Rafi’s Soft & Slow Songs
This article is written by Mr. H.V.Guru Murthy
The versatile Singer Rafi Sahab was known for singing any type of song at any pitch. But still some considered singing at higher pitch his forte. True, Rafiji was able to raise and lower his voice effortlessly and maintain his voice steady at higher pitches. But if carefully observed, Rafiji has sung many soft and slow songs. Such songs sang throughout at very low voice, at slow pace, but still maintaining the raag, melody, diction and his usual throw of words and feelings are very many.
Some times songs sung at higher pitches appear to be loud but the songs at lower pitches give unalloyed enjoyment where the Singers have much more scope to exhibit their talent and maintain the melody. These songs exhibit the raags much better and relax the listeners and make them forget the problems at hand. Of course, these songs have to be very imaginatively picturised with the actors emoting with their eyes and face, if the song has to further appeal.
The duet “Meri Duniya Me Tum Aayi†(HEER RANJHA) with Lata is a classic example of this type of song where the voice is low, but steady and at very slow pace. Both Rafi and Lata have done a marvelous job. The same Music Director Madan Mohan came out with another classic “Tumse Kahun†(DASTAK) so sensuously sung by Rafiji. The song is almost in whispers. Similarly “Ek Hasin Sham Ko†(DULHAN EK RAAT KI) is another which falls into the soft category. Title song of “Ek Kali Muskayee†slower version was also a song which one would imagine as if Rafiji sang the whole song just moving his lips without putting much voice into it. “Main Yeh Sochakar†(HAQEEQAT) was another unique song where the actor pours out his woes in the beginning very softly but raises his voice in the later half after magar usne roka, na usne manaya.
OPN made full use of MR’s range and usually gave him songs to be sung at high pitch, but “Main Soya Ankhiyan Meeche†(PHAGUN) with Asha was an exception. “Pukarata Chala Hun Main†(MERE SANAM) was another example of slow and soft melody.
SDB was a master in using Rafi’s various ranges. Listen to “Apni To Har Aah Ek Toofan Hai†(KALA BAZAAR) sung so beautifully in a soft voice. “Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukar†(TERE GHAR KE SAMNE) was another song of this type. Even “Yeh Mahlo Yeh Takhto†(PYAASA) commences at hardly audible range but reaches its climax only in the last stanza. The other song “Yeh Kooche Yeh Neelaam†in the same film had beautiful lyrics by Sahir Ludhyanavi and Rafiji sang at the same pitch throughout the song but filling pathos and meaning in to each word and line of Sahir. Other songs in the same movie like “Yeh Hanste Huye Phoolâ€, “Game Is Qadar Bade†and the first two antaras of “Tang Aa Chuke Hain†also fall in the same category. We can also bracket “Tere Mere Sapne†and “Din Dhal Jaye†(GUIDE) with these songs, about which Mr. Shriranga Nawathe has written a nice article in the web site in February, 2008. “Kahin Bekhayal Hokar†(TEEN DEVIYAN) was another beautiful gazal in the same category.
SJ made use of MR similarly in a sensuous song “Aajare Aa Jara†(LOVE IN TOKYO), “Aaj Ki Raat†(AMAN), “Unke Khayal†(LAL PATHAR) and the best lori ever recorded in the Indian Film Industry “Main Gaun Tum So Jao†(BRAHMACHARI). Another jovial but sung in a soft and low voice was “Dar Lage To Gana Ga†from YAAR MERA.
Other such songs were “Abhi Na Jao Chodakar†with Asha and “Main Zindagi Ka Saath†(HUM DONO) under Jaidev, “Wo Hai Jara Khafa Khafa†(SHAGIRD) under LP, “Hum Aur Tum Aur Yeh Sama†(DIL DEKE DEKHO) and “Dilke Aayine Me†(AAO PYAAR KAREN) and “Din Hai Yeh Baharke†(HONEYMOON) under Usha Khanna, “Jeetahi Lenge Baazi Hum Tum†and “Kahin Ek Masoom Nazuk Si Ladki†(SHANKAR HUSSAIN) under Khayyam, “Aur Kuch Daer Tahar†(AAKHRI KHAT), “Sharmake Yuna Dekh†(NEELKAMAL) under Ravi, “Tum Ishq Ki Mehafil Ho†(SAANJ AUR AWAAZ) with Asha under Naushad, “Subme Shamil Ho Magar†(BAHU BETI), “Teri Tasveer†(KINARE KINARE), “Na Kisi Ki Aankh Ka Noor Hun†and “Lagta Nahin Hai Dil Mera†(LAL QILA), “Maine Shayad Tumhe Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Haiâ€, “Phir Aane Laga Yaad Wahi†(YEH DIL KISKO DUN), “Yeh Teri Saadagi†and “Maine Rakha Hai Mohabbat†(SHABNAM), “Ek Tha Gul†(JAB JAB PHOOL KHILE), “Chaand Mera Dil†(HUM KISISE KUM NAHIN) under RDB. I would also like to add “Tumne Muzhe Dekha†(TEESRI MANZIL) to this list. Though this song has some what loud but definitely catchy back-ground music, still I personally feel the singing of Rafiji is unique, not going full throat but controlling the voice, fairly soft especially when the hero was Shammi Kapoor for whom Rafiji has sung so many Yahoo type songs.
