The Rafi-Kishore saga
The following article appeared in The Statesman,Calcutta, on Aug.7 th 2005. It will give more food for thought to the ongoing debate about the Rafi personality and magic – Mohan Flora .
Mohd. Rafi was the greatest playback singer, asserts Ranjan Das Gupta as he pays tribute on the melody kings 25th death anniversary. Rafi was a classically trained singer while Kishore was naturally endowed with excellent resonance. The latter was a versatile genius, singer, music director, actor, writer and director all rolled into one. Both were proficient singers but had separate individual styles.
In the 1950s Rafi literally ruled the roost. He was the most favoured singer for veteran composers like Naushad, S.D. Burman, Shanker Jaikishan, Madan Mohan while Kishore was preferred by S.D. Burman and Salil Choudhury who was playback mainly for Dev Anand and his own films. Rafi on the other hand could balance his melodious voice for diverse stars like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Guru Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Shammi Kapoor.
It is an astonishing fact that O.P. Nayar used Rafi to sing for Kishore Kumar the unforgettable tune Man Mora Bawra in Ragini in 1957. Shanker Jaikishan also had Rafi to sing Ajab Hai Dastan in Shararat in 1958. Says record museum owner Vinod Santhalia, It is simply amazing. Imagine Mohd. Rafi sang for Kishore Kumar in films Kishore himself acted.
Shanker Jaikishan commented, No doubt Kishore Kumar is a good singer. He sang beautifully for me in Rangoli. But Ajab Hai Dastan was simply not Kishores cup of tea. The mukhdas and antaras required a singer of Rafis range and classical background.
Although Kishore Kumar felt bad about this, he could only marvel at Rafis brilliant rendering of the two songs. Rafi characteristically remarked, No one else except Kishore could sing Dukhi Man Mera in Funtoosh so well.
Salil Choudhury was not favourably inclined towards Rafi at one point of time, but even he was compelled to use Rafi for the unforgettable Tootey Huey Khuabo Nay in Madhumati and Koi Soney Ke Dil Wala in Maya and confess that Rafi was indeed peerless.
It is generally known that Rafi and Kishore went through a bad patch in their relationship. Yet it is also true that both liked and respected each other. S.D. Burman openly admitted to Kishore that the three solos in Guide by Rafi could not be matched by any singer. On Dev Anands special request, he composed the Kishore-Lata super hit duet Gata Rahe Mera Dil for Guide. Similarly, Rafis numbers in Teen Deviyan and the haunting duet with Lata Mangeshkar in Jewel Thief were far superior to the Kishore numbers in these films.
In the late 60s when R.D. Burman composed the melody for Tum Bin Jaaun Kahan in Pyar Ka Mausam, he experimented the same solo with both Rafi and Kishore. True, Kishore sang this number by melodiously incorporating his inimitable yodelling. But in the romantic number, Rafi scored over Kishore in melody.
The 60s was also considered Rafis decade though Kishore matured considerably as a singer during this period. The Jungle Mein Mangal number Woh Din Ke Baat Sharan Karo had both Rafi and Kishore together but is somehow not remembered that well. But Shanker Jaikishans Hanste Gate Jahan Se Guzar in Andaz by Rafi quite eclipsed Kishores entire Zindagi Ek Safar in 1971.
Madan Mohan also used both Rafi and Kishore in the song Yu Na Sharma for Parwana in 1972. Kishore sang the happy rendition for hero Navin Nischal. But there was Rafi again to do full justice to the Are Hansnewale, the melancholic aspect of the same song for Amitabh Bachchan.
In the 1970s the Kishore Kumar wave took the Hindi film music by storm and was backed by R.D. Burman. Some critics felt R.D was partial to Kishore and avoided using Rafi. The Rafi Kishore duet Yaadon Ki Barat from the film with the same title in 1973 turned out to be a superhit. But it cannot be categorised either as an exclusive Rafi or a Kishore gem for both sang in perfect harmony.
Subsequently, R.D. Burman opted for Rafi again after four years as no other singer could have rendered so skillfully Chand Mera Dil and Kya Hua in Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin; that too in a film with many Kishore Kumar superhits like Mil Gaya and Aa Meri Jaan.
When Rafi sang Darde Dil for Laxmikant Pyarelal in Karz in1980 based on a single note, he proved melody was indeed God-gifted to him, remembers upcoming singer Sujan Bose. Kishores Ay Mere Umar Ke and Ek Hasina Thi could not touch that level. The same can be said for Rajesh Roshan’s Yarana where Rafi’s Aare Re Aisa Tarana completely surpassed Kishore’s Sara Zamana and Tere Jaisa.
Mohd. Rafi left for his heavenly abode on 31 July, 25 years ago. Remembers author Nabaran Bhattacharya, The photo of a silent, sad and grief-struck Kishore in the newspapers portrayed very well that no one except him understood what an irreparable loss had taken place in Indian film music.
As Kishore himself said when Jagjit Singh criticised the Rafi gharana, How dare these so-called ghazal singers criticise an icon that Manna Dey, Mukesh and I dare not criticise. Rafi was unique.
A recent clip from The Tribune,Chandigarh,dated July 9th. 2006.
Tu Ganga ki mauj Main Jamuna ka dhara
Rain came to the city as budding singers sang the melodious songs of Mohammad Rafi set to the music of maestro Naushad in the preliminary competition organised Yaadgar-e-Rafi society at Bal Bhawan on Saturday. It was a good feeling to hear old and familiar numbers sung by young hearts, says
Nirupama Dutt
In times when the young are grinding out guttural numbers like Dum-dum ashiqui hai teri a la Himesh Reshamiya, it comes as a surprise indeed when suddenly a young and with-it boy gets up onto the stage and starts singing: Tu Ganga ki mauj, Main Jamuna ka dhara… vintage Baiju Bawara. But this is just what happened at the preliminaries organised by Yaadgar-e-Rafi Society at Bal Bhawan of Saturday in preparation for the gala Rafi Memorial Nite to come later.
Melody makers
It was a most pleasant return of melody hearing some great songs that tend to feature these days only in Bhoole-bisare geet kind of antiquated programmes. These were some great numbers like Na toofaan se khelo na saaheel se khelo, O door ke musafir hum ko bhee saath le le re, Madhuban mein Radhika nache re and many more belonging to an era when melody was queen and Naushad and Rafi with some others had played a major role in giving her this queenly status.
Bishambar Das Sharma of the Yaadgar-e-Rafi Society says, “ This year we lost Naushad who was the greatest music director that Indian cinema had ever seen. So this year we have narrowed down to only the songs Rafi had sung for Naushad in tribute to the great maestro.†In fact, the city has had the privilege of having Naushad preside at a Rafi nite some years ago. And to the society goes the credit of keeping Rafi’s songs on young lips.
Dynamic duo
Naushad was already a name to reckon with having moved from Lucknow and then succeeding in towering over Mumbai film music, when Mohammad Rafi, a lad born in Kotla Sultan Singh near Amritsar arrived on the scene. Naushad was quick to recognise the mettle in Rafi’s voice and what followed was sheer magic. The magic was cast in Baiju Bawra (1952) and as critics say that it was Rafi’s thematic rendering of the ragas introduced into the film by Naushad that made a mediocre actor like Bharat Bhushan a star overnight.
Together they made some wonderful music in films like Shabab, Mela Amar, Kohinoor, Mughal-e-Azam, Ganga-Jamuna, Saaz aur Awaaz, Dil Diya Dard Liya, Palki, Mere Mehboob and many others. While Naushad gave a break to many singers his favourites were Lata Mangeshkar and Rafi. On Rafi’s demise in 1975, Naushad cried out, “The messiah of music has left this world.â€
Songs live
A winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contribution to Indian Cinema, the last film that Naushad composed music for was Akbar Khan’s Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story (2005). He passed away in Mumbai on May 5, 2006 of cardiac arrest.
One is reminded of a famous song by this duo: Yeh zindagi ke mele duniya mein kam na honge, Afsos ham na honge. But they are very much there in our midst because people like Naushad and Rafi never die. Thewir songs live forever and we can hope to hear them sung again by many a young talent in the months to come.
Dear Saagar,
If you have little knowledge in indian hindi music then u should know that Kishore sang melody for MadanMohan in Parwana, SIMTI SI SHARMAYI SI KIS DUNIYA SE TUM AAYI HO.
I have written above paragraph to tell you KISHORE sang for MADAN MOHAN but MDs like Madan MOhan, Naushad, SJ they always wanted to play safe game by giving all songs to trained singers like rafi and mukesh.
Saagar, answer me, why LP chose mukesh for SUNIL DUTT in MILAN, he got filmfare award. Does it mean that Rafi was not able to sing those songs. This is in context to DARD-E-DIL sung by Rafi not by KISHORE.
Boss, Its always depend on MDs comfort. They always select singers based on their voice suit and then ability.
RDB selected MUKESH over Rafi and KISHORE in KATI PATANG, JIS GALI TERA GHAR NA HO BALAMA. DOes it mean MUKESH is better than KISHORE and RAFI.
Boss, pls. think again and again before write.
Immortal songs made by one and only KISHORE…
1. PAG GHUNGHAROO BANDH MEERA
2. NA KOI DIl ME SAMAYA
3. SALAME ISHQ MERI JAAN
I listed above songs not based on music but based on his ability to improvise ordinary songs to great songs.
There is a song in DON, KHAIKE PAAN BANARAS WALA. It is very ordinary songs but he made immortal. He asked anandji to bring PAAN for him because sutuaton demanded it. After chewing PAAN he sang that song n won filmfare award.
Is there any singer dedicate to do this?
NO…. ONly kishore could do ..
What’s with all this comparsions? There are songs that each singer has sung to the best of his ability. The only way we can figure out how another singer would have sung it is to ask the other singer to sing it, which is not possible now. Mukesh had his style in soulful numbers. Talat had mellowness as his hallmark. Rafi was loud and high pitched, shouting more often than singing. Kishore was fun-filled, couldn’t care less, very versatile. Manna Dey was classically oriented without the mannerisms of Rafi. Hmeant Kumar was grave and ethereal. Before the females take umbrage, here goes….. Lata was mellifluous. Asha was a female Rafi. Geeta Dutt was vibrant and chirpy and classy. Suman Kalyanpur was a Lata clone. Shamshad had a twang which suited some songs. Mubarak Begum was like a cross between Lata and Geeta and had the best attributes of both. Amirbai, Uma Devi, Khursheed, Kanan Devi, Zohrabai were run of the mill, with occasional sparks of brilliance. If I’ve left out anyone, it’s my fault; no offence to anyone.
Outstanding work Nair. I really appreciate your research which once again proves that that Rafi was the undisputed King of Hindi music. Avi and Vikram did you read the article? Any doubts now as to who is the Shahenshah of Hindi music? In my opionion another Rafi will never be born. Fortunately his 26,000 songs will always remind of us of his greatness not only as a singer but the most humble, kind, and a generous person.
Dear Friends!
The World Music Directory prepared by the National Geographic Magazine (its authenticity, credibility, and international reputation are undisputed), which carries the names of the most popular and versatile musicians of the world, has mainly three Indian names – Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, and Asha Bhosle. Please let me quote from the entry on Rafi Sahab [by a foreign reporter]; it starts like this: “If Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar were the undisputed 20th-century queens of Bollywood playback singing, then Mohammed Rafi would certainly be its kingâ€. About the much disputed 1970s it reports: “In the1960s and1970s, the composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal turned to Rafi to voice the heroes of their films, and that partnership became the stuff of legend as they turned out hit after hitâ€. In another context it says: “As with other Bollywood singers, his recordings are perhaps best appreciated in the context of the films for which they were madeâ€.
