When Melody Queen was proved dispensable!!
By Shekhar Bopardikar (Visit site)
Only recently the ‘Nightingale of India’ the living legend of Indian music turned 85 , she was felicitated at a grand function at Shanmukhananda Hall- Mumbai , albeit she avoided due to ill-health & her youngest sister attending on her behalf , when Lataji was connected live via phone call she happened to say while thanking all music lovers …..”I never criticized anyone nor ruined other’s livelihood to get ahead in my career”, it was an antithesis of affirmation. I fail to understand that even after 85 yrs & a recipient of the country’s highest award, she needs to clarify this which is rather unforeseen and disgraceful and proves her remorseful mind. The most notable aspect of her meritorious career notwithstanding, nobody else is vouching her statements every time she comes out with something or the other.
I recall some 2 yrs back , in an interview in front of media she went on record saying “Rafi Saab refused to sing duets with me and later gave a written apology before we both started singing duets again” referring to the notorious squabble between the two of the most sought after playback singers of those times. This happened sometime in the year 1961 , when on one fine day Lataji called a meeting of all the playback singers of that time and raised a royalty issue which Rafi Saab refused to agree as it was against his ethos, she retaliated by saying that hereafter she will not sing a duet with Rafi Saab. This disagreement went on for several years until in 1965. It is said that some of the duets that were left unfinished then were recorded separately, the dummy portions were sung by Mahendra Kapoor and later replaced by Rafi Saab, and then combined together much to the chagrin of Music Directors and sound recorders. Later on when the time of fresh films emanated, the film producers & MD’s sensed the vacuum for duets which they decided to fill it with other talented & ambitious female singers keeping Rafi Saab as a perpetual male singer, who was by then an undisputable ‘King of Melody’. Lataji began to get lesser and lesser assignments, from an average of 230 songs she could do earlier in a year, now it was just about 14 songs yearly. And many upcoming female singers such as Suman Kalyanpur (SK), Vani Jairam , Sharda , and also her own talented younger sister Asha Bhonsle started gaining toehold . It is said that SK was quoting half of Lataji’s price as little as Rs.5000/, and the most notable fact is that most of the duets of Rafi Saab and SK were unquestionable hits and are equally revered even today (List of songs are appended below). This put a great trepidation mentally and financially to Lataji, who was then considered as the ‘Queen of melody’. Almost 4 yrs. passed like this and many duets were recorded with Rafi Saab and other female singers, most of them becoming super-duper hits and few of them even bagging filmfare awards. Later during the recording of Jewel Thief , S.D.Burman (Dada) desperately wanted a duet of Rafi and Lata , he requested Jaikishen (as Jaikishen was equally close to both), to find some way and mend this wrangle , who ultimately managed to broker the reunion and the first duet after that was recorded that was “Dil pukare aja aja re”. But never it is gone on record that Rafi Saab tendered an apology to Lataji. It was in fact Lataji was dispensable and not Rafi Saab.
The 4 year hiatus between the two great gladiators on the Indian Music stage was a blessing in disguise for SK. Suman Kalyanpur earned more fame for her duets, especially with Rafi, many of which became roaring hits such as, Na na karte pyar tumhi se kar baithe (Jab Jab Phool Khile, 1965, Kalyanji Anandji), Kya kahne masha allah nazar teer aapki (Ji Chahta hai, 1964, Kalyanji Anandji), Itna hai tumse pyar mujhe (Suraj, 1966, Shankar Jaikishan), Aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke charche har zaban par (Brahmchari, 1968, Shankar Jaikishan), Tumse O hassena kabhi mohabbat (Farz, 1967, Laxmikant Pyarelal), Tujhe dekha tujhe chaha tujhe pooja maine (Chhoti Si Mulaquat, 1967, Shankar Jaikishan), Tumne pukara aur hum chale aye (Rajkumar, 1964, Shankar Jaikishan) etc. Although her voice had an uncanny resemblance to Lataji resulting in her trying to imitate the Melody Queen, but some of the songs she rendered clearly adds something distinct, unique, beautiful and everlasting and endure her distinct imprint. While many of her duets with Rafi are breezy in SJ or LP style, there are several others which are extremely soulful and melodious. In a way the 4 year squabble proved to be extremely advantageous to SK who so richly deserved, and I would say all the music lovers are fortuitous to hear the melodious voice of yet another singing sensation of that times.