These songs had the velvety touch of Rafiji and should be heard during nights at low volume preferably switching off all lights. I used to enjoy these songs before going to bed. Most of Dev Anand’s songs sung by Rafiji are soft songs. Other songs worth mentioning in this list are Talat Mehamood’s “Raat Ne Kya Kya Khab Dikhaye†(EK GAON KI KAHANI) and “Pyaar Parbat To Nahin†(SONE KI CHIDIYA). Of course, Talat has many other soft and slow songs to his credit so also Hemant Kumar and Mukesh. Lataji’s “Kuch Dilne Kaha†(ANUPAMA) and “Tumhi Meri Manzil†(KHANDAAN) are also enjoyable in the same way. Asha had “Chainase Hum Ko Kabhi†(PRAN JAYE PAR VACHAN NA JAYE) and KK “Chookar Mere Manko†(YARAANA).
Some how, most of songs from other Singers were only at their usual pitch, neither high nor low, but the variations Rafiji exhibited was unique whether effortlessly raising or lowering the voice or singing fast paced or slow paced songs but without losing the melody, perfect diction and the feelings.
CAN ANY ONE SUGGEST A WEB SITE/ COLLECTION TO PLAY/DOWNLOAD PRIVATE SONGS OF THE GREAT MAN, MOST OF WHICH WERE WRITTEN BY MADHUKAR RAJASTHANI?
IF YOU HAVE THE LIST, PLEASE DISPLAY OR UPLOAD
TO :
ALL RAFISAHAB FANS I M SUNEIL M I HAVE CREATED FORUM ON RAFISAHAB YOU CAN UPLOAD AND DOWNLOAD SONGS ALSO SO PLEASE VISIT MY WEBSITE FORUM MY FORUM ID IS http://www.enjoyatkhushi.com/smf/index.php
YOU HAVE 2 REGISTER THAN ONLY U WILL ABLE 2 UPLOAD OR DOWNLOAD SO PLEASE KINDLY GO N VIST MY FORUM . I THANKS HAMARAFORUMS FROM BOTTOM OF MY HEART ALSO FOR GIVING ME INSPIRATION TO CREATE THE FORUM AND TO KEEP RAFISAHAB ALIVE IN OUR HEARTS .
JAB TAK SURAJ CHAND RAHEGA RAFISAHAB TUMARA NAAM RAHEGA . JAI RAFISAHAB .
THANKS & REGARDS . .
SUNIEL .
Zulfikarji,
I fully agree with you. Most of these songs are slightly at higher picth, but still carry the Rafi stamp of uniqueness.
Very nice article,
i am also working on the same project to collect rafi soft songs songs.
There are many songs which have, somehow, a touch of high pitch, but still they are very soft and melodious.
Recently i got an selection recorded with bellow songs.My friend liked it very much.Your comments please.
AA GALAY LAG GA from APRIL FOOL
Tum nay mujhay dekha from tesri manzal
Janam janam ka sath ha FROM Janwar
Aankhon main sari rat from Kala Bazar
Abhi to rat baqi ha from bandish
Teray jais kaun hay taray jaisa koi nahen from jane tamana
Tum bin jaon kahan from piyar ka mausam
Mera dil hay tera from AN evening in paris
Nazar na lag jaey from night in london
Dekha ha tery ankhon main from piyar hi piyar
Hum ko to jan say piyari hain from ankhain
Jab mohabbat jawan hoti hay from Jawan mohabbat
Ehsan tera ho ga mujh per from jungli
AKELAY AKELAY KAHN JA RAHEY FROM AN EVENING IN PARIS
REGARDSAND LOVE,
Zulfiqar from lahore pakistan
zapexlime@yahoo.com
Prakashji,
Ae Husn Jara Jaag is from Mere Mehaboob and not from Palki.
