Unlimited Masti
This article is written by Mr. Anmol Singh
Mohd Rafi with Shammi, Hasrat, Jaikishan
We have been discussing so far songs which are generally sung on high scale mainly for patriotic, sad, romantic & devotional situations in films. But there is another unique quality of Rafi Sahab where he sings songs with masti at high scale effortlessly. It has been observed along with my colleagues that Rafi Sahab enjoys singing such songs as a result he matches the actor’s personality and body language perfectly.
In the 50s & 60s there were two music composers who explored this quality of Rafi Sahab to the maximum. One was Shankar-Jaikisan (SJ) and the other was O P Nayyar. Both the composers have used this quality for actors like mainly Shammi Kapoor and later on Joy Mukharjee and Biswajeet who followed Shammi’s success trail.
Rafi Sahab, Shammi Kapoor, Hasrat Jaipuri and Jaikishan
Shammi Kapoor was an actor having an unpredictable dance rhythm, where the singer’s voice has to move in synchronization accordingly. His unpredictable dance rhythm is the key to his success which also differentiates him from his contemporaries like Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand and Ashok Kumar. Perhaps Rafi was the only singer who could switch to any key note to any scale in a single instant with full power.
There are innumerable examples of songs sung with masti at high scale. To name at few “Chahe Koi Mujhe Jungli Kahe“; “Dil Tera Diwana Hai Sanam“; “Aji Asaa Moka Fir Kahan Milega“; “Aasaam Se Aaya Farishta“; “Mohaabat Ke Kudaa Tum Ko” (The singing of word “Kudaa” in different ways is unique); “Kasko Pyar Karoon“; “Sawere Wali Gaadi“; “O Jane Walon Zara Hoshiar“; etc. composed by SJ mainly for Shammi Kapoor. There are similar songs composed by O P Nayyar as well for Shammi, “Subhan Allaa..Hasin Chehra“; “Yeh Dekh Ke Dil Jhooma“; “Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra“; “Hai Re Hai..O Mera Pyar…Balle Balle“, etc.
For Joy Mukherjee & Biswajeet also Rafi sang such gems under SJ and OPN. “Japan…Love In Tokyo” (Again the singing of word “Japan” is too good); “Lakhon Hai Nigaah Mein Zindagi Kee Raah Mein“; “Bandaa Parvar…Phir Wohi Dil Layaa Hun“; “Humdam Mere Maan Bhi Jao“; etc. For Rajendra Kumar also Rafi sang songs of masti, “Kaun Hai Jo Sapno Mein Aaya” is one sung example.
The next generation music composers who explored this quality of Rafi were Laxmikant Pyarellal (LP), R D Burman (Pancham) & Kalanji Anandji (KA). Pancham composed a song for Shammi based on his unpredictable body language, “Dekhiye Sahebon Wo Koyi Or Thi” from “Teesri Manzil”. Others include “Gulaabi Aankhen Jo Teri Dekhin” picturized on Rajesh Khanna; “Kitna Pyaraa Wadaa” and “Goria Kahaan Tera Desh Re” both picturized on Jeetendra with a starting high pitch shout rendered by Rafi himself. But the song with identifies Jeetendra even today in reality shows is none other then “Mast Baharoon Ka Mein Aashik” composed by LP.
Similarly the song identifies Dharmendra till date is “Mein Jat Yamla Pagla Diwana” of course once again composed by LP. The association of KA with Rafi started through film “Jab Jab Phool Khile” where they composed a high pitch masti song picturized on Shashi Kapoor, “Ya Khudaa..O hum Ko…Tum Pe Pyar Aaya“.
As we move ahead in the late 70s Rafi passes on his unlimited masti to the next generation of actors. We are talking about Rishi Kapoor. All songs from “Amar Akbar Anthony” sung by Rafi for Rishi are with unlimited range of masti. Two such examples are “O Hum Ko Tumse….Ho Gayaa Hi Pyar” and “Taybali Pyar Ka Dushman…Hai…Hai“.