List of some of the famous Rafisaab & SK duets between 1961 & 64
- Ae jane tamanna aye Jane Bahar – Film Jee Chahta Hai- Kalyanji Anandji
- Agar teri Jalwa Lumayi na hoti- Beti Bete- Shanker Jaikishen
- Ajahun Aaye Balmaa Sawan Beta Jaye – Sanj aur Savera – Shanker Jaikishen
- Baad muddat ke ye ghadi aye – Jahan Aara – Madan Mohan
- Din ho ya Raat hum rahen tere Saath – Miss Bombay – Hansraj Behl
- Jab se hum tum baharon mein – Main Shaadi Karne chala- Chitragupta
- Manmohan Man mein ho tumhi – Kaise Kahun – S D Burman
- Parbaton ke pedon par – Shagun – Khayyam
- Raat suhani Jaag Rahi – Jigri Dost – L.P
- Thehriye hosh mein aalon – Mohobbat isko kehte hain – Khayyam
- Tujhe pyar karte hain karte rahenge – April Fool – Shanker Jaikishen
These are just a few, now I am presenting you today this song from ‘Dil ne phir Yaad Kiya’. It’s a special song because it is not a duet but a triplet by ‘Rafi, SK & Mukesh’. Music by Sonik-Omi their maiden assignment as an independent music directors , the movie is largely forgotten but it had almost a dozen songs and it is not an exaggeration that almost all the songs were hit and are wonderful to listen to even today. Out of those dozen songs the Title song is worth mentioning here. Great lyrics by G.L.Rawal, superb picturisation, and fantastic voice of Rafi Saab, Suman Kalyanpur and Mukesh. This song should easily take the place of one of the classic gems in Bollywood music treasure house.
Now lastly I have an open question to Lataji , with all due respect to her personality and stature , if she says that she has never panned anybody nor pulled down anybody to safeguard her own career , then how was such an awesome talent abruptly went into stupor when her reunion with Rafi saab took place in 1965, can she give a convincing reply to this question?
No doubt Lata was a very talented and accomplished singer and Rafi and Lata made one of the best singing pairs in Indian playback scene but she faltered at high notes. Some of the songs where she tries to match Rafi’s rich voice at high octave, her high pitch becomes almost painful to listen. It is a pity that she competed with him to hit the high notes and the MDs failed to stop her. Apart from that I do not find any fault with her singing – only with her character. She had the good fortune of associating with a superb human being and she squandered that golden opportunity and didn’t learn anything. Well, that happens in life unfortunately.
yeh to sach hai ki suman kalyanpur voice was almost very much like lata mangeshkar, and till many cannot differentiate their voice. Rafisahab was a soul of god and always encouraged everybody without any ill will. He was a transparent and pure soul. We miss his presence
zindagi kho gayee tere jaane ke baad
uf ye tishna labi tere jaane ke baad
tu masiha thha naghmon ka janeghazal
ab kahan naghmagi tere jaane ke baad
All the same songs which were sung by different singers Rafi sb.no.is more popular than other singer even of lata ji also…..for example Mere mehboob tujhe mohbbat ki qasam…, dil jo na kahsaka…,ehsaan tera hoga…tum mujhe bhoola napaao ge…,akele hain chale aao…,agar bewafa tujhko pehchan jaate.
