Rafisaab and Raj Kapoor
This article is written by Mr. Ashok Parekh.
Rafi Saab with Raj Kapoor
As regards Raj Kapoor’s long association with Mukeshji – when and how it started, it’s a matter of debate / discussion and to some extent research. However, Rafisaab have sung a number of songs for Raj Kapoor in his earlier films. Even Talat Mehood saab also had landed his voice to Raj Kapoor (Main Dil Hoon Ek Armaan Bhara film: Anhonee). In respect of films produced and directed by Raj Kapoor under RK banner, Rajsaab used Rafisaab’s voice in many films but for other actors. So before talking of Rafisaab’s songs on Raj Kapoor, first we look at Rafisaab’s songs in RK movies (either produced or produced and directed):
1.      Solah Baras Ki Bhayee Oomariya – AAG (MD: Ram Ganguli)
2.      Main Zindgi Men Hardam Rota Hi Raha Hoon – BARSAAT (partly lip singing by RK)
3.      Naiya Teri Mazdhaar – AAWARA (picturised on unknown actor)
4.      Ramaiya Wasta Waiya – SHREE 420 (picturised on unknown actors & RK, Mukeshji playback for RK)
5.      Nanhe Munne Bachche Teri – BOOT POLISH (picturised on character actor David)
6.      Koi Eve Duniya Duhai – JAGTE RAHO (with Balbir, picturised on unknown actors and RK, MD: Salil Choudhary)
7.      Chun Chun Karti Aayee Chidiya – AB DILLI DOOR NAHIN (picturised on unknown actor, MD: Dattaram)
8.      Bhej De Chhappan Karod Ki Chauthayi – AB DILLI DOOR NAHIN (picturised on unknown actor with Jagdeep, MD: Dattaram)
9.      Yeh Mera Prem Patra – SANGAM (picturised on Rajendra Kumar)
10.  Sad Ke Heer – MEERA NAAM JOKER (picturised on Raj Kapoor)
11.  Are Paisa Ka Khel Nirala – BIWI O BIWI (with Ashaji, picturised on Sanjeev Kumar & Yogita Bali, MD: R. D. Burman)
It would be interesting to note:
- Other than Shanker Jaikishen who remained associated RK for a substantially long period along with other RK favourites Mukeshji, Shailendraji and Hasrat Jaipuri, RK had services of other music directors Ram Ganguli, Salil Chaudhary, Dattaram and R. D. Burman. Laxmikant Pyarelal were also brought under RK banner for Bobby, Satyam Shivam Sundarm, Prem Rog and Ravindra Jain for Ram Teri Ganga Maili. However, these films did not have any song by Rafisaab.
- Out of above eleven songs, only two songs have been lip singing by RK in the film Barsaat (partly) and Mera Naam Joker. Although, it had music by Shanker Jaikishan, probably no other singer could have done the justice to ‘heer’ and no choice other than Rafisaab like Anil Biswasji had no option other than Rafisaab to sing ‘heer’ in the film of same name HEER.
