The prolific combo of Rafi Sahab and Laxmikant-Pyarelal
By: H.A.K. Walijah
Mohd Rafi, Laxmikant, Pyarelal
Praising Rafi Saab, Pyarelal ji once said: “What can I say about a man jo tareef se bahut hi oopar hai, and had countless golden qualities? I am only able to feel my deep regard for him, not to express it. Rafi Saab aisi sargam thi jisse koi bhi raag ban saktaa tha. He could sing in any range or octave. If today’s composers are to flower, the Almighty should create nine Rafis more! Can we find even a single song of his that is badly rendered? Of course, he had a major role in our career, and yet I would single out one song to show his greatness as a human being. Laxmi-Pyare have the honor of composing the maximum number of songs for the King of Melody, Rafi Saab. Their total output for Rafi is closely followed by S-J. Together the LP-Rafi combination gave us many treats and amongst Rafi saab’s best ever sung songs are those composed by L-P. “Tere pyar ne mujhe gham diya” from Chaila Babu (1967) lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri was LP & Rafi saab’s first song together. It was recorded in 1961 but it got released in 1967. After the song was recorded LP gave Rafi saab 1000 rupees as that is what they could afford. Rafi Saab in turn didn’t accept the fee and in turn presented 500 rupees each to LP as gift. In the words of Pyarelal Ji on the above song (on radio interview) “Rafi saab ne humein bahut aashirwad diya, bole tum bahut aage badhoge. yeh gaana unhe bahut pasand tha“. He says little more “Rafi saab farishta aadmi the, woh bahut kam baatein karte the, nigahen neeche kar ke baatein karte the. Agar hum kahen wah wah rafi saab kya gaana gaya aapne to woh ungli utha ke kehte yeh to sab Allah ka karam hai“.
Laxmikant-Pyarelal (also known as LP or Laxmi-Pyare) were a popular HFM composer duo, consisting of Laxmikant Shantaram Kudalkar (1937-1998) and Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma (born 1940). They composed music for about 635 Hindi movies from 1963 to 1998, Laxmi-Pyare worked with almost all reputed music directors (with the exception of O. P. Nayyar and Shankar-Jaikishan) of the 1950s. In 1953, they became assistants to Kalyanji-Anandji and worked with them as assistants till 1963. They worked as music arrangers for many music directors including Sachin Dev Burman (in Ziddi) and also for his son Rahul Dev Burman (in his first film Chhote Nawab). Laxmi-Pyare and R D Burman remained very good friends, even when Laxmi-Pyare started giving music independently. After Dosti‘s success, Laxmi-Pyare started getting work from all major filmmakers. The rise of Laxmi-Pyare, Rahul Dev Burman, and Kalyanji-Anandji marked the end of an old era of Bollywood music, which belonged to Shankar-Jaikishan, Sachin Dev Burman, Naushad, C. Ramchandra, Khayyam, Madan Mohan, O. P. Nayyar, Roshan and others. The team of Laxmi-Pyare and lyricist Anand Bakshi churned out some of the most popular songs in Bollywood history. The combo composed songs for more than 250 movies. Anand Bakshi was the lyricist who wrote the maximum number of texts Laxmi-Pyare gave music to. He was actually the lyricist for all the films for which Laxmi-Pyare won Filmfare Awards, except their very first award.
Rafi Sahab, Laxmikant, Pyarelal
Laxmi-Pyare’s first film as music directors was not released. The first released movie which featured them as music directors was Babubhai Mistry’s Parasmani (1963), which was a B-grade mythological film. Throughout their tenure as music directors, Laxmi-Pyare only used A-grade singers. Their mentors, Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi, agreed to sing for them in spite of low budgets, and Laxmi-Pyare always remained indebted to them. In fact, both Mohammad Rafi and Lata have sung the maximum number of songs in their career for Laxmi-Pyare. They continued to give patronage to Mohammed Rafi , sometimes against filmmakers’ wishes. They had a great rapport with Kishore Kumar as well. Kishore Kumar sang maximum songs (402) for LP among all male singers, followed by Rafi (about 365 songs).
Parasmani, in fact, marked the beginning of a long association between Rafi Saab and Laxmikant-Pyarelal. When filmmaker Babubhai Mistry asked Laxmikant-Pyarelal to compose music for the low-budget costume drama Parasmani in 1963, the duo began thinking of which singers to choose. In his natural narrative style, Pyarelal recalls: “We chose the singers on the basis of the song, instead of sticking to one singer. If we felt Mohammed Rafi’s voice suited Woh Jab Yaad Aaye and Roshan Tumhi Se Duniya, we chose him. And if we thought Mukesh’s voice went well with Chori Chori Jo Tumse Mili, we chose him.” Both of them started their career with the film Parasmani (1963).Two songs of Mohammad Rafi “Woh Jab Yaad Aye, bahut yaad aye” and “Roushan tumhi se duniya” brought fame for the musical duo.
