I’m sure you all enjoyed the Diwali treat last Sunday. After presenting Rafi’s solos with Laxmikant Pyarelal, today I’ll present a few of my favourite duets sung by Rafi under their baton.
If you take a look at the list, 12 songs out of 20 (60%) are Rafi’s duets with Lata Mangeshkar. I think that’s quite obvious if we take into account their 75+ duets, the highest number under any composer. So the maximum popular duets are also with Lata Mangeshkar.
Rafi’s duets with Asha Bhosle, which could be around 45 are less popular in comparison. I found myself choosing just 3 of her duets for today’s list. Also I’ve chosen Rafi’s duets with other prominent singers like Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, Mukesh, Suman Kalyanpur, Usha Mangeshkar which are under the baton of Laxmikant Pyarelal.
Image Courtsey – Indian Express
I’m not going for a long prologue.
The songs are arranged chronologically. I hope most of our choices will match. But of course each of us will have his/her own list.
So let’s start…….
1. Woh Jab Yaad Aaye – Parasmani (1963) with Lata Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Asad Bhopali
Their first film Parasmani had this lovely duet picturised on Mahipal and Geetanjali. Even after all these years, the duet hasn’t lost its glory and popularity. Certainly one of their best duets. And it was just the beginning for the duo. Who knew they were to record their highest number of duets under the baton of Laxmikant Pyarelal in future!
From 1964 to 1966, Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar didn’t sing together, following a rift between the two, related to the song royalty issues. In these years either Laxmikant Pyarelal went for Asha Bhosle and Suman Kalyanpur or if they couldn’t avoid Lata Mangeshkar, Mahendra Kapoor was called in.
Let’s listen to a couple of duets during this period.
2. Paas Aakar To Na Yoon – Laadla (1966) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by Rajendra Krishan
Rafi’s duets with Asha Bhosle under the baton of Laxmikant Pyarelal started in 1966. As I said in the introduction, their duets somehow couldn’t be as popular as their duets under the batons of O P Nayyar, S D Burman, or Shankar Jaikishan. Still this beautiful duet certainly deserved a place on today’s list. It’s so melodious!
3. Tumse O Haseena Kabhi – Farz (1967) with Suman Kalyanpur / Lyrics by Anand Bakshi
A catchy dance number from Farz. I don’t exactly remember the situation in the song, but I think Jitendra plays a police or a detective and has come to the club to catch someone. A jazzy orchestration and both the singers have done a good job.
4. Woh Hain Zara Khafa Khafa – Shagird (1967) with Lata Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Majrooh
Joy Mukherjee, Saira Banu and I S Johar starrer Shagird had all good songs. Having resolved the differences, Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar were singing together. A western styled orchestration arranged so wonderfully! This is among my all time favorites. Laxmikant Pyarelal proved themselves to be masters in arranging such a type of romantic songs in western style.
5. Yeh Dil Tum Bin Kahin – Izzat (1968) with Lata Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Sahir
Again one of the masterpieces by all the related artists. A song that stands among the top ten of their duets. Laxmikant Pyarelal used their favourite violins in the interludes along with guitar as a rhythm support that intensity the aura of the song. Tabla opens in the beginning of each verse. The arrangement sounds very easy on the ear.
6. Ek Tera Saath Humko – Wapas (1969) with Lata Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Majrooh
The song is picturised on Alka and Shekhar Purohit, both of whom I haven’t watched earlier in any Hindi film. The song is however very popular and certainly deserves to be! It’s lovely!
7. Na Karoon Band Tere – Madhvi (1969) with Manna Dey / Lyrics by Anand Bakshi
Heard this song for the first time during the research. I won’t call it great, but certainly fun to watch and to listen to. Manna Dey sings for Mehmood and Rafi for Mukri. Both seem to fight against each other, and both appear enchanted by a young Aruna Irani.
8. Dhal Gaya Din – Humjoli (1970) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by Anand Bakshi
The song is very popular and is mainly remembered for the initial badminton sequence. Though not great, the song has a catchy rhythm and that certainly makes you remember it. I think one of the main reasons for Laxmikant Pyarelal’s popularity was that the songs were easily hummable with a catchy rhythm.
