True Voice – Mohd Rafi
The following article was brought to my notice when Sharad posted it on MAS. The article has been trimmed down a bit keeping afloat Rafi details. However, anyone interested can go visit the source at http://tfmpage.com/forum/4980.6302.04.57.19.html
I am Swaminatha Iyer and I am 78 years old. I hail from Tiruchi and I am a part of music associations in Tiruchi, M’as as well as in West Bengal and Maharashtra.
I think it is wrong to condemn music or artists on either side of Vindhyas. Our Indian music is one of the few which has not been cleaned off by the western music though there has always been a influence. It speaks a lot of the richness of our music. Sometime back director of MTV had said that MTV westernized the music wherever it went but in India , MTV had to be Indianized for it to be accepted. A lot of this credit goes to the Indian film music.
I have been fortunate to have close personal association with Rafi, Sirkali, TMS, Dr. BMK, Kishore, SPB & KJY, PS, Mannadey and the one and only Lata Mangeshkar.
Comparisons are bound to come, but almost every artist or I have met considers Lata to be beyond comparison. Her talents are beyond anyone’s reach. Even Sirkazi used to talk of her singing like a die-hard fan as do countless others.
Now coming to the Rafi-SPB discussion. It might be difficult to convince an South Indian to believe Rafi is the better and at the same time Rafi crowd will never believe any other male singer comes anywhere nearer. There is one more mobile crowd, which is well conversant with Hindi and some south Indian language. Majority of them tilt to either Rafi or Kishore.
During one of my stays in M’as I had stayed with SPB. While talking of true voices he said, I don’t feel like half a singer when listening to Rafi. True voice is not a tech term but many in circle use it. Perfect example would be lata, but to understand consider our own PS who within her range is superb. People who do not have such true voices can never do justice to original. They generally underplay many parts of the song or fake it with bass/superficial singing. True voices make people like Sirkazi, Nusrat Fateh Ali khan, Lata… Inimitable. However since Sirkazi and Nusrat did not have the filmy voices their “real” following is limited to their local arena.
In addition to the true voice if the singer has a very good voice then in “most” cases he/she can better songs of others. It is this combination which makes Rafi stand out among the other male singers. There are many here who seem to have mistaken notions on a good bass and also on high pitch.
Bryan Adams does not require a monster bass in “Summer of 69” to sound real manly. It is the punch which gives that feel and that is decided only by the comfort level in most ranges (that is by what your throat can support). This you CAN never disguise with bass. Since people have talked about lack of manly voice viz. a viz. Rafi it was necessary to bring this point out. I have had the fortune of listening to most singers in studio and some times without a mike, practicing with MD’s.When Lata or Rafi do, the level is so high that people hesitate to even hum. It felt silly to sing in their presence (and it feels silly when someone says his voice isn’t manly).
In RD’s tribute when SPB sang “Aaja Aaja mein hoon” or “Chaand mera dil” it sounded only sweet and lacked punch if you compare with Rafi’s original.
Yesu once told me God has been partial to Rafi. He said “god gift term anavasyamaa romba common aa ippo use aardu”.. but idu Rafi kee thaan 100% porundu”. This person could sing “as intricately as a lady without sounding thin”, “cover any mood”, “versatility odey perfect example Rafi”. Yesu said most important is the comfort level over ranges which makes you feel God has been partial to Rafi. (But Of course in Rafi’s early career (1950’s) the voice was relatively feeble).
To people exposed to Rafi’s talent, these or any amount of praise can only seem less. I just wish he was alive and you people could get a live chance to hear him. Probably you can get hold of the DD album for the Geet Gaata Chal series where the first four episodes were dedicated to Rafi. Rafi is on camera singing “O Duniya Ke Rakwaaley” and many other songs. If you see and hear the last part you will realize why SPB said “impossible”. I think particularly those people who have talked about scales w.r.t Rafi should see this album. Its a known fact in industry that Rafi ruled high pitch and there is no male singer better in switching notes so easily. There are artists who can go beyond but then they sound strained or they don’t have pleasant voices when they venture into those territories.
Many singers of today are his compulsive followers. But they end up inheriting only part of his quality. Md. Aziz ended up with a sad voice. Mahendra Kapoor with a thick nasal voice. Anwar with a nasal voice. Sonu Nigam with a feminine voice. Rafi neither had a soft voice nor a heavy (bass) voice he had a good voice. Importantly did not strain at high notes, and voice if at all only became better at higher notes. If you see him singing it will remind you of Janaki. However diff the song is or the note is he will be smiling and singing. It is unthinkable that he cannot sing something.
There seems to be lot of talk about “Shankara Bharanamo” song. SPB has sung many a great numbers and things being said about this song in this forum are rather amusing, particularly b’cos 3 out of 4 people who can be called as singers will be able sing it and at least one out of 10 will sing it with the same effect. There are lot of other songs of SPB where this great singer has played with songs in total control. You will find most south Indian singers who have had a good exposure say that it is beneficial to learn Hindustani as it gives better breath control and improves expression.