Dear,
Aae bahar banke lubate chale gaye – raaj hath (7 star)
Apni bahon main – budtameez
etc etc.
Dear HVG,
Good v.good & thanks to provide and revive our memories in Rafiji golden unforgatable memories soft and slow songs,I would like to add some songs in your list is
1. Aise to na dekho – Teen deviya (5 star)
2. ——————- – Pyar kiya to darna kya
3.Ghame hasti —- – Boy friend
4. Ahesaan tera hoga – Junglee
5. Zindagi he kya _ – MAAYA (7 star)
6.Dilki tamanna thi –
7.AE hushna zara jaag – Palki
8.main wohi wohi raat – Naya din nayi raat (5 star)
9.jo unki tamanna hai – inteqam
10.Dil ki aawaz bhi sun -hum saaya (5 star)
11.Tukade hai mere dilke – Mere sanam
12.Dil ko na mere tadpao – Budtameez (5 star)
And many more is there but due to limitation of time i end here.But HVG keep going like this in future to recollect our memory.
Post #21 and 22.
I admire both of you for such a beautiful expression described by both of you. No doubt Rafi Sahab tussi great . His voice was God gifted and eternal.
Long live Rafi Sahab,
With regards to all Rafi lovers,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin
Dearest Rafi Fans,
I am an ardent follower of Rafi and his music right from the 60’s as a little boy and our formative years passed by just over hearing rafi on the radio. During those days, we never had a problem falling asleep as invariably when it was time to sleep, n number of rafi’s soothing songs would be playing and he would put us to sleep. Our grand parents, parents and also our generation which is about to turn 60 and also our children in mid 20’s are followers of the Great Rafi Saab. During Rafi’s times, he had stiff opposition from really great singers, but, he stood apart, distinctively different. He was unique, versatile, sauve, lilting, romantic and laid a stamp as the king of melody.
The idea of starting this mail of mine was totally different. I would like to highlight one aspect of Rafi Sahab as I percieve him. I am sure most rafi fans would agree with me and hail it as extremely true.
RAFI WAS CLOSEST TO GOD.
He has given so much to us mortals in this world musically and above all taught us to be humble while being great in your line of work.
Rafi saab, was so humble, that his humility sometimes baffled people and also put them in awkward situations, but always to their benefit.
Being a celebrity of sorts, he lived a life of frugality, highly religious but private, friendly to any one who approached him, helped people financially even a mere aquaintance and above all left a mark as a noble soul never to be forgotten as long as this world exists.
For me Rafi Saab as a human being is greater than his voice if not more. He has taught me how to lead my life in a simple humble way and also inculcate good values to my children.
Rafi Sahab tussi great ho.
Jai ho Jai ho Jai ho Rafi Sahab.
Adaab Rafi
Baar Baar Rafi.
Yours truely,
ramesh kurpad.
wo such hi kaha hai punchi inko
raat ko tehre to ud jaye din ko
aaj yahan kal wahan hai thekana
pardesiun se na akyan milana
when you wake up early in the morining before sunset ,, you could hear the voices of differnt birds singing in thier own style and tune.probably u would feel some kind of inner peace after listening .
one day i was playing the song (pardesion se akyan milana) at one end beautiful natural voice of rafi song and at the other end brids singing in thier vocal style early in the morning that too in forest , how would some one feel in middle of this songs , ?
no one could explain such feeling rather i can be just feel ..
rafi voice is like voice of that bird that is not born so far..
A couple of more songs (we should call them ‘gems’) that perfactly fit into the ‘soft and slow’ category of Rafiji’s songs are ‘Jaag dil-e-diwana rut jaagi….’from the film ‘Oonche Log’, ‘Zindagi ke safar mein akele the hum mil gaye tum to sahaaraa milaa….’ (film ‘Nartaki’), ‘Kabhi na kabhi kahin na kahin koi na koi to aayega…’ (Sharaabi), Mehabooba teri tasweer kis terah mein banaaoon….’ from the film ‘Ishq par zor nahin’, ‘Tera husn rahe mera ishq rahe to ye subaho yeh shaam rahe naa rahe…..’ (Do Dil), ‘Champakali dekho chhup chuup gayi re…….’ (duet with Asha Bhonsle from the film ‘Ziddi’) etc.
Hussein Sheikhji,
Can you oplease send the following songs.