Ham naheen jaanthe assal mein kya hua undonoke beech. Suni sunayi baathon per hum dhyan dena nahi chaahiye. Hum sab gayakonke gaane sunna chahiye aur uska lutf uthana chahiye. Sab hamare desh ke unmole bande hain. Un sab ki awaaz sambhal kar rakhna chahiye, taake aanewali peedi bhi uska maza uthasakhen.
Rafi sahab never went after fame or monetary benefits. for him music was life and blood and he never associated money with it.but whats more astonishing was his exemplary life as a humble and kind human being.i find it hard to fit all his attributes in mere alphabets. i am sad that there never will be another mohammad rafi ever, but at the same time privileged that i am being able to feel this divine voice every single day. love you rafi sahab always and forever……
Kishore Kumar picked and chose the songs he were given and the difficult ones were given to Mohd Rafi now tell me what does that tell you about Kishore Kumar’s capability or versatility as a singer. This just goes to prove that Kishore Kumar was no match for the very talented Mohd Rafi and quite frankly if it wasn’t for people like Dev Anand and Rajesh Khanna who were good friends with Kishore Kumar and his brother Ashok Kumar there is absolutely no way that Kishore Kumar would have had such a strong foothold in the industry.
Rafisaab is beyond comparison…….he is divine,peerless……anybody having a sense of music will admit that……other singers have fans but our beloved Rafisaab had scores of devotees…….we worship him………khuda ka nek banda.
I am a big fan of Rafi sir.. His voice is magical, it’s a solace for a lone heart. I have listened to his song, ” tum mujhe yun bhula na paoge” hundreds of time. I have read many articles about his humility like, when people said that his songs have given stardom to many heroes, in reply he had said that if that’s the case every actor for whom he had sung should have been seen the stardom and he gave the credit not to himself but to the actors . That’s the kind of humility which is rare to be seen these days. His good nature comes out in his songs. I had read somewhere, that when he became popular, people started thronging wherever he went and started asking for his autograph, at first it seems he asked his music directors that why people are taking his autograph? Where can you see such innocence. What a great singer and great man..You will always live in our heart Rafi Sahab
Her clarification proves that she had ruined careers of many upcoming female singers of that time.
LaTa ji got a Bharat Ratna Award but Mohammed Rafi is himself a real Bharat Ratna and never be replace as God gift.
Mohd Rafi Is number one and before one is zero and after one is two….
God made one sun and one Mohd Rafi (as singer) for our earth….
Music directors made singers but Mohd rafi made music directors
the word of greatest singer for mohd rafi is so small….
Nice nerration, interesting history of Golden era even witout
lata Mengeshkar..
very nice.
regards,
Ghawas.
Lata ji has many detractors as well as big time followers. But Rafi saab has Grt Followers – Everywhere.
That’s why there are over 15,000 musicals dedicated to Rafi Saaheb in the months of July and December.
Unofficially – He is our Bharat Ke Ratna – the Real Ambassador, Uniting many cultures and human beings by his Voice.
The One Man One Industry Mohd Rafi By his voice – gives Bread and Recognition to Innumerable Musicians, Singers and Music Industry.
Unparelled ….
from the Rafi Foundation Trust.
Mumbai
Cell : 9833 250 701
Both Rafi saheb and Lataji decided not to sing together over Royalty issue. When Rafi saheb said l will not sing with u ( Lataji ) she also recprocated by saying l will not sing with u Rafi saheb . If that is the case where is the question of Rafi saheb alone tendering an apology ? She should have also given an apology .But the fact remains ever that the episode of Royalty further took Rafi saheb to rarified heights as person of exemplary qualities and human being par excellence besides being singer of the highest order. it is an admitted fact as weall know Rafi saheb was not after money or fame rather these two followed him where ever he went .listen to him to find divinity in his work .