Success was not easy for the duo, since they had no Godfathers to promote them. They both started with B grade films, which were never released. Their first break through came via film Parasmani and Dosti established them as full flagged music composers. The most unique aspect of these two films was that they had unknown actors for whom Rafi Saab gave A grade performance. The classics are Wo Jab Yaad Aye a duet with Lata based on Raag Kalyan / Yaman and Chanhuga Mein Tujhe based on Raag Pahadi, Jaane Walon Zaara based on Raag Pahadi, Rahi Manva Dukh Ki Chinta, Mera To Jo Bhi Kadam. The song ‘Chahunga mein tujhe‘ for which Rafi Saab and lyricist Majrooh won Filmfare awards was to be scrapped from the soundtrack. It was Rafi Saab who insisted that LP retain the song and what a momentous decision that was from Dosti where there was no looking back. Rafi was so impressed with the compositions of Laxmikant Pyarelal that he had taken just one rupee for singing the song because it was the custom of a singer to take something in return for a professional song. The film became a huge success. Laxmikant Pyarelal won the filmfare award in 1964 for composing best music in a year when Shankar Jaikishan has composed songs for Sangam, 1964, Naushad had composed for Leader, 1964, Madanmohan had composed songs for Woh Kaun thi, 1964, Roshan had composed songs for Aarti. From that time onwards Laxmikant Pyarellal never looked back and their everlasting bond with Rafi just grew with time. LPs association with Rafi Saab continued till his last day. During Rafi Saab’s lean years in the early 70s apart from Madan Mohan it was LP who stood by him. Both were instrumental in bringing Rafi Saab comeback in the mid 70s. Rafi Saab has sung maximum number of songs for LP.
Laxmikant was fond of the orchestration of Shankar Jaikishan to such an extent that some of their earlier tunes were similar to a huge number of Shankar’s compositions. Their similarity with Shankar-Jaikishan is evident in the composition of the songs “woh hai zara khafa khafa” in the film Shagird, 1967 and “Nazar na lag jaye” in the film Night In London,1967. Laxmikant Pyarelal’s goal was to emulate their favourites S-J in the film music world. They did just that, as after the legendary S-J team, it was L-P who ruled the film music world and the box office, setting them on fire with a huge number of hit songs and memorable tunes. When it came to composing great and classy music, LP were in a class of their own. Their melody and orchestration was outstanding and the variety in their work was excellent. The singer was to give L-P a major hit with Chahoonga Main Tujhe in Dosti. Over the years, he’s rendered a string of hits for the music directors – including Beimaan Hai Bada (in Loafer), Na Tu Zameen Ke Liye (Dastaan), Aane Se Uske Aaye Bahar (Jeene Ki Raah), Chalkaaye Jaam and Hui Shyam Unka (Mere Humdum Mere Dost), Yeh Jo Chilman Hain and Itna To Yaad Hai Mujhe (Mehboob Ki Mehndi), the Patthar Ke Sanam title track, the Khilona title song, Jhilmil Sitaron Ka (with Lata Mangeshkar in Jeevan Mrityu), Parda Hai (Amar Akbar Anthony), Dafliwale (with Lata in Sargam), Dard-e-Dil (Karz) and scores of others. In fact, Rafi’s last song Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost was recorded for L-P in the film Aas Paas.
LP were the staunch Rafi loyalist throughout their life. Their greatness lies in their simplicity, commitment and the quality of unconquered Versatility gave Laxmikant-Pyarelal a supreme staying power of 35 years in the Hindi Film Music. Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s tunes used to be very simple but at the same time it used to be extremely sweet, catchy and melodious. LP gave their major credit to Rafi Saab for the songs of Dosti where Laxmikant-Pyarelal got their first ever Filmfare Award. Rafi Saab voice was extensively used by this duo in all forms of film songs such as Classical, Folk, Qawwali, Western, Lori, Bhajan and Ghazal etc. They were also outstanding at exploiting several instruments, including their favorite Dholak, Tabala and also the Violin, Guitar, Bongo and Piano, Santoor, Sitar, Mendolian and many Indian as well as Western instruments. LP churned out song after song with Rafi Saab from Parasmani till karz . The songs simply outstanding and marvelous. Entire list of the LP’s film graph goes higher and higher with Rafi saab the list is given but just to highlight the names of a few more films with hit music such as Raja Aur Rank, Taqdeer, Jeene Ki Raah, Do Raaste, Mere Humdam Mere Dost, Jeevan Mrityu, Piya Ka Ghar, Aaya Sawn Zumake, Uphar, Dharati Kahe Pukark Ke, Dushman, Hathi Mere Saathi, Humjoli, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Sharafat, Jigari Dost, Aan Milo Sajna, Raja Jani, Dost, Meheboob Ki Mehendi, Loafer, Pratigya, Khilona, Dharam-Veer, Chacha Bhatija, Prem Kahani, Amar Akbar Anthony, Aasha, Badaltey Rishtey, Suhaag, Desh Premee, Sargam, Karz, Kranti, Mian Tulasi Tere Angan Ki, and many more are enough to realize the potential of the LP duo to churn out hit music over a continuous stretch in time. The pair gave music to approximately 635 films in the 35 year span. Most of the composed songs carried the fragrance of beautiful melody.
Pyarelal Ji had plenty of memories about Rafi Sahab among which some mentioned below for the sake of Rafi lovers:
“Rafi was like a farishta. No other word would be more appropriate to describe him.” Pyarelal spins back down the years. He recalls: “Laxmiji and I became music directors after a long period of struggle. But we had known Rafi because we had been musicians for many years. In our early days, Rafi had given me Rs 500, which was a big amount those days. I told him I won’t return it and he just smiled. Till today, I have kept that money.”
According to Pyarelal, Rafi laughed a lot. “He talked less and had a special style of nodding his head. He always looked down and talked, no matter whom he talked with. For him, everybody was the same, and he talked to everybody in the same tone,” he points out.
Rafi had a special habit of keeping his car spotless clean. “He had a Fiat, and he would put together all these lights and bright-coloured objects. Even at home, he would insist on cleanliness. There was one room full of awards, and he took care of each award. Another thing he loved was good food. He’d have a lavish meal whenever he could,” he says.
