This weekend , I am concluding the series if the sad/soulful song rendered by Mohd Rafi. I could have gone with the list for atleast one more weekend, but then I thought the list should only have THE BEST songs, and not best songs.
So here is the final list:
1 First on the list is song from 1970 film Heer Ranjha, written by Kaofi Azmi and composed by Madan Mohan. The song is “ Yeh Duniya Yeh Mehfil, Mere Kaam Ki Nahin”. The speciality of this song is first he is picturised on Raaj Kumar, who in his career not sung many songs on the screen, and secondly the way Mohd Rafi has sung, how he ihas changed his voice in antra after antra, some times at slow pitch and some times at high to very high pitch.
2 Now this song, which is from 1968 film Neel Kamal, writen by Sahir Ludhianavi and composed by Ravi, and the song is “ Babul Ki Duayen Leti Ja, Ja Tujhko Sukhi Sansar Mile, Maike Ki Kabhi Na Yaad Aaye Sasural Mein Itna Pyar Mile”. This is considered as the best song on the situation-when girl is leaving her paternal home after marriage. In some portion of the song, you get the feeeling Mohd Rafi is literally crying while singing the song. It has been said that after completing the recording Mohd Rafi was still sobbing, and then someone asked him why he is sobbing, you know what was his reply, he said while singing the song I was thinking about my daugther leaving my house after marriage.
3 This is from 1977 film Hum Kisise Kam Nahin, song is written by Majrooh Sultanpuri and composed by RD Burman. This song is picturised on Taariq.The song is “ Kya Hua Tera Waada, Woh Kasam Woh Irada, Bhoolega Dil Jis Din Tumhe, Who Din Zindagi Ka Aakhri Din Hoga”. Although it is a sad song but is not sung at low voice or slow pace, the pace if the song is fast, and you start feeling how the singer can impart great pathos and sadness at such pace.
4 This song is from 1964 film Kashmir Ki Kali, it is written by SH Bihari and composed by OP Nayyar, picturised on Shammi Kapoor. The song is “ Yeh Duniya Usiki Zamana Usika, Mohabbat Mein Jo Ban Gaya Woh Kisika”. OP Nayyar has not composed many sad songs during his earlier part of career as he was famous for his lively music compositions, from this song people started realising that he can composed sad songs also. Moph Rafi as ususal sang this song with great slow and medium pitch voice.
5 This song is from 1960 film Choudhavin K Chand, and is written by Shakeel Badayuni and composed by Ravi and picturised on Guru Dutt. The song is “Mili Khak Mein Mohabbat, Jala Dil Ka Ashiyana, Jo Thi Aajtak Haqeeqat Wohi Ban Gaya Fasana”. As usual Mohd Rafi sung the song by giving full justice to the sadness depicted in the lyrics of the song.
6 This song is from 1959 film, which was considered to be biggest flop when released but afterwards it became the classic film and name of the film is Kaagaz Ke Phool, written by Kaifi Azmi and composed by SD Burman. The song is in two versions happy and sad, both the versions, the song is “Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari, Bichade Sabhi Baari Baari” are sung by Mohd Rafi, but the sad song is much better, and both the songs are background songs.
7 Lastly I have chosen 2 songs from 1957 film Pyasa, written by Sahir Ludhianavi and composed by SD Burman, both the songs are picturised on Guru Dutt.The first song is- “ Yeh Kuche Yeh Nilaam Ghar Dilkashi Ke, Yeh Lut Te Hue Karwaan Zindagi Ke, Kahan Hai, Kahan Hai Muhafiz Khudi KE, Jinhe Naazs Hai Hind Par Who Kahan Hai”. The speciality of this song is that there is minimum instumental music and only sad voice of Mohd Rai singing the song.
The second song is “Yeh Mahalon Yeh Takhton Yeh Taazon Ki Duniya,Yeh Insaan Ke Dushman Samajon Ki Duniya, Yeh Daulat Ke Jhoote Riwazon Ki Duniya, Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai” The song starts with very low voice, like whisper, of Mohd Rafi and as the song progresses the pitch of the voice and pace startes changing and the last antra it is at highest pitch and suddenly it end in a low voice.. The way Mohd Rafi modulated his voice during the whole song is quite commedable, ultimately this song is also among the top 5 songs of Mohd Rafi.
So in 3 weekend blogs, I have covered 29 songs, which I rated the best sad/soulful songs which have been sung by Mohd Rafi.
I hope you all must have liked my selection, and if you have some other song as your favourite, please let me know.
Anil Malik
Mumbai,India
5th March 2021