In my today’s weekend blog, I am again back to my favourite payback singer Mohd Rafi. On the net some people say that he was the greatest playback singer India ever had and I tend to agree with all those people. He was the one singer who could sing all types of song, like romantic, sad, ghazal, qawali devotional, comedy, fast numbers, song with high pitched voice. He used to give full justice to the tunes composed by music directors. In today’s blog I am writing about top 10 songs which he has sung for actors other than Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar and Johny walker. It has been said that till his death in 1980, he must have sung for all the leading male actors , during his career when he was working between 1950 to 1980.
I am listing the songs, with You tube link.
10 Aaya Re Khilone wala Khel Khilone Laya Re- Picturised on Sanjeev Kumar in film Bachpan.
Actually Mohd Rafi has sung many songs for Sanjeev Kumar, which were more popular, but this song is chosen because the way Mohd Rafi has brought helplessness and pathos in voice is the highlight of this song.
9 Kya Hua Tera Waada,Woh Kasam Woh Irada- Picturised on Taariq in film Hum Kisise Kam Nahin.
This song one can say came during 2nd innings of Mohd Rafi, in the early 1970s, most of the leading stars wanted producers to have Kishore Kumar as their playback singer, but still there were few loyalists of Mohd Rafi, who knew certain songs only he can sing, and this song is one of them. This song went on to win all the awards during that year including Filmfare and National award.
8 Chalkaye Jaam Aaiye Aap Hi Ke Naam- Picturised on Dharmendra in film Mere Humdam Mere Dost.
This song is picturised on drunken hero. Although Mohd Rafi had sung many song on this situation, but if you hear this song you feel that someone has sung this song after drinking.The fact is Mohd Rafi was teetotaller.
7 Aaja Tujhko Pukare Mera Pyar- Picturised on Raaj Kumar in film Neel Kamal.
This song is very sad song. Song is picturised on the situation when the hero is being encased in the brick wall as punishment, because he fell in love with princess. You could feel the sadness and helplessness of hero in Mohd Rafi’s voice, depicting the situation to perfection
6 Babul Ki Duayen Leti Ja, Tujhko Sukhi Sansar Mile- Background song featuring Balraj Sahni in film Neel Kamal.
This is considered as the best ever Bidai song. When you hear this song, you can actually feel the father’s emotion when his daughter after marriage is going to her husband’s home. In some of the portion you can feel as if father is crying. It has been said that after recording this song Mohd Rafi could not control his emotions and started crying. Later he told someone that during recording he felt that as if his daughter after marriage is leaving my home.
5 Mera To Jo Bhi Kadam Hai Who Teri Raah Mein Hai- Picturised on Sudhir Kumar in film Dosti.
This was the film which had no known actor and small budgeted film, with music by Laxmikant Pyarelal, who were 1 or 2 films old. The story was about two friends one blind and other lame. All the male songs were sung by Mohd Rafi, and in this song the blind friend is sad but he is still showing his emotions for his friend. Because he is blind, he sings Mera To Jo Bhi Kadam Who Teri Raah Mein Hai, meaning I am no body if I do not walk on your path. The way Mohd Rafi has sung is sheer genius.
4 Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho, Lagta Hai Sansaar Mil Gaya- Picturised on Navin Nishchal in film Hanste Zakhm
This song is the ultimate romantic song, when lover says to his beloved, that after meeting you I feel that I have conquered the world. What a poetry, and the way Mohd Rafi has sung this song is just admirable, because in the song how his voice moves from slow pitch to medium and high pitch and back to slow.
3 Chahoonga Tujhe Sanjh Savere, Phir Bhi Kabhi Ab Naam Ko Tere- Picturised on Sudhir Kumar in Dosti.
This song is also from Dosti. In this song the blind friend depicts his emotions when the circumstances force the two friends to leave each other . Mohd Rafi’s voice in this song is so good that after listening this song one wonders how a singer can sing the song the way it has been sung by him. Just admirable. He wwon many awards for this song.
2 Kehna Ki Ek Deewana Teri Yaad Aahen Bharta Hai –Picturised on Rishi Kapoor in Laila Majnu.
This song was the less famous song from this film, where all the male song were sung by Mohd Rafi. But this song is known for Mohd Rafi’s voice modulation, and doing full ustice to the lyrics and situation of the song in the film.
1 O Duniya Ke Rakhwale Sun Dard Bhare Mere Naale- Picturised on Bharat Bhushan in film Baiju Bawra.
He sung this song very early in his carrier, and this song proved that what great singer he is going to be. Just listen the way he opens the song with word “Bhagwaan”, and in the end the way he sings at the high note this line “Jeevan Apna Wapis Lele Jeevan Denewale, and last verse is just out of this word.
In real life he was very simple and god fearing man who had no vices. He just went to studio for recording the song and came back to his home, to spend time with his family. He was not fussy about his fee for singing song, whatever producer used to pay him, he used to accept. There are stories about him that he has sung many songs free for the producers who could not afford his fee, or sometimes he has charged just Rs 100. Such was his personality. All the singers of that era like Mukesh, Talat Mehmood, Manna Dey, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar had openly accepted that Mohd Rafi is much better then them. Although at one time Kishore Kumar had become more popular than him and singing more songs as compared to him. At that time people started writing that he has become bigger singer than Mohd Rafi, at that Kishore Kumar had openly said Rafi Sahib is much better singer than me, so please stop this propaganda. It has been said that when he expired Kishore Kumar went into shock and did not tals with any one for three days.
So many of his fans have started the campaign that he should be awarder Bharat Ratna. He truly deserves that award.
Waiting your views and comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
8th January 2021.