Today let’s celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Rafi, one of the greatest playback singers of Hindi cinema. Last year on the same occasion, I started the birth centenary year with ‘the yearly review of Rafi’s Hindi film songs’. And though not planned, today I’m presenting the most crucial year of his career in Hindi films.
The year 1948 proved to be a turning point in his career, and the next year was the most successful year of the late 40s.
Image Courtsy – YouTube
Without wasting time, I’ll present the highlights of the year –
- The number of Hindi film songs directly crossed 100. He sang for 49 films with 120+ songs. The number was almost half in 1948
- His song for the film, Pyar Ki Jeet (1948) was his first and the only song he sang for Husnalal Bhagatram in that year. It was perhaps the immense popularity of the song that the duo Husnalal Bhagatram was at the top among the composers who composed for Rafi in 1949
- The Top 4 composers for 1949 were
Husnalal Bhagatram – 8 films
Hansraj Behl – 6 films
C Ramchandra – 5 films
Naushad – 4 films - He sang his first song for the first time for the duo, Shankar Jaikishan, who debuted in the year
- One of the overlooked highlights is Rafi’s first duet with Asha Bhosle. He sang a couple of duets with her in 1949. Later she would be the one to sing the maximum number of duets with Rafi
- His association with Naushad strengthened with the solo from Dulari and Rafi would then be the principal singer for him forever
- On the other hand, his songs with C Ramchandra became less in number and ultimately Rafi would sing sparingly for him in the 50s
- His association with Hansraj Behl, Shyam Sunder, Ghulam Mohammad continued
- He sang for the first time for Vinod and he would then become a regular singer for Vinod and sang for him throughout the 50s
- Khayyam, who was composing under the pseudonym, Sharmaji, had paired with Rehman Verma as the duo, Sharmaji Vermaji. He composed independently for Parda after Verma ji migrated to Pakistan. And the film had Rafi’s first song under his baton
- Shamshad Begum, Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Dutt, Beenapani Mukherjee were his most frequent female playback singers in the year while he also sang with Mukesh and S D Batish among the male playback singers
Let’s now turn to the list, a bouquet of 25 songs, on the occasion of Rafi’s 100th birth anniversary.
1. Mohabbat Ke Dhokhe Mein – Badi Behen (1949) / Husnalal Bhagatram – Rajendra Krishan
The song followed the footsteps of Ek Dil Ke Tukde Hazaar Hue. This song was also picturised on Rehman and it seems such type of songs sung by Rafi became a trend.
2. Tumhein Sunaye Ek Kahani – Jaltarang (1949) / Husnalal Bhagatram – Sarshar Sailani
While I’m very fond of the Lata Mangeshkar and Rafi duet, ‘Zara Tumne Dekha To’ from the film, I decided to highlight other songs. I couldn’t exactly say, if I would call this song a romantic song, it seems to have undertones of sorrow. I take it as a perfect example of a song of storytelling.
3. Duniya Walo Mujhe Batao – Balam (1949) with S D Batish / Husnalal Bhagatram – Qamar Jalalabadi
What a delightful song! Actually I should have remembered it for my ‘Saga of love’ post published a few months back. But I somehow missed it. Two friends discussing love. Picturised on Jayant and Wasti, the song is a musical treat.
4. Ae Ishq Humein Barbaad Na Kar – Naach (1949) with Suraiya / Husnalal Bhagatram – Sarshar Sailani
It was one of the duets of Rafi and Suraiya which I like. Rafi had 3 duets (one with Shamshad Begum and two with Suraiya) and 3 trios to his credit. I think Suraiya’s solos from this movie were more popular than the other songs. And I couldn’t help adding that Husnalal Bhagatram tend to use similar tunes and rhythms in my opinion and the songs appear monotonous after a while.
Shyam Sunder was amongst the composers who gave a chance to Rafi to sing in films in the initial years of his career. This year saw Rafi singing for him in just one movie, but with a lot of songs, including solos, duets and trios. His duets with Lata Mangeshkar from this movie are still popular and are my favourites. Even the trio ‘Chhalla De Ja Nishani’ is good. But for today’s list I decided to add a solo from this movie. So I’ve added,
5. O Janewale Chand – Bazar (1949) / Shyam Sunder – Qamar Jalalabadi
A stage performance by Shyam, with Gope playing harmonium and Nigar Sultana in the audience with Yakub. A good romantic song that is perhaps not as popular as the other songs of the movie.
In my observation, Rafi was a relatively regular singer with C Ramchandra in the late 40s. In the early 50s however, he mainly went for Talat Mahmood and sang himself. I’ve selected just a couple of songs for the list.
