s voice was the best voice ever for Dev anand….all the songs picturised on dev,sung by rafi were all super-duper unparalleld hits….
just to say one thing that “abhi na jao chhodke ke dil abhi bhara nahi” song sung by asha bhonsley with rafi saab not lataji.
There are many (too many to list) Big Stars of Bollywood that appreciate, admire, love and miss Rafi’s voice. There will always be one or two (in my Opnion, like Dev Annad) that may not appreciate, it is life.Rafi is my favorite singer, bar none. Rafi is my favorite singer,bar none. But, some of you Rafi fans are irritating.
– Have considered that Dev Annad may truely like KK better than Rafi?
– It seems that a lot of can’t get over what happened in the early 70’s.
Rafi dominated the 50’s and 60’s and rather well in the 70’s. I think KK numbers of the early seventies were better.
Rafi Saheb sang so nicely for Dev Anand, but the songs from Guide were among best.
In one of the interviews in Shekhar Suman shows, Dev Anand tried to sideline Rafi …. he said “Rafi was mostly used for Ghazal kind of songs and Kishore kumar for other film type songs”… How thankless people are…
post 34 Santosh well said.
Pl sms ur mob numb to mine at 09886779557.
Shall interact on phone at ur convenient day/time
regards,
Post No. 36, How true Mr. Manssor Saab has brought out the fact that Dev Anand looked weird in colour films with all his fancy clothes where as in Black and White movies he looked more appealing and handsome. The only two exceptions were Guide and tere mere sapne. Dev’s Rafi songs were more melodious and appealing than his later day KK songs. Even old KK songs in films like Paying Guest, Funtoosh, Mahal, Tere Mere Sapne, etc. were better than the post Guide KK songs. If Dev Anand is remembered today, it is not because of his innumerable flops post Prem Pujari but for his handsome and debonair image with Rafi songs on his lips in films like JPKHH, TGKS, GUIDE, DUNIYA, TEEN DEVIYAN, HUM DONO, ASLI NAQLI, etc.
As far as I am concerned, Dev Anand looked appealing in black & white films with Rafi as the play back singer who made him look romantic. Other wise he wasn’t an actor. His famous films including Tere ghar ke saamne and Hum Dono would have been ordinary films without Rafi. He (Dev Anand) lost all hid luster in colored films where he wore weird clothes of weird colors. He should thank the black & white films and Mohammad Rafi which elevated him to a known personality
Santhosh Ji.. Post 34
Yes.. what u wrote is from my mind too – rafi lovers think alike just
“as birds of the same feather flying together”.
I have the same thinking about Dev saab but I found many great Rafi
bakhts loving Dev anand so I was subdued in my views about dev.
I want to send a message “fast” to dev saaheb that he is ‘ungrateful’
to rafi saaheb unless dev makes amends to this end.
Have u met rafi bakht Umesh Makhija in Ahmedabad. Yes, meeting
rafi bhakts from all over is an unending pleasure. It will be my pleasure
to meet you – any time.
Binu Nair.
I have been reading a lot of comments on this issue.I would just like to add my feelings that dev anand never deserves the recognition he got because he did not have any acting skills and was a joker.As far his songs are concerned rafisaab songs are the best.Only 3 songs of kk for dev is good one is Phoolon ke rang se, 2nd kiska rasta dekhe , 3rd dekho o dewano ye kam na karo.Rest are all rubbish to say the least.The magic of rafi saab’s voice in dev songs are just out of this world particularly the song khoya khoya chand, kahin bekhayal hoke. mujhe phir le chalo etc. How can one ever compare rafi saab with kk. kk is not a singer at all.his voice suited dev only in some songs when dev was older.but when dev was younger and in particular black and white songs the way rafisaab moulded his voice is incredible.
Mr.Binu pl send a message to the old mad dev that we do not need a certificate on rafi saab from him.Rafi saab will remain in my heart as long as I live and in my children’s heart after i die.Long live my dear Rafi saab.
Also please let me know if you are by any chance comming to ahmedabad in future . I wil be very glad to meet a great person like you for keeping the memories of our rafi saab alive.
