This article is written by Mr. Anmol Singh

Going back in time in the 1950s & 60s the story line in majority films was very powerful, which needed equally strong power of expression in poetry and songs. Therefore great film scripts and great songs were indeed “Made for Each Other” in the Golden Era. There are innumerable examples contributed by all singers and song writers. We will consider a few gems sung by Rafi Saab which are landmark in the world of music.  

 

To start with film “Baiju Bawaraa” had all classics sung by Lata & Rafi. But two incredible scores sung by Rafi, “O Duniya Ke Rakhwale” and “Mann Tadpat Hari Darshan” are truly remarkable. The film story line will have no appeal without these two gems. The initial song portrays the devotion of an individual for the Almighty, whereas the latter portrays the devotion of a student towards the “Guru” who guides him to the Almighty. 1947 saw the Indian Independence from the British Rule for over two centuries. This independence came at the cost of several lives of freedom fighters. After independence in no time their sacrifices were forgotten and corrupt people with materialistic attitudes dominated the scene. This was best described through films like “Pyaasa” & “Kaagaz Ke Phool”.

The songs like “Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par“; “Yeh Mahloon Ye Takton” & “Dekhi Zamaane Ki Yaari” are all time classics sung by Rafi Sahab with perfect expression of the corrupt system. The film story line of both the films will have no meaning without these classics. Full marks to S D Burman and Sahir for the unforgettable work. As we move ahead there is another classic “Dhool Ka Phool” where a song is sung for an orphan child whose faith is unknown. Yes it is the number “Tu Hindu Banega Ya Musalmaan Banega” where Rafi Sahab delivers the perfect emotions for Sahir’s poetry. The film would completely loose it appeal without this great number.

In the era of 60s also many films which are considered all time classics were produced. We start with Mughal-e-Azam. Salim refuses to compromise with his love and is ready to sacrifice his life for it, which is best expressed through the song “Zindabad Ae Mohaabat Zindabad“. Rafi Sahab once again does full justice to this great composition by Naushad. Possibly one of most difficult numbers rendered by Rafi by continuously singing at a very high scale.

If we talk about the film “Meri Surat Teri Aankheen” based on an ugly character, which represents an all together different concept of film-making. The story line is such that this ugly character who has a fabulous voice, needs to be brought to the limelight. Asha Parekh plays the vital role in doing so. The song “Naache Mann Mora Magan” picturized on Ashok Kumar who plays the ugly character on stage is simply mind-blowing. S D Burman choices none other then Rafi Sahab to defeat the ugly image on screen. Perhaps Rafi is the only singer who can provide a face lift to such an extend that the world would never have any hatred towards ugly people.

Let’s talk about another classic from the 60s, “Guide”. Though all the songs were fabulous, but “Din Dhal Jaaye” and “Kya Se Kya Ho Gayaa” are something special. Both are slow solos sung by Rafi Sahab with great depth and sensitivity. Dev and Rafi synchronization in both songs is excellent. Without these two solos the story line would certainly appear incomplete. The soldiers who guard our borders staying away from family for several months together also have feelings and sorrows for missing their loved ones. The scene is very well described in yet another all time classic “Haqeekat”. Their emotions are expressed through the song “Hoke Majboor Mujhe Usne“. Rafi along with contemporaries Manna Dey, Talat and Bhupindar deliver an all time classic under Madan Mohan. With out this song the film would be purely based on guns and mortars. Perhaps this song provides a soft touch to the intense story line.

Referring to another war classic “Hum Dono” has one more in creditable score delivered by Rafi Sahab; “Main Zindagi Ka Saath“. The song has a very deep link with the story line, where an unemployed youth (played by Dev Anand) has no aim in life; decides to join the army and later looks back to his past. Dev Anand plays the casual carefree Captain and Rafi Sahab matches Dev’s body language perfectly, especially by singing the line “Har Phikra Ko Dunye Mein Udaa Ta Challa Gayaa“.

Going back in history India has been invaded by western invaders from centuries. History recalls the Alexander’s (Sikander) invasion of India. After conquering several countries in the west, his army enters India. The introduction of India is very well described and picturized by the song “Jahaan Daal Daal Par Sone Ki” from the film “Sikander – E- Azam”. Without this song the film would simply have no appeal at all.

As we move ahead in the 70s, the era did not see many classic films as that from the 50s and 60s, but there were quiet a few films which had a perfect amalgamation of good songs and good scripts. To start with we discuss the song from “Haathi Mere Saathi” based on animal cruelty. “Nafrat Ki Duniya” is an all time classic which will be applicable in every era as long as animal cruelty continues in this world. There is a beautiful line in the song which explains that when an animal kills a human being we call it a devil; but when it is the vise versa we all remain silent. With the reduction of jungles along with wild animals at an alarming rate from the earth for building exotic apartments and malls in the present times shows indeed we are all blind in terms animal cruelty.

Moving ahead there is another film “Inkaar” which is thriller cum family drama representing good and bad times through which a family goes through. This is best described by the song “Dil Ki Kali Yu Hi Sadaa Khilti Rahe“. There are happy and sad versions of the song, which has a deep influence across the entire story line of the film. Just imagine the film without this song.

Talking about the film “Dostana” which has two great songs “Bane Chahe Dushamn” and “Mere Dost Kissa“. Both the songs have a great impact on the story line highlighting the inseparable bond between two friends. The first song which is a Rafi/Kishore duet represents the good times and the latter which is a Sad song sung by Rafi represents the sad moment of life when both do not see each other eye to eye. This is very well described by the line “Qayamat Se Kam Ye Ghum Nahi; Ki Tu Aur Mein Reh Gaye Hum Nahi“.

To end the topic the success of a film is very much dependent when the songs and the story line have a deep link with each other as if they are “Made for Each Other”. This is what makes such fabulous work unforgettable.

This blog was published on Sunday, February 15th, 2009 at 6:46 pm and Last modified on Sunday, February 15th, 2009 at 6:46 pm and is filed under Meri Awaaz Suno. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.