Rafi and Gurudutt
This article is written by Mr. Souvik Chatterji
Geeta Bali with Geeta Dutt, Mohdrafi, Guru Dutt, Shekhar, Durga Khote and others
Rafi became a living legend in the mid-50s after dominating bollywood films over ten years and singing for nearly all the giant productions and leading actors of bollywood. He had very strong combination with thinking actor Guru Dutt.
Guru Dutt had created his image in bollywood films in different categories being a thoughtful director and producer, dynamic actor, good choreographer. One of the numerous reasons for which his films became super hit in the 50s and 60s include the brilliant songs sung by Rafi during the golden age.
Rafi’s songs in Guru Dutt’s Aar Paar, composed by OP Nayyar became super hit. It was followed by Mr and Mrs. 55 released in 1955. Songs picturized on both Guru Dutt and Johnny Walker had melody and sweetness. Rafi’s songs like “dil pe kiya aisa jaadu“, “muhobbat karlo aji karlo“, “sun sun sun sun zaalima“, composed by OP Nayyar, created landmark in the mid-50s and Rafi emerged as the greatest singer of bollywood films during that time.
Geeta Bali with Geeta Dutt, Mohdrafi, Guru Dutt, Shekhar, Durga Khote and others
The same combination of Guru Dutt, OP Nayyar and Rafi gave everlasting hit in the film 12 O Clock with songs like “mai kho gaya“. When Guru Dutt used SD Burman for composing songs in the film Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ka Phool, Rafi was used brilliantly for the legendary music of those films. Both the films won national and international awards and remain a landmark in the field of story-telling. Rafi’s songs “sar jot era chakrae” picturised on Johnny Walker and “hum aapke aankho me” and “yeh mahalon yeh takhton yeh taajon ki duniya” picturised on Guru Dutt had emotions, passions, comedy, tragedy everything embedded in them. Rafi’s duet combination with Geeta Dutt was bolstered in the film. The lyrics were outstanding as well. The films marked the best music given by SD Burman in his entire lifetime.
Guru Dutt can boast himself to have given lips in one of Rafi’s best ghazals sung in the history of bollywood films titled “chaudavi ka chaand”. Guru Dutt picturised the song sequence with colour, showing his passionate relationship with Wahida Rehman in the film Chaudavi Ka Chand. Ravi’s music in the film showed the pardanashin culture of muslims in India during the early 60s.
Rafi also sang songs for Guru Dutt in the film Saanjh Aur Sawera, composed by Shankar Jaikishan. The title song “yehi hai who saanjh aur sawera” sung by Rafi became very popular. Meena Kumari balanced the powerful performance of Guru Dutt in the film. The other films where Rafi had contributed for Guru Dutt include Bharosa where Ravi composed melodious tunes including “yeh jhuki jhuki naina” picturised on Guru Dutt and Asha Parekh.
Guru Dutt’s music in the film Baharen Phir Bhi Aayegi composed by OP Nayyar, created sensation in the mid -60s. It was a tragedy, that Guru Dutt died before the release of the film and could not see the success of the film. The songs sung by Rafi and picturised on Dharmender mesmerized the audience and still haunts people all over the world. One of those brilliant songs include “aap ki haseen rukh me aaj naya nur hai, mera dil machal gaya to mera kya kasoor hai“.
The uniqueness of Guru Dutt’s relationship with Rafi lies in the fact that whether the composer was OP Nayyar or Shankar Jaikishan or SD Burman or Ravi, the music composed for whom had philosophical thoughts embedded in them and Rafi gave expression to the mesmerizing lyrics of evergreen tunes which had become immortal over a period of time. The films and the songs should be preserved and restored.
Souvik Chatterji, the author of this article
Oh Rafi, you left a big “void” in music world of India. Please take another birth to fill that “void”. No one other than you can do it. We, your fans are waiting for you.
Mr. Souvik. You are a brilliant fan and express your feelings so well for the one and only greatest singer Rafi saheb whose voice touches ths heart and soul. Wish u publish a book of all ur Rafi articles. Good luck to u alwayz!!!!
Rafi was best the singer.After 33 years still I don’t find his replacement in
Hindi songs.He is legendary singer. We can’t compare any singer with him.
souvick a very well said article yes d jodi of opn rafi gurudutt was beyond description keep up d good work cheers
i would like to help recall the powerful song from “pyasa” ‘ye kuche ye nilam ghar dilkashi ke,ye ujre hue karvan jindagi ke,kahan hai kahan hai muhasib khudi ke jinhe naaj hai hind par wo kahan hai’, the lyrics by sahir,the perfect music by great s d burman and ofcourse the rendering by inimitable rafi has depicted the true picturisation of those socially discarded tawayafs and spoke about the socio political scenerio of country as well.
Very Good Article,
this combination was superb in “Pyasa” and “Kaghaz ke Phool”. Rafi Sb gave eternal songs in both the movies.
I would like just to mention…:Tang AA chuke hein” from movie “Pyasaa”….what a great expressive song…….
Regards,
-Imran-
Dearest Souvik JI
A nice write-up on a exceptional combinations of Rafi-Guru Dutt . Rafi Saheb sung a limited numbers of songs for Guru Dutt , but the songs were very exceptional, meaningful and heart-touching. If, Guru Dutt had survived for more times, Rafi Saheb had a huge numbers of such songs for the actor. If, I am not wrong , the film Chaudavi Ka Chand is the best musical hit of this combination which earned lots of money for Guru Dutt films and in turn saved it from bankruptcy. The songs of the film, “Chaudavi Ka Chand Ho, Ya Aftab Ho, Jo Bhi Tum Khuda Ki Kasam Lajawaab Hoâ€, “ Mili Khak Mein Mohabbat , Jala Dil Ka Aashiyana, Jo Thi Aaj Tak Haqeeqat , Wahi Baan Gaya Fasana ………………………………… were peerless and Rafi Saheb won the Filmfare Award for the title song.
Jai Ho………. All Rafi Lovers
Biman, Sivasagar, Assam.
Rafi made the viewers weep in the cinema halls with the song “bichre sabhi bari bari” in the film Kagaz Ka Phool. It was a pity that the viewers in India could not appreciate the film during Guru Dutt’s lifetime.
His philoshophical andaz was given the right expression by versatile Mohammad Rafi. The lyrics still create sensation in the minds of millions of Indians.
Rafi had spelt out eternal truth both in Pyaasa an Kagaz Ka Phool.
Souvik Chatterji.
Rafi also sang for Guru Dutt in movies like Suhagan (Tu Mere Saamne Hai), Bharosa (Is Bhari Duniya Me), etc. True, the songs of Pyaasa were rich with meaningful lyrics, catchy tunes, purposeful acting and picturisation and above all superb singing by Rafi. “Tang Aa Chuke Hain” and “Game Is Qadar Bade” were two songs or shall I say couplet, without any back-ground music and who else but Rafi could have sung such numbers so well.
souvikji once again a compelling article by you and you have practically touched on all the important films and songs of the gurudutt-mohd rafi saga. Brilliant write up. congratulations.
Souvik Ji
A very nice & compact article on Rafi-Guru Dutt combination.
Just like to add the two fantastic solos of Rafisaab on Guru Dutt
in the 1964 movie Suhaagan music composed by Madan Mohan &
written by Hasrat Jaipuri –
1. tu mere samne hai
2. mere pyar mein tujhe kya mila