Binuji,
The letters/emails from all Rafi saab lovers who known to us will be forwarded to u for further needful action.
Mohanji, Haldarda,Venkatdri garu, vijayji, MYk saab and all Rafians….
Yes you are right only a deaf or a non musical junk cannot relish the evergreen hits of Rafi saab-Burmanda/SJ/OPN picturised on the ungrateful Dev saab
Here’s another gem from Raju Bharatan. I have provided below a passage from an article written by Mr. Bharatan less than five months ago. Enjoy!
—————-
One look at Goldie’s script and the ageless Dada Burman had
exclaimed, “The Guide theme offers me the musical scope of a
lifetime! Just watch Goldie and me musically bring it off !” Lyric
dilemma The song-lyrics of Guide were initially being written by
Hasrat Jaipuri. A Hasrat who had given Dada Burman wondrous results,
on the same Dev Anand, in Tere Ghar Ke Saamne, via those Rafi
nuggets – Tu kahaan yeh bataa, Dil ka bhanwar kare pukaar and Sun le
tu dil ki sada. Now, as Hasrat for mulated the opening sentiment of
Din dhal jaaye, proceeding to write to SD tune, there was a certain
unease in the Navketan camp.
It just wasn’t coming right, as visualiser Goldie perceived it.
Indeed, things got to a point where Hasrat lost poise and burst
out, “Ek bhadwe ke liye main aur kya likhun?”
If as a mere pimp did Hasrat envision R K Narayan’s Raju, The Guide,
a change of song-writer was a must, felt the Navketan unit. And Dada
Burman, for once, I felt fulfilled to hear that he preferred
Shailendra to even Sahir Ludhianvi and Majrooh Sultanpuri was to
take over. All okay..all good. As a concession to Hasrat’s being his
confrere, Shailendra retained that Rafi solo’s opening line as: Din
dhal jaaye. The rest is Dada-Rafi screen history.
No doubt Devanand is a hard working man but his hard work has not reflected in the films he has made since the seventies and no one even remembers their name leave aside remembering their content. He is now remembered only because of the better known songs from his earlier films and which, ironically, have Rafisaab mostly playback for Dev. In fact, most people remember Dev only because of the Rafi songs in his films! Rafi’s presence is everlasting in his songs and he is peerless. We don’t need a certificate from Dev on what he felt about Rafi because his feelings were never consistent in the first place! As for Rafisaab, this is what Hardeep Singh from Melaka, Malaysia, wrote on one of Rafisaab’s anniversary:
Eh tujhe adat kahan se aagayi,
Aye marize dil, ye himmat kahan se aagayi,
Kal to kahte thay ke bistar pe utha jaata nahin,
Uth gaye duniya se, uth gaye duniya se,
Ye taqat kahan se aagayi
Ye Rafi Saab ki taqat jo aaj hamare beech nahin hai,
Is liye to hum kahte hain ke ek shayar yaad aajata hai,
“Char phool un par bhi chade,
Char phool un par bhi chade,
Char lok milkar unhe utha rahe the,
Char lok milkar humme bi utha rahe the,
Fark sirf itna hi tha ke unki ‘doli’ ja rahi thi,
Hamara janazah ja raha tha,
†Peeche koyi ga raha tha,
“O door ke musafir, hum ko bhi saat le le
Hum rah gaye akele, Hum rah gaye akele,â€
Hi Binu-ji,
Thanks for the interesting info. I am surprised K-A would say such a thing, considering they were Rafi-aligned composers and have many hits with Saatwan Sur. Maryada had three Rafi songs on Raj Kumar and it would be crazy if another voice was used. In the 60’s it was Rafi and Mukesh who were their main singers, then in the 70’s it was Rafi and Kishore.
If you have any more info on the KA-Rafi partnership please do share it with us.
I will never said that KK is not good singer and i will never say that.