Rafi was not only able to glide over a song, the important thing was that he could express each word/sound when singing. It is one thing to hold your breath, start and reach a crescendo (high note), as like in “Shankara”, “Anbey (Yennai kaan villaye)” it is different ballgame if you have to do it from low notes or suddenly switch notes. With practice the former can be done, latter requires a special gift. Rafi had a natural ability to do the latter. In “Tum joh mil gaye ho” there is such a transition in the “karwaan mil gaya” part. I have never seen anyone do justice to most of his songs in my life time. In “parda hai parda” quawaali the similar part is “kar doon to, Akbar mera naam”. In fact most of his songs will have these specialty as it was his natural ability to sing freely in a wide range at the same time giving that extra expression.
Whereas SPB takes us to heavens with “Idu oru pon maali”,”Ilaya nila” “bisiladarenu”(kannada), when he sings Rafi’s song it lacks the punch or expression, though it has the bass. But at least most agree that SPB does some justice to original, whereas most others murder the original.
One trivial point I would like to add is that singing in Hindi is harder. There are more “JHA”,”CHA”,”HA”,”THA”, “KHA”,”JA”,”FA”. These take away the breath faster. The more expressive you are the more air you are using up. Just singing from Nabhi will not help, your throat also needs to do a lot, for singing in Hindi, Bengali etc. SPB makes you fall in love with his south Indian songs but same cannot be said about his Hindi songs. If you just glide through words having these sounds, you will never be expressive. Doing this as well as reaching high notes is not easy. Rafi had this gift and that’s why it is difficult to imagine anyone else in his shoes. Song “Chalkaaye jaam” has so much expression that it is unthinkable how anyone can sing it. When Rafi switches to a high note with “Mitwaa” in the song “Chaahunga mein tughey” you cannot replicate it with bass. Most others will sound as if they are shouting in such cases. That man’s throat had the ability to freely sing at such levels.
Versatility is not just the ability to sing in various styles, more important is how good you are singing in those styles. You have lot of Ghazal singers today but when Rafi sings a Ghazal you will sit up and take notice. You don’t have to be part of the Ghazal listeners crowd. This is one important aspect. Whatever style you sing you should be able to pull the common man to listen and not just a particular crowd. Pick “parda hai parda” or any qawalli and it will stand tall among other qawalli’s.
Variety is amazing :
songs of Guru Dutt’s Khagaz key phool or songs like abhi naa jao chod key, Aaja teri yaad aayi, Aaj kal mein dhal gaya, Aaj kal terey merey pyaar, Aasmaan sey aaya farishta, Dil ney pyaar kiya hai, Deewana mujh saa nahi, Din dhal jaaye, Duniya paagal hai, Jaane walon jara, Dil joh na kaha saka, Dil key jharokon mein, Dil kaa bhavar, Chalkey teri aakkhon sey, Kar chaley hum fida, khilona jaan kar tum, Woh jab yaad aay, Woh hain jara khafa, Vaadian mera daaman, Pathar key sanam, Chaand mera dil, Main zindagi kaa saath, Mainey poocha chaand sey, sun sun jaalima, Koi jab raah na paay, hum to chaley pardes, badan pey sitaarey, laal chadi maidaan, Tum jo mil gaye, O meri shaahey, Sau baar janam lengey, Tum mujhey yoon bhula, Tumney mujhey dekha, Terey merey sapney, Tumny pukaara hum chaley aay
Name a situation/mood and Rafi’s song will be there on the top.
Swami
,In aradhana,,Rafi Saahab also gave all time hit duets,,,throughout 70s he kept on giving hit after hit,,one can check stats how many hits came through Rafi from 69 to 74 till teri galiyon me†song that is associated as rafi`s come back,,,from where would rafi make comeback?,,,yet they started spreading rumers that Rafi`s time is over,,,the much open rumers started much earlier in 60s when Rafi was not in favour of singing like money-minded on royality issue causing difference with Lata Mangeshkar,,but hatred started the day Rafi saahab started singing and when in the high notes of his voice other singer appeared to be wishpering,,and lataji fan group,asha `s, Talats camp,mukesh,manna de camp etc,was already in wait of chance to make Rafi down,,,,,but there was some blessing with Rafi that Rafi performed so brilliantly in 50 and 60s that only Rafi version of song was on 7th heaven with no comparision to others including Lata,,,
but something un-natural happened with Aradhana,,,,its not because of any parallel song like tum bin,,,,,but the song Rafi saab was to sing that was given to kishore kum,,,,,who knows if Rafi Saab would have given the same song how well he himself would have performed for the same song of aradhana as it was composed for Rafi by sdb,,,as the same year of aradhna rafi saab had many hits including badan pe sitare lapete huey,,there is no point for the audience to think that who had sing roop tera mastana or mere sapno ki Rani better Rafi or kishore,,,as rafi never sang this song,,,and Rafi dislike group started spreading that kishore version overshadowed Rafi in aradhana`s meri sapno ki rani song,,,and as Aradhana song was super hit music dire started avoiding Rafi that rafi couldn`t sing mere sapno ki rani as well as kishore sang,no one heard Rafi`s version of the song but all compared,,how unfair game was it,Rafi never sang and people started talking that something Rafi not sang was not good,and they compare the song that rafi din`t sing with kis kumar`s version….funny!,,even dilip kumar,all time great superstar(for whatever reason,superstar is suer star) kept Rafi aside from early 70s shagina,amitabh bachhan,dharmendra,etc,including some mus dir left Rafi,the news spread like fire in jungle,,but its specially laila majnu over much madan moham was so admant that if rafi would not sing he would not give music,,,that cleared the confusion but only a bit,,,but Madan mohan didn`t favour Rafi sahab,,it was Rafi`s talent and his understanding of music that compelled him to do so and same thing happened with Rd burman in hum kisi se kam nahi after which Rafi sahab was declared undaubted king even of 70s!