P.S. Kishore Kumar as well as other male playback singers could not find place in the list (Sorry no offense meant, just the facts).
The link, please scroll down for the directory. http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/worldmusic/view/page.basic/home
Dear Sagar and Ali.
Really I don’t understnat why they think that KK is better singer than Mohd Rafi?!!!!for me it like clear like sun,As human I think Mohd Rafi was better than KK because KK converted Islam to mariage and changed his name!!!!!!!!but Mohd Rafi was Muslim and he singed for all,sorry for use these words muslim or none muslim but I want show that how Mohd Rafi was a great human,for Mohd Rafi there was no one small but KK said first u have to pay me!!!!
I think people like me or Shankar or Avi or Vikram are not who compare Mohd Rafi with anyone.
Dear Vikram these are Mohd Rafi films from 1969 to 1976 from Rashid Khan list more than 160 films there are some more do u think that KK was more famous than Mohd Rafi in that time!!!!!!!!!please send me the list of KK films.also some of KK fans said that Mohd Rafi was workless around 160 films and Mohd Rafi was workless?!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 Aradhana (1976) MOHD. RAFI
2 Bairaag (1976) MOHD. RAFI
3 Balika Badhu (1976) MOHD. RAFI
4 Bandalbaaz (1976) MOHD. RAFI
5 Charas (1976) MOHD. RAFI
6 Daaj (1976) MOHD. RAFI
7 Jaaneman (1976) MOHD. RAFI
8 Kalicharan (1976) MOHD. RAFI
9 Laila Majnu (1976) MOHD. RAFI
10 Nagin (1976) MOHD. RAFI
11 Santo Banto (1976) MOHD. RAFI
12 Shankar Dada (1976) MOHD. RAFI
13 Shaque (1976) MOHD. RAFI
14 Yamla Jatt (1976) MOHD. RAFI
15 Fakira (1976) MOHD. RAFI
16 Aandhi (1975) MOHD. RAFI
17 Anari (1975) MOHD. RAFI
18 Chupke Chupke (1975) MOHD. RAFI
19 Do Jasoos (1975) MOHD. RAFI
20 Do Jhoot (1975) MOHD. RAFI
21 Ek Mahal Ho Sapnon Ka (1975) MOHD. RAFI
22 Geet Gaata Chal (1975) MOHD. RAFI
23 Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja (1975) MOHD. RAFI
24 Lafange (1975) MOHD. RAFI
25 Mausam (1975) MOHD. RAFI
26 Pratigya (1975) MOHD. RAFI
27 Prem Kahani (1975) MOHD. RAFI
28 Teri Meri Ik Jindri (1975) MOHD. RAFI
29 Zakhmi (1975) MOHD. RAFI
30 Zinda Dil (1975) MOHD. RAFI
31 Zorro (1975/II) MOHD. RAFI
32 Bhagat Dhanna Jatt (1974) MOHD. RAFI
35 Chor Machaye Shor (1974) MOHD. RAFI
36 Do Aankhen (1974) MOHD. RAFI
37 Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam (1974) MOHD. RAFI
38 Geeta Mera Naam (1974) MOHD. RAFI
39 Haath Ki Safai (1974) MOHD. RAFI
40 Hawas (1974) MOHD. RAFI
41 Hum Rahi (1974) MOHD. RAFI
42 Humshakal (1974) MOHD. RAFI
43 Jurm Aur Sazaa (1974) MOHD. RAFI
44 Majboor (1974) MOHD. RAFI
45 Resham Ki Dori (1974) MOHD. RAFI
46 Shandaar (1974) MOHD. RAFI
47 Woh Main Nahin (1974) MOHD. RAFI
48 Dost (1974) MOHD. RAFI
49 Abhimaan (1973) MOHD. RAFI
50 Anokhi Ada (1973) MOHD. RAFI
51 Barkha Bahar (1973) MOHD. RAFI
52 Chhalia (1973) MOHD. RAFI
53 Do Phool (1973) MOHD. RAFI
54 Ghulam Begam Badshah (1973) MOHD. RAFI
55 Hanste Zakhm (1973) MOHD. RAFI
56 Heera (1973) MOHD. RAFI
57 Hindustan Ki Kasam (1973) MOHD. RAFI
58 Loafer (1973) MOHD. RAFI
59 Samjhauta (1973) MOHD. RAFI
60 Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973) MOHD. RAFI
61 Zanjeer (1973) MOHD. RAFI
62 Anuraag (1972) MOHD. RAFI
63 Dastaan (1972) MOHD. RAFI
64 Dharkan (1972) MOHD. RAFI
65 Do Yaar (1972) MOHD. RAFI
66 Ek Bar Mooskura Do (1972) MOHD. RAFI
67 Ek Nazar (1972) MOHD. RAFI
68 Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara (1972) MOHD. RAFI
69 Jeet (1972) MOHD. RAFI
70 Koshish (1972) MOHD. RAFI
71 Lalkaar (1972) MOHD. RAFI
72 Mom Ki Gudiya (1972) MOHD. RAFI
73 Roop Tera Mastana (1972) MOHD. RAFI
74 Sazaa (1972) MOHD. RAFI
75 Shehzada (1972) MOHD. RAFI
76 Aap Aye Bahaar Aayee (1971) MOHD. RAFI
77 Adhikar (1971/I) MOHD. RAFI
78 Andaz (1971) MOHD. RAFI
79 Banphool (1971) MOHD. RAFI
80 Bikhare Moti (1971) MOHD. RAFI
81 Caravan (1971) MOHD. RAFI
82 Gambler (1971) MOHD. RAFI
83 Haathi Mere Saathi (1971) MOHD. RAFI
84 Jwala (1971) MOHD. RAFI
85 Kathputli (1971) MOHD. RAFI
86 Lal Patthar (1971) MOHD. RAFI
87 Maryada (1971) MOHD. RAFI
88 Mehboob Ki Mehandi (1971) MOHD. RAFI
89 Mela (1971) MOHD. RAFI
90 Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971) MOHD. RAFI
91 Pakeezah (1971) MOHD. RAFI
92 Parwana (1971) MOHD. RAFI
93 Patanga (1971) MOHD. RAFI
94 Piya Ka Ghar (1971) MOHD. RAFI
95 Seema (1971) MOHD. RAFI
96 Sharmilee (1971) MOHD. RAFI
97 Uphaar (1971) MOHD. RAFI
98 Woh Din Yaad Karo (1971) MOHD. RAFI
99 Pyar Ki Kahani (1971) MOHD. RAFI
100 Aan Milo Sajna (1970) MOHD. RAFI
101 Bhai Bhai (1970) MOHD. RAFI
102 Darpan (1970) MOHD. RAFI
103 Dastak (1970) MOHD. RAFI
104 Devi (1970) MOHD. RAFI
105 Dharti (1970) MOHD. RAFI
106 Ek Nanhi Munni Ladki Thi (1970) MOHD. RAFI
107 Ganwaar (1970) MOHD. RAFI
108 Geet (1970) MOHD. RAFI
109 Gopi (1970) MOHD. RAFI
110 Himmat (1970) MOHD. RAFI
111 Humjoli (1970) MOHD. RAFI
112 Ishq Par Zor Nahin (1970) MOHD. RAFI
113 Jeevan Mrityu (1970) MOHD. RAFI
114 Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan? (1970) MOHD. RAFI
115 Kankan De Ole (1970) MOHD. RAFI
116 Khilona (1970) MOHD. RAFI
117 Maa Aur Mamta (1970) MOHD. RAFI
118 Maa Ka Aanchal (1970) MOHD. RAFI
119 Mastana (1970) MOHD. RAFI
120 Mera Naam Joker (1970) MOHD. RAFI
121 My Love (1970) MOHD. RAFI
122 Naya Raasta (1970) MOHD. RAFI
123 Pehchan (1970) MOHD. RAFI
124 Raaton Ka Raja (1970) MOHD. RAFI
125 Sachcha Jhutha (1970) MOHD. RAFI
126 Sawan Bhadon (1970) MOHD. RAFI
127 Suhana Safar (1970) MOHD. RAFI
128 Train, The (1970) MOHD. RAFI
129 Umang (1970) MOHD. RAFI
130 Bombay Talkie (1970) MOHD. RAFI
131 Heer Raanjha (1970/I) MOHD. RAFI
132 Anjaana (1969) MOHD. RAFI
133 Aradhana (1969) MOHD. RAFI
134 Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke (1969) MOHD. RAFI
135 Bhai Bahen (1969) MOHD. RAFI
136 Chirag (1969) MOHD. RAFI
137 Do Bhai (1969) MOHD. RAFI
138 Doli (1969) MOHD. RAFI
139 Do Raaste (1969) MOHD. RAFI
140 Ek Phool Do Mali (1969) MOHD. RAFI
141 Intaquam (1969) MOHD. RAFI
142 Jahan Pyar Mile (1969) MOHD. RAFI
143 Jeene Ki Raah (1969) MOHD. RAFI
144 Jigri Dost (1969) MOHD. RAFI
145 Mahal (1969) MOHD. RAFI
146 Mahua (1969) MOHD. RAFI
147 Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai (1969) MOHD. RAFI
148 Prince (1969) MOHD. RAFI
149 Pyaar Hi Pyaar (1969) MOHD. RAFI
150 Pyaar Ka Mausam (1969) MOHD. RAFI
151 Pyaasi Sham (1969) MOHD. RAFI
152 Pyar Ka Sapna (1969) MOHD. RAFI
153 Raja Saab (1969) MOHD. RAFI
154 Sachaai (1969) MOHD. RAFI
155 Shatranj (1969) MOHD. RAFI
156 Talash (1969) MOHD. RAFI
157 Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai (1969) MOHD. RAFI
158 Wapas (1969) MOHD. RAFI
159 Waris (1969) MOHD. RAFI
160 Adalat (1976/I) MOHD. RAFI
dear Vikram or shankar,
some time u say that Mohd Rafi was workless from 1970!!!!!!!If u said that KK was the no 1 I think u r wrong.
Ok we are Mohd Rafi fans what we say maybe we are wrong but please asked the people who worked with both Mohd Rafi and KK or ask the people who know about Music.
Dear Vikram in 70’s M Mohan said that he will not give music if Mohd Rafi will not sing and also he said that why I should be paid for song which singed by Mohd Rafi,I hope that you know that Madan Mohan was a great MD,please give me RD best film as a MD?
In 70’s If I am not wrong that films made music hit not as in 60’s when music made films hit,Sorry KK friends but if I am not wrong I don’t think that KK voice made KAKA or Bachchan or RD suberstar but they made KK a star if u say that Naushad Ali made Mohd Rafi famous I think u r wrong because Naushand said that I am who used Mohd Rafi voice rang first and others do the same.
You don’t think If KK used Mohd Rafi Voice when he was an actor today we know KK as a great actor as Shamm Kapoor today?
I saw all KK films and Shamma Kapoor films do u know why?…..
Hello Sagar!
Aapki nazar mein Rafi sahab kis tarah ke legend hain? or Kishor da jo also legend hain unse kis tarah alag hain? Aapko Pyasa ke song mein rafi sahab suljhe dikhte hain to mujhe am r prem mein kishor da high quality ke dikhte hain so fark kya hai?
Main kishor da ko umpire maanta hoon or aap rafi sahab ko sir don maante hain to bataiye batsman ki kimat maidan mein hoti hai ya umpire ki?
aapke heart ko Rafi sahab ke song touch karte hain or mere heart ko kishor da ke fir hum kaise maane ki koi ek best hai?
sach to yah hai ki kishor da ne 1969 se 80 tak jitna bhi gaya woh Rafi sahab ke 20 year’s ke gaanon ke barabar aa gaya ….it’s not a my opinion aap history read karein phir likhein.