If u make a list of best songs of Mr Bachchan or Rajesh Khanna, or Manoj Kummar or KK himself we have to add Mohd Rai songs but when we make list of Shammi Kapoor songs we don’t need other than Mohd rafi in list and same to music directors list If we make list of best songs of RD or SD or LP or KA there will be Mohdd Rafi songs at the top but when we make list of songs for Naushand or O P Nayar there will be only mohd Rafi be the male singer…..
Rafi Saheb’s songs sung for Dev anand were best songs than Kk sang for Dev.
Dev saaheb is a hero whole of his life. recently he refused to
be in om shanti om in a dance and song sequence in which
30 different actors took part.
He would not give credit to any one but to himself
alone. See the number of continuous flops he has delivered
since the seventies.
the contribution of legends – s.d.burman and
mohd rafi will be “ever remembered” by music lovers.
In an another time span dev anand will not be required to pay
tributes to rafi saab and s.d.burman .
their sheer magic will make their works immortal.
We do not need a dev anand to give a certificate to rafi saab.
the sun shines on its own with no outside support and this
magic will never wane.
binu nair/////// mumbai//////////
good write up by Bimanda,
Just some comments:
To us Rafi fans, Dev Anand rightly comes across as most “ungrateful” to Rafi saab. I haven’t read his book but note from Narayanan’s post that Rafi saab has been mentioned only once in his book! We don’t know what chip has Dev got on his shoulder for Rafi saab. To me Rafi saab personified the aura of romance for Dev on screen. Without Rafi’s vocals Dev would not have reached the dizzy heights of being a romantic hero merely with his rather queer and foolish antics and mannerisms!(you wont call him a serious actor)
Listen or see any of his recent interviews and at least to me he comes across as a conceited old man, full of himself; who has lost track of reality!
Narayanji:
On ur last visit to Mumbai we had visited the next building
which houses dev anands audio studios. It is managed by his
son and we can meet dev saheb there.
Please arrange fifty letters from rafi lovers about the rafi-dev
lethal combination and send to me. I will personally carry to his
office and deliver it.
Mr.Naresh Sharma of delhi will make a complete list of rafi-devs
songs and furnish them.
I think this is urgent along with the “bharat ratna” issue.
Binu nair ///the rafi foundation//// sargam magazine////
Dear Myk:
Aradhana released first and then Mahal. K & A were of course
tilted towards KK inspite of Rafi giving them good hits from
Bluff Master onwards. Their grouse is that rafi saab will give
his best only to few composers which is a “white Lie” without any
substance.
More, its said that once shammi Kapoor and once raaj kumar
chided Kalyanji-anandji for recording songs in voices other than
rafis.the latter actor actually told them to arrange someone else
for the songs shoot and the musical duo lost many a days sleep.
In Maryada they promptly used rafi for raaj kumar.
Myself and Narayan will be meeting a close rafi friend in kerala
who was always with rafi and were close to all the music men and
women from the sixties onwards. I will share “many facts” in sargam
in its January issue. this isssue will be a ‘O.P.NAYYAR’ special along
with rafi saabs : eighty third birthday celebrations news and some
rare photographs.
I will need the old illustrated weekly news cuttings too if you could
forward. My e.mail i.d. is binus2000@hotmail.com
Binu Nair . the rafi foundation..
SS Makkar sab, post 14
It is not surprising that a legend like Rafi saab was mentioned in Dev’s book only once. When the actor is writing about ‘Romancing with life’ perhaps he is highlighting the various beavy of beautiful heroines who has acted with him.
But we all music lovers wonder what Dev would have done without the Rafi saab- Burmanda effect with so many romantic hits for his banner and other films where he gave lipservice.
Recently Dev Anand mentioned that Rafi and Kishore were both his voices and that he used Rafi for ghazals and Kishore for romantic numbers. Ofcourse Dev is forgetting Rafi sang so many romantic songs for him and not just ghazals. Rafi sang far more superior songs for Dev than Kishore. Even after Dev left Rafi in the 70’s, the quality of those KK numbers pale in comparison to the Rafi songs for Dev earlier.
