Mohd Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur Duets
This article is written by Mr. R.Padmanabhan
The dawn of independent India saw the blossoming of, perhaps the greatest singer this country has produced who answered to the name of Mohammed Rafi. Even to this day the vocal magic of Rafi Saab is embellishing the musical shelves of Rafi Saab’s aficionados. Why is he rated the greatest is a matter of conjecture, but the fact cannot be gainsaid that he had done full justice to any song we were and still are privileged to hear. The myriad moods and emotions every song requires are best brought out by the vocal genius of Rafi saab.
Even diehard fanatics of Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Mukesh, Talat Mahmood, great singers as they were would grudgingly agree that Rafi Saab was the cock of the walk as far as playback singing is concerned. In fact one can easily visualise who the artiste is from the style of rafi saab’s rendering. Meherbaan Likhoon is the song of Rajender Kumar, koi sagar dil ko is the lament of Dilip Kumar, Sar jo tera chakraaye is the comic voice of Johnny Walker and Chahe koi Mujhe Junglee is the typical outburst of Shammi kapoor. There are many other examples but the paucity of space limits the numbers.
Mohd Rafi with Suman Kalyanpur, Hasrat and Jaikishan on Harmonium
Though Rafi Saab’s solos are precious gems and his duets with the sisters, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle far outnumber those duets with another talented singer, Suman Kalyanpur, the latter also find a pride of place in the hearts of film music lovers. I list hereunder some of the gems:
1. Ajahun aaye Baalma, a classic from Saanjh Aur Savera, a Shankar-Jaikishan composition.
2. Aaj Kal Ter Mere, a lilting melody from the same composers.
3. Dil-e-Betaab ko seene se Lagaana hoga, a melliflous composition from the rich repertoire of Naushaad Saab
4. Chand takta hai Idhar, from Doojh ka chand by Roshan Saab.
5. Itna hai tumse pyaar mujhe, a romantic song from Suraj-another S-J contribution.
6. Baad Muddat se yeh ghadi aayee, a song based on Chaaya nut raga from the ghazal maestro Madan Mohan from Jahan Ara.
7. Ke jaan chali jaaye, from the film Anjaana, a Laxmi-Pyare composition.
8. Maine ae Jaane Wafaa Tumse Mohabbat ki hai from Bedaag-Roshan Saab.
9. Tumse O Haseena Kabhi Mohabbat, from the film Farz, another Laxmi-Pyare contribution.
10. Na Na Karte pyaar tumhin Se kar Baithe, from Jab Jab Pjool Khile,a Kalyanji-Anandji composition.
11. Thehriye Hosh Mein Aaloon , a beautifully romantic contribution Of Khayyam Saab from Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hain.
12. Mujhe yeh phool na de tere dilbharon ki kasam from Gazal-a Madan Mohan product.
can any body post the duet song by Suman Kalyanpur and rafi “meri tere dum se Teri mere dum se hai yeh jindgani jindgai jindgani, Mehrbani Mehrbani Mehrbani.
Please tell the name of the movie also
Hajaron baras nergis apni benoori par roti he tab kahin ja kar gulshan main peda hottaa he deedawar koi. Rafi saab koi insan nahi the woh to aasman se ayea hua mohabat ka farishta they jo hamain payar ka sabak sikha kar vapads zanat nasheen ho gai lafzon me un ki badshahi or fakeeri ko bayan karna mushkal hi nahi na mumkin hai aise farishton ki to sirf ebadat he ki ja sakti hey rafi saab ne jo bhe gaya jesa bhe gaya lazabab or bemisaal tha is dunia main koi unke gutno tak bhe nahian pohnch saka barabri ka to sawal hi peda nahian hota keya kishor keya manna da keya talat keya mukesh woh to sabhi ke sartaz they or rehti dunia tak rahenge..
Growing up in faraway Mysore, when I hummed Rafi saabs songs as a kid and later as a teenager, I never imagined that one day I will be able to listen to them over U-Tube! Least did we youngsters know then that these would be timeless,Masterpieces for Eternity. Every time I even just recall a tune,my heart leaps to enjoy the same moods I experienced decades ago. Hats off to the gentle Genius of Rafi saab! Coming Generations will cherish him just as we are doing now.
One song that has been missed out in the comments so far is the classical number ‘Man Mohan Man Mein Ho Tum Hi’ based on Raga Adana from the film ‘Kaise Kahoon’. Here Suman almost outdoes Rafi and that’s no mean feat!
Well said Mr. Padmanabhan !
Suman Kalyanpur never got the acknowledgements that her talents deserved. In fact I personally feel that the monopolistic stranglehold exercised by the Mangeshkars has come at a cost. Deserving singers like Suman never really got the entertain us to the extent they could and should have.
VS/France
If Suman’s singing style is monotonous as compared to Lata. then what is Lata’s compared to Asha.: The Enchantress?? Asha can sing any number in any style. Lata’s songs can be heard only when you want to sleep not otherwise. Asha deserves Bharat Ratna to her sister.