1. Gum Ki Andheri Raat Me – Rafi & Talat – Sushila.
2. Jaane Bahar Husn – Rafi solo – Preet Na Jane Reet.
3. Dilne Pyaar Kiya Hai Ek Bewafase – Rafi solo – Shararat.
4. Dil Ka Suna Saanj – Rafi solo – Ek Naari Do Roop.
5. Tum Hi Tum Ho Mere Jeevan Me – Rafi & Lata – Ek Dil Sau Afsane.
6. Tum Husn Ki Mehafil Ho – Rafi & Asha – Saanj Aur Awaaz.
Re. post 13: Let me know your e-mail ID if you want the song – “Kisne mujhe sadaa di…” from the film “Saaz Aur Awaaz”.
melodiousrafi@yahoo.com
Dear Gurumurthy,
Excellent article as usual. Whatever we attempt to explain about Rafi Sahab seems less and less as we strive to talk about him more and more. A truly gifted soul not only as a singer but also as a human being par excellence. He had the best of every quality that a singer prays to GOD to give him. Quality of delivery, timbre, the right expression for every word, sweetness like the smooth flow of a river, unlimited range and above all that unique voice that we keep hearing more and more… After 28 years of his demise, we keep missing him everyday and the love for this voice seems to grow leaps and bounds day by day..What a Farishta……!!
Chandan
mohd rafi lovers in chennai : on aug 25 there is a concert in chennai in which shrikant narayan – one of the best rafi singers are participating.
all rafi lovers who are keen to come together under the umbrella of : rafi foundation , could meet srikanth as he is interested in meeting rafi lovers too.
and on dec.24th we will have a srikanth narayan concert in c a l i c u t – most probably with dharmendra in attendance and a feast of mohd rafi songs. Its the legends 84th birthday.
chennai mohd rafi lovers pls make it on aug 25 at chennai’s : chinmai heritage centre, 13th avenue, harington road, chetpat, chennai 13 , near shoppers stop………………..
(mr.shirish kulkarni to kindly coordinate this meet with chennai rafi lovers)
binu nair, rafi foundation, mumbai…….
In Zee Saregama Programme which was telecast on Friday 22nd Aug at 10 pm. I agreed todays songs are just good for the situation in films, but my dear ones, near ones & RAFI lovers, I think I want toexpress my views and which I realized from my bottom of my heart that all the participants sang the songs which were given to them to perform and Audience were just enjoying, but, but did u saw what a Rafi songs can bring liveliness to a situation that can make a person cry. Hats of to the film Mughal- E – Azaam (1960),
Music & song composed by Great legendary musician Naushad Sahab, the lyrics by Shakil Badayuni, Director was K. Asif.
The Song Zindabaad Zindabaad… was rendered by a participant who’s having polio in his legs but took an effort to sing Mohd. Rafi Sahab high pitch song. The song had so much effects that Malika Sheravat had an emotional touch & she gave a Standing ovation & a ring of the event as Salim. Mughal- E – Azaam (2008),
So RAFi lovers I again wanted to tell u RAFI voice can touch the soul of a person & can bring tears in eyes. She did the right thing and gave him the ring.
Very good and informative article, Gurumurthy sir… I’m in the process of listening to the various songs that you have mentioned…
could anyone please send me the song “kisne mujhe sada di” from film “saaz aur awaaz” to my email id.this sing was sung by rafi sahab and suman kalyanpur.
The following event was held in Los Angeles in the last week of July 2008.
There were other artistes too but this Mohdrafi fan-Aminder Singh took all the glory. His wife is from Tamilnadu and she married this Sardar only because he was a Rafi fan and sang his songs in Bombay of the 80’s. They live in LA now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6naOFMQM-0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZD_tY3G9ps&feature=related
Here I again want to add more sweet, soft and slow songs…
Itni Badi Duniya…Jahan itna bada mela………
a non filmi ghazal…Meri Mohabbat Qabool Kar lo…….
Woh tum na thi kaun tha from movie Cha Cha Cha…..
Sweetness of voice exists in every song of Rafi Sb even in high pitched songs but in soft songs we just lost in the sweetness of voice of Rafi Sb
-Imran-
Post no. 7 & 8. I was not fortunate enough to meet Rafi in person but I confess he has come in my dreams couple of times. Regarding the two beautiful songs indicated, i.e., “Aa Gale Lag Ja” and “Mana Mere Hasin Sanam”, both are lovely songs, but I did not include them in the article because the songs are at failry higher pitches, especially the Antara though the Mukhda is at lower pitch.
One of the most beautiful song of Rafi is “Aap ke Hassen Rukh par” from Bharain phir Bhi Aaein gi”. This song has been sung with so much feeling that any lover can relate to.
Dear gurumurthyji,
your articles in this site are excellent.that is why i have asked you whether
you could meet rafi saab when he was alive.the articles are very
informative as well as well prepared.
hope the same in the future also.