well, said swami vivekananda,,,,”if u r pure at heart,the whole of selfish world will stand against you with swords in hand”,,,,,,,,,,can anyone blv the person like Rafi sahab who had always thought of everyone`s wellfare ,saint by nature with divine voice Rafi hate group every where,,,,some of the singers,,,,and fan of “all” the Indian subcontinent singer compare them to most versatile Rafi sahab,,and when in the heart of their heart they see divinity of Rafi`s voice,,,they get frustrated and started spreading hatred for Rafi`s name everywhere,,,,in my college if I would say anyone that I love Rafi ,they used to see me with disgust,,,for no reason atall,,see the blunt youth kishore fan-atics in colleges or work place how stupidly they give remarks about saintly person like Rafi sahab even for the song that Rafi sang thinking that its sung by kishore da, I can say it because I was one of them and also that I see them every now and then,,,I felt some of most popular songs that i used to like most like,,din dhal jaye,,hai duniya usi ki,,,har gam ko dhuyen me,,jaanewalo jara etc,,I thought that it was sung by kishore kumar,,and used to praise what a voice kishore da has! wah! but,,,I was innocent as its the hate group that spreads that rafi has no quality,so whatever song u like its by someother singer ,,but today I laugh at them and Rafi`s voice is my life and his song my worship!!! its is strange that how can anyone compare Rafi sahab`s voice with anyone,not just kis kum but anyone,,,,,but I personally feel,,the kishore -Rafi saga started from aradhana,,,its shame that even wikipedia.com published that kishore kum overshadowed Rafi in aradhana,that I edited…but yet,,I don`t find any reason for kishore kumar`s name in Rafi sahab`s career graph,,Rafi sahab was himself sufficient to difine meaning of success and briliance!!!!
thanks to gracious lord for having put a stand still to rafi vs kishore contravercy!while rafi fans keep maximum decency in expressing their views towards kishore kumar , some of the kishore fans put forward harsh and provokable statements against the saint like rafi saab.this is not at all a justified work.just remember one thing ,the light of a tube light will never equal to the light of the sun! the sun is rafi saab itself!
are indeed lucky to have rafi saaheb with us at many moments of this unpredictable life”(ref 1844R) ,,,,,,,,,this is something that I`ve always observed in everyone who really love this voice of god,,i.e, real admirer of Rafi saab,,,I don`t know how,,but even I can see the hollowness of this life everywhere,,,,though I`m in modeling profession,,all the glamour has vanished from my life,,I see selfishness and materialism as a crime,,I can see this momentry life and its nothingness every moment,But at the same time I see a light full of life,,,,,a shrine voice and saintly person in the name of Rafi,,,earlier even I could have laughed at my comments,,but now,,I don`t find any end while listening to this man singing ..I can`t even bilieve ,,,can there be any person like Rafi in such a glamour world of Film Industry.His life is a lesson.His dedication and divotion to his work is a lesson.A person having such a gifted voice yet used to do so much riyaz as if saying thanx to Allah,,,,Not just he survived, he lived like ruler of heart even of the person who concider Rafi, his/her enemy.So many enemies,,so many false friend,so many critics,to make Rafi career end, endless discredit,endless humiliation yet Rafi sahab never complained and remained self absorbed in his saintly nature and answered every evil with his divinity…The same divinity is always present in his voice….the voice,most versatile voice ever heard,,,,can float in every raaga of creation till it reaches the God godself…..Can everyone understand Rafi Sahab,,? can everyone be Rafi fan,,,Can every one become Binu Nair,,,no,,,,,,,,,,,well,only blessed can undestand divinity! Thank you!
rafi fans, i had enjoyed all the songs of thoufique bai’s utbe(post 1822) these songs of rafi- saleel chawdery team gave a new experience. it is very much different to the songs of naushad, sj ,sdb, cr,roshan, cg,mm, ravi,ka,snt, and lp.the piccturization of the comic song ‘haiwai duniya,,koyina hai koina..’ is fantastic. that music era had gone for ever.according to my friend jalaal ahamed,people who shared rafi age is lucky ones than the one who live in this century.