Pyarelal, however, points out that Rafi rarely went to parties. “He liked to stay in his own world, and concentrate on two things – namaz and riyaz. But he has come to my birthday party twice. They may be among the exceptions he made, but we were so close,” he adds.
Rafi’s approach towards singing. Says Pyarelal: “He was God-gifted. He used to do so much riyaz that everything looked so simple. Then, he would modulate his voice to suit each hero, whether it was Dilip Kumar, Bharat Bhushan or Shammi Kapoor.” Pyarelal says Rafi was a strict disciplinarian when it came to work. He elaborates: “He never cancelled any recording, even if he had a 102 degree temperature. In fact, he was the first singer to regularly go on foreign tours. He would go every year, first with his small orchestra, and later with a bigger group.”
Was there anything that Rafi loved as much as singing? “Yes, he loved whistling. He would whistle regularly, either in the form of a tune or just loudly when he was happy.” For Pyarelal, the tales would never cease. But then, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Rafi not only made some great music together, but shared a special bond too.
Laxmi-Pyare gave music for almost 635 films in their 35-year career, winning 32 Gold Discs. They won seven Filmfare Awards, including four times in a row. They also won the Lata Mangeshkar Award. After Laxmikant-Pyarelal made debut as a music director duo in 1963, they were nominated for the Filmfare Awards (Best Music Director) almost every year. Many times, they were nominated for three or more numbers of films in a particular year. At the same time LP narrowly missed the awards for musical hits like Aaye Din Bahar Ke, Intquam, Do Raste, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Shor, Daag, Bobby, Ek Duje Ke Liye, Utsav and Sur Sangam, Farz, Shagird, Tejab, Hero and Mr. India. Laxmikant-Pyarelal have won seven Filmfare Awards ~ 1964- Dosti; 1967- Milan; 1969 – Jeene Ki Raah; 1977 – Amar Akbar Anthony; 1978 – Satyam Shivam Sundaram; 1979 – Sargam; 1980 – Karz.
Some of the most melodious solo songs sung by Rafi Saab for the musical duo- LP are given below:
- Roshan Tumhi Se Duniya “Parasmani”(1963)
- Chahunga Main Tuze “Dosti”(1964)
- Meri Dosti Tera Pyar ”
- Mera To Jo Bhi Kadam ”
- Koi Jab Raah Na Paaye ”
- Jaane Walo ”
- Tere Pyar Ne Muze Gam Diya “Chhaila Babu”(1967)
- Mere Dushman Tu Meri Dosti Ko Tarase “Aaye Din Bahark ke”(1966)
- Akela Hoo Main Humsafar Dhundhata “Jaal” (1967)
- Abhi Kamseen Ho Nadan Ho Jane Jana “Aaya Tufan” (1967)
- Bahosho Hawas Main Deewana “Night In London” (1967)
- O My Love… Nazar Na Lag Jaye ”
- Aankh Milaye Na Muskuraye Na “Milan Ki Rat” (1967)
- Mast Baharon Ka Main Aashiq “Farz”
- Happy Birthday to You Sunita ”
- Gore Hathon Par Na Julm Karo “Pyar Kiye Ja” (1967)
- Patthar Ke Sanam Tuze Hamane “Patthar Ke Sanam” (1966)
- Bade Miya Diwane Aise Na Bano “Shagird” (1968)
- Duniya Pagal Hai ”
- Jab Jab Bahar Aai “Taqdeer” (1968)
- Aayee Baharon Ki Shaam “Wapas” (1969)
- Painaniayan Khanake Ram ”
- Door Hai Wo Aanchal ”
- Gudiya Si Meri Ladli ”
- O Firaki Wali Tu Kal Fir Aana “Raja Aur Rank” (1969)
- Mehbooba Mehabooba Bando Muze Dulha “Sadhu Aur Shaitan” (1969)
- Na Ja Kahin Ab Na Ja “Mere Humdam Mere Dost”(1969)
- Chhalakaye Jaam Aaiye Aapke ”
- Hui Sham Unka Khayal Aa Gaya ”
- Rom Ke Wadiyon Mein Do Dil “Spy In Rome” (1969)
- Kya Miliye Aise Logo Se “Izzat” (1969)
- Main Raahi Anjan Geeto Ka “Anjana” (1969)
- Meri Muhobbat Teri Jawani ”
- Ye Shama To Jali “Aaya Sawan Zumake” (1969)
- Mazee Chal O Mazee Chal ”
- Bura Mat Suno Bura Mat Dekho ”
- Ye Reshami Zulphe “Do Raste” (1969)
- Aane Se Usake Aaye Bahar “Jeene Ki Raah” (1969)
- Ek Banjara Gaye Jeevan Ke Geet ”
- Jo Unaki Tamanna Hai “Intquam” (1969)
- Mere Desh Main Pawan Chale Purwai “Jigari Dost” (1970)
- Sajan Sajan Pukaru Galiyon Main “Sajan” (1970)
- Koi Najarana Lekar Aaya Houn Main “Aan Milo Sajana” (1970)
- Aaya Re Khilonewala “Bachpan” (1970)
- Shadi Ke Liye Raja Mand Karli “Devi” (1970)
- Ai Shukar Ke Tu Hai Ladaka “Himmat” (1970)
- Khilona Jaan Kar Tum To Mera Dil “Khilona”(1970)
