The brilliant songs sung by Mohammad Rafi in the year 1960
By Souvik Chatterji
Mohd Rafi with Lata Mangeshkar and Jaikishan
Mohammad Rafi is considered to be one of the greatest playback singer that India had ever produced. Right from the early 40s till 1980 when he died, he was the ruler of playback singing in bollywood films. 1960 was a very notable year for Mohammad Rafi.
Few of the films where he had sung landmark songs were probably masterpieces. The lyrics and the compositions were the best in the history of bollywood music. For example his song in the film Chaudavi Ka Chand had the landmark song “chaudavi ka chand ho ya aaftab ho job hi ho tum khuda ki kasam lajawab ho” composed by Ravi can be considered as one of the ten greatest songs, Rafi had ever sung. The song was picturized on Guru Dutt.
In the same year Dilip Kumar’s song “do sitaron ka zameen par hai Milan aaj ki raat” stands out as a very romantic duet song sung by Rafi. Rafi had sung it with Lata Mangeshkar. It was sung in the film Kohinoor, where lyrics were written by Shakeel Badayani and music composed by Naushad Ali. In the same film the classical song “madhuban me radhika nachere” astonished the audience with Rafi’s classical andaz.
Roshan Lal Nagrath reserved his best for the film Barsaat Ki Raat also released in 1960. Rafi’s song “zindagi bhar nahi bhulegi wo barsaat ki raat” was praised by music lovers all across the world. The song was also sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Rafi’s song picturised on Bharat Bhushan while Lata’s one was picturised on Madhubala. Rafi also showed his excellence in the qawali titled “na to karawaki talaash hai na humsafar ki talash hai” where Manna Dey showed his classical skill with brilliance. In 1960, Rafi astonished the audience with the song “zindabad zindabad ay muhabbat zindabad” in the film Mughal-i-azam. The song was picturised on Dilip Kumar and music composed by Naushad.
Mohd Rafi with Lata Mangeshkar and Jaikishan
Rafi was brilliant in the film Love in Simla, where music was composed by Iqbal Qureshi. The songs in the films which were picturised on Joy Mukherjee were super hit. Also Rafi’s songs “khoya khoya chand” and other songs in Dev Anand’s film Kala Bazar which were composed by SD Burman became smash hit.
Rafi and Shankar Jaikishan combination provided hit film Singapore with Shammi Kapoor and Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi with Raj Kumar. The songs in all those films were super hit. Rafi sang brilliant songs in Shammi Kapoor’s film College Girl in 1960, composed by Shankar Jaikishan. The landmark songs included “hum aur tum aur yeh sama”, “pehla pehla pyar ka ishara”, “kya haseeno ka dil nahi hota”, “Rafi’s songs in 1960 should be restored and preserved.
Mr. Souvik Chatterji, the author of this article
Hi dosto jitni taaref ki jaye utni kam h
yo wo chrag h Jo kbhi bhuj nhi sakta
Na koi bhuja sakta .Na Jane kitne singar
Ne copy karna chaha magar haasil kuch ni
Hua sirf naqamyabi mili aur milti bhi rhegi
Rafi saahab jesa nhi ban sakta koi are jab
khuda bhi dubara esa frista nhi bna sakta
To ye log kyo kosisi kar re h .rafi sahab ke
Song Nye Nye music mai gaare h unka mithas
Unka dard unki masti Nye sageet se khrab kar re
H wo jese h unhe wesa hi rehne do .nadiya talab kbhi sagar
Ka muqabla nhi kar Sakti .nadan h ye log Jo kosis
Karte h .kehne ko to bhut h magar ye duniya choti pad jaygi
sunne ke liye .rafi sahhab ne sach kha tha ke.
Dil ka soona saaz trana dhoodhega are mujhko mere baad zmana
Dhoodhega.aur ye bhi sach kha tha ke .
Tum mujhe yuh bhula Na paaoge .jab kabhi bhi
Suno ge geet mere sang sang tum bhi gun gunaoge..
fabulas
Where can I find a site to download karaoke songs by Rafi, Kishore, Mukesh, Lata, etc There are certain songs by Mukesh & Rafi that are not in karaoke!! These are the ones I want. Please assist me.
really rafi saheb is great
in the prime time of my life( i am 59 ), when i feel lonely and sad, hearing
my beloved Rafi ;s songs , gives me great consolation and comfor and helps me make peace with my self. i still yearn to be lost into those beautiful films
having raf;s sung songs. i do wonder why people have to die or get old. how i cherish to have the old days again. wish rafi was still here to satiate everyone;s longings for him. how i wish it did happen. MAY GOD BLESS HIS SOUL AND
SHOWER LOTS OF HAPPINESS AND PROSPERITY ON HIS FAMILY.