Sid, Thanks so much for the video.
All:
Came across some youtube videos with good, cleansed audio quality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUQZ24uKGi4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ1MMzc4jic
Post 1837 : Savita Garcia : Please praise mohd rafi to the hilt : for he is the legend among all legends. He is our pride, our esteem and the noblest soul born in our times. we are indeed lucky to have rafi saaheb with us at many moments of this unpredictable life.
self is the tiny-est dust particle on the surface of this planet known as “mother earth”.
self is only a small time mohd rafi lover who tries to find some happiness by leaning towards the towering giant of piety and humility – mohd rafi saaheb.
truly, he is bharat ka sangeeth ratan.
binu nair, rafi foundation : mumbai. binus2000@hotmail.com
kk tofiqueji,
here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qppk8xkdto
Hello rafi lovers (specially from Andhra if any) & ghantasala lovers
An Interesting programme.
I have recently come across an interesting programme being conducted at Hyderabad, which I thought I could post here and the same could be of immense interest to rafi as well as ghantasala lovers. The following details/information I have copied & pasted directly from the site.
Rafi-Ghantasala Nite
Venue
Sri Thyagaraja Gana Sabha (3.0 km)
Behind Sudha Hotel, Vivek Nagar Road, Ashok Nagar, Chikkadpally, Hyderabad • Telephone: 2763-8241
Date/Time
25-April-09 (see editorial below)
6:00pm to 10:00pm
Editorial Review by the author
Mohd Rafi and Ghantasala under one roof? May be not in flesh, but their numbers will find an audience at the same venue, for the same program. Relieve the past in the form of a musical nite being organized by Madhu Music Academy. This show is conducted in the twin cities of Hyderabad & Secunderabad on the 25th of every month. It comprises of mesmerizing, melodious songs of Rafi and Ghantasala, two unique & extraordinary versatile singers of the last millennium.
10-12 classics of the great Mohammed Rafi, from notable movies like Baiju Bawra, Mere Mehboob, Kashmir Ki Kali, Mere Sanam and such others will be rendered by Madhusudan Reddy. He has more than 20 shows to his credit. The recipient of prestigious awards such as Apara Ghantasala and Swarna Kankanam, Sharath Chandra, is going to sing 15-20 popular numbers of the great amar gayaka ghantasala.
Prior to this, they gave private shows in the US, at Houston thrice and once in Los Angeles, Detroit, New Jersey, New York and Washington DC. They have performed in London and Dubai, too.
The show is open to all music lovers. So, people can take a trip down memory lane without paying a single pie. For further information, please contact 700-3211.
Singh continues,
Hope all music lovers enjoy the same. I request the Rafi foundation chapter at Hyderabad to kindly note this.
sid,
i have seen your new payarelal upload. since you are visiting this site too, i wont post the link here. my request is that whenever you upload something like that, pls post the link here for the rafians.
tofuique..
i havent uploaded those yet but i have uploaded pyarelal ji talking abt rafi saab.. do chk it out
Manna and Sukvinder Singh on Rafi in their latest interviews
http://www.screenindia.com/news/the-ageless-wonder/455827/
Manna:
Tears rolled down my cheeks when I heard Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil (Heer Ranjha).
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Manna-of-those-heavenly-songs/articleshow/4496940.cms
http://www.bollyspice.com/view.php/2794-8220-my-fans-are-the-one-who-have-made-me-into-a-good-singer-8221-sukhwinder-singh.html
What song, be it one you sung or by another artist, that really inspires you?
Sukhwinder Singh: The song ‘Tere Naam Ka Diwana’ by Rafi Sahib. It was in the film Suraj Chanda. Since a young age this song has been inspiring me to be a singer. I must have sung it umpteenth times. In fact I had even recorded it in my own voice for my personal listening. I also find another song of Rafi ji inspires me – ‘Tum jo mil gaye’.
Thanks
Naveen
rafi and raaga:
rafians, this is my newest attempt to pay tribute to rafi.
rafi in darbari kannada:
(Tujhe Kya sunaon dilruba) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfBBDTKkYwI&feature=related
(basti basti parabat 2 – parts) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfGYLfemlYA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtCsfOTVgSY
(main nigahen tere) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZE_RzFYZfc&feature=related
(tere dar pe aaya hu) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ8rFZuuMHk&feature=related
(yeh duniya yeh mehfil) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36aolVhZ8B0
(hum tumse juda hoke) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkFslE9hok0
(raha gardishon mein) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgUvEFYfkBI
(ab mori binti suno) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_cHZOuBTEs
(daiya re daiya) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i3yYCz0hhc
(guzre hai aj ishk mein) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqi-Dscu6zM
(o duniya ke rakhwale 2 versions) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIZ3EHG15co
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I79FbHrksbg
(sarforashi ki tamanna) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8yRJgdK40w
(toote huye khabon ne) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BCMOy5NQX0
though I`m young christian by family of Indo german origin,,,for me Rafi Saab is God,,,people like Binu Nair is my prophet,,,Rafi`s song is my relligion,,,,,and I myself is a Rafi divotee,,,,,I am really thankfull for such a wonderfull site…to provide me and everyone a lots of detail about such a true voice,…..