6. Haaye Ye Tune Kya Kiya – Duniya (1949) with Suraiya / C Ramchandra – Arzoo Lakhnavi
A typically sweet Chitalkar melody! Quite an enjoyable song with apt expressions by the singers.
7. Tadpake Mujhe Ab Chhod Diya – Namoona (1949) with Lata Mangeshkar / C Ramchandra – Gulshan Jalalabadi
The only song of Rafi for the film, but has stood the test of time. One of their memorable duets.
8. Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki – Dulari (1949) / Naushad – Shakeel Badayuni
An immensely popular song picturised on not so popular actor, Suresh. The song has made the film immortal. Surely one of the finest songs by Rafi. There’s a different Rafi than the one who sang for Husnalal Bhagatram in the same year. The song creates a magical aura and no one wishes to escape it. Rafi’s voice portrays the emotions of sorrow, despair and being all alone so wonderfully. And his voice flowing smoothly through the high and low octaves is a real pleasure to listen to.
9. Yoon To Aapas Mein – Andaz (1949) with Lata Mangeshkar / Naushad – Majrooh
Rafi sang for Raj Kapoor while Mukesh was chosen for Dilip Kumar. This song has a qawwali like orchestration, though not picturised like one. In addition to the singer’s rendition, the other attraction is excellent on-screen chemistry between Raj Kapoor and Nargis. Mukesh’s solos somewhat overshadowed Rafi’s songs in popularity. If I’m correct a couple of songs were recorded in addition, which ultimately were not included in the movie.
10. Tere Kuche Mein Armaanon Ki Duniya – Dillagi (1949) / Naushad – Shakeel Badayuni
Dillagi was full of solos and duets by Suraiya, and her popular duet was with Shyam. Rafi however had just a couple of soulful solos to his credit. Both the songs dipped in sorrow are worth listening to, especially this song that has the typical Naushad touch in its orchestration.
11. Chheen Ke Dil Kyun – Chandni Raat (1949) with Shamshad Begum / Naushad – Shakeel Badayuni
The film had one solo and as good as three duets of Rafi with Shamshad Begum. To limit the songs in a blue mood, I preferred this playful romantic duet which may sound sad if you read the first line of mukhada without listening to it. The song also has a captivating tonga rhythm that further makes it more appealing. Shamshad’s entry in the third verse in cherry on the icing.
Lata Mangeshkar was yet to become the prime female singer for Naushad. And this was her first film with Naushad where she was offered a duet with G M Durrani.
Hansraj Behl was an underrated composer who did compose marvelous songs. While he couldn’t achieve a position in the first rung of composers of Hindi cinema, his songs from the 40s and the 50s are excellent. Among the six films he composed for Rafi in 1949, I’ve added one song from three films. The songs are still popular and considered as one of Rafi’s bests.
12. Jin Raaton Mein Neend Ud Jaati Hai – Raat Ki Rani (1949) / Hansraj Behl – Arzoo Lakhnavi
It is quite a popular ghazal among old Hindi film song lovers. Rafi sings it as if he is reciting it in a mushaira. He adds, ‘अर्ज़ किया है’ or ‘ग़ौर फर्माइए’ where ever necessary, to attract the attention of the listeners. Behl proposes a slowly playing continuous tabla rhythm that sounds absolutely suitable to the ghazal. Behl added Rafi to his musical team as a permanent member. After the year, Rafi sang for him quite consistently.
13. Dil Toota Aur Armaan Lute – Roomal (1949) / Hansraj Behl – Mulkraj Bhakri
Again one of Rafi’s rare songs from an obscure film that is considered an iconic song. Rafi’s expressions are so real, it really seems that he is singing suppressing his tears. Indeed heart touching rendition!
I still remember the days (around a decade back) when I came across this song for the first time and was searching for a good audio quality song. I’m glad I found it now and added it.
14. Sajan Ki Ot Leke – Zevrat (1949) with Lata Mangeshkar / Hansraj Behl – Habeeb Sarhadi
A cute romantic duet that fits perfectly in the era, when Lata and Rafi duets by Husnalal Bhagatram were popular. It sounds like one of those duets, though it’s not composed by the duo. The lines of mukhda are tuned in a fast pace, the singers sound a little breathless. We can prominently appreciate the Punjabi style of music in the song. Adding ‘ल ल ल ला ल ल ला’ gives it a carefree spirit, something that sounds sweet.