- Khush Rahe Tu Sada Ye Dua Hai Meri ”
- Chali Meri Dulhan Ki Dori “Darpan” (1970)
- Dil Kahe Ruk Ja Re Ruk Ja “Man Ki Aankhe” (1970)
- Aaha Aaaha Aa Ye Suhana Safar “Suhana Safar” (1970)
- Aaap Aaye Bahar Aayee “Aap Aaye Bahar Aayee” (1971)
- Puchhe Jo Koi Muzse Bahar Kaise ”
- Nafarat Ki Duniya Ko Chhod Ke “Haathi Mere Saathi” (1972)
- Ye Jo Chilman Hai Dushman Hai “Mehaboob Ki Mehandi” (1972)
- Pasand Aa Gayee Hai Ek Kateel ”
- Main Ek Raja Houn Tu Ek Raani Hai “Uphar” (1972)
- Tu Mere Sapano Ki Raani Banegi. “Gora Aur Kala” (1972)
- Na Tu Jameen Ke Liye Hai Na “Dastan” (1972)
- Bade Bewafa Hai Ye Husn Wale “Roop Tera Mastana” (1972)
- Haseen Dilruba Kareeb Aaa Jara ”
- Aaj Mousam Bada Beiman Hai “Loafar” (1973)
- Tere Naam Ka Deewana “Suraj Aur Chanda” (1973)
- Main Wohi Wohi Baat Mere “Naya Din Nai Raat” (1974)
- Muhobbat Hi Mubobbat Hai “Geeta Mera Nam” (1974)
- Mere Geet Hai Anam Anam Shahido “Jurm Aur Saza” (1975)
- Aapki Kasam Ek Deen Sanam Ye Ghussa “Phansi” (1976)
- Main Jaat Yamala Pagala Deewana “Pratigya” (1976)
- Parda Hai Parda “Amar Akbar Anthony” (1977)
- Shirdi Wale Saibaba ”
- Taayyabali Pyar Ka Dushman Hi Hi ”
- O Meri Mehabooba “Dharmveer” (1977)
- Main Galiyonka Raja ”
- Meri Dushman Hai Ye Mere Ulzan Hai “Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki” (1978)
- Ramji Ki Nikalee Sawaree “Sargam’ (1979)
- Hum To Chale Pardes Hum ”
- Dhak Dhak Se Dhadakana Na Jane “Aasha” (1979)
- Chalori Doli Uthao Piya “Jani Dushman” (1979)
- Darde Dil Darde Jigar “Karz” (1980)
Lata ji has sung her highest number of duets with Rafi Sahab & each song is a masterpiece. There was a time when these legends had an argument and stopped singing with each other. Music directors complained that duets were getting spoiled & brought them back together. They both sang number of duet songs for music duo LP which are still popular. Both Mohammad Rafi and Lata have sung the maximum number of songs in their career for Laxmi-Pyare. A few selected duets are given below:
- Woh jab yaad aaye (Parasmani)
- Dil Vil pyar vyar (Shagird)
- Woh Hain zara khafa (Shagrid)
- Yeh Dil Tum bin lagta Nahin (Izzat)
- Sang Basanti Ang Basanti (Raja aur Runk)
- Rim Jhim ke geet sawan gaaye (Anjana)
- Badra haye badra chaaye (Aya Swan Jhoom Ke)
- Saathiya nahin jaana (Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke)
- Chup Gaye saare nazare (Do Raaste)
- Ek Tera saath (Wapas)
- Rang rang ke phool khile hain (Aan Milo Sajna)
- Jhilmil Sitaron ka aangan hoga (Jeevan Mrityu)
- Mujhe Teri Mohabbat ka (Aap aaye Bahar aayi)
- Itna to yaad hai Mujhe (Mehboob ki Mehendi)
- Kuch Kehta hai Sawan (Mera Gaon Mera Desh)
- Patta patta buta buta (Ek Nazar)
- Aadmi musafir hai (Apnapan)
- Tere Sheeshe ka saaman (Chacha Bhatija)
- Dafli Wale dafli baja (Sargam)
- Koyal Boli (Sargam)
- Parbat ke us paar (Sargam)
- Aashaon ke sawan main (Aasha)
The last song, which Rafi Saab sang for LP, was Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost for the film Aas Paas that was happened to be the last recorded song of Rafi Saab. The very same evening Rafi Saab leaves us forever. Since then and for many centuries to come Rafi will always be ˜Aas Paas – ˜some where near us.
Finally I would like to reiterate in the words of Allama Iqbal couplet which almost suits to the personality of Rafi Sahab.
Hazaron saal nargis apni be noori pe roti hai
Badi mushkil se hota hai chaman main deedavar paida
Of Course, Md- Rafi and Lataji duet songs sung in the composition of Laxmi-payare are much deeper in dimension and quality, if compared to Kishore-lata duets, or Lata – Mukeshji duets rendered under Laxmikan – Payarelal composition. Even in my opinion Lataji- Md Rafi duets under LP are much better in terms of quality as a whole if compared with Lataji – Kishoreji all duets songs, which they had sung in the composition of RD Burman. Without delving deeper into the reason for this, we can simply put forward the arguement that quality of duet songs had not only came down by a notch or two in the mid 70s, if compared to 1960s, it had deteriorated immensely. This is a fact.