Well, today wikipedia is a major source to read anyone`s biography,,,,hence,I request intelligent persons available here,,,,edit to enhance Rafi sahab`s wikipedia page to have clear picture of Rafi Saab!
hi toufique bai ,superb!your u tube of rafi-saleelji is fantastic.. a large number of folk and comic songs are very well picturised.bravo the comic song” hai wae duniya…koyina ‘is sarcastically sung by rafi and s balbeer.the full credit of the song got to rafi, balbeer ,saleel and the comic actors and director of the filim equally.yet rafi saab’s stand is very very high indeed in this song.
SID,
I liked the videos. thanks for that. i guess i have provided the links in this forum. anyway, waiting to watch the re-uploaded stuffs.
Rafi yodeling:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVYBa4S4yVA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH0xbgeJ4ts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No2HARfB2ZI
(i guess there is another punjabi song)
Here is another rafi-gem. this song has been in my personal ‘rafi top-ten’ for the last two decades. i dunno why.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRNgpj8qFs4
dear mr prahladji ,i got the song koina hai koina from toufique bai’s u tube itself (post 1822 ) thank u and murthiji for the offer of the song.thank you toufique ji for remembering the fact.in my haste i had not found this song at the first sight.i request all rafi &kk fans to hear the u tube presented by toufique(post 1822 ) and coment on it .the flock and comic songs rendered by rafi under the music direction of saleelda is really interesting one.
At tofique:
I hope you liked the times now videos I have uploaded. i apologise for the lack of quality in the last 2 parts, i will reupload them soon
Scientists have found a cure for even “cancer”, but Jealousy is a disease that has no cure.
I have found many doctors getting jealous of others in their own professions. i have seen singers of all hues disliking other singers these days.
even mohd rafi who was liked by millions had his quota of “jealous”people trying to run down him and his songs.
the ladies in the industry is no exception, post 1826, 1824 and others. all is well in war and love it’s said. some people are always in war; some others in love of life.
the divine songs and enduring love stories have a longer life compared to the war happening in the minds of little men and little women in the industry and outside.
binu nair, rafi foundation – mumbai…
ss,,,,when Lata kishore made duet no one had chance for prasing male countre part,,as lata was always better,,,,but with Rafi sahab she not even a single time could performed better either in class mass or in radio hits,,,,so,,if Kishore kumar becomes number 1 male singer,,automatically lata can become,,number one in both male and female,,,but its impossible with Rafi saab,,,,,so its Lata camp,,,that spreads,,,,such talks,,,,,,Rafi saab was such a gentle sober,,fakir,,about which no one can use silly language,,not even kishore kumar,,,,,but stategically anything can be done,,,,
post 1827
i dont have the song, but i provided the youtube link. u can download it from youtube.
thangal saab 1827
I have only the audio of the Jaagte Raho song you are referring to.
Murty saab was kind enough to share it with me. If you want i can mail
you the song for which i need your email id
hi toufique bai.. thanx a lot for having given a heap of rafi saab’s rare songs.i have got the fortune to down lord most of these songs from ujala, chaya ,madhumati,aawaz etc, is the song koyina hai koina sung by rafi & balbir with you
Neha, you are 100% correct. Rafisaab was the ovly rival she had and she was always and is jealous of him. There has being many instances when singing a duet with Rafisaab, lata used to purposely make a mistake when she saw Rafisaab was rendering better than her.
It was a task for MD’s to make her sing songs with Rafisaab hence you see Asha has sung about twice more duets with Rafisaab.
Every song that Lata and Rafi has sung, she has being overshadowed by him, such was the class of the man including those songs sung twice with male and female voice.
I see Jager, there is a good chance Lata did not make these silly, hypothetical and ridiculous comments and if she has, the nightangale has gone cuckoo.
Jager its a trick on the fact that lata never openly parise rafi saab who she concidered her rival,,anyway,,Rafi saab likhe jo khat tujhe is most popular son on net,,leaving much behind lata and kk ,,,,, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8CFoXUQRwc
Has Lata gone mad or it is a cheap trick by desperate KK fans…she says KK was the best and sang all songs well and Rafi and Mukesh did not.
Thats crazy. In 1964 she said KK was her fav singer when the mans was not even considered a singer or had any singing assigments.
Just shows what jealousy these Mangeskar sisters have for rafi and even poor mukesh
Dear P. Haldar,
Remember a while back you had written about a concert that took place in early 1980 in Calcutta that featured Rafi, Kishore, Asha, and Pancham. Were there any other concerts in which both Rafi and Pancham took part in, and where they both were on stage together ?.