15. Main Zindagi Mein Hardum – Barsaat (1949) Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
Shankar Jaikishan debuted with the RK films movie, Barsaat. Mukesh was the chosen singer for Raj Kapoor. But Rafi was chosen for this song, which is picturised as a background song. It was the beginning of one of the most popular and successful associations of Hindi cinema, that of Rafi and SJ. He was to sing for the duo for more than two decades to come.
16. Samajhe The Ke Guzarenge – Banoo (1949) / Ram Prasad Sharma – Kamil Rashid, Saghar Nizami
The song doesn’t seem to be easy to sing. But Rafi sings this complex tune with perfect voice modulations and his heart touching rendition makes it a memorable song.
If you are wondering who Ram Prasad Sharma is, then he’s the father of Pyarelal Sharma from the duo, Laxmikant Pyarelal. He composed for just a handful of Hindi films and couldn’t get commercial success. He mainly worked as trumpet player though he was master in playing ten musical instruments. The song, Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki on today’s list also has his magical trumpet notes.
17. Jale Jalanewale Humko – Chilman (1949) with Mukesh / Hanuman Prasad – P L Santoshi
What fun! The song could be picturised on a group of friends, of course in the absence of video it’s just a guess! The friends discuss the behaviour of girls in general. The tune has a similarity with Zara Sun Lo Hum Apne Pyar Ka from Bazaar. It’s interesting that both the songs were released in the same year.
18. Ab Haal e Dil – Ek Thi Ladki (1949) with Lata Mangeshkar / Vinod – Aziz Kashmiri
Rafi’s first film with Vinod. He got to sing many songs for the film, including duets and trios. This song is picturised on Motilal and Meena Shorey. One of my favourites from the film.
19. Dil Leke Chhupnewale – Paras (1949) with Lata Mangeshkar / Paras – Shakeel Badayuni
Again a great favourite of mine. Beautiful singing by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. It’s picturised on handsome Rehman and beautiful Kamini Kaushal. Though the couple is addressing each other, and they are facing each other, the song makes an impression as if they are separate.
20. Ek Dil Ne Kaha – Parda (1949) / Sharmaji (Khayyam) – Swami Ramanand Saraswati
As I said in the introduction, Parda was Rafi’s first movie with Khayyam. Rafi has rendered the soulful song with apt expressions. The song is picturised on Rehana and Amar (whom I came across for the first time). Certainly a good song.
21. Teer Pe Teer Khaye Ja – Rooplekha (1949) / Sajjad – Khumar Barabankvi
A typical Sajjad song! Sung wonderfully by Rafi. Sajjad had a very high regard for Rafi and obviously used to feature in most of his films.
22. Bhaj Man Kamalnayan Kamlesh – Sant Janabai (1949) / Sudhir Phadke – Pandit Narendra Sharma
A beautifully sung bhajan by Rafi. The film had a lot of songs (HFGK mentions 21 songs) and though names of playback singers for all the songs are not available, I could confirm 5 songs by Rafi. I thank Arunkumar Deshmukh for the information.
As I said in the introduction, this year Rafi sang with Asha Bhosle for the first time. There were a couple of songs and I’m presenting one of them.
23. Karle Kisise Pyar – Lekh (1949) with Asha Bhosle / Krishna Dayal – Qamar Jalalabadi
A good song, though not well known or popular. Asha Bhosle was a newcomer and yet to develop her own style and identity. But she impresses the listeners nevertheless. Lekh featured Suraiya, Motilal and Sitara Devi. Asha Bhosle had a good number of songs in the movie including solos and duets.
24. Tu Kahan Hai Balam – Gharana (1949) with Paro Devi / Mohammad Shafi – Behzad Lakhnavi
I repeated the song, it was on my Mohammad Shafi list done last year. The film and the song might not be well known, but the song slowly grows on you. The aalaap sung repeatedly by the singers is catchy and melodious. Paro Devi was a singing actress of the 40s, though she didn’t continue her singing in the 50s.
And,
A special song to end today’s list.
25. Duniya Mein Amiron Ko Aaram Nahi Milta – Kaneez (1949) with S D Batish, Kishore Kumar & Chorus / Ghulam Haider – Hasrat Lakhnavi
The song is a sort of satirical follow up to the song, ‘Duniya Mein Gharibon Ko Aaram Nahi Milta’ from Zamindar, also composed by Ghulam Haider. The lines sung in rapping style are lip synced by an actor who resembles Kishore Kumar and the style of singing also matches with his. Moreover the film credits also mention an actor named Kishore. So it’s highly likely that he was Kishore Kumar himself and sung the lines. One of his early screen appearances. I got the information from an article on ASAD.
Would you add your favourite by Rafi keeping the timeline?
Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs vests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.