You only accepted that 1944-1969 RAFI SAHAB ruled so how come you can make this contradictory statement that If O.P.wud have chosen any other singer RAFI SAHAB wudn’t have been there ? I mean can you tell me how many singers were suitable to give to a spontaneous actor like SHAMMI KAPOOR ????? ……..MERE DOST 1970 MEIN WO WAQT BHI AAYA JAB SHAMMI SAHAB, DILIP SAHAB , RAJENDRA KUMAR, MANOJ KUMAR JITENDRA, DHARMENDRA (JINKE LIYE SIRF RAFI SAHAB GAATE THEY) SAARE HERO KE LIYE MOSTLY KISHOR DA NE HI VOICE DIYA….US DAUR MEIN RAFI SAHAB KAHAN THEY?
RAFI SAHAB KAKA/AMIT JI KI AAWAJ KYON NAHIN BAN SAKE? SIMPLY BECAUSE UNKO EK HI LEGEND KI AWAJ KI JAROORAT THI….KISHOR KUMAR KHANDWA WALE RE BANGROO!! BAKI SARA ITIHAS HAI KOI MAANE YA NAA MANE…..
Hello Sagar!
Aapki nazar mein Rafi sahab kis tarah ke legend hain? or Kishor da jo also legend hain unse kis tarah alag hain? Aapko Pyasa ke song mein rafi sahab suljhe dikhte hain to mujhe am r prem mein kishor da high quality ke dikhte hain so fark kya hai?
Main kishor da ko umpire maanta hoon or aap rafi sahab ko sir don maante hain to bataiye batsman ki kamat maidan mein hoti hai ya umpire ki?
aapke heart ko Rafi sahab ke song touch karte hain or mere heart ko kishor da ke fir hum kaise maane ki koi ek best hai?
sach to yah hai ki kishor da ne 1969 se 80 tak jitna bhi gaya woh Rafi sahab ke 20 year’s ke gaanon ke barabar aa gaya ….it’s not a my opinion aap history read karein phir likhein.
You only accepted that 1944-1969 RAFI SAHAB ruled so how come you can make this contradictory statement that If O.P.wud have chosen any other singer RAFI SAHAB wudn’t have been there ? I mean can you tell me how many singers were suitable to give to a spontaneous actor like SHAMMI KAPOOR ????? ……..MERE DOST 1970 MEIN WO WAQT BHI AAYA JAB SHAMMI SAHAB, DILIP SAHAB , RAJENDRA KUMAR, MANOJ KUMAR JITENDRA, DHARMENDRA (JINKE LIYE SIRF RAFI SAHA B GAATE THEY) SAARE HERO KE LIYE MOSTLY KISHOR DA NE HI OICE DIYA….US DAUR MEIN RAI SAHAB KAHAN THEY?
RAFI SAHAB KAKA/AMIT JI KI AAWAJ KYON NAHIN BAN SAKE? SIMPLY BECAUSE UNKO EK HI LEGEND KI AWAJ KI AROORAT TYHI….KISHOR KUM AR KHANDWA WALE RE BANGROO BAKI SRA ITIHAS HAI KOI MAANE YA NAA MANE…..
Dear Vikram,
First of all Thanx for the reply and study !! Second thing I don’t you have any right to comment on me because If I do so then you and your study will be of no use here !! So next time when you reply beware that you discuss issues only of MUSIC and not on personal level.
Lets move to the main topic. Answer me how many songs of KK has pure melody in it and how many songs did KK sang where the ACTOR on screen had to do rehearsals before the final take ?
You are talking about KAKA / AMITABH ? let me know if anybody of them has done a superb comination of ACTING/SINGING/MUSIC as did by DILIP KUMAR in KOHINOOR.
If you talk about the generation gap which made KK hit then I don’t Rafi Sahab went backfoot anywhere anytime.MD’s made KK’s career is there any song or any film which KK has made immortal ?
But the case is different in RAFI SAHAB’S case he made MD’s Immortal ….I think all RAFIANS will agree and KK fans will disagree.
How many songs did Madan Mohan gave to KK where it came to singing ? If it came to barking he may have called KK . How many variations did KK provided in any song and who was he to decide that if any HUMAN is sad his voice goes down ? I mean that what you mean by saying that KK sang best in ANDHI ????? You must have just listened to song just as an ordinary ear listener I don’t mind that good for you.Don’t you think that songs all had classical base in it . It was RD who gave KK chance. If you are talkin about ABHIMAAN whats so special in MEET NA MILA .. by KK , i dont think there is anything challenging…but then why didnt S.D.BURMAN gave TERI BINDIYA RE to KK if that was the case ?
Why did LP chose RAFI SAHAB in DARD-E-DIL ? just check all the songs in that film by KK and RAFI SAHAB’S only 1 song DARD-E-DIL ???? So u mean to say LP made a mistake by not giving DARD-E-DIL to KK ?????
This your statement :“ ex..the great O P Nayar,Shamma Kapoor and many more†KUCH DINO PAHLE SAREGAMA MEIN NAIYAR SAHAB NE KAHA THA “RAFI BAHUT SURILE THEY HAMESHA MUJHSE KAHA KARTE THEY KI NAIYAR SAHAB AAP BAHUT ACHI DHUNEIN BANATE HAIN OR UNKO GAAKAR MERA DIL BHAR AATA HAI†I’M CONFUSED KI NAIYAR SAHAB NE SAHI KAHA THA YA AAPNE SAHI FARMYA HAI KI NAIYAR SAHAB AAJ FILM INDUSTRY MEIN RAFI SAHAB KI WAJAH SE HAIN.
SHAMMI SAHAB RAFI SAHAB KO APNI AWAJ MAANTE THEY LEKIN YADI AAPKO JAANKARI HO SHAMMI JI KI PAHLI HIT “TUMSA NAHIN DEKHA-1957 MEIN NAIYAR SAAB KA HI SANGEET THA…. Sahayad rafi sahab shammi ji ki aawaj nahin ban paate yadi naiyar sahab e us film mein unhe gawaya na hota. ”
You only accepted that 1944-1969 RAFI SAHAB ruled so how come you can make this contradictory statement that If O.P.wud have chosen any other singer RAFI SAHAB wudn’t have been there ? I mean can you tell me how many singers were suitable to give to a spontaneous actor like SHAMMI KAPOOR ?????
I am sure you must have listened to songs from PYAASA ????? Tell me one song or rather anysong which KK has sung better than RAFI SAHAB …. I will and you also know that RAFI SAHAB can sing any number which KK has done but can KK do the same justice to his songs……
Todays generation are not aware of true music and singing……..KK got that advantage , he was teamed up with RD,BAPPI ,RAJESH ROSHAN ??? but how many songs are remembered today …. And even if you might be remembering them how many times can you listen them ??? continously ??? NO you cannot because the songs the words are good KK’s contribution is only LOUD ?? His funky numbers are good to hear when a bunch of people/students going for a vacation in a BUS thats it ……Till to day whenever RAHI MANVA DUKH KI … is played people get revitaled ……. did KK voice had the power ???????
So my dear VIKRAM yes ofcourse KK is a LEGEND but not and will never fall in RAFI SAHAB’S CATEGORY …..And thats what RAFI SAHAB and his songs have taught me ” EMOTIONS ” ….so next time you reply anything come with some examples where you can mention some songs of KK which are of that quality and have some meaning to it…….. Let me give you a fresh example : If KK is SACHIN TENDULKAR then RAFI SAHAB is ” SIR DON BRADMAN ” ” …….
The above statement is just to keep your faith in KK , otherwise the fact is that ” If RAFI SAHAB is DON BRADMAN then he is also SACHIN TENDULKAR ” KK doesnt come-up nearby …so KK shud be compared to Kumar Sanu, etc………
If you are talking about HITS what exactly you mean by HIT songs ??? do we count the meaning of a particular song or and who declares a song HIT or FLOP we do ? so if you are saying that at a particular ERA KK had HIT songs then I am glad that I am not one of them to say that …because I prefer quality rather than QUANTITY…..
KK’s songs are good and used in MUSICAL COMPITIONS / GATHERING / FUNKY DISCO THEQUES etc…. But when it comes to REAL and I mean REAL heart touching Voice there is no option but for RAFI SAHAB and TALAT and probably Mukesh…but KK please a big time no……
KK is a LEGEND but not THE LEGEND as RAFI SAHAB….KK is just a LEGEND ….so it will be better that you give something on track examples where a MUSICAL DEBATE will take place rather than to comment on me …because If i start my comments on you …..the debate will have no meaning… So lets be friends and have a proper DEBATE rather than to critize each other at personal level .
Regards
Sagar
dear flora,
Kishore fans are mature fans, they are not rafi fans who just look at one direction. We respect Rafi and we can’t deny his voice and his ability but KISHORE has his own style and he was superior in that.
FOr your information. Kishore was on top after 70’s, world knows. He did not exist between 71-76.
Please explore ur knowledge on Hindi filmi music. Kishore was there on top till he alive.
It is truth and u shold accept it.
Here we can find three kinds of bloggers. One is Rafi fans – Salutations! , another is Kishore fans, who acknowledge that they are Kishore fans – Salutations! Now, there is a third group (very rare), who as Mohan Flora said, come to the forum saying that they are Rafi fans, both Rafi and Kishore are great, both are great in their own style, balh, blah, blah……. Then they start accusing Rafi Sahab as if they are doing evaluations and come out with ridiculously biased observations – sympathies!
Mr. Flora!
Aapne mujhe kishor bhakt kaha hai..jee haan mujhe Kishor da ke song pasand hai thik usi tarah jis tarah main Rafi sahab ko sunna pasand karta hoon….but unfortunately is saare topic mein ek important thing ki kami hai or wo hai justice ki…. Maine kishor bhakton ke post read kiye hain jismein unhone Rafi sahab ke liye same respect pesh kiya hai but sharmeendagi ki baat hai ki saare Rafi bhakht keval apni dafali apna raag alaap rahe hain. Unko yah sweekar hai ki 1949-69 tak rafi sahab #1 playback singer they par unhe yah sachchai sweekar karne mein hichkichahat ho rahi hai ki 1970 or 80 ka era Kishor da ke naam raha……
Maine kishor da ko rafi sahab se behatar nahin kaha hai balki dono ko legend mana hai lekin rafi bhakton ko yah sweekar nahin hai to mujhe bhi majbooran likhna hogaâ€AGAR KISHOR DA RAFI SAHAB SE BEHATAR NAHIN THEY TO UNSE KISI BHI CHEEJ MEIN KAM NAHIN THEYâ€
Rafi sahab jis era mein # 1 they us era mein Kishor da actor jyaada singer kam they lekin 1969 ke baad jab kishor da #1 playback singer huye tab Rafi sahab apna khoya sthaan nahin le sake……. AAP CHAAHE NAA MAANE LEKIN SAARE ITIHAS KO READ KAR LEIN JISMEIN EK HI CHEEJ SAMNE AAYEGI KI RAFI IS LEGEND BUT KISHOR ALSO A LEGEND & KING FROM 1970-80 ERA…..
Dear Anmol,
Please note that all KK fans always start with a comment that they are Rafi fans also and have high regards etc. etc. for him. But they change their tune after sometime. The same is with this Vikram guy. He could be avi-shankar in camouflage. But who cares for their views. We are music lovers. We also like KK and music lovers know that Rafi is the best.