There is no speck of doubt that we are all LP admirers, and he composed his best songs for Md Rafi Lataji and Md Rafi-Lata Mangeshkar duets are also great, and no. of those duets may slurpass Md Rafi- Lata duets under other music directors in number. For an example Md Rafi- Lata duets under SD Burman or chitragupta or KA, may be less in number if compared to their duets with LP. But, any Music expert would opine that the quality of Md Rafi and Lata duets sung under Shanker Jaikishan or Naushad is well ahead of LP compositions in terms of their mesmerizing divine tune and composition. Particularly, duets of these two great singers under SJ are much greater in quality if compared with their duets with Laxmikat-Payerelal. In terms of Md Rafi solo songs, LP made some terrific compositions, which will never be relegated to oblivion, true. But, if you compare Md Rafi solo songs composed by SJ, Naushan, Ravi Madan monhan and SD Burman, they will surpass LP’s composition for Md Rafi sahab, in the final reckoning. Md Rafi has become the greatest male playback singer ever, of India, not mainly because of some of his great songs composed by LP, but mainly because, the immortal songs that Naushan, SD Burman, Roashan, Khyiyam, Madanmohan, Ravi, OP Nayar, Chitragupta and even OP Nayar, KA and even RD Burman ( may be less in number) composed for him. Though, songs of Dosti, Parashmani, intaqam and four or five other films in which Md Rafi sang like god for LP compositions, but songs the greatest singer of India had sung for Madanmohan, SD Burman, Naushad and Shankar-jaikishan would outclass LP compositions for Md Rafi, of course with the exception of ‘Dosti’ and ‘Intaqam”. Thanx. Readers, please air out your opinion, whether you are one with my view or not.
Excellent sir, v happy & inspired with this wonderful information abt LP & Rafi Sahab.
Thanks 4 the sharing. Keep updated….
A beautiful well researched and written article- many thanks!
The fact that the duo were still keen on using the great mohd rafisahab for playback singing right until the end shows how much they appreciated him.
It’s also nice to read about artists speaking with so much and love and affection about mohd rafi who will never ever be replaced. Let’s face it we’ve had a few clones but their career was limited because so was their singing ability and I don’t think anyone will ever be able to master all the types of songs that rafi was able to render so effortlessly.
Am I in the minority when I actually find people using his name and singing his songs for their own personal gain annoying?
Dear LP fans,
LP have given maximum number of songs with Lata and Rafi true. Can u tell honestly haw many of their songs with Rafi and Lata are at par forget better than SJ,Madan Mohan,Ravi,SDB Naushad etc. In the era LP ruled there was no great competition as in 1950’s and 1960’s. Most of Lp songs are made for masses and contemporary rathan than timeless classics. I am also LP fan but certainly not consider them as great as SJ, Madan Mohan or SD Burman.
great kudos to walijah sahib for most informative write up on lp,one of my most favourite composers becoz of rafisaab who has given us hundreds of gems ….romantic,sad,ghazzals,patriotic,quwalis,loveable duets….esp with latajee..most romantic n love inducing.
can any rafifan tell who laughed in starting of song”duniya paghal hai film shagird having music by lp greats
i need mohamed rafi sang a song allma iqbal ‘ s poerty “aata hai yaad mujhko guzra hua zamana ” pls help me
“JAI RAFI SAHAB”
Great voting to Rafi Sahab from last 40 hours.He reached to 8785(20 rank) votes now from 6465(22 Rank) votes. A very nice effort from Rafi Bhakts.
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dear respected rafians,
good news for us.rafi saab has been selected one of the
top 50 greatest indians after mahatma gandhi by cbn ibn.
to make rafi saab on top,please vote for him by giving a
missed call to phone 08082891031.please inform to your
friends also.
jai ho lp ne bahot aacha kaam kiya hai aur rafi sahab ne unke gaane bakhoobi
gaaye hai aur main samajhta yeh baar sarf vidit hai
respected walijah saab,
certainly a very informative article.congradulations.
rafi saab – a divine personality with a golden heart
and golden voice.it is sure to find sucha a personlity
in the field of performing art is very difficult in the
whole world.
long live rafi saab.
with best regards,
ahamed kutty
Dear Rafi fans,
I hereby thank every one who participated and interacted on this thread, it is only the love of Rafi Saab that binds us and unite us in the bond of friendship. Although I have so many admirers on this site who are more dedicated and far ahead of me in expressing love towards Rafi Saab. I just salute them.
Thanks again for your appreciative comments.
Long live Rafi Saab.
H.A.K. Walijah
A die-hard Rafi Fan
Walijah saab:
Very good article; read it today. After Rafi saab passed away, Laxmikant said (I’m translating from Hindi): “I sit in the music room and wonder for whom I’m going to compose music. He was like our father; Laxmi-Pyare have become orphans.”
The first and the Last song of L and P was sung by mohd rafi saaheb. The last song of aas paas – was recorded on July 28th. It was only the Mukhda without the music.
before this number it ‘s claimed by anu malik that he had recorded a full song with mohd rafi. it could be true.
but do listen to the song – ” aaya re khilone wala khel khilone leke aayaa re ” a typical anand bakshi and L P Number.
many rafi lovers have learnt ‘this’ song to be presented in live concerts.
The rafi magic never stops…………………
Very well crafted article and its very interesting for easy reading. Raif Ji and LP combination has gained immense popularity during 60’s 70’s. Even today if I listen the song ” dard-e-dil dard-e-jigar” I just hold my heart and listen to it, what a mesmerizing song. A versatile composition of LP and voice itself was the magic.
Janab Walijah Sahab, ASA
Masha’allah what a nice write up from a veteran rafi fan. I just spell bound to read and could not resist to write a simple comment in appreciation of this article. Well, thanks a lot for your beautiful post.