MURLI -9867123319
RAFI SAAB, WE LOST YOU IN SO EARLY TIME
When i linsten Mohammad Rafi Sab, it was spurb, & nice, i see the matronty uncle of Muhammad Rafi near by my home town where Muhammad Rafi passed his early childhood.
Rafi was very polite & sympthaic one, and Tycoon of film industry.
May Allah Bless his entire soul
Aslam Alikum Sir see ur web site it legends like Muhammad Rafi, i am great fan of Muhammad Rafi i want to listen his every song he sung, but i have his only few songs which are very famous, i want to download his all song can you help me in this, (i live in lahore where Muhammad Rafi Sab pas his childhood his maternal Grand Father & Mother was lived)
regard,
Muhammad Sajid Jamal
Lahore, Pakistan
well i love rafi’s song more then any other songs, his voice gets deeply into heart, i love his song hui sham unka khyal a gaya, wohi zindagi ka swall a gaya , sad rafi sahab left us in 80’s
Nahin Mahotaj zewar ka jise khobi khuda ne di wo dekho chand kaise kushnuma lagta hai bin gahene
Rafi, you live in everyone heart. Listen more rafi songs at http://www.myusic.com/app/player?q=Mohammed+Rafi&apptype=fb
Rafi is my God.
Dear Shyamji,
Happy diwali.
Thanks for the reference.
Yes, Love in Simla was a 1960 film. It was produced by Sasadhar Mukherjee, directed by RK Nayyar and music was composed by Iqbal Qureshi. Joy Mukherjee and Sadhna were new faces in the bollywood industry, but the film did good business due to successful songs. Bindiya was also released in 1960 and music was composed by Iqbal Qureshi.
As far as the success of Love in Simla, it was definitely not as successful as 1960 film Mughal-i-azam, as the article was related to Mohammad Rafi’s excellent performance all along the year, Love in Simla also required mention. The list of biggest hit films of 1960 includes (i) Mughal – i-azam,
(ii) Barsaat Ki Raat,
(iii) Kohinoor,
(iv) Chaudvi ka chaand
(v) Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai
(vi) Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi
(vii) Love in Simla
(viii) Ghunghat
(ix) Kanoon,
(x) Kala Bazaar.
Warm regards,
Souvik Chatterji
I appreciate Souvik Chatterjiji’s energy and enthusiasm. I am not writing about this article only. I am making a general observation and hope he would take it in the right spirit.
He should appreciate sometimes less is more. One should not be in a hurry to publish.
This article has two minor mistakes which could have been easily avoided but for the hurry.
‘should be restored and preserved’ is good and we should do that. But we should also inform correctly to the possible extent.
I always wish somebody would suggest not me.But finally I am compelled to write.
“zindabad zindabad ay muhabbat zindabad” was not picturised on Dilip Kumar.
‘Love in Simla , was it a 1960 film?
‘Bindia’ could have been a better example if one wanted (music by )Iqbal Qureshi.
Sir,
I feel I am biggest fan of Rafi and want world to acknowledge that But as I am working with today’s generation people They are not aware of Rafi work. They ask me why is he not in media like kishore is. That is where i feel we need to work His contribution to Indian music is unparalleled . He has inspired a lot os new generation singers like Shabbir kumar ,Mohd Aziz, Sonu Nigam. all of them started their careers singing Rafi songs. Never ever has any singer inspired a lot of new singers like Rafi has .For his contribution to Indian music he deserves Bharat Ratna.
Sir Sunil don’t wrong about mohd rafi even today when they speak about mohd rafi they say his voice was god voice,super star like late shammi ji said I am because of mohd rafi and many more,mohd rafi was a god gift,he was a great human so god gave him a gift that no one will going to replace him what ever they do in media it happened before in 1970’s but they was not able to do anything even today mohd rafi got more than 70% of vote,he s number one still and before him is zero and after him two…
Rafi sahib got the first filmfare aware for the song “Chaudvin ka chaand ho ya aftaab ho”………………. and then was featured / nominated 25 times for filmare awards.