For Vikram,
Vikram , don’t be in denial. You know in your heart of hearts that Rafi is King- as can be made out from your first comments on this site – but you cannot accept it because you are a KK bhakt. There is nothing wrong in being a bhakt. We are Rafi bhakts too. But we accept the fact that Rafi is best. The only difference between the two is that KK bhakts do not accept- that KK was one of the many other second bests. Please accept and live a life of peace.
Like I had commented earlier. Kishore in 1971-1976 was passing thru the same phase as Himesh Reshammiya is passing thru now. All big banners and producers are opting for him to sing-even though he is basically a music director. Does that make Sonu Nigam, Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu lesser singers than Himesh. Fans of Himesh will say.Yes,”Himesh is the greatest , Sonu who?” But time will tell who is better, just as from 1976 onwards till his passing away Rafisaab showed that no one can put the best man down.
Dear Ali!
Please try to find amit ji & kaka interview in doordarshan year ago & I’m sure aapko apne sawal ka jawab mil jayga. Yes mai manta hoon SACHIN DA OR PANCHA DA NE kishor da ko help kiya par unmein talent tha thik usi tarah jaise NAUSAD SAHAB NE RAFI SAHAB KO HELP KIYA THA. OR MAIN ISMEIN KOI BURAI NAHIN MAANTA.
“ ex..the great O P Nayar,Shamma Kapoor and many more†KUCH DINO PAHLE SAREGAMA MEIN NAIYAR SAHAB NE KAHA THA “RAFI BAHUT SURILE THEY HAMESHA MUJHSE KAHA KARTE THEY KI NAIYAR SAHAB AAP BAHUT ACHI DHUNEIN BANATE HAIN OR UNKO GAAKAR MERA DIL BHAR AATA HAI†I’M CONFUSED KI NAIYAR SAHAB NE SAHI KAHA THA YA AAPNE SAHI FARMYA HAI KI NAIYAR SAHAB AAJ FILM INDUSTRY MEIN RAFI SAHAB KI WAJAH SE HAIN.
SHAMMI SAHAB RAFI SAHAB KO APNI AWAJ MAANTE THEY LEKIN YADI AAPKO JAANKARI HO SHAMMI JI KI PAHLI HIT “TUMSA NAHIN DEKHA-1957 MEIN NAIYAR SAAB KA HI SANGEET THA…. Sahayad rafi sahab shammi ji ki aawaj nahin ban paate yadi naiyar sahab e us film mein unhe gawaya na hota.
Hello time!
Yadi kishor da 1970-87 tak one man army nahin they to us daur ka # 1 male playback singer kaun tha …..mujhe shaayad new refreshmant hasil ho jaye ..dear friend maine apna article free mind se likha hai or historical batton ko dhyaan mein rakhkar likha hai main yahan RAFI SAHAB or Kishor da KE BEECH COMPARE NAHIN KAR RAHA HOON BALKI DONO GREAT SINGER KA JO POSTION RAHA HAI EK TIME PERIOD MEIN USE AAPKE SAAMNE LAA RAHA HOON… JAB FILM HISTORY MEIN 1949-69 OR 1970-87 KA DAUR DONO LEGEND KE LIYE MANA GAYA HAI TO AAP OR HAM IS POINT KO KAISE NEGLECT KAR SAKTE HAIN?
Audience, who were somewhat bored by the “deep†music of the 50s and 60s, indeed, liked that change.
AUDIENCE 70 KE DASAK MEIN KYA RAFI SAHAB SE BORE HO GAYI THI? KYA RAFI SAHAB LIGHT MUSIC NAHIN GAA SAKTE THEY? KYA MUSIC DIRECTOR CHANGE HO GAYE THEY? LP NE DOSTI MEIN RAFI SAHAB KE SAATH GREAT COBINATION DIYA HAI TO KYA IMTIHAN MEIN RUK JANA NAHI RFI SAHAB SE NAHIN GAWA SAKTE THEY?
Most of the hits that permeated 76-80 were of Rafi’s not Kishore’s……..PLEASE FORWARD ME LIST OF GREAT HITS OF THAT PARTICLASR ERA & MAIN DEKHNA CHAHTA HOON KISKE SOG JYADA HIT RAHE?
1980 MEIN RAFI SAHAB KE INTIKAAL KE BAD KISHOR DA KE SAMNE KOI DIKHA HI NAHIN SO NEW PLAYBACK SINGERON SE TULNA KARNA BEMANI HAI BECAUSE WE (AS YOU GAVE ME EXAMPLE LIKE SURESH WADEKAR ETC.) TO APNI JADE JAMANE MEIN LAGE THEY….. 1970 ERA MEIN RAFI SAHAB KO 1 FILMFARE MILA OR KISHOR DA KO 3 WHO BHI DIFFERENT MUSIC DIRETOR KE SONG PAR LIKESACHINDA (ARADHANA)….SHYAMAL MITRA (AMANUSH) & KALYANJI AANANDJI(DON) FOR A SURPRICE PANCHAM DA KE MUSIC PAR RAFI SAHAB KO FILMFARE MILA JABKI AAP SAB KISHOR/PANCHAM COBINATION KO WETERN THIG MANTE HAIN.
Then, I am surprised on what basis you judged “Chura liya†is the only “behtareen†song of Rafi in the 70s? Please listen to Abhimaan, the single Rafi song in that film outshone KK’s all other numbers. We must thank Rafi, Mukesh, Mannadey and Mahendra Kapoor for keeping true music alive during its worst days (72-76) under KK and RD…….. AAPKO ABHIMAAN KA GANA ACCHA LAGTA HAI UJHE YADON KI BARAT KA GANA PASAND HAI ..JUST A PASAND APNI APNI.NO COMMENT!
OTHER SIGER TO PAHLE BHI ACTIVE THEY JAB RAFI SAHAB GOLDEN ERA MEIN THEY OR US TIME BHI MAHENDRA KAPOOR JI KO RAFI SAHAB KE AGAINST 2 BAAR FILMFARE MILA THA. 1970 KA ERA PANCHAM/KISHOR KA HI ERA NAHIN THA BALKI KISHOR KI AANDHI THI JISNE SAARE INDIANS KO APNE JAADO MEIN BAANDH LIYA THA.
Hello Vikram,
Requesting you to read all the posts under ‘Anmol Singh’. The articles have been written after detailed analysis and observations through many Web Sites.
It has been observed that most KK fans show complete ignorrance in judging other singers apart from KK. Plus many do not acknowledge SD Burman’s contribution to KK. The standard comment which most make is “KK had no formal training and he could sing like Rafi”. Prior to 1969 KK was an untrianed singer but not after that. But many KK fans don’t want to acknowledge SD’s contribution, though most KK websites give special tribute to SD Burman.
All singers including KK always gave tribute to their Gurus.
Hello Sagar!
Maine aapki vyaakulta dekhi or jo tadap mujhe Rafi sahab ke favor mein aap par nazar aayi who qabile tarrif par “ZAJ BAATI†jyada lagi… thik kisi bacche ke ruthne ke saman jiske liye khilona hi sab kuch hota hai or use kuch nahin chahiye hota.
Jaisa maine pahle ki likha tha or ek baar phir doharata hoon Rafi sahab or kishor da both he legend hai or tulna bemani hai lekin aapke liye shayad feeling jyaada maayne rakhte hai THOUGH MAIN DAAVA NAHIN KARTA BUT ITNA JAROOR KAHOONGA KI MAINE JITNA KISHOR DA KO SUNA HAI US SE KAHIN JYADA RAFI SAHAB KO SUNA HAI (Now listen to SUBAH NA AAYI SHAAM NA AAYI ….check out the pitch and the emotions in that song put by RAFI SAHEB . I hope you have noted that.) Lekin main apne vote bhawnaon mein bahkar nahin diya karta or kisi base par hi kuch likhna chahta hoon.
Maturity se mera matlab pure singing se tha….. jaisa aap jaante hai kishor da great actor they (ISMEIN KOI 2 MAT NAHIN HONA CHAAHIYE) OR 1969 KE BAAD WHO PURI TARAH SE PLAYBACK SINGER BAN GAYE OR ISMEIN MASHROOF HO GAYE OTHERISE JAISE MAINE PAHLE LIKHA THA KI 1949-69 KA SAMAY RAFI SAHAB KA THA. US TIME BHI KISHOR DA NE KUCH BEHATRIN SONG GAYE THEY LIKE “AA CHAL KE TUJHE-D.G.K.C.M.-“64.
MUJHE LAGTA HAI AAPNE KISHOR DA KE GAANON KU SUNA HI NAHIN HAI YADI SUNA HOTA TO UNHE “EKSURA†NAHIN KAHTE… tere bina zindagi se KISHOR DA HI GAA SAKTE THEY OR YADI NAHI TO KYA MADHUBAN MEIN RAADHIKA KEVAL RAFI SAHAB KE LIYE BANA THA JINKI TULNA ME MANNA DAY BEST CLASSICAL SINGER HAI OR YAH BAAT KHUD RAFI SAHAB NE SWEEKAR KI THI.(READ HISTORY) THEN WRITE YOUR OPINION.
“ KK was great but his channel is different people can take all his songs he sung in his entire career and we will take only 1 song of RAFI SAHEB…. No need for me to tell the result.†—— EK GOOD FAN WHO HOTA HAI JO APNE FAVORITE ARTIST KE ACCHE OR BURE DONO PAHALUON KO DEKHTA HAI OR DIL SE USE SWEEKAR KARTA HAI PAR AAP BHAWNA MEIN BAH RAHE HAIN… AAP RAFI SAHAB KE FAN HAIN SO UNKE FAVOR MEIN HAIN KOI KISHOR DA KA FAN HOGA WO UNKE FAVOR MEIN HOGA PAR JAROORAT SAMDARSHI BANNE KI HAI…. MAINE KABHI RAFI SAHAB KO KAM NAHIN AANKA PAR AAP SHAYAD KISHOR DA KE UNFORGATTEN VALUE KO NAZAR ANDAAJ KAR RAHE HAIN.
†RAFI SAHEB WAS STAR WHEN KK WAS THERE, BUT KK WAS STAR WHEN RAFI SAHEB WAS NOT THERE †…..YAHAN AAP 100% WRONG HAIN ….PLEASE READ FILM HISTORY FROM 1970 ERA OR PHIR GAUR KIJIYE AAPNE KYA LIKHA HAI….CHALIYE SACHIN DA OR PANCHAM DA KI BAAT NAHIN KARTE LEKIN MUJHE KOI BHI EK AISE MUSIC DIRECTOR KA NAAM BATA DIJIYE JISNE 70 KE ERA MEIN (WHEN RAFI JINDA THEY)KISHOR DA SE NAHIN GAWAYA HOGA….DEAR SAGAR US TIME RAJESH KHANNA OR AMIT JI SUPERSTAR THEY OR KAHA JAATA THA “UPAR AAKA(GOD) TO NEECHE KAKA(RAJESH JI) OR SHAYAD AAPKO KISHOR/KAKA OR KISHOR/AMIT COMBINATION KE BAARE MEIN BATAANE KI JAROORAT NAHIN HAI. 1970 ERA MEIN KISHOR DA KA GAYA HUA KOI BHI SONG HIT HUA KARTA THA OR US TIMER RAFI SAHAB BACKFUT MEIN THEY.
“Naushaad sahab once said that INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC †Makes Your SOUL dance †but WESTERN MUSIC †only makes your HIP dance †and this HIP category belonged to KK ? …1970 KE ERA MEIN NAUSAD SAHAB NE MUSIC KYON NAHIN DIYA ? KYA WHO M ELODY KA DAUR NAHIN THA YA KEVAL RAFI SAHAB KE GAYE SONG HI MELODIES HUA KARTE THEY? SAARE MUSIC DIRESTOR TO 60 KE ERA KE THEY JINKE SAATH RAFI SAHAB NE GREAT PERFORMANCE DIYA THA PHIR AISI KYA KHASS WAJAH RAHI KI WHO SARE MUSIC DIRESTOR 1970 M EIN KISHOR DA SE HI GAWANA CHAHTE THEY? JUST SIMPLE BECAUSE 1970 ERA MEIN KISHOR DA UGTA SURAJ THEY OR 70 KE ERA KE HAR NEW HERO KO UNHONE HI AWAJ DIYA.
“Just check out how many BHAJANS , ALAPS, PATRIOTIC SONGS has KK given ? The musical debate in PADOSAN with MANNA DE , clearly gives idea that what his mentality was ? He would have avoided those †GHODE †, †YEDE †words used in the song but still they were used ? so where did his maturity level went.‗—– PADOSAN 1968 KI FILM HAI JAB RAI SAHAB #1 SIGER THEY OR AGAR AAP GOUR FARMAAYEIN TO ABOVE SONG KO SITUATION KE HISAB SE BANAYA OR GAYA GAYA THA OR ISKE LIYE AAP SINGER KO DOSHI NAHIN KAH AKTE KYOKI YADI EXAMPLE CHAAHIYE TO HUMJOLI FILM KA GANA LE LIJIYE JISE RAFI SAHAB OR KISHOR DA DOO E GAYA HAI JISKE BOL THEY “CHAL SHURU HO JA FANSA TANGADI GIRA ISKO†KYA IS SONG KO RAFI SAHASB NE NAHIN GAYA THA (JITENDRA JI KE LIYE).
KK shud be compared with KUMAR SANU,SHAAN,SONU NIGAM etc …….IT’S YOUR CHILDNESS SO ……NO COMENT!
Rafi Sahab is on another side of BANK ….and LATA, KK , ASHA etc.. are on other side …. they cant touch the height , perfection, humanity, voice, knowledge which RAFI SAHAB had in him.—-FIRSTLY AGAIN MAIN KAHOOGA ALL OF GREAT & EQUAL IN THERE PLACE OR YADI SITARA CHOICE KARNA HI HAI TO MUJHE NAHIN LAGTA KI LATA JI KA STHAAN KOI DOSRA SINGER(MALE/FEMALE) LE SAKTA HAI.
Dear Vikram,
Thanx for your information that Rafi sang a second version(sad!) of Tum Bin Jaoon Kahan in Pyar ka Mausam and that it was the best of all the three versions. I will have to rent the CD/Video of the film to hear/record that version.Great! But your observation that Rafi and Kishore are two sides of the same coin have fallen on deaf ears. They may be your views. I am a fan of KK too and hear his songs also, but when it comes to putting KK on a same pedestal as Rafi- that is way going too far. Rafi is the Sun and all other singers are stars around him!
Dear Vikram please give me one name who said that KK made me,If u go for RD all will speak that RD help kk to be star,Do u think that mr Bachchan or Rajesh Khanna or Dev Anand or RD became famous because of KK or KK because famous because of them? but when we go for Mohd Rafi there are many great names who said by themself that they are because of Mohd Rafi ex..the great O P Nayar,Shamma Kapoor and many more.
Dear Vikram,
Nice post, yet your evaluations are mistaken at many points. Firstly, your observation that Kishore Kumar was a one-man-army from 1970-1987 is fundamentally wrong (might be your personal observation). It is true that Kishore had a period of stardom, but it was somewhere in between 1972-76. Aradhna did make a wave, however, 1970 and 71 did not reduce the number of Rafi’s songs. From 72 to 76 it was the era of RD Burman’s plagiarized western tunes and, as you pointed out, Kishore excelled in those. Audience, who were somewhat bored by the “deep†music of the 50s and 60s, indeed, liked that change. After 76, it was fading days for RDB and Kishore. In the meanwhile Rafi Sahab also made his come back. Most of the hits that permeated 76-80 were of Rafi’s not Kishore’s. Well, after Rafi Sahab’s demise, Kishore Kumar competed with the young singers like Suresh Wadkar, Mohd Aziz, and others who had stolen a good share of songs. Kishore continued with his old colleagues (RDB, LP, KA, who had no choice then), which many times became hits (certainly he had Filmfare awards, but you have already clarified that it is not an evaluation criteria). After 1984 KK was rarely in the scene
Then, I am surprised on what basis you judged “Chura liya†is the only “behtareen†song of Rafi in the 70s? Please listen to Abhimaan, the single Rafi song in that film outshone KK’s all other numbers. We must thank Rafi, Mukesh, Mannadey and Mahendra Kapoor for keeping true music alive during its worst days (72-76) under KK and RD.
Regarding taazgi, that is what KK lacked through out his career; he always sounded indolent.
So all your observations, Humein Sweekaar Nahin Hai.
Dear Vikram,
Good one !! But your posts has many false statements in it….
Come on lets have some serious talk on it….
As you said that KK was in childish mood before ’69 then he matured and his maturity came infront in the form of AMAR PREM,SAFAR,etc….
Vikram what is the maturity you found in those songs can you explain ?
I mean whenever that songs is played it feels that KK is singing as if he has mugged that song …..
Now listen to SUBAH NA AAYI SHAAM NA AAYI ….check out the pitch and the emotions in that song put by RAFI SAHEB . I hope you have noted that.
Okay Now lets not talk about RAFI SAHAB , I will explain how KK had a flaw voice…. Do you know that KK in actual life had no concentration level ? He had a monotnous nature and always gave his voice to those songs which were of light mood, he got a good chance in ANDHI but RD made a mistake I dont blame KK, because all the songs had Classical base check out LATA’S voice in it she has literally given her best and check KK such a hard stubborn voice he has almost gone down ? Imagine if the same songs in Rafi Saheb’s voice ?
KK was great but his channel is different people can take all his songs he sung in his entire career and we will take only 1 song of RAFI SAHEB…. No need for me to tell the result.
I have always been saying one thing and again I repeat myself
” RAFI SAHEB WAS STAR WHEN KK WAS THERE, BUT KK WAS STAR WHEN RAFI SAHEB WAS NOT THERE ”
If you are talking abt the above mentioned songs which are truly great then yes they are great but what has KK contributed ?
If anyone by heart those songs we can sing better than KK .
Vikram, no doubt that you are a fan of RAFI SAHEB, but while giving any examples just check out what KK actually performed Naushaad sahab once said that INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC ” Makes Your SOUL dance ” but WESTERN MUSIC ” only makes your HIP dance ” and this HIP category belonged to KK ?
Just check out how many BHAJANS , ALAPS, PATRIOTIC SONGS has KK given ? The musical debate in PADOSAN with MANNA DE , clearly gives idea that what his mentality was ? He would have avoided those ” GHODE ” , ” YEDE ” words used in the song but still they were used ? so where did his maturity level went.
KK shud be compared with KUMAR SANU,SHAAN,SONU NIGAM etc …….
See there is a common example whenever there is a GOD GIVEN GIFT person , JALNE WAALE PAIDA HOTE HAIN AUR KHADA KAR DETE HAIN ” KK” JAISA KOI JISKO NA SURO KI KADARR THI .. NAA AKAL THI….
Vikram nothing to offense you but just to sum up …. Rafi Sahab is on another side of BANK ….and LATA, KK , ASHA etc.. are on other side …. they cant touch the height , perfection, humanity, voice, knowledge which RAFI SAHAB had in him.
So no point in discussing KK ? He just had a flaw flow of voice.
Regards
Sagar
Hello sir!
I’m big fan of Rafi sahab as well as mujhe aap Indian film music ka samalochak bhi kah sakte hain. gairjaroori baton ko naa dohraate huye main point par aana chaahunga jiske liye main yeh mail aapko bhej raha hoon…. Shayad aap gour farmaayenge.
1949 (Barsat-Shankar Jaikishan) se lekar 1969 tak rafi sahab Indian film industry ke #1 male playback singer rahe or uske baad ‘Kishor da’ ko yah position haasil hua…Ismein koi 2 mat nahin hai ki Kishor legend they or 1968 mein unke aalochakon ne unhe DUBTA SURAJ kaha tha or unhe chuka hua maankar chal rahe they par Aaradhna (1969) se unhone jis saily mein singing ki usne 1970 ke era ho hilaakar rakh diya. Kishor ki safalta mein 2 legend ka direct yogdan raha…Sachin da or pancham da or shayad BANGLA prem iski khaas wajah rahi or yah bhi 100% sach hai ki jis tarah O.P. NAIYAR sahab ke sangeet ke saath aasha ji ne nyaay kiya waise hi pancham da (mostly western type music) ke kuch greatest hit shaayad kishor da hi gaa sakte they thik usi tarah jaise ‘Suhani raat dhal chuki†keval Rafi hi gaa sakte they Music siromani ‘NAUSAD’ sahab ke liye …Khair pancham –kishor combination ka jadoo dekhiye :-
Mere samne wali khidki mein- Padosan-1968
Yeh shaam mastani –Kati patang-1970
Raat kali ek khwab mein aayi- Buddha mil gaya-1971
Tera mujhse hai pahle ka naata-Aa gale lag jaa-1973
O hansani kahan ud chali-Zahreela Insaan-1976
Phir wahi raat hai –Ghar-1978
Aane wala pal jaane wala hai-Golmaal-1979.
1969 se pahle kishor da ladakpan ke mood mein singing kiya karte they lekin 1970 era mein maturity ki jhalak aasani se dekhi jaa sakti hai for a example:-
Kuch to log kahenge –Amar Pem-1971
Koi hota jisko apna- Mere apne-1971
Kiska rasta dekhe-Joshila-1973
Tere bina zindagai se koi –Aandhi-1975
O manjhi Re – Khusboo-1975.
Kishor da ki singing mein jo khaas baat rahi wo thi “YODLING†jo natively Switzerland ke folk music se relative hai or Australia mein 1930 ke era mein Yodling kaafi mashhoor tha jiski nakal kishor da kiya karte they or dheere dheere is style ke master ho gaye jiski barabari aj tak koi Indian singer nahin kar saka hai.
Rafi 70 ke dasak mein kuch uljhe huye lagte hain jabki kishor taazgi se bhare dikhte hain..For a example pyaar ka mausam mein ek gana haiâ€CHE KHUS NAZARE†aap is song ko suniye (Rare one) shashi kapoor sahab ke liye or 1975 mein ek gana hai “ek daal pr tota baitha†(Fakira) or dono song ki tulna kijiye antar aapko samajh aa jaayega… yeh jaroor hai ki “Chura liya hai tumneâ€-Yadon ki barat-1973 ko rafi sahab ka gaya hua 1970 era ka sabse behatrin song manta hoon.
Jis song se kishor da or rafi sahab ki tulna ki gayi (jo meri nazar mein bemani hai because dono legend singer ek hi sikke ke do pahlu hain) usse aap sab bhi waaqif honge jo film ‘Pyar ka mausam’ mein shamil hai “TUM BIN JAAON KAHAN†yah particular song film mein 3 baar hai ….. First time kishor da ka gaya hua ‘bharat bhusan’ ke liye;
(Sad) 2nd time rafi sahab ka gaya hua ‘Shashi kapoor’ ke liye (Romantic) or 3rd time again rafi sahab for ‘Shashi kapoor (Sad) jiske bare mein bahut kam log jaante hain….
Sad version film mein hai par gramophone record mein use shamil nahin kiya gaya hai or isiliye kishor da ka gaya hua sad version rafi sahab ke gaye romantic version se uncha lagta hai otherwise ‘tum bin jaaon kahan’ ka sad version (sung by rafi sahab) 1of best sad song hai Indian film industry ka jisko likha tha ‘Majrooh sahab ne:-
Meri nazar mein to sirf tum ho
Kuch or mujhko pata nahin hai
Tumhari mahfil se uth raha hoon
Magar kahin raasta nahin hai……..
Tum bin jaaon kahan…….!
Kabhi mere gam ki kahani dil se mat kahna
Kahin meri baat chale to sunke chup rahna
Mera kya hai kat jaayegi kahin ye jindagi….
Tumko chahke….tum bin……!
I don’t understand above golden song ko LP record mein kyon shaamil nahin kiya gaya….Shaayad 1969 ke baad ka itihaas kuch doosra hota…..because is song ke baad kishor da ko #1 singer kaha gaya jo 1969 se pahle sirf dev sahab ke liye hi aawaj diya karte they who bhi Sachin da or Pancham da ke sangeet par.
LEKIN HAMEIN YAH SWEEKAR KARNA HI HOGA KI 1949-69 KA SAMAY RAFI SAHAB KE LIYE THA OR 1970-1987 (UNTIL KISHOR DA DEATH) ERA KE ONE MAN ARMY KISHOR DA HI THEY!
Vikram Ji, Khoob likha, par burra mat maannaa, rafi sahab ko 5 nahi 6 Fimlfare award mila hai.
Hello Friends!
maine aap sabke khayaalat par gaur kiya or mujhe yah jaan kar taajjub ho raha hai ki n aahak hi aap sab 2 all time greatest singer ki b emaani tulna kar rahe hain…. rafi sahab or kishor da both hi great hain or ek sikke ke do pahlu hain.
If compare karna hi hai to dono legend ko aaj ke dour ke ghasiyaare singer ke saamne rakhkar dekhiye… Kumar sanu ko 1990-94 5 baar lagata filmfare award diya gay hai or 1993 mein bajigar ke liye jis gaane ke bol they “yeh kaali kaali aankhen yeh gore gore gaal” ab jara aap rafi sahab ke 38 years ke 25000 songs par najar daaliye jismein se 5 b aar unhe filmfare award mila or aaj ka dour yah hai ki SONU N IGAM OR UDIT NARAYAN jaise nakalchi bandaron (clone) ko year by year kisi bhi hit commercial film ke liye filmfare award de diya jata hai jaise market mein bikne wala aalu-pyaaj ho.
yadi yahi haal raha to shaayad 25 year baad hum kuch is tarah compare karenge…. SONU NIGAM aaj tak ke mahaantam singer hain kyonki unhe 16 filmfare award mil chuke hai or iski tulna mein rafi or kishor kahin nahin thaharte jinhe 5 or 8 filmfare award mila hai….. ab tulna kijiye KAL HO NAA HO ke title song par jiske liye SONU NIGAM ko filmfare mila… 1960 ke rafi sahab ke song “jindagi bhar nahin bhulegi wo barsat ki raat†(filmfare) ke saath or bataiye ki aj ka filmi sangeet kin galat logon ke haathon mein hai.
Rimix ki aandhi (jis par ban lagna chaahiye)ne orignal voice ko chupa liya hai… 10-15 years mein kisi teenagers se aap puchenge ki “kahin karta hoga wo mera intizar ” kisne gaya hai to tapak se uttar milega “ANAMIKA” ne… kuch yahi haal b angle ke peche waale son g ke saath bhi hua hai (mujhe nahin lagta LATA ji ne jab 35 saal pahle yah gaane gaya hoga to unhe andesa raha hoga ki is gaane par volgar video bhi ban sakta hai.
Any way RAFI OR KISHOR dono hi apne place mein greatest hain or yadi compare karna hi hai to 3-3 song dono legend ke le lijiye like:
SUHANI RAAT DHAL CHUKI (DULARI-1949/NAUSAD SAHAB/SAQEEL SAHAB)
DIN DHAL JAAYE (GUIDE-1965/SACHIN DA/SHAILENDRA SAHAB)
PARDA HAI PARDA (AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY-1977/LAMI-PYAARE/AANAND BAKSHI)
KHWAB HO TUM YA (TEEN DEVIAN-1965/SACHIN DA/MAJROOH SAHAB)
RUK JANA NAHIN (IMTIHAAN-1974/LAXMI-PYAARE/AANAND BAKSHI)
PHIR WAHI RAAT HAI(GHAR-1978/PANCHAM DA/GULJAAR SAHAB)
& RESULT ARE SAME..BOTH …..LEGEND!
Nice to see Rafi Sahab singing on stage. Thanks Mohan Flora!
Thanks mohanflora, a great job
Great job mohanflora. Thanks you so much for research into Rafi’s Sahib’s work. It is shamefull that the powers to be, under the conspiracy of the Lata and Asha have denied Rafi the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Can someone write and where to protest?
Asif
Watch the mischievous Rafi- how he whistles when the damsel goes past!
Just click and watch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLEBww7W82M&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
Another live song from Rafisaab. Please see that it was Shanker-Jaikishen who were accompanying him on the stage. The debate going on is great but I just wanted to provide some RELAX! Carry on, brothers!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3uxSYskdiA&search=Mohammed%20rafi%20live
For some of the unininitiated and those that have less time for browsing , please click on the following links for some rafi songs( i think there are two live ones) and some from junglee etc. OR else just go on to http://www.youtube.com and browse yourself for more Rafi videos both live and filmy.I may have made some mistakes in providing the links but please neglect them as them coming from a overzealous rafi fan!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oFt8O1rrs4&mode=related&search=mohammed%20rafi%
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ecAHzck2dE&mode=related&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcWvF0XuzqE&mode=related&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJwi5vRyfRk&mode=related&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V2dVCV-aC8&mode=related&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLEBww7W82M&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTYgscO-Lls&mode=related&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLX38Z9KC_w&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNKasCftpCk&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rhh-MlF5Ow&search=mohammed%20rafi%20
Hi Sagar,
Just click on this link and see/hear for yourself!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rjxn29dfln8&search=mohammed%20rafi
Sorry, I meant Anmol and all Rafians as well for the blog on Biography.
Dear Narayanan!
Regarding the biography on Mohammed Rafi, I had seen one in Malayalam – in the “Mahatcharita Mala” series (Garland of Narratives on Legends [rough translation]). It must be available in libraries.
Thank you Mohan Flora! There is a child-like charm in him. The graciousness, the innocence…..Can really somebody hate him? Not certainly…..no one on this planet….
Dear Rafians
I am so happy to see and hear you all and the informaion you present here feels and also somewhere we feel that we are missing ” RAFI SAHAB ” every moment.
Wish we were born in the same era where RAFI SAHAB was to the fullest ,will the almighty god be again kind enough to give us an opportunity to listen to RAFI SAHAB and experience him one more time.
As per DADA SAHEB PHALKE AWARD is concerned its a MAN MADE AWARD and we all believe that RAFI SAHAB is GOD’S voice and no MAN is above GOD so lets forget why he didnt recieved that award.
My instinct tells me that not giving DADA SAHEB PHALKE AWARD to RAFI SAHAB is a conspiracy by lata mangeshkar and her followers because she is aware that if he gets the awards her fn followers might be aware who had real voice….so if she can give ” WARNING ” to Indian Government that if they construct the fly over in fromt of her residence she will move to some other country and will never return here , so did ASHA BHOSLE said thats the reason the FLY OVER work was pending for more than 4 years. These pissed sisters are very dangerous and I am also sure that at some stage they might have tried to do mental block of RAFI SAHAB also because he was far more superior to all of them.
I want to know what u guys think about this
I have found it at last, guys!
SEE AND HEAR RAFISAAB LIVE! Just click on the following and scroll down!
http://www.musicnmovies.info/index.php/category/legends/
Most of the awards in India, instituted either by the Government or by Private organisations, turn away from the path they were first formed for.
Padma Sri, Arjuna,Bharat Ratna, Filmfare etc. have all become jokes!!HA HA HA! Most of the deserving candidates are given a blind eye and those having connections,political or commercial, are awarded by the lobbyists etc. I personally, do not view any award in corrupt India as a shining example of excellence. The only award is the one given by the people or fans for service as an exemplary human being and the best ever songster to grace Planet Earth-MOHD. RAFISAAB!
The following is a list of the Phalke recepients.Find out for yourself who was deserving or not!
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is an annual award given by the Indian government for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered the father of Indian cinema.
The award for a particular year is given during the end of the following year along with the National Film Awards.
The list of winners are:
1969 – Devika Rani Roerich, actress
1970 – B.N. Sircar
1971 – Prithviraj Kapoor, actor (posthumous)
1972 – Pankaj Mullick
1973 – Sulochana (Ruby Myers)
1974 – B.N. Reddy
1975 – Dhiren Ganguly
1976 – Kanan Devi, actress
1977 – Nitin Bose
1978 – R.C. Boral
1979 – Sohrab Modi
1980 – P. Jairaj
1981 – Naushad Ali, composer
1982 – L.V. Prasad
1983 – Durga Khote, actress
1984 – Satyajit Ray, director
1985 – V. Shantaram, director, producer, actor
1986 – B. Nagi Reddy
1987 – Raj Kapoor, actor, director
1988 – Ashok Kumar, actor
1989 – Lata Mangeshkar, singer
1990 – A. Nageswara Rao, actor
1991 – Bhalji Pendharkar
1992 – Bhupen Hazarika, composer
1993 – Majrooh Sultanpuri, lyricist
1994 – Dilip Kumar, actor
1995 – Dr. Rajkumar, actor
1996 – Sivaji Ganesan, actor
1997 – Pradeep, lyricist
1998 – B.R. Chopra, director, producer
1999 – Hrishikesh Mukherjee, director
2000 – Asha Bhosle, singer
2001 – Yash Chopra, director, producer
2002 – Dev Anand, actor, director, producer
2003 – Mrinal Sen, director
2004 – Adoor Gopalakrishnan, director
Dear Narayanan, Sagar, and Unknow
My knowledge is that it was Pankaj Mullick who was awarded with Phalke award (1972) not Sardar Malik, who is Anu Malik’s father.
Dear Sagar sir and Nair Sir, If i am not wrong that Sardar Malik was not a great MD like Naushad Ali or SJ or Madan Mohan or LP and many more,
IF SARDAR MILIK won the DADASAHED Award and others like Naushad Ali or SJ or Madan Mohan or LP and many more they don’t ,I think in this case the greatest mohd Rafi should not have this Award.
There is Award called RD burman Award for new comer if I am not wrong in filmfar!!!!!!!!I think RD was Good MD but he was not the best as SJ or Madan Mohan or LP,what we can do with these people?!!!!!
Dear NARAYANA sir,
SARDAR MALIK got DADASAHEB PHALKE awards because he was the one responsible to giv BIRTH to ANU MALIK ( CHOR CHOR ) who is a one piece in entire MILKY WAY….
So in that recognization Govt.Of India gave DADASAHEB PHALKE award to him…………
Dear Rafians and All KK Fans………….
Thank you for all your posts…KK fans ( AMIT ) you are calling KK’s voice as GOD’s VOICE and LATA and ASHA had pain in their voice….Let’s see now who is next to whom……….I am not inspired by a website blog this is my own evaluation and I hope RAFIANS will agree and KK Fans will have to agree……..so read the following :
LATA MANGESHKAR : Madan Mohan gave her best songs for ex: woh bhuli dastaan…. song is fantastic as we know MADAN MOHAN IS melody KING…so he knew how to get the song done right ….whats LATA’s PAIN in it…….