I have a query regarding two Dev films in 1969 and 1970. The films are ‘Mahal’ and ‘Johnny Mera Naam’, both had music by K-A. In the former Rafi sang a qawwali for Dev “Hum tujhe dhoond lenge” and the latter had no songs by Rafi.
I understand that with RDB, Dev did not have to bring in Rafi as RD himself was not that much of a Rafi supporter so it worked out for him there. In the case of RR I am sure Dev also had a say in it even though RR used Rafi for Dev in Man Pasand.
But my question is why didn’t Kalyanji Anandji (being Rafi-composers) not use Rafi for more numbers in Mahal as well as for the songs of JMN. Maybe they were thinking of using him for some of those songs along with Kishore, and do what SD started doing from Teen Devian onwards and balance Rafi with Kishore, but somehow I am getting the feeling Dev had the final say on this matter.
Also was Mahal released before Aradhana or did K-A use Kishore based on his Aradhana success ?. The KA-Kishore partnership doesn’t step into first gear until Mahal.
Would like to know our members thoughts on this matter.
i would like to mention mujhe le chalo from sharabi,
oooooooooh what a tune,magician at his best,just feel the expressions with every stanaza
Dev Anand’s thousands of female fans during 50’s and early 60’s were a lot due to his singing voice, Rafi Saab!
post 14
Makkar sir,
what we can expect from an ungrateful actor?
Infact I will be happy if some one can tabulate all the hit songs of Dev saab from the 40s,50s to 60s and with the help of our Rafi Foundation send a list to Devanand’s office n residence.
The list should only consist singer’s name the film n the songs.
Request all Rafiains to send the list to binus2000@hotmail.com or me at bangaloreconsultancy@hotmail.com.
We shall ensure it reaches Dev saab at the ealiest with a humble covering letter.
I am going to meet dev anand very shortly and tell him that
u are “unfair” to rafi saab inspite of the singer giving him
“incomparable” hits.
Dev anand will be remembered for his films and songs from
the fifties up to the seventies only.
The films after the seventies were genuine flops and i wonder how
he is surviving – inspite of the audiences “not” seeing his movies
and generating flops after flops.
binu nair //// the rafi foundation..
ref post – vicky sir,
I am sorry to intervene again. What I meant the total song was picturised on long shot with invisible emotions, not like ‘ kabhi khudpey’ which is really superb picturisation. i know the song ‘ main zindagi ka saath ‘ in total & i hum it often, my son also started it.
yes I agree with you ‘ khoya khoya chand ‘ was picturised still a worse way.
did you hear the song ‘ teri dhun har kaheen ‘ from kaala bazar’ ? what a superb picturisation.
vicy sir its not my intention to comfront with you. its only a brainstorming.
personally i feel very much depressed when Rafi sahab’s songs are picturised sans emotions. to this I would like to add how beautifully rafi sahab’s songs been picturised on Johny walker , Guru dutt jee & Shammi kapoor jee.
Regarding the best of Rafi – Dev songs picturisationwise, the following are really marvellous which gave Dev the debonai lover boy image. All these songs can be enjoyed umpteen number of times.
1. Jiyao from JPKHH.
2. Rim Zhim Ke Tarane from Kala Bazaar.
3. Apni To Har Aah from Kala Bazaar.
4. Abhi Na Jao Chodakar from Hum Dono.
5. Mai Zindagi Ka Sath from Hum Dono.
6. Dil Ka Bhanwar from TGKS.
7. Sunle Tu Dilki Sada from TGKS.
8. Dil Pukare from Jewel Thief.
9. Kahin Bekhayal Hokar from Teen Deviyan.
10. Tuzhe Jeevan Ki Dorse from Asli Naqli.
And of course, all the three songs of GUIDE.
ramakrishna sir,
this is with refernce to ur post(post no 5) im surprised tht u dint like the way the song ‘main zindagi ka saath nibhata’ was picturised.just listen to the song it oozes taking life casuaaly in every word or sense.’ghum aur khushi mein fark na mehsoos ho jahan’,’barbaadiyon ka shoog/shouk manana fizool tha’ both the lines shows how casually the character is taking his life.i am sry if i intervened into ur personal opinion.
if u wud ask me the song whose picturisation i dint like i wud say ‘khoya khoya chand’ in the whole song dev saab is running like a nut he must have lost atleast 5 kgs after filming this song.this song is so beautiful but after i saw the video the beauty of the song was lost a bit for me.i know dev saab enevr danced but this is no way to picturise a song!!