Btw, a person kindly uploaded footage from Rafi’s 1979 concert in Bradford England on Youtube. Here is the link to “Hum bekhudi mein”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYgSIDtzCFE
It’s amazing to watch Rafi live !.
dear rafians, I m sorry that the links of salil-rafi songs did not work. i m giving them here again. hope u would enjoy it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKiwAFsPckI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OwKWBMmkU4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr7Z3VXGM7U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IQQZGZ39Jw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ3J9gMLyQ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPxuNp_fVcA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwI6qVhR73E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJShfdr4TCQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsfedSbuOos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlEEuNw-Kwc
http://www.esnips.com/doc/c8f8f20b-85e0-4a63-bb76-a10870859ec4/Gul-Khile-Yeah-Na-Khile—Md.-Rafi-and-Samshad-Begum-Duet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ2G7FyP0uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pju7H-3ObB8
http://www.esnips.com/doc/969b6669-13f9-4822-9611-807dd2d0d77d/Jangal-Mein-Mor-Naache—Madhumati-1958—Mohammed-Rafi
http://www.esnips.com/doc/9f1bba04-126b-4736-b5fa-274e6148da88/Koi-Soneke-Dilwala-Koi-Chandi-Ke—Md.-Rafi
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgHXwsf47aI
could not find the links of these songs:
Awaz: bhor hui panchhi nikle
Tangewali: tere nainon ne jadoo dala (solo)
tere nainon ne jadoo dala (duet with lata)
i just came across this tribute to rafi. links are given below (three parts). Featuring shahid rafi, dev, shammi, anandji, sonu, rishi (i was surprised that people like payrelal, ravi, khyaam, manna dey, dharmendra, jitendra, shashi — were not interviewed). Also i would request the moderator of this site, to introduce a new section dedicated to this kind of tributes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8khQGtF8MmM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLdzJuHQMQM&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqE0dmvuwos&feature=channel_page
i compiled a list of Rafi-Salil songs. The links are also provided (except the last 3 songs). hope rafians would enjoy:
aayi barat baaze ghadese
toote huye khabon ne
tasveer tere dil me
zindagi hay kya sun meri
ajab tori duniya
tumhe dil se
aag pani mein laagi
o ya qurban
dil tadpe tadpae
aiwe duniya teri dohai
gul khile ya na khile
chalte hi jana
balkhati sharmati aja
jungle mein mor
koi soneke dilwala
ya keh de hum insan nehi
Awaz: bhor hui panchhi nikle
Tangewali: tere nainon ne jadoo dala (solo)
tere nainon ne jadoo dala (duet with lata)
sabnaveesji and sanjayji
I agree with you hundred percent.
REFER MAIL 1811,DHANIRAM SIR,JUST ADDING TO YOUR OBSERVATION,I WOULD REQUEST YOU TO JUST WATCH/HEAR THE `TITLE MUSIC`OF
NAYYAR SAAB`S ALL TIME MUSICAL HIT `MERE SANAM` AND THE OPENING ECHO BY RAFI SAAB BEFORE THE SONG `JAAIYE AAP KAHAN JAYANGE `.
THE VOICE IS SIMPLY MINDBLOWING.
BOTH THE REFERENCS ARE AVAILABLE ONLY IN THE FILM VERSION ,EITHER ON VCD OR DVD OF THE MOVIE.
I AM AWAITING FOR YOUR COMMENTS ON THE ABOVE
Congratulations to Mr. Swami on this gem of an article.
Perhaps the only article acutally analysing the way Rafi saab sang putting some science in it.
I am fed up of people writing on Rafi with superficial knowledge of music and just quoting some songs as example.
But sir yours is different. KUDOS!
ref post – 1811
dhaniram ji,
what a beautiful naration. yes you are 100% right to say that the alaap made by rafi sahab are really soul touching & then in antara he reaches the himalayan heights.
the fortunate people like our raju korti who met rafi sahab personally say that,
jab rafi sahab baat kartey hain to unki awaaz hamlog mushkil sey sun patey aur wahi rafi sahab jab microphone pey hain to chatt udaa detey hain’
what a range with a perfect blend of clarity, diction, melody.
he is a ‘ farishta ‘
Who have this song please send it to my mail or where i can download this song
jannat ki tasvir na denge
haathon mein kisi gair ke taqadir na denge
kashmir hai bhaarat ka kashmir na denge
dhamaki se kisi zulm ki ham dar nahin sakate
samajhauta kisi desh se ham kar nahin sakate
kya chhalega tu phuut yah ghar hai kabir ka
jhagada nahin ho sakata hai tulasi se mir ka
jo phuul chaman ka hai chaman mein hi khilega
abdul hi apane desh par mar mitega
lutane kabhi aazaadi ki jaagir na denge
kashmir hai bhaarat ka
parades se tuune hathiyaar mangavaaye
kalaur se net sebarajet giraaye
hathiyaaron se kar sakata nahin dil pe tu qabza
taaqat se bada desh ki kidamat ka hai jazba
gaddaar hai vah hind ka jo pyaar tujhe de
vah aman ka dushman hai jo hathiyaar tujhe de
divaane ke ham haath mein kashmir na denge
kashmir hai bhaarat ka
Thanks for the links, Mykji, Naveenji. Many of the songs were new to me.