Mohd Rafi
The best example for Masti at high scale is the song “Kya Mausam Hai” where Rafi makes a late entry singing “Yeh Mastiyan Yeh Samaa…” for Shashi Kapoor who deliveries the perfect performance on screen doing full justice to the song. Rafi sings for Amitabh in Naseeb, “John Jaani Janardhan” and for Amjad Khan in Yaaraana, “Are Re Aisa Taraana“.
There is another song which Rafi sang along with Pancham in Shaan, “Yamma Yamma” with a perfect high scale synchronization with Pancham. These songs possibly were all released after Rafi’s death showing his voice quality was magnificent till the end. Even during his last days hardly any trembling or minor defect in quality of voice could be noticed. That is what makes Rafi Sahab unforgettable till date.
Rafi…is..Rafi…one..and..only..worlds..no….1…singer
Rafis some more fast numbers:- 1) Dhadakane lagta hai mera dil 2) Na ja kahi ab na ja 3) Sa re jamanepe mousam suhanepe veeranisi thi chayee aap aye bahar aye 4) Aai yai ya karu mai kya suku suku
Thanks to all Rafi Fans,
I will add few more songs related to “Masti”.
Duniya Pagal Hai – Shagird
Bade Miyan Deewane – Shagird
Mein Vohi Vohi Baat – Naya Din Nayi Raat
Naachunga Roungaa Hasunga – Maa (Here the song is picturized on Dharmendra singing along with a baby elephant)
dear ammol singh ji i would like to mention song from film:khoj this masti song in the voice of rafisaab and kishoreda music by usha khannaji track is halka sa halka sa rang gulabi sa i hope every body will enjoy this song kindly visit this link to watch this song
http://rafifanblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/halka-halka-sa-rang-gulabhi-sa-khoj.html
Brilliant article Mr. Anmol Singh. It is difficult to rightly name the songs of Rafi which you have described as the ones which just brings unlimited joy in the minds of listeners.
I hve referred some of these songs in my article on Rafi and Shankar Jaikishan long time back both in this Forum and also in stationhollywood.
Very significantly whether it was SJ, or OP Nayyar or Ravi or LP or others, Rafi’s energy and enthusium was acknowledged by these giants.
Even Ravi’s creations like “baar baar dekho” in China Town had a lot of energy.
Great article once again.
Souvik Chatterji.
Rafi sahab the legend of indian music
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‘Lata mangeshkar’ – Rafi sahab gaane is khoobi se gaate the, ke gaana na samajne wale bhi wah wah kar ut te the, aise gaayak baar baar janam nahi laete.
‘Mahendra kapoor’ – Jinko main apna ustad maanta tha, woh hai Rafi sahab, yeh meri khush qismati hai ke main unka shaird hoon, mushkil ke mushkil gaane woh badi asaani se gaate hai, aisa singer dubara janam nahi lete.
that is the greatness of our legend MOHAMMED RAFI SAHAB…..
respected anmol singh ji
again congratulations for a great write-up:”Unlimited Masti”- a great title. realy rafi saheb’s songs have a everlasting masti. i would like to add the following masti songs by rafi saheb for different actors :-
1. Nain Ladd Jaihe from Ganga Jamuna, Mere Paro Mein Gunguroo Bandha De from Shangarsh for Dilip Kumar.
2. Jiya O Jiya O Kuch Bol De from Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai for Dev Anand.
3. Meri Mohabbat Teri Jawani from Anjana, Tuhmare Naam Kiya Hai from Ganwaar for Rajendra Kumar.
4. O Hasina Julfoowali from Tesri Manzil, Badan Pe Sitare from Prince, Govinda Aalare Aala from Bluff Master for Shammi Kapoor.