9. Jhilmil Sitaron Ka Aangan Hoga – Jeevan Mrityu (1970) with Lata Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Anand Bakshi
One of my favourites! Though the song hasn’t got extraordinary lyrics or tune, it has something that appeals. Picturised on Dharmendra and young Rakhi, the song talks about dreams of a newly / would be married couple. Both the singers portray apt emotions.
10. Kya Tum Wohi Ho – Man Ki Aankhen (1970) with Suman Kalyanpur / Lyrics by Sahir
In this film, Rafi sang duets with Lata Mangeshkar as well as Suman Kalyanpur. This slow paced soulful song is lyrically good, just that you should have time and patience to listen to this melody with ठहराव. Beautiful use of flute throughout the song.
11. Mujhe Teri Mohabbat ka – Aap Aaye Bahar Aayi (1971) with Lata Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Anand Bakshi
Though I had a Rafi solo from this movie on the solo songs list, I couldn’t avoid adding this melody to the list. I like the song a lot.
12. Itna To Yaad Hai Mujhe – Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971) with Lata Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Anand Bakshi
Yet another beautiful duet! Picturised on Rajesh Khanna and Leena Chandevarkar, it’s a delight to listen to.
13. Ye Zulf Kaisi Hai – Piya Ka Ghar (1972) with Lata Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Anand Bakshi
What a cute song it is! It’s picturised on young Anil Dhawan and Jaya Bhaduri. Though it’s very simple, with simple lyrics and uncomplicated tune, the song leaves an impact. It is the only song Rafi sang for this movie.
14. Patta Patta Boota Boota – Ek Nazar (1972) with Lata Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Majrooh
The song borrows its mukhda from a ghazal by Meer Taqi Meer. The verses by Majrooh do complement it and it’s beautifully sung by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. Again it’s the only song Rafi sang for the movie.
15. Aadmi Musafir Hai – Apnapan (1977) with Lata Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Anand Bakshi
Anand Bakshi received his first Filmfare award for the best lyricist for this song, though he was nominated almost all the years from the 70s. The song stood second in Binaca geetmala, confirming its popularity. The song uses journey as a metaphor for life. The song is primarily picturised on Sudhir Dalvi and Nivedita Joshi, in a running bus where Jitendra and Sulakshana Pandit are also traveling. The singers also formed a significant part of this song as their soulful rendition made it immortal.
16. Saat Ajube Is Duniya Mein – Dharam Veer (1977) with Mukesh / Lyrics by Anand Bakshi
Though not as glorious as their previous songs, this song is not bad. It’s picturised on Dharmendra and Jitendra, who lip sync to Rafi’s and Mukesh’s voices respectively.
17. Hey Naam Re Sabse Bada – Suhaag (1979) with Asha Bhosle / Lyrics by Anand Bakshi
The song is perhaps based on a traditional garba tune and rhythm. The song prominently features even today in Garba celebrations and is very popular. The song is primarily picturised on Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan, who lip sync to the singer’s voices, and Shashi Kapoor and Amjad Khan are also seen in it. My list would have been incomplete without this one!
18. Dafliwale Dafli Baja – Sargam (1979) with Lata Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Anand Bakshi
Rafi was a part of all the 7 songs of this movie, including 4 solos and 3 duets with Lata Mangeshkar. All the duets were extremely popular and are still popular. This duet is the most popular and I like it. Beautiful musical arrangement and orchestration in the song. No wonder it topped the annual Binaca geetmala program.
19. Chanda Mama Se Pyaara Mera Mama – Kartavya (1979) with Usha Mangeshkar / Lyrics by Verma Malik
The song is really sweet and sung beautifully by Rafi and Usha Mangeshkar. It portrays a cute relationship between mama and bhanji.
20. Bane Chahe Dushman Zamana Hamara – Dostana (1980) with Kishore Kumar / Lyrics by Anand Bakshi
Rafi sings for Shatrughna Sinha and Kishore Kumar for Amitabh Bachchan. The song has almost become a symbol of friendship.
To limit the number of songs, I had to leave out a lot of melodies. I know you will add the missed ones.
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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.