All that is said is so nice and pleasant from a rafian to the Maestro. I just convey my salams and appreciation. The listed songs are of course all of my favorites.
Wassalam
Y. Sharif
Walijah ji !!
Good write up !!
many many thanks for highlighting combo of Laxmikant-Parelal and Mohammad Rafi. You have written everything about these combo.
Individually, both Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar have sung the maximum numbers of songs under Laxmi-Pyare, 368 and 702 numbers respectively, but also the duets of Lata-Rafi are in highest numbers 88 odd songs for LP.
laxmikant-pyarelal had courage to tell producers and directors not to interfere in their work and were to choose the singers of their own choice. They gave some gem of songs for mohammad rafi to sing during the peak wave of kishore kumar.
laxmikant-pyarelal, the only music directors pair who worked as a team, not like other pairs compose the song individually under the “pair” name. All the songs of Laxmikant-Pyarleal composed have an LP stamp.
Song composed for mohammad rafi by laxmikant-pyarelal in sixties, all are good. difficult to which one is best. But in seventies also they produced some real melody.. my pick is ..Main ek raja houn from “uphaar”…Rafi is outstanding so does laxmi-pyare’s orchestra arrangements..
one more thing you should have put more pictures, you can get more pictures of Rafi-LP on https://www.facebook.com/groups/laxmipyarefans/
Once again thanks for wonderful write up..
Ajay Poundarik
Nigeria
Walijah Saab,
A very easy to read and captivating write up on Rafi Saab and LP combination. Their output is huge when compare to other MDs, though Rafi Saab sang more melodious songs for them. Your write up goes in good direction when you give the information. Laxmikant Pyarelal duo was the most consistent and lasted the longest in Hindi cinema. They had melody in their music. Much has been said of Dosti & Parasmani songs, who can forget the melody of Taqdeer Jeene ki Raah and Khilona. It is well known that Rafi Saheb not only encouraged them, but also helped them financially in their initial days. They were the staunch loyalist of Rafi Saab until the last moment of the King of Melody. We can say from Parasmani to karz, Aas paas.
Excellent write-up in one word.
There is no match to the King of Melody, Rafi Saab. I love those songs sung by Rafi Saab for L-P is enchanting and melodious.
Thanks Walijah Saab for your nice article. My best wishes to all rafians and in general music lovers.
Long live Rafi Sahab.
“What can I say about a man jo tareef se bahut hi oopar hai, and had countless golden qualities? yes that is absolutely true when it comes to the Melody King Rafi Sahab. A very nice and pleasant write-up on the combo Rafi Sahab & L-P. The list is absolutely charming and beautiful.
Walijah Saab, Well done and I wish you write many such warm write ups in future. With all my best wishes,
Thanks and regards
Prasad
Walija sahab,
I kept on reading and reading and reading. A wealth of information presented in an easy-to-read-and-understand style. We have become richer in knowledge, thanks to you.
Khilona jaan kar tum to is a unique tune which Rafi sahab sang beautifully. Similarly Saari khushiyan hai mohabbat ke zamane ke liye from Suhana Safar. The second line — Maine toh pyar kiya aansoo bahane ke liye—is sung in a breathless manner. I can only say a BIG WAH WAH.
regards
Utthara
What a pleasant article and I wish I could have read it many many times. The Magic of Rafi Sahab voice and the magical compostions of L-P are the best combination that we have so far.
The songs listed in the article are almost more popular and loved by audience.
Thank you Walijah Sahab for giving us the information about the legends.
Excellent article as always. LP were very lucky that they had such a close relation with Rafi Sahab, it is evident from their songs how Rafi sahab enhanced the quality of their music that led to memorable songs that live forever.
LP were not biased and loved Rafi Sahab, they were thorough professionals and no wonder they got well with Rafi Sahab whose professionalism was and is next to none.
Dear Walijah Sahab,
Wonderful article and many awesome anecdotes by Pyaralel ji makes it very much interesting.
The Rafi-LP combo churned out many memorable songs that almost listed the article.
My best wishes for your good health and expect to read many more such beautiful articles from you.
Thanks
Kabeer Aman
dear walijah saab, what a article! i have no words to express my views. your every article has something new that increase our knowledge about our beloved rafi sahab. there are no of examples i have read or listened about our rafi sahab. rafi sahab always encourage the newcomers and also helped them. In todays world person like him is very rare to see. Long live rafi sahab. I love you. Regards, Birendra Singh Bisht
I always like to read about Rafi saab.
I would like to make a small comment with respect to “The last song, which Rafi Saab sang for LP, was Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost for the film Aas Paas that was happened to be the last recorded song of Rafi Saab. The “”VERY SAME EVENING” Rafi Saab leaves us forever. Since then and for many centuries to come Rafi will always be ˜Aas Paas – ˜some where near us.
According to what I have read – Rafi Saab recorded this song 2 or 3 days before his death and on the day of his death he was busy doing riyaz for a Bengali album for durga puja since morning as people from Bengal were going to come for the recording and though he was fasting and not feeling well he insisted that no one should go empty handed and he would still record the song.
Just wanted to share this piece of information.Rafi Saab still lives in our heart and will continue to live for ever.
After mohd rafi death Laxmikent said I dont know how i can make music without mohd rafi , Laxmikent almost was a mohd rafi big fan,….