Rafi Saab with Raj Kapoor and SJ
Now coming back to Rajsaab’s earlier movies in which the Rafisaab play backed for him. The songs I could list out (there might be more songs) are:
1.      Shama Jali Parwana Aaya – AMBER (with Lataji, MD: Ghulam Mohammed)
2.      Hum Tum Yeh Bahar – AMBER (with Lataji, MD: Ghulam Mohammed)
3.      Duniya Men Nahin Koi Yaar Wafadar – AMBER (with Lataji, MD: Ghulam Mohammed)
4.      Dil Ko Haye Dil Ko – DASTAAN (with Suraiya, MD: Naushad)
5.      Yeh Sawan Rut Tum Aur Hum – DASTAAN (with Suraiya, MD: Naushad)
6.      Dhadak Dhadak Dil Dhadak Dhadak – DASTAAN (with Suraiya, MD: Naushad)
7.      Yun To Aapas Men Jhagadate Hain – ANDAZ (with Lataji, MD: Naushad)
8.      Main Hoon Alla Din – SARGAM (with Lataji & Chitalkar, MD: C. Ramchandra)
9.      Baap Bhala Na Bhaiya SARGAM – (with Lataji & Chitalkar, MD: C. Ramchandra)
10.  Tere Dil Ka Makan – Dil Ki Rani (with Ashaji, MD: O. P. Nayyar)
11.  Hum Pe Dil Aaya To Bolo – DO USTAAD (with Shamshad Begum & Ashaji, MD: O. P. Nayyar)
(this song is like ‘leke pehla pehla pyar’ from Dev Anand’s movie C.I.D. However, unlike this song, Do Usdaad’s song is also sung by lead pair Raj Kapoor and Madhubala side by side the sreet singers with harmonium)
12.  Ruk Ruk Ruk Kahan Chali – DO USTAAD (with Ashaji, MD: O. P. Nayyar)
13.  Nazron Ke Tir Maare Kas Kas Kas – DO USTAAD (with Ashaji, MD: O. P. Nayyar)
14.  Tu Ladki Main Ladka – DO USTAAD (with Ashaji, MD: O. P. Nayyar)
15.  Tera Kaam Hain Jalna Parwane – PAAPI (MD: S. Mohinder)
16.  Baazi Kisi Ne Pyaar Ki Jiti Ya Haar Di – NAZRANA (MD: Ravi)
17.  Gali Gali Sita Roye Aaj Mere Desh Me – CHHALIA (MD: Kalyanji Anandji)
18.  Tum Hi Tum Ho Mere Jivan Me – EK DIL SAU AFSANE (MD: Shanker Jaikishan)
19.  Sadke Heer – MERA NAAM JOKER (MD: Shanker Jaikishan)
It can be observed other than last two songs, all remaining songs have been composed by music directors other than Shanker Jaikishan (long associated MD with RK). As regards the last song from his own Mera Naam Joker, it has been written earlier. It is also a fact that other than Mukeshji, Shanker Jaikishen used Manna Dey for RK in Shree 420 (Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala), Chori Chori (Aa ja sanam madhur chandi me hum, Ye Raat Bhigi Bhigi, Jahan Main Jaati Hun) and Mera Naam Joker (Ae Bhai Jhara Dekh Ke Chalo) for whatever reason.
After watching all these songs, I personally believe that in none of the songs, Rafisaab’s voice look awkward or discomforting RK in any way. I found fitting him as equally like his brothers Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor. In the song, Baap Bhala Na Bhaiya from film Sargam, Rafisaab in between the song also speaks for Raj Kapoor which perfectly fits with RK’s voice.
The veterans and prolific writers on the forum can contribute / throw light further on this topic / analysis.
I still feel no replacement of Rafi Sahab I salute him
The song ‘Julam sahe bhari,Janak dulari’ from awara,sung by rafi saheb is very good.the lyrics strike at th e conflict of duties of lord rama.
the song “tere dil ka makan” was from “do ustad” and not from “dil ki rqni”.
The reason that raj kapoor used rafi and manna dey is very very simpel.
Raj kapoor preffered Mukesh in all his songs, He was the body,Mukesh the soul. fact is that mukesh did not want a full monopoly on raj kapoor,and afcourse mukesh is not a classical singer, but he did not wanted to be a classical singer, Lata said in a interview :Mukesh bhaiya never sang classical songs,but i knew he could he just never tried’. and so mukesh passes songs offerd to him to Manna dey or Rafi sahab!or the music director prefferd a singer. it’s not a shame that mukesh could’t sing all kind of songs becaus evry singer of that time faced the same problem,Mukesh sang for Naushad in Andaz,In Saathi( he used no rafi only mukesh) in mela etc etcMukesh sings for OP.Nayer a total rafi fan in movies like ek baar muskura do, sambhand, miss coca cola etc etc.Mukesh sang for shammi kapoor,for Rajesh Khanna,for amitabh bachan,for dev anand,for feroz khan for Diliph Kumar,shashi kapoor,rajendre kumar,manoj kumar etc.Another fact is that mukesh did not sang many songs in a year rafi sang like 600 songs in a year and like 250 were hits other were forgotten and are still missing,but mukesh sang 400 songs and 300 were hit songs! that’s why the rafi collection is so big and unkown he sang so many many songs that almost 40% of all rafi songs is lost! and i have a list with all songs mukesh ever sang i miss only like 90% of them! and its not because mukesh wasn’t offerd any songs it was because mukesh couldn’t possible sing all the songs offerd to him he was mainly busy with running motilal’s factory and singing in the raj kapoor team,He supported Manoj kumar some times and Laxmikant pyarelal and Kalyani Anandji. Raj kapoor was in love with mukesh his voice! but knew that rafi was more skilled and mukesh added Rafi is a better singer then me.