the more one listens to rafi’s songs,the more one is enchanted.the songs never lose their freshness.i have heard the following song times without number after i first heard it decades ago and yet every time i have something new to discover in it.it is only rafi sahib who could sing such songs with such perfection.the song is:
apni to har aah ik toofan hai
upar wala jaan kar anjaan hai
An interesting news item
Whistling his way to success
Express Features
First Published : 24 Mar 2009 11:20:00 PM IST
Last Updated : 24 Mar 2009 10:43:43 AM IST
CHENNAI: It was a day for the members of the Indian Whistlers’ Association to feel proud of their member and secretary Jagat Tarkas, as he launched his audio CD, whistling melodious songs of Mohd Rafi, on Sunday. The audio CD titled A whistling Tribute to Mohd Rafi has 15 of the all time melodious songs of the legendary playback singer. Launching the first copy of the audio CD, TT Rangarajan, editor of Frozen Thoughts magazine praised Jagat Tarkas as a man who would hate none and wouldn’t forget being grateful. “In a world where humanity is not spared, there are people like Jagat Tarkas,†he said. And his words about Jagat seemed true as the man decided to give away the proceeds of the audio CD for charity.
Jagat Tarkas, who got emotional with the praise from his mother, explained to the gathering, on how he fulfilled his dreams after 40 years. “It was actually Mohd Rafi, who changed my life. I can hear his songs, no matter what the lyrics are – love, patriotism or friendship, I can hear them anytime,†said a beaming Tarkas. He went on to share his experience of recording the songs by whistling. “It was tough to record because I was asked on what scale I would whistle. I never knew anything about the scales because I am not a professional singer and even now I won’t know,†he explained as the audience laughed. A few copies were sold on the first day as the audience enjoyed listening to Jagat Tarkas whistling some of the songs from the album.
rafi fans
it would be great if someone took the trouble of compiling rafi’s songs with alaaps.alaap in some of rafi’s songs is so beautiful that if he had sung only the alaaps and nothing else,he would still rank as the best singer. i give below just a few examples:
1. keh do koi na kare yahaan pyar
the song begins with alaap and then soars to himalyan heights never scaled by any singer before and after.
2. dil ka na karna aitbaar koi
a lata song which begins with alaap by rafi.rafi sings just one line in the middle.listen to the song and find how marvellous the alaap is.
3. akeli mat jaio radhe jamuna ke teer
immortal song from baiju bawara
4. aseer panjae aihade shabaab kar ke mujhe kahaan gaya meira bachpan kharab kar ke mujhe
5. parvar deegaare aalam teira hi hai sahaara
6. daiya re daiya laaj mohe laage
an asha song with rafi’s tremendous alaap in the middle.
7. ramayya vasta vaiyya
8. zulf leharai teiri aur meiri taqdeer bani
such divine melody could be created only by one whom god had blessed with the rarest of vocal gifts.
Here is an interview of Rajesh Roshan who composed some memorable songs.
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2007/06/29/stories/2007062950770100.htm
here are the excerpts:
“Yes, we are talking about Mehmood’s “Kunwara Baap†and the song is “Saj rahi gali†the all time hit. “In the beginning everybody laughed about the idea, but the song is so touching. Mohammed Rafi was also a little apprehensive but when Mehmoodji introduced me as the son of Roshanji, he relented. Finally, Mehmoodji picturised it so well that it became a raging success.”
“Amitabh Bachchan sing for “Mr. Natwarlalâ€. “It was a difficult decision. We had an unusual song where the hero narrates a story. Anand Bakshi, producer Vimal Kumar, Rafi and I sat together and decided that Bachchan’s voice has the required base that will give depth to this story-song and attract the kids. It worked.†”
“If I have one regret today, it is that my favourite singer Rafi is not there and Lata is not singing much. For long we have been getting our work done with the likes of Kavita Krishnamurthy and Alka Yagnik.”
Sudipji, post 1789…Nirdosh song was new find for me….I have to agree what a voice….There are relatively lesser Rafi numbers with typical RD sounds..(I mean RD with Kishore type sounds)…About Us Paar song I could trade any other song for this SDB Rafi beauty…
Rafi partnership with Vinod Mehra was very fresh and cute….Too bad films weren’t very big. I am posting few more Rafi beauties for seventies mostly on Vinod Mehra…some of them rare and some well known… Check out the last one Dost Ban ke Aaye Ho from Bind Phere Ham Tere
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HkabOshMzE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG0UR-Ma8U0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAZTPb8REJ0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS-Ka8ZXVtw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSNGBhIDRRw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnnOvjoilII
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AUvgLO7E5s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AUvgLO7E5s
thanks
naveen
Here’s something I’ve found (not sure if it’s a rare find):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R805Djk7lC0
Rafisahab for the not-yet-angry Amitabh in a song composed by RDB. Actually the voice sits very well on the young AB.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OgSU8a-lIM
Same team again..
said by the King of sad songs
“The voice was a gift from God to Rafi, but what Rafi made of it was a gift to God†– Talat Mehmood.