KK : Mein Shayar Badnaam : again a monotonous song by KK and his mentor MD …pathetic voice its a SAD song not a DUMB song u will find the same similarity in voice and tone if you listen to KK voice in ANDHI….
ASHA : She has failed to bring and twist her voice in ” KAISE SAMJHAOO ” film SURAJ and bottomline is that ASHA is not a ” SINGER ” she is a ” DISCO SINGER ” .
RAFI : Only one word ” DA BEST ” ” BAAP OF ALL “.
I will tell you why we RAFIANS are so adament about calling other singers a nightmare,……the reason is that we are not looking at only one ASPECT which is ” SINGING ” and ” VOICE ” and ” SONGS which he/she got in their career…
But we RAFIANS are looking for HUMANITY , SIMPLICITY, HUMBLE NATURE , TRUE TO MUSIC , which is only in RAFI SAHAB…..
So AMIT if you are talking about TALENT then RAFI is amongst the TOP and other singers may be after him….but if you think about other qualities then only RAFI SAHAB is on TOP i.e. next to GOD.
OTHERS ARE NOT…..LATA,ASHA,KK etc.
So if you wanna talk about singing as a TALENT then this room is not for you but if you have anything for a proper HUMAN QUALITIES then bring up any singer , then we will see about it.
Regards
Sagar
So far there are eleven cases of posthumous awarding of Bharat Ratna. Longevity is a major factor here, especially for those legends of arts. I believe that Rafi Sahab’s chance cannot be fully ruled out yet. Am I correct?
>
I believe freedom fighters like Sardar Vallabhai Patel was given Bharat Ratan after 50 years of independance. The award was received by his son from the President of India.
The same should hold true for Rafi Saab as well.
Dear brethen of Rafians,
Yes it is true that Rafi Sahab did not get Bharat ratna but I personally feel that all these awards including Dada Sahab Phalke awards were politically motivated. You will be surprised to note that Sardar Mallik( Anu Malliks father) is also a Dada Saheb Phalke award winner.Sorry no offence to Mallik but how can few people who determine such decisions as a part of trust ingnore Rafi Sahabs CONTRIBUTION WHICH IS PHENOMENAL TO THE FILM INDUSTRY. Now they are saying that for departed legends we do not honour such awards.
HENCE THE BEST WAY IS THAT ALL MUSIC LOVERS N RAFIANS WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN THE MIDST OF RAFI SAHABS MELODY AS LONG AS THE SUN,MOON,STARS AND THE EARTH EXISTS.
I fully agree to Anmols suggestion that Biography of our beloved legend has to be published. I have the infromation from the Hamara forums n Mohan that such a biography exists in Hyd in the Sangeeth Sansar stores written by Saleem. When I go on tour to that place surely I will try to get the same.
Let us enjoy this song of our favourite legends:
Na ja tuhi ab na jaa dil ke siva from the film Hum Dhum mere dost……. where I like how Rafi sahab croons dil ke siva
Aap ke haseen rukh…..O.P.Nayyar sabs composition which is simply spell bounding.
Narayanan
I am sorry for the long piece above. I should have just given you the web-site http://www.itwofs.com/hindi-rdb.html where you can hear both the original and inspired scores!
You can make popular music by plagiarism or inspiration(if you call it so). Luckily Rafisaab’s best music came before the period of plagiarism. Some of RD Burman’s hit songs plagiarised/inspired as noted by ItwoFS:
R D Burman(Hindi)
1 Mehbooba Mehbooba [Film: Sholay (1975)]
Inspired from Demis Roussoss’s Say You Love Me.
Listen to Mehbooba | Say you love me
Demis’ original was released in 1974, while Sholay came out in 1975. See Link – Check out the 3rd album listed!
2 Tumse milke [Film: Parinda]
Inspired from Leo Sayer’s When I Need You.
Listen to Tumse Milke | When I need you
When I need you was recently popularized by Rod Stewart. R D Burman’s was a good Indianized version of the original!
3 Chura liya hai [Film: Yaadon ki baraat]
Rehashed from the theme of the movie ‘If its Tuesday this must be Belgium’
Listen to Chura liya | If its Tuesday
It was indeed part of the movie soundtrack of the same name. The version I’ve posted is by Bojoura. Well, there are sure traces of the original in the hindi version but this could be termed as a good inspiration – again, no way a blatant copy!
4 Jeevan ke har modh pe [Film: Jhoota kahinka]
Looks like it is inspired from a Azerbaijani number ‘Gulsenim’. Stumbled upon this track by chance while searching for some Azerbaijani tracks via Napster! The track song clip is here to listen, but it could be a possible reverse copying too – possibly the Azerbaijani number has been inspired by some other number, based on which RDB created the hindi song!
Listen to Jeevan ke har | Gulsenim
Sure looks inspired, either way!
5 Dekta hun koi ladki haseen [Film: Sanam teri kasam]
Inspired from a traditional Egyptian track, ‘Mustafa mustafa’, made popular by Bob Azzam’s French version.
Listen to Dekhta hun | Ya mustafa
Nadeem Shravan used the original to create a song in Aatish!
6 Milgaya hum ko sathi [Film: Hum Kissse sai kam nahin]
From ABBA’s Mama mia!
Inspired!
7 Kaisa tera pyar [Film: Love Story]
From ABBA’s ‘I have a dream’
Inpsired.
8 Jeevan ke din chotte sahi [Film: Bade Dilwala]
From the theme of Love Story, by Francis Lai!
Listen to Jeevan ke din | Francis Lai’s theme from Love Story
Inspired, but not copied!
9 Aao twist karein [Film: Bhoot bangla]
From the track ‘Come lets twist again’ by Chubby Checker!!
Inspired.
10 Tera mujhse hai pehle ka naata koi [Film: Aaa Gale Lag Ja]
From the track ‘The Yellow Rose of Texas’ by Elvis Presley!
Listen to Tera mujse | The Yellow rose
Yup copied!
11 Phir wohi raat hain [Film: Ghar]
The opening 3 lines same as the Carpenters’ song “Sing a song”
Listen to phir wohi | sing a song
Surely inspired, but no copy, this!
12 Kahin karti hogi [Film: Phir kab milogi]
Inspired by The Lonely Bull by Herb Albert and Tijuana Brass.
Listen to Kahin karti hogi | The Lonely Bull
Inspired.
13 Tum ho meri dil ki dhadka [Film: Manzil]
Inspired by Procol Harem’s ‘A whiter shade of pale’
Listen to Tum ho meri | A whiter shade of pale
The inspiration stems from the organ played at the beginning of Procol’s track which forms the base of the beginning of vocals in the Manzil number. In any case, it looks like Pancham has surely heard the original number, but as usual created an amazing song out of a marginal inspiration. Take a look at a page which collects versions of Procol’s this number – AWSoP, Manzil is listed there too!
14 Sapna mera toot gaya [Film: Khel khel mein]
Inspired by Ennio Morricone’s piece ‘The story of a soldier’ from the Sergio Leone cult western classic ‘The good, The Bad and The Ugly’.
Listen to Sapna mera | The story of a soldier
This is the piece which plays while Blondie (Clint Eastwood) and Tuco (Eli Wallach) are held up in the prisoner of war camp. As usual, the inspiration is limited to the opening 2-4 bars and the rest is Pancham’s own gem of an imagination.
15 O mehki mehki thandi hawa [Film: Bombay to Goa]
Inspired by the Beach Boys number ‘Help me Rhonda’
Listen to O mehki mehki | Help me Rhonda
Lifted!
16 Ek main aur ek tu [Film: Khel khel mein]
Inspired by the nursery rhyme ‘If you’re happy…’
Listen to Ek main aur ek tu | If you are happy
The version of the rhyme added here is sung by Elvis Presley!
17 Meri jaan [Film: Do chor]
Inspired by Cliff Richard’s ‘Fall in love’
Listen to Meri jaan | Fall in love
Very Pancham’ish sorta inspiration.
18 Tum mere zindagi mein [Film: Bombay to Goa]
Inspired by the Theme from Limelight composed by Charlie Chaplin for the 1951 movie of the same name!
Listen to Tum mere zindagi mein | Theme from Limelight
Amazing inspiration and very typical Pancham’s way of localizing! Also refer to the other two versions of the same original – by Salil Chowdhury (Salil’s Page – 4th listing) and Rajesh Roshan (RR Page – 21st listing)
19 Koi ladka koi ladki [Film: Seeta aur geeta]
Inspired by ‘Did you ever’ (1971) by Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra.
Listen to Koi ladka loi ladki | Did you ever
Inspired!
20 Jab andhera hota hai [Film: Raja Rani]
Inspired by ‘The age of aquarius’ by The Fifth Dimension.
Listen to Jab andhera hota hai | Age of Aquarius
Inspired.
21 Mera kaha manoge [Film: Gurudev]
Inspired from Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound machine’s ‘Oye mi canto’ (Released in 1989) (‘Hear my voice’ in English).
Listen to Mera kaha maanoge | Oye mi canto
Ditto
22 Zindagi milke bitaayenge [Film: Satte pe satta]
[ItwoFS] comments:
Inspired by ‘The Longest day’ from the movie of the same name, by Paul Anka.
Listen to Zindagi milke | The longest day
Heavily inspired.
23 Main jhonka mast hawa ka [Film: Double Cross]
Inspired by Frank Sinatra’s ‘What now my love’ (1966).
Listen to Main jhonka mast hawa ka | What now my love
Heavily inspired. Double Cross was released in the year 1973.
24 Maine tumko chaha pehli baar [Film: Double Cross]
Inspired by Jose Feliciano’s ‘Listen to the falling rain’ (1972).
Listen to Maine tumko chaha | Listen to the falling rain
Inspired! Also listen to Anu Malik’s version of the same original – Anu Malik page – entry 15.
25 Kaahe apnon ko [Film: Raampur ka Laxman (1972)]
Mukhda inspired by the central motif in the second movement (‘Romance’) Lieutenant Kijé (opus number 60) – a symphonic suite by Sergei Prokofiev.
Listen to Kaahe apnon ko | Lieutenant Kijé suite: Romance
The suite was composed in 1934. Raampur ka Laxman was released in 1972. Sting has also used the same original in his ‘Russians’!
Listen to Russians – Sting
Also, S D Burman’s 1969 Talaash has a song, ‘Aaj ki jhunali raat maa’ which has an interlude similar to ‘Kaahe apnon ko’ and in turn, to Prokofiev’s piece in question! Very interesting!
Listen to Aaj ki jhunali raat maa (Mohd. Rafi and Lata open this audio clip and the interlude in question plays at the end of their singing)
26 Teri hai zameen [Film: The Burning Train (1980)]
Inspired by the Christmas carol, ‘The first noel’!
Listen to Teri hai zameen | The first Noel
Inspired! John Denver’s rendition of The First Noel added here!
27 Mausam pyar ka [Film: Sitamgar (1983)]
Inspired by the Christmas carol, ‘The first noel’!
Listen to Mausam pyar ka | The first Noel
Inspired! John Denver’s rendition of The First Noel added here!
28 Aaja o mere raja [Film: Apna Desh (1972)]
Inspired by the song ‘Blue Light Yokohama’ by Japanese singer, Ayumi Ishida (also noted as Ishida Ayumi in some websites)!