Raj kapoor’s fitst choice –> Mukesh/seconde choice–>Manna Dey–>Rafi
for other actors –>Rafi sahab–>Mahendra kapoor.
shamma-e-rafi ke parwano!
aaj ek baar phir wohi maqaam aaya hai jisse guzarna hamaray dilon pe khanjar chalne se kam nahi, wohi manhoos 31 july,wohi din jis ne hum se hamare sooraj ko chheen liya aur music ki duniya mein taareeki phailadi. sach kahoon to ab mausiqui ki duniya mein sewa andheron ke aur kuchh bhi nahi aise mein kuchh hai to is andheron ke parde ko chheerti hui wohi noorani aawaz hai jo aaj bhi apne naghmon ke zaria hamare dilon ke andhere door kar rahi hai. kaash aisa ho paata ke allah hum jaise chund logon ki zindagi ke aiyyaam bhi rafi saheb ki zindagi mein jod deta,to aaj hum uss farishte uss aawaz ke khuda se mahroom to na hotay. naghmon ka safar to aaj bhi jaari hai, lekin woh raah-numa ab kahan??
kahan se laaoon woh lazzat gayi baharon ki…
tumharay saath gayi roshni chiraghon ki,
aayen hum sab uss paak rooh ki taskeen ke liye milkar dua karen kyun ke ab hamare haathon mein sewa dua karne ke aur kuchh bhi nahi jo us shakhs ko nazar kar saken.
tere geeton mein baaqi ab talak woh soz hai lekin
woh pehle phool barsaate thay,ab daman bhigote hain
mohd.rafi…..
hum tujhe yuuun bhula na payengay
jab kabhi bhi sunengay geet tere
sang sang hum bhi gungunaengay
jawaid naseem
09836540639
Dear Ashokbhai,
Please update the database of ( Mohmd .Rafi-R.K.) as follows.
Chun Chun karti aai chidiya from Film:Ab Dilli Door Nahin was picturised on then
famous actor ‘ Motilal’.
Dear Askok Parekhjee
Mohammed Rafi Saab has sung total 31 songs for Raj Kapoor which can be broadly classified as follows
1) 7 solo songs
2) 24 duets & multiple duets as follows
05 songs with Lata Mangeshkar
06 songs with Asha Bhosale
03 songs with Surraiya
02 songs with Samshad Begum
01 song each with Rajkumari, Rekharani and Geeta Dutt
02 songs with Chitalkar & Lata Mangeshkar (Multiple Duet)
01 song with Asha Bhosale & Samshad Begum (Multiple Duet)
01 song with Madan Mohan, Babul & Satish Batra (Multiple Duet)
01 song with Manna Dey, Anuradha Paudwal & Hemlata (Multiple Duet)
Rafi Saab sings for Raj Kapoor which have not been included in the list of dear Ashok Parekh as are follows
Film “Amar Prem” (1948) in which Rak Kapoor had played the role of Krishna and Madhubala had played the role of Radha, and the song was “Aao chale manwa kaheen dhoor re”. This was a duet which Rafi Saab had sung with Rajkumari and the other duet song was “Yamuna ke tat pe hum rokenge baan” which Rafi had sung with Rekharani. The music of this film was scored by Datta Thakur
Film “Bawara” (1950) the music director was Krishna Dayal and in this film Rafi had sung a sad solo “Sahil jo dubo de kashtee ko — sahil kee tammanna kaun kare” and a duet with Geeta Dutt “Shama jalti hai tho parwane chale aate hai” the heroine of this film was Nimmi
Film “Paapi” (1953) the music was scored by S Mohinder and in this film Rafi had 2 solo songs “Chudiyan le le goree pahan ke choree goree goree goree kalayee mein kalee chudiyan” and “tera kaam hai jalna parwane chahe shama jale ya na jale” and there was also a duet with Asha Bhosale “Meree zindagee hai tu mujhako teree justajoo — aaja meree zindagee” the heroine was Nargis.