When Rafiji & Lataji were singing together (1961 & before) she used to sing 230 songs yearly on an average,but when the two stalwarts were not singing together, Lataji could get only 15 to 20 songs yearly.This proves that 1)Rafisaab was far better singer & person too.(2)Reputed music directors could afford to loose Lataji but not Rafiji.(3)Sumanji & Ashaji were ready to fill vaccum (?) if at all / certainly created. (4)Real damage was done by SK,therefore melodyqueen made settlement with Rafisaab.(5) Some Lata-preferring musicians did tried M.Kapur,Mukesh, Mannadey but couldn’t dominate Asha-Rafi & SK – Rafi combination.(6)Crestfallen due to all these things,she was constrained to take this decision.(7)This step proved fruitful,because SK & Ashaji latter got less songs.(8)Had she lost more time for this decision,SK would have left her miles behind.
Dear Shekhar ji
Thanks for the facts stated by your goodself. Infact I am now 68 plus and hv been listening songs of all singers right from the age of 10 but I hv not been able to find any singer of the stature of our beloved Rafi Saab. No male/female playback singer is even near to the level of singing, which Rafi Saab had. I hv listened those songs which hv been separately sung by Rafi Saab and Lataji or any other singer. I hv seen and observed and realized that song sung by Rafi Saab is clearly superduper and song by the other singer is not matchable. the other singer is just struggling. I give an example song ‘ O mere shahe khuba o mere jane jananah tum mere pass hote ho, koi dusra nahi hota’. this song has been sung both by Rafi Saab and Lataji. one can find Lataji is struggling and Rafi Saab has very easily sung it. there is no comparison of their talent. Also another song Pardesion se na ankhian milana. U wud find the difference.
Another example Mukeshji cud not sing the song of film mere naam joker ‘ sadke heer tujhpe hum faqir sadke’ the way Rajkapoor ji wanted. our beloved Rafi Saab was requested to sing it and he did it to the pleasure of all.
Not only the above Rafi Sab sang many songs for Kishore Kumar and it was appreciated by all. there wont be second example where a singer has to sing for another singer. Rafi Saab had a clear edge compated to other singer of his times.
It is admitted fact that Rafi Saab can’t be compared with any other singer whether male or female.
Thanks for the article. Keep it up . it gives big boost to Rafian fans.
my rich regards,
r l arora
In my opinion there are many singers who can almost sing like Lata but no body can sing like Rafi If we had talent shows like sa re ga ma , indian idol lots of Latas could have been found.
“The lady doth protest too much, methinks” the quotation from a line by Lady Macbeth of Shakespeare is perhaps a suitable comment.
I respect Lataji for her greaat talent but Rafi had talent and humility which she could not equal then .Though one hopes time would have mellowed her rancour also HKrishnan
The blog speculating on the possible reasons why Lata Jee and Rafi Sahib stopped singing duets together between years 1961 and 1965, prompts me to write these comments. If the reasons of disagreements were about Loyalty payment Issues then the differences can be termed as ” Professional Ethics & Business Rules” and as such that disagreement was any thing BUT Personal. Therefore asking for written forgiveness should not be a solution of those issues.
So if Lata Jee has publicly stated that Rafi Sahib did write a written apology before they started to play back together does not make sense to me personally and I find it very confusing. I deeply respect Lata Jee as a living legend in world of singing and that view will not change for as long as I live, but as a human we all make mistakes and coming CLEAN is the way to be able to live with your conscious. My deepest respects for Lata Jee and Mohammad Rafi.
Lata may have had a voice like a nightingale but definately a black heart. I’m so glad that the facts in this article speak for themselves and highlights that whilst at the time of their spat most music directors found no problem in replacing Lata but still chose to keep Mohd Rafi and the combination of his voice with other female artists such as suman and Asha made no dent in his career but obviously impacted severely on Lata’s. No wonder why even up to the present day she still see’s Mohd Rafi as a threat as his fan base is much bigger than hers but most importantly people don’t like her as a person, whereas Mohd Rafi was such a nice humble down to earth man that he can’t do much wrong in anyone’s eyes.