Manna dey sahib always has high respects for Mohd rafi saaheb. I an interview for an upcoming rafi biography manna de has wished that when he leaves this world, mohd rafi songs must be played.
they had high respects for each other and rafi sahib treated manna dey as his senior n the singing world.
long live our legends…………
the rafi foundation, mumbai.
Souvik sir, I very good write Up . Bit i want to know we are just talking about rafi saheb what are we doing to spread his work to newer generations. Is it not our responsibility w we see singer having no singing talent rule the charts today and today’s generation do not know Rafi I feel somewhere we have failed .
If we failed today future generations will forget him that will be very sad day.
we must have some programs on FM channel as most of today generation listens FM . we must some programs of Rafi saheb aired on his songs , on his gentle man image on his various personality aspect should be aired. We see kishore kumar taking lead on that issue his programs are aired but why rafi saheb is not shown to new generations. I feel very sorry and ashamed as we call ourselves Rafi Fan but have we done our duty. pls. ponder over my question.
Rafi’s soul stirring Aise tho na dekho from Tenn devian and his lesser heard Mohabat se dekha khafa ho gaye and Jane kaun from Bheegi Raat (composer : Roshan) Mark how effortlessly he breezes through the numbers! Mind blowing!!
Nice article u have written.Rafi is and not “was ” like Gary Sobers of cricketing world,all time greatest.
Dear Souvikji,
Nice write-up. Keep up the good work.
Post No. 2 Gautamji, here is the youtube link for phir aane laga yaad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlPRDv_HAyc
Regards Nagesh
hi gautam , i hv traced the songs tht u posted on 24th oct 2011
if u want to chk these songs pls go on my facebook wall .my name is bela kothari.
I hope u njoy the music ………. u r welcome
Very nice write-up.
I wold like to mention one song
“Tuu Bemisaal Hai……….” from film Bhrahmachari
Terrific singing kisko kehte hain….is geet ko sunne
se hi pataa chal jaayega….
Kya Rafi Sahab, itni jaldi hume chhod kar jaane ki kya zaroorat thee
Dear Rameshji,
Happy diwali.
I had mentioned very few songs of great Rafisahab in the year 1960. There were too many and articles after articles could be devoted for them. The reason for pointing out songs like “chaudavi ka chand ho” or “zindagi bhar nahi bhulegi wo barsaat ki raat” was because these songs could come in the list of Mohammad Rafi’s best 100 songs. Many of these great creations did happen in 1960. That was the reason I pointed them out.
Besides great creations are known for less number. Great composer Naushad Ali had composed music in only 62 films, but each of them were masterpieces. Famous Roshanlal Nagrath had composed music in only 45 films, they were classic creations. We are blessed Rafi had sung countless number of great songs, which people are still hearing and getting peace of mind.
As you say articles can be written Rafi’s each song, because they were so rich in lyrics and composition that generations after generations can cherish them.
Warm regards,
Souvik Chatterji.
I can’t trace these songs by Rafi, anywhere.
1. O pagle der na hogi palchhin – kinarey kinarey.
2. Phir aaney laga yaad- Yeh dil kisko doo.
3. Jiyara kasak masak- Anuradha?
4. Kisiki mohabbat mein- Kaisay Kahoo.
5. Main kaal phir miloongi- Dr. Bi
Can anybody help me find these songs.
Gautam banerjee.
chatterjee babu,
ekhon chhottu article khoob bhaalo., encompassing rafi sahab in 1960.
the world has lost a lot cause of many factors which played upon due to the nature of a few people at that time.
1) rafi sahab was too simple ( god fearing ) an avataar himself and did not promote himself. ( resulting in that many lesser classics ).
2) the man who actually introduced and brought him into his trade innocently told him casually that ” singing and earning remuneration is not correct – to leave everything and come and live with him abroad. ” ( that gap – void was filled up by other playback singers – hence lesser rafi classics )
3) music directors were surely biased and curbed rafi sahab umpteen number of times and thus the world lost some more classics.
the icing on the cake ( chatterjee shoheb ) is after all this –
we still have a treasure to last generations and evolutions.
rafi sahab will continue to rule the hearts and minds of all living beings.
presently he is in the august company of the almighty and his appearance with us was just as a singing avataar.
ramesh narain kurpad