LP music was liked by masses. Also LP was commercially more successful and produced melody and quality songs along with Rafi Saab. This lethal combination of LP with Rafi Saab created the golden era of music. L-P ruled over the industry for more than 3 decades. The success of this duo lies in the fact they kept on changing their style of composing songs with time and even singers like shabbir kumar won film fare award for their songs for Pyar jhukta nahin.
Walijah Ji, wonderful article more of the feeling of rafian tone all over the article.
Regards
Prem Kumar
Dear Walijah Saab, ASA
You wrote very beautifully the article on Rafi Saab and Laxmi Pyare ji, I loved it and read many times, thanks a lot for your kindness.
I always loved the songs of Laxmi Pyare ji in the voice of King of Melody: Rafi Sahab starting from Parasmani till Karz, all of the songs are super duper hits and most popular numbers in the olden days and even until now. Some movies I remember: Parasmani (1963), Dosti (1964), Aaya Toofan (1964), Pyaar Kiye Jaa (1966), Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966), Taqdeer (1967), Shagird (1967), Night in London (1967), Patthar Ke Sanam (1967), Izzat (1968), Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968), Wapas (1969), Sajjan (1969), Do Raaste (1969), Intaquam (1969), Jeene Ki Raah (1969), Jigri Dost (1969), Anjaana (1969), Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke (1969), Sharafat (1970), Aan Milo Sajna (1970), Jeevan Mrityu (1970), Khilona (1970), Humjoli (1970), Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971), Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971), Woh Din Yaad Karo (1971), Haathi Mere Saathi (1971), Aap Aye Bahaar Ayee (1971), Gora Aur Kala (1972), Dastaan (1972), Ek Nazar (1972), Loafer (1973), Dost (1974), Majboor (1974), Pratigya (1975), Dharam Veer (1977), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978), Sargam (1979), Jaani Dushman (1979), Suhaag (1979), Ram Balram (1980), Karz (1980), Dostana (1980), Naseeb (1981)
Thanks again and I request you to keep writing on Rafi Sahab, I love to read your articles.
Best regards
A. Almas
ASA, Walijah Sahab,
Bahut khoob, Congratulations,
Another feather on your hat. Khuda kare zore khalam aur ziyada.
best regards to all Rafi lovers,
Dr. Khaja Aliuddin
Xlnt article, well researched & rendered with the great ‘Rafian” feelings & emotions…as always. Congrats for this flow of emotions. Keep up the good work.
Regards & Best Wishes.
H.A.K. Walijah saab,
This forum gets an added luster with the such brilliant write-ups by a great Rafian like you. It is indeed a great essay on Rafi-LP combo. You have gone quite in detail, leaving very little for us to add except few. One great soulful song that you missed is ‘Saari khushiyan hain mohabbbat ki zamane ke liye…’ from movie ‘Suhana Safar’. And ‘Jeene ki Raah’ too had one or two more songs of Rafi saab.
When Rafi saab sang for LP for the first time, he gave them hearty blessings and told them to always remain united as a ‘jodi’. LP kept that in mind and remained united, only the death of Laxmikant separated them.
-J.K. Bhagchandani
Mohammed Rafi Ji will live forever in our hearts
Such a true artist
Because of Rafi ji we are performing check out our you tube clips under
Jas Entertainments
Many thank Jas
Dear Zaheen Saab,
In one of the interviews Anu Malik said, Mohd Rafi Sahab remains my biggest source of motivation and inspiration. I recorded three songs with him for Poonam and one for a untitled film of Premnathsaab that never took off. Laagi lag jaaye… from the former film was the last song that he recorded live – the recording was on 25th July. After that he did a song for L-P, but the track had been kept ready and it was not a live take. I shall never forget what he told me: Kamal ke phool ki tarah taharte rehna. He was simply the calmest, most serene and kindest human being I knew. He would insist on rehearsals but often refuse to accept money. Rafisaab was a very giving person. He gave me vital tips on how to teach singers your song. I adore him, for he was music himself!
Hello Mr. Walijah,
You have made a wonderful and a beautiful tribute to Rafi Saab. He sure was a gem of India. His songs are still hummed by many of us. I am pleasantly surprised to across this article today by chance and am glad that it is written by our beloved fan of Rafi Saab.
Thanks for this info and I’m glad your article added information about the legend.
Today, more than 31 years after his untimely demise, Rafi Ji still lives very much in the hearts of his fans through the innumerable songs that he has immortalized. You will find the younger generation today who still revere this gentleman singer for having revolutionized playback singing.
Singers will come and go but there cannot be another Mohd Rafi. As Lata Mangeshkar once said, ‘singers like Rafi Saab are born once in a lifetime’. One doesn’t find the combination of humility and greatness in one singer anymore.
Narendra
Dear Walijah ji,
Thanks for this great article on Rafi Sahab and LP. LP had a special bond with Rafi Sahab and they always rever anf prefer him even against the wishes of the producers.
Rafi sahab was a great humanitarian too who never put himself above his music composers. According to him, any composer who wanted him to sing, was his Guru. it is abundantly clear that the great maestro followed his moral standards right from his youth and very early time of his career. Indeed the great soul was incomparable.
Thanks and thanks
Raja
We all know that “Tu Kahin Aas pas hai dost” was Rafi Saab’s last “recorded” song But can this be counted as Rafi’s last proper full solo recorded song (with music) as compared to the few lines of “Tu kahin”? I have read apparently it was “Laagi Lag Jaaye” from the film Poonam (1981) music by Anu Malik, Is this true?