However dear Ashokjee your article is very great and a well researched piece. Please keep the good work boss
ateb shaikh saab,
thanks for adding ‘irri ka raaka’. its a blast, simply ‘dhamal’! its out and out rafisaab for raj kapoor in all songs of ‘do ustaad’ songs. this song also needs to be added in the database on this site.
anmol singhji, nazarana song is already in the list – song no.16. thank you along with anwar-ul-haquesaab for encouraging words.
guru murthyji,
you are absolutely right (post 11). thanks for correcting me.i now distinctly recollect this song. it goes in the background when prithviraj kapoor drives out hero rk’s mother (lila chitnis if recollect correctly) the words are something like, ‘zulam sahe naari…….. ajab tori lila…..’. its omission on my part. incidentally this needs to be added in this site’s database.
THE ARTICLE IS WELL RESEARCHED, CONGATULATIONS TO ASHOK JI..
THE BEST SONG OF RAFI SAB WITH RAJ KAPOOR REMAINS ‘YEH MERA PREM PATRA’ FROM SANGAM , PICTURISED ON THESPIAN RAJENDRA KUMAR…
IRONICALLY IN ANDAZ MUKESH’ PLAY BACK WAS USED FOR DILIP KUMAR INSTEAD OF RAJ KAPOOR–REVERSED IN SUBSEQUENT FILMS..
IN PREM ROG, A SONG ‘ YEH PYAR THA YA KUCH AUR THA’ WAS IN RAFI STYLE(SUNG BY ANWAR) AND MR MURTHY IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT–THE ALAAP OF RAFI GOT TEARS IN VIEWERS EYES IN SANGAM..
Dear Ashok bhai,
Very informative article sir. It appears that you have great
amount of knowledge in the field of retro music in general and
the specific raj kapoor genre in particular.
Kindly continue to provide such insights to us about various
topics.
Wonderful !!
Nagesh Sidhanti
guru murthy ji
The song you are referring to from Awaara might be
Pativrataa Sitamaai Ko Toone Diya Banwas (with lata)
Ashokji & Sauvikji,
Pl refer your comments. In Aawara, there is another Rafi song which comes in the backgrouind when Prithviraj Kapoor drives out his wife and the song describes plight of women, etc. I have heard this song only in the movie and am not able to recollect the exact words.
Regarding “Prem Patra” song of Sangam, Mukesh could not have done the alaap like Rafi did, in the end when the ashes are getiing immersed.
The article is written by Mr. Ashok Parekh is very nice & informative. Many Thanks to Ashok bhai Parekh. I would like to add one more song which is a Rock-n-Roll song in the film Do Ustaad (1959)- Irri Ka Rakka picturised on Raj Kapoor and I bet Rafi sahab has done 100% justice to overall sing the song as well as match the voice for Raj Kapoor perfectly. I request all Rafians to watch this song on youtube please.
Thanks a lot for this informative article. There are songs also where Rafi Sahab had given voice to Rajkapoor. I remember Naushad Sahab used Rafi Sahabs voice for RK.
Good Informative Article………
Many Songs like “Heer” of movie “Mera Naam Joker” which can only be sung by Rafi Sb. His voice has adaptability quality to every song’s situation. I think there is not any actor with whom his voice is nonadjustable……….