C’MON DEV SAAB, YOUR FILMS HAD SOME OF THE BEST MUSIC – BUT ONLY TILL GUIDE AND JEWEL THIEF – AND MOST OF YOUR GREATEST SONGS ARE BY RAFI SAAB. HOW COULD YOU BE SO UNFAIR >?
We all agree that rafi saab was responsible for giving dev anand his lover boy image, i was pained to read dev anand’s autobiography where he has mentioned rafi saab only once , on page 175.
it left me absolutely dissapointed. JUST THE NAME . THAT IS ALL. NOTHING ELSE.
It would be interesting to know, how much credit Dev Anand has given to Rafi Saab in his journey of success in his recently released biography.
Ref to Post 10:
In the 70s compared to 50s and 60s majority films produced under the Navketan banner were box office flops, which unfortunately even continues till day. So one can imagine the effect of Rafi the great.
ref post – 9
murty sir
exactly…. exactly…… exactly……
people said that KK was voice of Dev anand and RDliked KK more than Mohd Rafi but the true is true ifwe look to the list of Mohd Rafi with Dev anand and Rd more greater than KK songs as I said befor if we make a list of Dec anand 10 songs u will get 10 of 10 singed by Mohd Rafi and RD 7 by 10 as think…
RD said once in interveiw that his first song was singed by Mohd Rafi and that was Mohd Rafi magic in the song not his music.
it is same story made by people who don’t like mohd rafi who said that in 1970’s KK was top singer,RD top MD and KK singed better than Mohd Rafi for Dev anand but when we compare no way……..
Good article followed by good comments from regular RAFIANS. I agree that the article should be more on Rafi Sahab than the others. One may give details of Dev Sahab’s rise and the the numerous films that he has done. But the point still remains that this forum is predominantly a RAFIAN site. Let us keep it that way.
If we hear the Rafi saab songs of “Tere Ghar ke saamne” we cannot imagine
any other singer for Dev anand saab other than Rafi saab as matching of both are fantastic.
My favourite is Rafi saab – Rajendra kumar songs.
Ahamed Kutty
I totally agreed the verdit. I had done a great mistake. The song from film CID “Yeh Dil Muskil Hai Jeena Yeha” was picturised on comedian Jhoney Walkar Saheb not on Dev Saheb. The other song from the film “Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein Ishara Ho Gaya Bethe Bethe Jeene Ka Sahara Ho Gaya†was picturised on Dev Saheb. The another most popular Rafi song picturised on Jhoney Walkar Saheb is “Jungle Mein Moor Nache Kisi Ne Na Dekha, Humne Todi Si Pee Ke Jhooma Sabne Dekha from Bimal Roy’s Madhumati.
My write-up is about Dev’s own banner Navketan. He has done his 2nd double role in Alankar Chitra’s Banarasi Babu (1973)with Rakhee and Yogita Bali, where KK sang for Dev Saheb. Moreover, it is not possible to gather all information and songs at a glance, some popular rafi songs has been left out in my write-up. All are most well for comments to update my database. Sorry for inconvenience.
With deep regards.
Biman Baruah, Sivasagar, Assam.
Good article Bimanda, great effort ,
It is very true that the credit for Rafi saab singing for Dev saab is due to the powerful MDs of those period notably Burmanda, OPN saab, the magical Shanker Jaikishenjis and Jaidevji.
Dev saab has openly acknowledged that even if his voice is Kishore but for all the lilting sentimental songs he looked for Rafi saab effect with MDs support.