Dear Walijah sahab,
first of all i must congratulate you for this beautifull and informative article, tons of thanks to you from the bottom of my heart.
once i had a chance to see all the legends in one show the way back in 1967 where i have seen rafi sahab in a show named roshan nite, where LP was also there as a guest.
haan agar aap is article ka title dete chahunga mein tujhe saanjh savere to bahut achha lagata.
bhai rajesh khanna ki ek film thi amardeep jis ke last mein ek doha record karwaya tha rafi sahab ne uski bhi fees nahi li thi itna achha sambandh aur tuning hai LP aur rafi sahab mein.
ek baar maine ek interview mein padha tha ki jab bhi LP ko koi dhun compose karne mein takleef hoti thi yaa mood nahi banata tha tab LP ke saamne rafi sahab ki pyaari si surat saamane aa jaane se unka kaam aassaan ho jaata tha aur gaana ban jaata aur super hit ho jaata tha.
with lots of regards
vinod mehru
09768245368
Janab Walijah Saab,
I once again congratulate you for giving us this wonderful article.
The beauty of your prose is simplicity, I like it very much. it is very handy for common man to understand if it is simple and at the same time conveys the meaning fully and leaves no place for ambigiousness.
With regard to the article, it is superb and I have nothing to say, just one word excellent and excellent.
Anyway thanks and best regards
Anees
Great Article on Rafi…keep wiriting,sirji.
rajagopalan-dubai
i would recall, rafisaab, rendered a song from film khilona -khus rahe tu sada….in which the word”dua’was sung in different style & mood everytime which was simply out of this world!!!Like SJ ,he sang freely with Lp enjoying max. liberty.the combo is unmatchable and during early 70s when rafisab was in “forced exile”,it was lp who were still with him and were instrumental in bring him to top slot again .
Well done…..brilliant as usual.
L and P has composed for about 500 movies its said. not 635 i assume.
when Pyarelal was introduced to a music arranger in london and when told they have done 500 movie, the arranger was in disbelief. He told Pyarelal ji : “then your age must be 300 years”
they are the gems – the l and P team.
from the rafi foundation, Mumbai
Dear Walijah Saab,
Thanks for this marvelous article. Fantastic information collected on Rafi -LP combo. Rafi Saab songs are almost super duper hits when the music is from LP.
One more notable thing is that LP got filmfare awards in the life of Rafi Saab, soon after Rafi Saab demise LP did not get even a single filmfare award. I think and it is my personal opinion that LP golden touch that was gone with Rafi Saab. The songs after 1980 is not at all worth noting except few hits with clones like Shabbir Kumar, Munna Aziz and Anwar.
Overall a compelling write up encompassing the minute details. Well written.
Thanks again for your valuable post.
Zaheen Danish
Dear Walijah Saab,
LP-Rafi combo is second to SJ-Rafi combo winning the hearts of music lovers. Rafi Saab did sing many great songs for LP. and of course you are right they were great staunch layalist of Rafi Saab starting from their biggest hit Dosti till the last song of Rafi sahab in Aas Paas.
Very well written and moreover well researched for details.
Thanks and best regards
Man Mouji
Excellent article Walijah Saab..!
I am a professional singer and have realised over the last 40 years or so that LP were an extremely versatile music directors duo and have composed tunes across borders and the tunes have always been “out of the box”.
When I spoke to Pyarelalji, a couple of years ago and told him that they are even above Shankar Jaikishen, he politely and very humbly disagreed and said that they had learnt a lot from SJ and that they are still the best when it came to orchestration.. So much of humility Pyarelalji has..Great person…!!
I want to make a trip to Mumbai exclusively and meet him atleast for an hour. I have made detailed notes to ask him as to how could he have composed certain songs which are beyond anyone’s comprehension…!
I enjoyed reading your article and pls keep writing Sir..
Best wishes
Chandan
Janab Walijah Saab,
It is always pleasure to read your articles because it contains a lot of information and interesting pieces. I would like to write something on Rafi Saab if you kindly permit me.
Rafi Saab believed in the concept of simple living and high thinking. He was a genius and at the same time very humble. During his lifetime Mohammed Rafi had donated immeasurable money in charity, noble causes and for our country. He was a true patriot of India and he believed in our country’s secular values and our rich culture, tradition and heritage. The boundaries of religion, caste, creed, richness, poverty, economic class, language and politics were beyond the legendry stature of Mohammed Rafi and he was above all these boundaries. Numerous instances are there when he bought expensive imported Dialysis equipment to our country to assist charity hospitals that serve ailing kidney patients of our nation. Many new music directors would come to Rafi sahab and request him that if he sang for their compositions then they would get chance in films. Mohammed Rafi sahab would not only sang for them but also when the producer used to pay renumeration for the songs, Rafi sahib would gift it to these new music directors. That was the encouragement that Rafi sahab had for new talent. He would recommend names of his contemporary singers without an iota of jealousy. Thus, making Rafi sahab the most loved respected and cherished human being of all time. Mohammed Rafi was the supreme melody king of Hindi cinema and at the same time he was a man with a golden heart and a resplendent smile that glowed from his radiant face. Till the day he lived, he ruled like a king and even after passing away Mohammed Rafi’s voice continues to reign the music world.
The famous composers duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal had great adoration and admiration for Mohammed Rafi sahab. The innumerable movies for which Laxmikant Pyarelal had composed music and Mohammed Rafi had sung melodies including the film: Aas Pas(1981) for which Mohammed Rafi had sung his life’s last song: “Tu kahin Aas Pas hai
Long live Rafi Saab….
Regards to all rafi fans
Hashmat Alvi