What about the sensous song from `April Fool`-AA GALE LAG JA MERE SAPNE,
mine all time favourite and from `Adventures of Robinhood`-MANA MERE HASEEN SANAM.
Rafi saab as usual at his best
Dear Guru Murthy!
You have written a very nice and informative column on MUHAMMAD RAFI SAHAB. I have been listen to Muhammad Rafi Sahib since my childhood. I never seen a better voice, a better pronunciation and better singer other than Muhammad Rafi.
I was definitely a diamond Gift from Allah. I hope there will be no Singer better than Muhammad Rafi uptil the resurrection day.
I would like to add a non filmi ghazal of Muhammad Rafi Sahib and i think here Rafi sahib was lowest at pitch. The Ghazal is:
MAIN NE SOCHA THA AGAR MOT SE PEHLE PEHLE
A singer other than Muhammad Rafi will definitely lose his/her voice here.
Dear Guru Murthy sb.
Great article and i like it very much as i also like such songs.
I also want to add few of large list of such sweet songs.
Mujhe Le Chalo Aaj Us Gali Mein from movie Sharabi……what a control on voice in this song….
Deewana Hua Baadil (Kashmir ki Kali)
Resham kI dori…….duet song with Lata Jee.
Yeh zulf agar khul ke bikhar jae to accha (Kaajal)
Utha Surahi Yeh Sheesha
Jitni Likhi thi muqaddar me hum utni pee chuke
There are many other slow and soft songs sung by Rafi Sb which can never be forgotten.
‘Rafi Sb you are great.
-Imran-
DEAR SIVA SIR,
I FULLY AGREE ABOUT THE SONG “TU MERE SAAMNE HAI” FROM SUHAGAN PICTURISED ON GURU DUTT. YES THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE SONG WAS THE WORD “HOSH”. RAFIJI EXPRESSES SO MUCH IN EACH AND EVERY WORD.
Guru murthy sahab-excellently researched article!! I had always enjoyed such songs of our beloved Rafi sahab. I know it would be difficult to think of all such songs sung by this legend, but I thought I would add few that comes to mind:
1) Tu mere saamne hai, teri zulfen hai khuli–just listen to the line when sahab sings ‘main bhala hosh mein kaise rahoon’–the highlight of this song in the word “hosh”.
2) Dekhi zamane ki yaari from Kagaz ke phool which is similar to Ye mehlon ye takhton ye tajon ki duniya(both from the magical combination of SDB-Rafi-Guru Dutt). If anyone had sung this song it would have just come out like reading a poem, but Rafi shab had put so much of emotion into this. From a very slow and low scale the song ends at a high pitch in “Ud jaa ud jaa pyase bhawaren, ras na milegaa kharon mein , kagaz ke phool jahan khilte hai, baith na un gulzarom mein (I think the lyrics are by Kafi Azmi)
3) Hai duniya usi ki, zamana usi ka, mohabbat mein jo ho gay ho kisi ka
the best part of this OPN -Rafi combination is “hai sajde ke kaabil, har woh diwana-just liste to the hai sajde ke kabil part–only Rafi sahab can take a song to such great heights
Kind attN: MR. H v Guru Murthy,
Firstly i salute to you for write a article on Padamshree Mohd. Rafi Sahib. I am also the fan of Rafi sahib because i attatched with music. I sing only rafi sahib songs on the stage. My first song which i sang in the school time i.e. Yeh Parda Hatta Do” from the movie EK PHOOL DO MAALI after that i think about the voice who has sung the song when i know all about the rafi sahib i decide that my whole life Voice Guru is Mohd Rafi Sahib. Today when i sang on the stage everybody say that your voice is matched with rafi sahib but i think that my voice is not my voice that the zerox of rafi sahib voice. When i found that site i feel very happy & proud the whole country is the fan of Legend Mohd. Rafi sahib. Sir, please send me the family photo of rafi sahib. My dream in life i met with the family of Rafi sahib. Sir, i again & again thankful to you for this article. I pray to god May! you live long and write on the Padamshree legendary Mohd Rafi Sahib.
Thanks
With regards
Suresh Chauhan
Cell No:09855805688
Janab HV Guru Murthy Saheb,
As usual very informative and an excellant aricle. You are an expert on Rafi Sahab. Congratulations.
With regards to all Rafi lovers,
” Namon ka ek hujum sahi mere aas paas
Dil sun ke ek naam dhadakta zaroor hai ”
Aur woh naam hai Mohd. Rafi Sahab.
Long live Rafi Sahab,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin