The Rise and Fall of the King
This article is by Mr. Chaman Bagga, professor in the department of music.
It is amazing that Rafi Vs Kishore comparison is still carried out, in discussions on singing very frequently. I’ve seen quite a few flames on online forums, with a few claiming Sonu Nigam or Udit Narayan or Kumar Sanu to be better singers. No one seems to be analyzing the songs and style’s of these singers. Given the knowledge I have developed about playing a few instruments and oflate being able to recognize and analyze singing styles in past few years, I thought I’ll pen my analysis down.
Rafi Saheb (as he was popularly known as) was a very versatile singer. He had a very melodious voice and an UNMATCHED singing talent. The kind of expression he used to put with the variation in notes is something no singer has ever been able to do. Sonu Nigam wrote about Rafi Saheb on his 25th Death Anniversary in The Times of India. He thinks he can NOW mimic the style, but he’s far from reality. The expressions and varitions put by this maestro were such that till date, no remix of his songs sounds good.
Kishore Da, was a good singer but more than that was his voice that made the real difference. The kind of songs sung by him have fairly simple tunes. Success to singers doesn’t come without reason. The kind of expressions he used to put with his “soft husky” voice were amazing. Kumar Sanu, Abhijit or whoever have never been able to put in similar expressions. And ofcourse the voice made a lot of difference. But when it comes to singing fast songs, unless they were of light nature, he didn’t do the job as well as Rafi. Also because Kishore Da stressed so much on putting expressions into the song, many of the romantic ones have the seriousness put into them. Example, “Kya yahi pyar hai”, a duet with Lata, though sung wonderfully appears to be a sourful song. Same holds for “Bekarar dil tu Gaye Ja”.
Though KK always sang well, Rafi’s songs in the 70’s were second rated. Reason? There were lot of comparison made between the two masters during this era, thanks to the well known music director R. D. Burman. R. D. Burman started composing songs with simple tunes which were obviously more suited to Kishore Kumar than Rafi. Though this may have been unintentinal, having Kishore and Rafi sing together the same songs is what made the difference. I think this comparison must have hurt Rafi a lot, because his singing was being compared on songs where he sang equally well. I don’t know how many people actually understand the difference. The comparison was being made between the “best singer” and the “best voice” (Yes I would give the Best Voice to Kishore Kumar for the way he has used it). And that too on songs that require much less singing talents.
An example, “Tum bin jaaon kahan” has a composition definitely more suited to Kishore Kumar. It’s surprising that with the release of “Ek Chaturnar Karke Sringar”, news was spread that Kishore Kumar can even sing classical well. Anyone with sound classical knowledge can tell that the song appears somewhat classical, but any singer with nominal singing talents can sing that song.
A simple but internally sensite person like Rafi was probably not able to take the fact that he is being given second rated songs. This ofcourse started due to patrionage of R D Burman to Kishore Kumar in 70’s. Now both were face to face, the compositions were melodious (many of them lifted) but very simple, much more suited to Kishore Kumar’s voice than Rafi’s singing talents. What’s there in songs like “Chand Mera Dil” or “mil gaya mil gaya”? Simple and Melodious. But nowhere compared to Rafi numbers like “Taarif karon kya uski” or “chali chali re patang”. This comparison seems to have hurt the Master so much that his voice in 70’s appeared greatly depressed in almost all of his songs. Infact, it appears that he tried to (or was asked to) sing in a heavy voice when singing with kishore kumar. All these things combined together seem to have resulted in Rafi’s downfall.
Incidently 60’s was a bad time for Kishore Kumar. Just like Rafi didn’t deserve the downfall he saw in 70’s, Kishore Kumar too deserved better songs in 60’s. The difference is that he always rose. He was never considered the best anyways. But for Rafi, it was probably heaven fallen on him. I think Rafi Saheb should have refused to sing songs which would lead to comparison. He should have stuck to tunes which were made for him rather than those in which Kishore Kumar would definitely do a much better job. What would have happend if Kishore Kumar would have sung “kashmir ki kali” or “o duniya ke rakhwale”. And therefore he never took such songs (No one would give him either). Such was the impact of these nonsense comparisons that rafi’s voice never recooped till his demise. He still sang all songs well, less the voice in a few.
Have you watched TV should like the Zee “sa re ga ma pa” or sony’s “Indian Idol”. Whenever people have sung kishore kumar’s songs, the comments have been “why did you choose such a simple song” or “such songs require a very different kind of voice”.
Though no one has really been able to acquire rafi’s style, which is possible but very difficult, most people can sing in Kishore Kumar’s style, minus voice and the expressions put therein. (I recently saw one fellow who was actually able to put in the experssions and a style of Kishore Kumar on the zee tv’s “sa re ga ma pa” show, but unfortunately he was not selected by Shiv-Hari ji on the grounds of copying kishore kumar… Little did they realize that if you ask any other singer to copy kishore kumar’s voice+expressions, he would fail misreably). Well, S P Balasubramium to a very little extent can sing like Rafi.
The singing talents of Rafi were such that people untrained in music would burst into applauses on hearing him. Such incidents have never been there with Kishore Kumar. People trained in music anyway know what Rafi Saheb was. Even now, most music directors place rafi far beyond what kishore kumar was. There are quite a few songs in 90’s that are Kishore Kumar style, but they have only been moderately successful. Rafi’s style seems to be coming back in a modern way with item numbers and presence of sonu nigam. By the way, sony nigam’s voice is not like rafi, even though he has the influence. I am pretty sure that if there wouldn’t have been rafi, there wouldn’t have been the Kishore Kumar like the one we had. And for songs other than “soft slow” or “fast humourous”, Rafi’s voice seems to have an upper edge. After all, he had a very melodious voice.
Q. Why Am I comparing so many years later?
A. Because people seem to do only a biased comparison.
Q. Is article out of order
A. I don’t know. I’ve written it in a single flow, and want to keep it as it is – the way i feel.
Q. Doesn’t rafi have soft songs?
A. Many of songs sung softly are amazing. Eg “Aa ja re aa zara” from movie “Love in Tokio”, “Meri Mohabbat” from “Janwar”, “Mera prem patra parkar” “choo lene do naazuk hoton ko” and “suhani raat dhal chuki” (bit old style) are amazing. From his song’s in 70’s seem to have a damped voice.
People should be remembered for what the work they have done. Rafi’s work in terms of expression in notes and Kishore’s work of putting the expressions into voice is something all singers should learn. Both have primarily touched different aspects of singing. Both are required to be adapted to your voice rather than being copied. Comparison only causes agony. People who set the level for themselves and perform the best as per their capability are the kings. People who fall into comparison can atmost become somewhat better than others, but only temporarily. The originality of other person would eventually take over. I feel very sad that I have to put up a comparion between the two, but I think this is also the best way to make others realize the exact learnings from the two most popular singers.
Did I forget other singers? Yes probably.
Lata Mangeshkar, the melody queen succeeded primarily because of her voice than her singing skills. However her singing skills, would be one of the best, even when compared with classical and film singers of modern and yester times. Guess what she would sound like if she sings Sunidhi Chauhan songs like “Aisa jadoo dala re”. “Disco 82” sung by Lata doesn’t seem to be upto the mark. Incidently this was her first disco song. However, still no one compares to her voice, as in kabhi khushi kabhi gum and the likes.
Well said , No Rafi No KK. No KK no Rafi. Enjoy both. The truth none of GOD created human being is the same. Not even the twins born. I missed them both very much. The best era was when both Rafi & KK sings together. WOW! Awesome yesteryears!
i like music from the early years of my life.whenever
i am free i used to sing rafi saab’s songs.it is a wonder
how rafi saab is singing in various styles,emotions
without loosing the sweetness.if we watch his songs
carefully we will see so many things in that.singing
according to the style, accent and body language of the
actor and some songs he had to add emotions other
than these.while singing i used to copy some of the
styles and given up.that is only for rafi saab.i doubt
any other singer in the world is having such a extra
ordinary talent.also to maintain and lead a worshipful
personality and life it is harder than anything especially
if we are in film world.considering all aspects related to
rafi saab,it is clear nobody is there to match with him
at least 40% of his qualities.
dear brother sasanka,
Whether this is a fictitious or genuine, I have only one advice for you! keep your mind free from all bias. Listen more and more and more and more Rafi songs of all moods (romantic, pathos, fast numbers, classical ,all types)and KK songs also then make a comparison. and ofcourse, try to go through what other great singers namely Mannadey, Jesudas, SPB, Latha and even KK told about and how they rated Rafi. All this is available for us in the internet. Please please go through them and then come back. Wish you better wisdom!
Well, I disagree when you say that Kishore sand better than Rafi even when it came to simpler tunes. Consider the song, ‘tumne mujhe dekha, ho kar meherbaan…’ Rafi’s voice in this song as also in ‘tum bin jaaun kahaan’ is not only more DELIGHTFUL and BEAUTIFUL but also more CRISP!
Also, in the era post 1975, Kishore’s voice lost all its crispiness; consider the song: ‘Mera naina sawan bhaadon…’ and all those Bappi Lahiri songs, etc. But Rafi, even in 1980, retained a crisp voice – in fact his voice, like wine preserved for years in the deep delved earth, got deeper and more sorrowful and developed what may I call a melancholic taste? I am talking of songs like: ‘akele hain chale aao…’ and ‘mere dost kissa yeh kya ho gaya’. Therefore, Rafi, even then was a clear cut winner!
The fact is, my friend, that Rafi is a diamond.
You have tried to be not biased, but I am afraid you compromised with your objectivity.
first banish Binus2000 as in the first message posted he called me bloody .. bas…I know those who love RAFI, love cricket and love pseudo secularism can be so double standard….This implies the lack of integrity, honesty .. etc .. on the part of these Morons… it i useless to waste any further time with people like you …go to hell
Dear Admin…
People who come in disguises and those who use street language
should be barred, their addresses checked and reported for fraud.
and booked under section 420 of of the I.P.C.,This site is not for these illiterates and a VERIFICATION IS NEEDDED BEFORE u publish
scraps as this is a public and international domain…
Mumun look at the mirror and see what kind of class you have .. pasting the same thing again and again … you are moron …bhadwa…
Hussein I know the ilk of your kind of people .. if you say kya mausam hai in doosra aadmi is not a duet … i am sorry .. start from the beinning …
Naushad sucks… Rafi sucks …because both of their sulking mentality snd so you guys… Kishore the natural singer .. Rafi
Again somebody has came in disguise of sasank !
in logon ke dussahas ko manna padega.
how shameless they are. rafi-kishor ke jhagde me
respected naushad saheb ko bhi gali de dali !!
this not only shows their class, but how their parents
brought them up.
respected binuji aap aise galeech logon se kab tak
ladte rahoge….ye to rakshas “raktbeej” ki tarah
hain.
jaisi kishor da ki karkash awaz thi waisi hi inki mood
aur mentality dikhti hai.
Please kichad me pathar marna bund kijiye.
aap qayamat tak ek ‘gadhe’ ko ‘ghoda’ nahi bana
sakte.
don’t you see they are disharmonizing this beautiful site ?
Again somebody has came in disguise of sasank !
in logon ke dussahas ko manna padega.
how shameless they are. rafi-kishor ke jhagde me
respected naushad saheb ko bhi gali de dali !!
this not only shows their class, but how their parents
brought them up.
respected binuji aap aise galeech logon se kab tak
ladte rahoge….ye to rakshas “raktbeej” ki tarah
hain.
jaisi kishor da ki karkash awaz thi waisi hi inki mood
aur mentality dikhti hai.
Please kichad me pathar marna bund kijiye.
aap qayamat tak ek ‘gadhe’ ko ‘ghoda’ nahi bana
sakte.
don’t you see they are disharmonizing this beautiful site ?
Again somebody has came in disguise of sasank !
in logon ke dussahas ko manna padega.
how shameless they are. rafi-kishor ke jhagde me
respected naushad saheb ko bhi gali de dali !!
this not only shows their class, but how their parents
brought them up.
respected binuji aap aise galeech logon se kab tak
ladte rahoge….ye to rakshas “raktbeej” ki tarah
hain.
jaisi kishor da ki karkash awaz thi waisi hi inki mood
aur mentality dikhti hai.
Please kichad me pathar marna bund kijiye.
aap qayamat tak ek ‘gadhe’ ko ‘ghoda’ nahi bana
sakte.
don’t you see they are disharmonizing this beautiful site ?
Again somebody has came in disguise of sasank !
in logon ke dussahas ko manna padega.
how shameless they are. rafi-kishor ke jhagde me
respected naushad saheb ko bhi gali de dali !!
this not only shows their class, but how their parents
brought them up.
respected binuji aap aise galeech logon se kab tak
ladte rahoge….ye to rakshas “raktbeej” ki tarah
hain.
jaisi kishor da ki karkash awaz thi waisi hi inki mood
aur mentality dikhti hai.
Please kichad me pathar marna bund kijiye.
aap qayamat tak ek ‘gadhe’ ko ‘ghoda’ nahi bana
sakte.
don’t you see they are disharmonizing this beautiful site ?
Again somebody has came in disguise of sasank !
in logon ke dussahas ko manna padega.
how shameless they are. rafi-kishor ke jhagde me
respected naushad saheb ko bhi gali de dali !!
this not only shows their class, but how their parents
brought them up.
respected binuji aap aise galeech logon se kab tak
ladte rahoge….ye to rakshas “raktbeej” ki tarah
hain.
jaisi kishor da ki karkash awaz thi waisi hi inki mood
aur mentality dikhti hai.
Please kichad me pathar marna bund kijiye.
aap qayamat tak ek ‘gadhe’ ko ‘ghoda’ nahi bana
sakte.
don’t you see they are disharmonizing this beautiful site ?
Again somebody has came in disguise of sasank !
in logon ke dussahas ko manna padega.
how shameless they are. rafi-kishor ke jhagde me
respected naushad saheb ko bhi gali de dali !!
this not only shows their class, but how their parents
brought them up.
respected binuji aap aise galeech logon se kab tak
ladte rahoge….ye to rakshas “raktbeej” ki tarah
hain.
jaisi kishor da ki karkash awaz thi waisi hi inki mood
aur mentality dikhti hai.
Please kichad me pathar marna bund kijiye.
aap qayamat tak ek ‘gadhe’ ko ‘ghoda’ nahi bana
sakte.
don’t you see they are disharmonizing this beautiful site ?
Again somebody has came in disguise of sasank !
in logon ke dussahas ko manna padega.
how shameless they are. rafi-kishor ke jhagde me
respected naushad saheb ko bhi gali de dali !!
this not only shows their class, but how their parents
brought them up.
respected binuji aap aise galeech logon se kab tak
ladte rahoge….ye to rakshas “raktbeej” ki tarah
hain.
jaisi kishor da ki karkash awaz thi waisi hi inki mood
aur mentality dikhti hai.
Please kichad me pathar marna bund kijiye.
aap qayamat tak ek ‘gadhe’ ko ‘ghoda’ nahi bana
sakte.
don’t you see they are disharmonizing this beautiful site ?
Tum bin jaoon kahan and kya mausam hai… are not duets, First try to know the meaning of a “duet’, you uneducated chap. This is what expected from a KK fan, I am not surprised! Jaisa guru waise chela.
Sasanka… what a name, please learn some manners atleast do not write such words on this site, the whole world is reading your stupid comments, full of nonsense.
Sasanka, strange name… anyway, tum bin jaoon kahan is not a duet, each and every duets sung by both, Rafi Saheb was far better no need to explain. If KK was alive he would have slapped you for speaking bad on Rafi Saheb. Do not forget KK himself was a great fan of Rafi Saheb. KKs favourite was Rafi Saheb. Naushad Saheb was right, he didn’t need KK.
hussein which duet … rafi was better?? tum bin jaoon kahan?? dostana??kya mausam hai ??? Hey do not be biased man …support opinion with facts… As for Nair if i lack bloody class … then you classy ppl .. just tell me in which class naushad falls when he told in support of his cronie RAFI that KK can not sing .. THAT WAS BELOW THE BELT… now it is up to you to decide who lacks class .. me or you or your ilk…..
U are lousy, bloody bas… for calling on this site Naushad saab
bloody cronies of rafe.. etc.. it shows your class and education..
did u go to school and if yes did u attend classes.. I wish to know..
and behave yourselves with words and the language or elseu will
get back even worse..
binu nair.
Rafi Saheb was always best in Rafi-kishore duets. KK was far behing Rafi Saheb. RD copied western tunes but Naushad made pure Indian music.
Rafi could not match kishore in most of the songs when they sung together but according to the logic of the writer is ” Rafi was depressed” . Oh really… !! this is the most absurd piece of logic that any one can put . Come on RAFI vs KISHORE .. No way .. I do not want to go into singing talent .. I am not expert in that .. but as a playback singer .. KISHORE will be unmatched in generations to come … secondly if RD ‘s fav was KISHORE and that is the reason of rafi’s downfall .. but at least RD also gave RAFI great songs .. but what abt bloody NAUSHADs etc .. the cronies of RAFI .. who told Kishore can not sing .. the TRUE great is who FIGHTS .. take it as it comes … thanks GOD … at least WE HAD KISHORE
In my opinion Kishore Da is unmatchable, and if you say his songs are simple you are negating your viewpoint only that he did put expression in his voice. Nobody can copy that and that is not simple, you need honesty to come out with such expression loaded voice.
I absolutely agree with you. Both actors have their greatness and shades of talent. But Rafi definitely had better voice.
I wish I could sing like Rafi and sometimes get tempted to learn classical music. But I don’t know anyone who can teach me. 🙁
Mohd. Rafi tu bahut yaad aaya……….
Mohd Rafi is no 1 and before one it is zero and after 1 it is 2,THERE IS ONLY ONE KING AND THAT IS MOHD RAFI THE MAGIC.Manny day , L P ,ASha, Lata and many more said that no one can be like Mohd Rafi
Mohd Rafi is only singer we can’t say about him the best because he was he is he will be greatest ever bollywood have,If we speak about bollywood we will see that music born on 1950’s when Mohd Rafi came,music was young in 1960’s when Mohd Rafi singed most songs,music came old in 1970’s when didn’t sing much and dead in 1980 when we lost Mohd Rafi.
IT MEAN THAT NO BOLLYWOOD MUSIC WITHOUT MOHD RAFI.
Ali
100% logical reason
Sir,
I thoroughly agree with your analysis and you have given right justification without any scope for biased partiality towards Rafi or Kishore da. Both are strong in their courts and are marvelled artists.
Rafi excelled in singing and there is no doubt over what he preaches. Kishore on the other hand had multiple shades to his credit and not simply limiting himself to one brick.
All in all I agree to your sentiments where you’ve said there wouldnt be Kishore Da if Rafi Sahab was not around. Nor would Kishore Da would polish himself to such an extent that we constantly crave to hear and so dearly miss him today.
You’ve written a good and a wonderful article sir.
Thank you.