Listen to Aaja o mere raja | Blue Light Yokohama
The original belongs to the 60s but I couldn’t not trace the exact year of release so far. There’s also a later cover version of this song by Tony Martin and more recently by another Japanese singer, Tomoko Tane. The song is credited to Jun Hashimoto and Kyohei Tsutsumi. It seems Ishida changed her singing style for this song, adopting one taught to her by Jun Hashimoto. The song seems to be quite popular as one site calls it, ‘a saccharine-sweet Japanese pop oldie’. Incidentally there’s also an optical mouse (as in, computer mouse!!) from a company by name Century Corporation, which is called ‘Bluelight Yokohamouse’ where the name is said to be inspired by this song! – Boy, this is one helluva trivia! Coming back to the inspiration, this time its a bit more blatant…as usual I’m adding the relevant portion only, not the entire song.
29 Maine dil diya [Film: Zameen Aasmaan (1982)]
Inspired by the song ‘Pulstar’ by Vangelis!
Listen to Maine dil diya | Pulstar
Pulstar was from Vangelis’ album by name ‘Albedo’ released in 1976.
30 Tumne yeh theek socha hai [Film: Imaan (1974)]
A small phrase inspired by the Beatles track, ‘Norwegian Wood’!
Listen to Tumne yeh theek socha | Norwegian Wood
Also check out Anu Malik’s inspiration of the same Beatles’ track – In Anu Malik page, entry no. 42. Norwegian wood was part of the 1965 album Rubber Soul.
31 O Maria [Film: Saagar (1985)]
The opening line of the song inspired by the song ‘Mamunia’ by Paul McCartney and the Wings!
Listen to O Maria | Mamunia
‘Mamunia’ by Paul McCartney and Wings was released in 1974 as a part of the album, ‘Band on the run’. Not to rob any credit from Pancham, just the opening line has been used by him and the rest of the song is completely his own. Trivia: Paul derived the song title ‘Mamunia’ from a house name-plate he saw in Marrakesh (Morocco’s capital) during a Wings holiday earlier in 1973 (Mamunia incidentally means a ‘ safe haven’ in Arabic).
32 Aa Dekhe Zara [Film: Rocky (1981)]
Partly inspired by the track, ‘Eve of the war’ by Jeff Wayne.
Listen to Aa Dekhe Zara | Eve of the war
What Pancham seems to have used is just snapshots of the original in the prelude of the Rocky number. The actual tune for the words ‘aa dekhe zara’ remains Pancham’s original.
More trivia on ‘Eve of the war’: Composer Jeff Wayne’s musical adaptation of the H G Wells sci-fi classic, ‘War of the worlds’ (originally published in 1898) saw its commercial release in 1978. Jeff Wayne composed, orchestrated, conducted and produced the album. The lyrics were written by Gary Osborne and Paul Vigrass while Richard Burton did the narrative part for the role of ‘The Journalist’. Jeff Wayne’s version of the story is considered much more true to the original than 23 year old Orson Welles’ 1938 Radio Broadcast version or the 1953 George Pal movie version. It tells the listener how the first cylinder lands on Earth in the uptempo ‘Eve of the War’, on which Justin Hayward (of Moody Blues) does the vocals (‘The chances of anything coming from Mars are a million to one’ he said)
33 Aaya hoon mein tujko le jaaoonga [Film: Manoranjan (1974)]
Inspired by the track by Sergio Mendes, ‘After Sunrise’.
Listen to Aaya hoon mein tujko | After Sunrise
The Manoranjan song, in itself is a pretty unconventional number with a really strange tune pattern. The actual mukhda of the song goes, ‘Aaya hoon mein tujko…’. The antara is what R D Burman seems to have borrowed from Sergio Mendes. The interesting fact is that in the original there are no lyrics and all it has is a series of ‘la la la la’s’ interspersed with music. Its the tune of the la la la (which plays just for about 10 odd seconds, but repeatedly, all through the song) that RDB has used to create his antara. On second thoughts, I think the tune for the mukhda too (Aaya hoon…) is partly inspired by the Mendes number, because it has similar twists in tune like the antara, and RDB has also made it a bit faster. But this is definitely one of RDB’s most interesting influences!
Trivia Note on Sergio Mendes: Sergio Mendes’ Biography | The song ‘After Sunrise’ was part of Sergio Mendes’ 1972 album ‘Primal Roots’. The female vocals in the song include Mendes’ wife, Gracinha Leporace. The song is supposed to have been written by Mendes’ bassist, Sebastian Neto.
34 Kahin na jaa [Film: Bade Dilwala (1983)]
Inspired by the French singer Edith Piaf’s 1946 number, ‘La vie en rose’.
Listen to Kahin na jaa | La vie en rose
‘La vie en rose’ (roughly translates to ‘Looking at life through rose-coloured glasses’) was also featured in the 1954 Billy Wilder smash hit, Sabrina, starring Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn and William Holden – Audrey sings La vie briefly while in the car with Humphrey [Video of Audrey and Bogart in the car with Audrey singing…available at http://www.audrey1.com/sounds.html%5D. Pancham’s version is a rather direct but with his usual add-ons.
Trivia note on Edith Piaf [Detailed biography – Very interesting!!]: Born Edith Giovanna Gassion she was a street singer from the age of 15. Mother was a cafe singer and father was a well-known acrobat. Given the stage name ‘Piaf’ (Parisian slang for sparrow) when she began singing in nightclubs. Later appeared in theatre and films. The self-penned ‘La Vie en Rose’ became her theme song. Many of the songs she is associated with depict defiance and despair eg, ‘Je ne regrette rien’ (I regret nothing). Known for her husky and emotion-laden voice.
35 O Jab Tak Hai Jaan [Film: Sholay (1975)]
Inspired from the prelude of ‘Jomeh’, by Iranian singer Googoosh!
Listen to O jab tak hai jaan | Jomeh
Googoosh’s track Jomeh was released in 1972. This reminds me of Pancham’s use of the prelude to Procol Harem’s ‘Whiter shade of pale’ to create the Manzil track, ‘Tum ho meri dil ki dhadkan’. The rest of ‘Jomeh’ is very different, like Procol’s track. In fact the prelude in Jomeh sounds completely out of place to the rest of the song, moreso since we’re used to the Sholay tune and just cannot imagine it to be opening a Persian song!
Trivia Notes: Googoosh is one of the most popular singers from Iran. Googoosh was born Faegheh Atashin in 1951, in Tehran, to Azerbaijani immigrant parents. When she was two, they separated. Because of her father’s profession – he was an acrobat and an entertainer – she grew accustomed to the stage early on, and was part of his act until she was three. She began doing impersonations of some of the singers of the time. When her father discovered this talent, he put her on stage. She has been on stage as a paid professional since she was three. During the 1970’s Googoosh began a meteoric rise to fame and success as she drove the edge of Iranian pop music further and further. Known for her flamboyant outfits, and fashion sense, Googoosh wowed her pop culture hungry fans in Iran and abroad with her trademark hairdos and hip-elegant style. Iranian women changed hairdos with Googoosh and she was always one step ahead of them with a new look. She has even acted in Persian movies. After the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979, Googoosh had been forbidden from performing and her material had been banned. Googoosh is back now with new concerts and albums.
TIME Magazine’s 2001 interview with Googoosh about her comeback tour! – Read here!
36 Aaj tu gair sahi [Film: Oonche Log (1985)]
Originally composed by Kemal Ahamad, for the 1983 Pakistani movie ‘Dehleez’ and sung by Mehdi Hassan.
Listen to Aaj tu gair sahi (Oonche Log) | Aaj tu ghair sahi (Dehleez)
Oonche Log is a freemake (remake without appropriate credit?) of Dehleez and its no wonder both the film and this track conveniently forgot to credit the originals!
37 Aap sa koi haseen [Film: Chandi Sona (1977)]
Gharibeh Ashena, composed by Shamaiezadeh and sung by Googoosh in the early 70s.
Listen to Aap Sa Koi Haseen | Gharibeh Ashena
This page also lists the Indian version and even gives out a audio clip to compare! No mention of the Hindi film or the composer. Now we know! Yes, its inspired but, as usual, in the inimitable R D Burman style which involves tweaking the tune beyond the initial 4 lines. Was Pancham a fan of Googoosh? Two inspirations!
38 Kabhi bekasi ne [Film: Alag Alag (1985)]
Blatant, direct lift from the Pakistani track ‘Kabhi khwaishon ne’ from the 1982 film, Mehrbani, sung by Akhlaq Ahmad and composed by M Ashraf.
Listen to Kabhi bekasi ne | Kabhi khwaishon ne
Smacks of a ‘Prodoocer-ne-kaha’ type of lift considering the extent of lift in terms of tune and lyrics. Even the lyrics seem to have been lifted – just interchanged the bekasi’s, bebasi’s, maara’s and loota’s!
39 Raju chal raju [Film: Azaad (1978)]
Inspired by the song, ‘It was a very good year’, composed by Ervin Drake in 1961 and subsequently made popular by Frank Sinatra as a single in 1965.
Listen to Raju chal raju | It was a very good year
Pancham has tweaked with the song’s pace and also added a few twists, in his own inimitable style, that you really do not catch the inspiration early on
Trivia on ‘It was a very good year’: Frank Sinatra’s version of this track won him the Grammy for Best Vocal Performance in 1966!
40 Karo baaten [Film: Bhanwar (1976)]
Inspired by Donovan’s 1968 track, ‘Jennifer Juniper’.
Listen to Karo baaten | Jennifer Juniper
Need not necessarily be classified as a lift, but could merely point to what Pancham might have heard and worked on when he started creating Bhanwar’s track.
Trivia: “Jennifer Juniper” is supposedly inspired by Jenny Boyd, sister of George Harrison’s wife Pattie Boyd!
Dear Amit,
If u speak about great singers there not five only as u said there are more than that.
some of us like Mohd Rafi and some of us like KK but it not mean that he or she is bad singer which we don’t like.
Dear Amit what wrong If we said samething bad about a singer that is right not wrong like KK converted to Islam and was renamed Karim Abdul to marry.Is it was it greatness?!!we r music lover and we love good music for me no problem who singed but also I should be honest when we compare between two singers.
Dear Rafi Fans,
Some time back I was going through the Biographies section at crosswords. One thing which stricked to my mind unlike Amitabh Bachchann there should be a biography of Rafi Saab also, which could cover
– his early years of childhood
– this teachers and Gurus in his teenage time
– coming to Bombay
– working under Naushad
– recogination with other MDs one by one after the success of Baiji Bawara
– his peak period with Shammi Kapoor and other stars.
– his assignments during the KK era
– his comback
– foreign tours
– relationship with other singers and song writers
– Music after his death
Hi Guys,
Why all are you denigrating other singers like Kishore, Mukesh , Lata in praising Rafi?
You all should remember Rafi, Kishore, Mukesh are the greatest male singers to have been born in this world.Similarly Lata and Asha are the greatest among female singers.
Their voices are embedded in divinity.Each of them mentioned above is having different flavours of divinity entrenched in their voices.
Can anyone forget the song “Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hai” of Rafi.
Can anyone forget the song ” Main shaayar badnaam” of Kishore
Can anyone forget the song ” Main to ek khwaab hoon” of Mukesh
Can anyone forget the song ” Piya tose naina laage re” of Lata
Can anyone forget the song ” In aankhon ki masti ke” of Asha
These are mere examples to prove my point.If you have really musical ears you can feel the divine pains of these singers who simply sang from their hearts.
I too believe if one has to choose only one among the above singers, Rafi will be the one but this does not mean we should try to compare Rafi with others and denigrate them.
In simple words..The voices of Rafi, Kishore,Mukesh,Lata, Asha are the voices of God with different flavours.I think if one can feel the voices of these singers one can get spiritually developed in this birth and one’s soul can get liberated in fewer number of rebirths!!!!
Please feel this singers from heart!!!!!!!
Amit