In today’s weekend blog, I am again talking about India’s greatest singer ever and that is Mohd Rafi. He has sung all types of songs for all kind of actors under all composers of his era.Today I am talking about his soulful numbers, you may call tham sad songs or Dard Bhare Geet. In my opinion no Indian singer has rendered such type of songs, the way he has put so much feeling in the songs is out of this world.
I am starting with my favourite souful songs sung by him, I am not aware how many songs will enter this list as there are many many songs of this type. The list is in random order :
1 I am starting the list from 1949 film Barsaat, this happens to be his first song for Shankar Jaikishan in their debut film, songs is written by Hasrat Jaipuri and picturised on Raj Kapoor and the song is “ Main Zindagi Mein Hardam Rota Hi Raha Hoon”. It has been said that Raj Kapoor had instructed Shankar Jaikishan to use Mukesh as his playback songer, but they thought Mohd Rafi will do more justice to this song and they reluctantly requested Raj Kapoor to allow them to use Mohd Rafi’s voice for this song, and he sung it so well and gave full justice to the song.
2 Next I have chosen 2 songs from 1543 film Baiju Bawra, which are composed by Naushad and written by Shakeel Badayuni. First song is “ Man Tadpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj”. This can be sonsidered as one of the best bhajan ever which graced the Bollywood screen, and what a coincidence this bhajan is created by 3 Muslim artists (Singer, composer & lyricist).
Second song is “ O Duniya Ke Rakhwale, Sun Dard Bhare Mere Naale”. The way Mohd Rahi has sung this sing is amzing, specially the parts where he has sung at very high pitch.Both the songs are picturised on Bharat Bhushan
3 This song is from 1949 film Dulari, it is written by Shakeel Badayuni and composed by Naushad and the song is “Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki Na Jaane Tum Kab Aaoge”. In my opinion this is the best sad romantic song. Although you may not like the video of this song, but hearing this song in audio format gives you wonderful experience. It is picturised on not very known actor Suresh.
4 This song is from 1955 film Udan Khatola, written by Shakeel Badayuni and composed by Naushad and picturised on Dilip Kumar. The song is “O Door Ke Musafir Humko Bhi Saath Lele , Hum Reh Gaye Akele”. Very soulful number.
5 This song is from 1957 film Changez Khan, written by Qamar Jalalabadi and composed by Hansraj Bahl and picturised on Premnath. The song is “Mohabbat Zinda Rehti Hai, Magar Yeh Mar Nahin Sakti”. The full song is sung at high pitch and full credit to Mohd Rafi for giving soul to this song.
6 This is from 1958 film Madhumati, written by Shailendra and composed by Salil Choudhary, it is picturised on Dilip Kumar. The song is “Toote Hu Khwabon Ne Mum Ko Yeh Sikhaya Hai, Dil Ne Jise Paya Tha Ankhon Ne Gavaya Hai”. All the other Dilip Kumar songs in this film are not sung by Mohd Rafi, but composer chose him to sing the song knowing that only Mohd Rafi’s voice can portray the feeling of the song.
7 This song is from 1959 film Dhool Ka Phool, written by Sahir Ludhianavi and composed by N Dutta. In the film this is background song featuring Mala Sinha. The song is “Daaman Mein Daag Laga Baithe, Hum Pyar Mein Dhoka Kha Baithe”. Producer of the film BR Chopra has rift with Mohd Rafi and he has hardly used Mohd Rafi’s voice in his home productions, but for this song he had no choice because lyricist and composer insisted that only Mohd Rafi can do justice this song.
8 This song is from 1960 film Mughal e Azam, written by Shakeel Badayuni and composed by Naushad, and picturised on character actor Kumar. The song is “ Zindabad Zindabad Ae Mohabbat Zindabad”. This is the only male number in this film, and the song is fully sung at high pitch and very high pitch.
9 This song is from 1963 film Dil Ek Mandir, written by Shailendra and composed by Shankar Jaikishan and picturised on Rajendra Kumar. The song is “Yaad Na Jaaye Beete Dinon Ki, Ja Kar Na Aaye Jo Din, unhe Dil Kyun Bulaye”. When Mohd Rafi expired in 1980, Bombay Doordarshan in their tribute programme played Rafi’s various song and when this song was played Doordarshan shut off the video and put up a caption just listen this song of Mohd Rafi.
10 Next there are 2 songs from 1964 film Dosti, written by Majrooh Sultanpuri and composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal, and picturised on Sudhir Kumar. First song is “Chahaoonga Main Tujhe Sanjh Savere, Phir Bhi Kabhi Naam Ko Tere Awaz Main na Doonga”. In this song you get the feeling that character is almost on the verge of crying, which is very evident in 2nd verse. This type of feeling ony Mohd Rafi could in the rendition.
Secong song is “ Mera To Jo Bhi Kadam hai, Who Teri Raah Mein Hai” In the 2nd verse the way Mohd Rafi has changed the pitch of the song from very high to low pitch, ie quite admirable.
There are still many songs left, which I will cover in coming weekend blogs.
Waiting for your view and comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
19th February 2021.