5. Mein Jat Yamala Pagla Diwanaa from Pratigya for Dharmendra.
6. Ek Bechara Pyar Ka Mara from Waris for Jeetendra.
7. Duniya Pagal Hai from Shagird for Joy Mukherjee
8. Zara Ruk Jayegee Tu from Patanga for Shashi Kapoor.
9. Masti Mein Jhoom Ke Tarana Koi Dil Ka Aaj Lutayega Khazana Koi Dil Ka from Haqeeqat for Vijay Anand.
10. Shaddi Ke Liye Rajamand Kar Lee from Devi for Sanjeev Kumar.
The Masti of above rafi songs unlimited and everlasting.
With warm regards & best wishes to all rafi lovers
biman
sivasagar, assam
Dear Anmol sir,
You are absolutely right. Rafi sab was in a league of his own in every genre of music he touched upon. His masti songs really are top of the pops. He was peerless when it came to high pitch masti songs and my favorite is ‘ hum ko tumpe pyaar aaya pyaar aaya’.
I had a mast time reading your article and I was short of doing a tango for all those foot tappers you have mentioned. The songs really are anmol.
Nagesh Sidhanti
Dear Anmol Sing Jee,
You expressed a great aspect of Rafi Sb singing which is Masti. He is really a Mast Singer who can compel us to shake our bodies. Songs starred by Shammi Kapoor are truly yahoo songs. Rafi Sb’s this quality made Shammi Kapoor a Yahoo Star.
Regards,
-Imran-
Lovely peice of Mast article on Rafi Masthi…]
Infact we are thinking of organsing Rafi Masthi on the lines of ur article in Blore
A few more songs coming to my my mind as I write this comment:
Jaan pehchan ho- Gumnaam
Kabhi humne nahi socha tha – Tumse achha kaun hai
Mast nazar ki kataar- Sehra
Pagla kahin ka (title song)
Ye dil kisko doon (Title song)
Jane walo zara hoshiyar – Rajkumar
Jamaal-e-yaar man turki –
Gaal gulabi kiske hai – Love in Shimla
Javaaniyan ye mast mast bin peeye-
Masti mein ched ke taraan koi dil ka-
Khoya khoya chand- Kala bazaar
Kisko pyaar karoon – Pagla kahin ka
These are just a few drops from the ocean of songs sung by Rafi saab
Very nice article Anmol Singh ji!
You have mentioned another genre of music for which Rafi Sahab singing is (again) unimmitable.
Many thanks for sharing…
The following songs also should have been part of the article
– Kan Main Joomka Chal Mein Thoomka (Rafi sings for new comer Naveen Nishchol under Soni Omi)
– O Meri Mehbooba…Tujhe Jaana Hai To Jaa (Rafi sings for Jeteendra under LP)
– Dekha Teri Aankhon Pyar Hi Pyar (Rafi sings for Dharmendra under SJ)
– In Baharon Mein Akele Naa Phiro (Rafi sings for Dharmendra under Roshan)
All the above songs portray high scale “MASTI”.
Nice article, Anmolji.
The ‘masti’ songs brought to limelight, another facet of Rafisahab’s incredible vocal prowess. Isn’t it incredible that a shy, pious man adapted himself brilliantly to the ‘mast’ era of Shammis and Joys?
Here’s the “Japan..” song mentioned by the author:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNxPGHJr9vk
Rafisahab’s having a ball with this song. Full marks to S-J who let Rafisahab enjoy himself.
And please see how the voice transforms to super-romantic in another song of the same movie (a personal favorite of mine):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToM0WAi3aTc
Sir Anmol Singh thanks a lot for nice article,You are Anmol as your name sir,almost I am waiting for your article .
we all know what happened to Joy Mukharjee , Biswajeet and Dilip Kumar in 1970’s when they don’t use Mohd Rafi Voice.Shammi Kapoor and Naushand if am not wrong they were only two in Bollywood they was with Mohd Rafi up to end.. as you all know what OP Nayar said in 1970s to media(give me one film I will show you who si Mohd Rafi)