Raj Kapoor, the great actor used to praise Rafi Sb and this is very true and deserved.
Regards,
-Imran-
Good article, Ashokji.
In fact all the songs of Do Ustad, composed by OP Nayyar were sung by Rafi and picturised on Raj Kapoor. The songs were big hits in 1959.
What is more evident about Rafi contributing for Raj Kapoor, was that whenever he had sung in RK films, the song created history. For example, “ramaiya vaasta maaiya” was the most sorted out song of Shree 420, where Shankar Jaikishan’s capabiity of using folk music and catering it for masses was appreciated.
Similarly “ki tum naraaz na hona” in Sangam was the most dynamic creation of SJ, and Raj kapoor reserved it at the end when Rajender Kumar’s ashes were immersed in Prayag Sangam in Allahabad. Raj Kapoor could have used Lata or Mukesh to finish the film of with a tragic song.
Instead he used Rafi to sing the theme song. Raj Kapoor in his interview had said that other singers were greats, Rafi was a genius.
The respect towards Rafi was obvious on the part of Raj Kapoor, as his biggest weapon Shankar Jaikishan were phenomenonly addicted and respectful towards Rafi. They had composed at least 4 times the songs for Rafi that they had composed for Mukesh, the singer who had sung most of the songs for Raj Kapoor.
The astonishing fact was that Naushad used Rafi to sing for Raj Kapoor while Mukesh to sing for Dilip Kumar in the film Andaz. It is very interesting.
Souvik Chatterji.
thank u all for kind words bimanji, unknownji, guru murthyji and anwar-ul-haquesaab.
bimanji, ‘chhali’ song has been mentioned in song no.17.
guru murthyji thanks for adding another song from ‘boot polish’ which i missed out. as regards ‘aawara’, there is only chorus song ‘naiyaa teri mazdhaar hoshiyaar’ by rafisaab and to my knowledge there is no solo song by rafisaab. please confirm.
regards
ashok parekh
Hello Ashok Parekh Ji,
Good Analysis.
I think there is one more song sung by Rafi for Raj Kapoor, “Baazi Keesi Ne Jeeti Ya Haar Di” from the film Nazarana. I am not very sure, but I recalled having seen this song picturized on Raj Kapoor few years ago.
Dear Ashok ji,
Many many congratulations to write such an informative and well-researched article. Yes! You are absolutely correct that the voice of Rafi Sahab is not starnger to Raj Kapoor and fits very well with his image.
Thanks and best regards.
Anwar-ul-Haque
anwarhq25@yahoo.com
Dear Ashokji,
Other Rafi songs in RK Movies were,
1. Tumhare Hain Tumse – Boot Polish.
2. Another solo in Aawara.
Nice article. I will try to cull out more such Raf-RK songs.
nice article sir
as we all know that Raj Kapoor was Mohd rafi fan as many other,Raj Kapoor said about mohd Rafi The king without crown,also Manoj Kummar is Mohd Rafi.
As we all know that Manoj kummar and Raj Kapoor they used montly Mukesh ji but when ever they used Mohd Rafi the song was super hit.
Dev anand and rajesh Khanna they used montly KK in 1970’s but when ever Mohd rafi gave his voice to them the song was hit.
RD also on list of the MD when ever he used mohd Rafi the song was hit and as we all know that his best film as music ever RD gave was with Mohd rafi and Shammi Kapoor Ji and his last best film as music was Shaan with Shammi Kapoor ji brother………….
dear ashok ji
a very good reaserch on raj kapoor & rafi saheb’s association & a beautiful analysis of songs picturised on RK and other actors. i would like to add another song from Manmohan Desai’s Chalia, “Gali Gali Sita Royee, Aaj Mere Desh Mein Sita Dekhi, Ram Dekhi Ek Naya Bhesh Mein” picturised on RK at the end of the film, composed by Kalyanji-Anandji in the lyrics of Qamar Jalalbadi.
with best wishes & regards
biman baruah, assam