Personally I feel for the younger Dev saab of 50s and 60s only Rafi saab’s voice suited the best but for the older Dev from Johnny mera naam, Des pardes it was kishoreda’s voice.
ref post – 4, binu jee,
its ‘ fikr ‘ not ‘ zikhara ‘. as you know ‘ fikr ‘ means ‘ worries ‘
but i am sorry to say that its such a fine song being my all time personal favourite but it was picturised in a most casual way by Dev anand wearing his trousers, shoes, belt , cigarette and his usual way of walking . there are no emotions being expressed.
A very beautiful song has gone in a very casual way. Such nice efforts put by rafi sahab have gone very casual.
While releasing dev anand’s book prime minister manmohan singh
with a smile recalled the immortal words of sahir sung by rafi saab,
“Mai zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya, har zikhara ko dhuwen
mein udhata chala gaya”.
the philosophy of the song and the pristine rendition by rafi saaab
will remain fresh as a flower – for ages to come.
binu nair / the rafi foundation/sargam magazine – mumbai
Dev Anand got his debonair image from Rafi’s songs. Rafi sahab complimented Dev saab’s acting in every way. Dev’s later movies after Hare Rama…, except Des Pardes were trash. In Dev’s Rendevouz interview, he talked about 3-4 songs and all were Rafi saheb’s. Yet he emphasised that Kishore was his voice – I feel only to be diffrent. After all which Hero wore Red trouser in 50’s and 60’s other than him. Logically speaking, Dev saab always spoke in soft voice, hence Rafi Saheb suited him more. Kishore da had heavy voice and diffrent style, Dev Saab chose the later half.
I am sure, if asked, Dev Saab will speak very highly of Rafi Sahab.
Long live Dev Saab. Rafi Saheb, Dev or no Dev, you will be remembered forever.
Dear Barua Saab,
Nice article, but few small mistakes.
1. Ae Dil Hai Mushqil was picturised on Jhonny Walker.
2. The Hum Dono duet Abhi Na Jao Chodakar was sung by Rafi – Asha and not Lata.
3. Apart from Hum Dono, Dev Anand has donned double role in Banarsi Babu.
Though most of good hits of Rafi on Dev has been brought out, still I missed the follwoing good numbers.
1. Zindagi Hai Kya Sun Meri Jaan from Maya.
2. Sawan Ke Mahine Me and Do Do Haath Do Do Paun from Sharabi.
3. Yaar Mere Mat Bura Maan from Love Marriage.
4. Hurre Hurre and Sun Sun Sunore Balam from Pyaar Mohabbat. In fact this movie had couple of more songs from Rafi.
5. Jawaan Tum Ho and Pharsufa Pyaar Ka Tum Kya Jano from Duniya.
6. Dekh Hame Aawaj Na Dena from Dev – Vyjayantimala – Padmini starrer.
A few words about the Rafi – Geetha duet Rim Zhim Ke Tarane Leke. I consider this as one of the best duet ever picturised. The song in the back ground, Dev and Waheeda under an umbrella, both have so many things to share but a sort of uneasiness in their relationship, only the eyes revealing every thing and the complete song picturised on a Mumbai road unlike todays songs each stanza or rather line in different continents.
Though both Rafi and KK are associated with Dev, still I personally feel Rafi gave better hits as compared to KK.
Barua Babu,
nomoskar. aapuni kenekua ? bhal na ki ?
1. the song, ‘ ai dil mushkil hai jeena yahan ‘ was picturised on Johny Walker & not on Dev Anand.
2. Your article has more emphasis on dev anand rather than rafi sahab.
3. Rafi sahab was with Dev Anand is only because of Barman da. Barman da is the only person next to Naushad sahab who knows what is rafi sahab. similarly Madan mohan jee is another music director who knows the talent & worth of rafi sahab.
4. As for the remaining music directors they have taken the help of rafi sahab to make their creations evergreen.
6. whether Dev Anand or Anil Biswas or Salil Chowdhury or Chitalkar or Pancham give the least preference to rafi sahab it hardly matters.
7. rafi sahab is an ocean. Therefore whether its filled or drained it hardly matters. The level remains unchanged, deep, calm & serene.