Great song choices Sudip. Would like to add some gems by Pancham from the 72-76 phase:
Kahe ko bulaya – Humshakal – wonderful composition, most popular song of the film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6ERPdN6qok
Aa raat jaati hai – Benaam – an absolute stunner, RDB never composed something like this before or after. This is my favourite ‘waltz’ of HFM.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_Sm-KgjVEY
Champa khili daar – Aaj Raat Ko (Faisla) – soundtrack was released in 1975, but the film came out in 1988. A beautiful folk song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBjtnidBRPs
Aye jaan-e-wafa – Chhalia – this is just awesome
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIDilKIwG2c
Sundar ho aisi – Dil Ka Raja – nice song, Asha sang a female version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wGy1O-v52s
O tere athroo – Shehzada – a punjabi folkish song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRGZZEJskDE
Maine kab chaha ke dulha – Kehte Hain Mujhko Raja – another punjabi flavoured song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3EsvnBONQQ
Continuing from the previous post,
Here’s another duet from the late ’70s:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MVBflxV_JM
Good singing by both, but Rafisahab’s melodious gentleman voice scores over KK’s strong ‘dada’ voice.
Here’s a famous one from early ’70s (Was it ’72?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBUEXlOsGPY
Nice singing by Kishoreda, he really spiced it up with yodels and laughters. But how does his voice/singing compare with the baadshah’s in the same song (in a different mood):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN6dx4h48b0
Sudipji:
There was no way KK (good as he was) was going to hold his own in a duet with Rafisahab in ’71 or ’72 for the simple reason that Rafisahab’s voice was untouchable uptil that period. If Kishoreda was able to score in the later duets with Rafisahab it was only because of the inconsistency of the ‘baadshah’s’ voice towards the late ’70s. Whenever that voice held itself together, it was pretty much Rafisahab in the driver’s seat (even in valour-dominated songs). Please watch this famous song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqXZ1kkyqbo
Here’s another one:
Sudipji,
I am not so much surprised for Samjhota song as I am for songs from Aap Aaye Bahar Aaya, Seema and several others. Rafi’s Koi Nahin and Badi Door se were strong in melody and have remained everlasting favorites.Samjhota Ghamo Se too had that something as far as melody is concerned and if Amin Sahni chose Kishore’s number over Rafi’s for BGM in this case that couldn’t be contested that much.Amin’s rule of thumb those days seems to be that even if Rafi’s number is little better or popular than other number try the level best to ignore it on BGM. Now one can understand when Rafi number and other singer’s number was equally good, Rafi number stood no chance on BGM. That is how I think of Samjohta Ghamo Se vis-a-vis Rafi numbers or even Mukesh’s Dheere Dheeri bolo vis–a-vis Ek Na Ek Din Kahani Banegee.
Amin Sahni bias appears much grave and pronounced when he picks up Carvan or Seema or Aap Aaya Bahar Aaye numbers from Kishore instead of Rafi’s. [Music of Aap Aaye Bahar Aaye never ever sold due to Kishore’s duet but BGM logic was perverse at its best]. What really mattered is the saleability of the music or the movies or what was played on other radio programs that were not strictly promotional like BGM. That is why Rafi prevailed despite lots of odds. Yes it may have kept Rafi wondering as to why his songs aren’t doing that well on BGM. I read somewhere even Lata had complained to Amin Sahni saying that her songs weren’t being played on BGM. Lata was excellent in speaking up for her rights.I admire her for that.At some level, producers and composers too knew how to ensure long term post BGM success of their works .That is why you find quite a bit of Rafi in the most successful works at that time despite Binaca manipulations. Speaking of albums with Kishore as the only male singer that sold big time were “relatively” limited.
Thanks
Naveen
Hi Sudip,
Both did well in both the duets you have put up above. The songs themselves are not demanding any special skills that Kishore didn’t have. Technically speaking, there are no glitches in Kishore’s rendering. I must say that what you said is subjective.
Kishore has sung songs that are more stressful both in terms of rhythm and melody than these 2, and I can count examples from way back in 1948 – when Kishore was just about 19-20 yrs old.
Just to add to the thread on 72-76, here are two Kishore-Rafi duets from 1970-1972. This was when Kishore was starting to peak and Rafi was reportedly waning. The dominance of either in the popular duets between 1977-1980 are debatable (Kishore may have scored better in few). But, to me (again this is subjective), Rafi was head and shoulders above Kishore in both of these two.. In fact, I find Kishore’s melody wanting in the second (ironically an RD composition).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb99N_sXNOY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1tLNxIclhs