There was, and still is, only one singer who can bring numerous expressions and emotions in his voice, more than the nav rasas is Mohd Rafi. Other singers can bring out maybe 2 or 3 emotions in their voices, other than that they sound monotonous and the same in all songs. Here are just one example song for various emotions that Rafiji have brought out, though there are many more songs with lot of variations in expression and emotions.
1 Waiting and Pining- Selected song is “Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki, Na Jaane Tum Kab Aaoge” from Dulari (1949), Shakeel Badayuni (Lyricist-L) and Naushad (Music director-MD). On screen –Suresh.. YouTube Link-
https://youtu.be/RPNMFQDISIY?si=wakOLdLwCPvdhCyI
2 Longing-selected song is “Khoya Khoya Chand, Khula Aasmaan, Ankhon Mein Saari Raat Jayegi”, from Kala Bazaar (160), Shailendra (L), SD Burman (MD). On screen Dev Anand
https://youtu.be/EsENO8IjmoY?si=tuJCpkVDYIFCDKqZ
3 Joy of First Love– selected song is “ Yahoo, Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe” from Junglee (1961), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan(MD). On screen Shammi Kapoor with Saira Banu
https://youtu.be/krdVhzD2THw?si=2AIcBiumWf0F3huu
4 Teasing-selected song is “Badan Pe Sitare Lapete Hue, O Jaane Jahan Kidhar Ja Rahi Ho” from Prince (1968), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Shammi Kapoor with Vyjayantimala
5 Masti– selected song is “Aiyaa Aiyaa Aa, Karoon Main Kya Suku Suku” from Junglee” from Junglee (1961), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Shammi Kapoor
https://youtu.be/EYqya327Nt4?si=3dvAdjzTamFJXWCi
6 Dejection-selected song is “Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukare Chale Gaye” from Kala Paani (1958), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), SD Burman (MD). On screen Dev Anand.
https://youtu.be/Bz4SvsSCoxE?si=tMKlvnV9b7ZrJ2Iu
7 Philosphical– selected song is “Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya” from Hum Dono (1961)., Sahir Ludhianvi (L), Jaidev (MD). On screen Dev Anand.
https://youtu.be/ivBhqDtJeiw?si=CN-vMWkOh4afRVQz
8 Melting Emotion-selected song is “Baharon Phhol Barsao Mera Mehboob Aaya Hai” from Suraj (1966), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Rajendra Kumar with Vyjayantimala.
https://youtu.be/s2IyulqljhA?si=QJPlVYEivO9gSyKR
9 Bhakti-selected song is “Man Tadpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaaj” from Baiju Bawara (1952), Shakeel Badayuni (L), Naushad (MD). On screen Bharat Bhushan.
https://youtu.be/AczxIEZNb_o?si=4ZYXzlafIQhGDnc4
10 Desh Bhakti –selected song is “Yeh Desh Hai veer Jawanon Ka” from Naya Daur (1957), Sahir Ludhianvi (L), OP Nayyar (MD). On screen Dilip Kumar and Ajit.
https://youtu.be/099HSMdFpOc?si=RdK9zrNsCDGzJ3-j
11 Detatchment– selected song is “Yeh Duniya agar Mil Bhi Jaaye To Kya Hai” from Pyasa (1957). Sahir Ludhianvi (L), SD Burman (MD). On screen Guru Dutt.
https://youtu.be/t8f7bukIUWU?si=BX_xiDEgML7xQDA9
12 Just Fun– selected song is “ Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan” from CID (1956), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), OP Nayyar (MD). On screen Johny Walker.
https://youtu.be/gQgguMKy5is?si=QtjRpEVAAiQftque
13 Tears of Love– selected song is “ Dil Ke Jharoke Mein Tujhko Bithake” from Brahamchari (1968), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shakar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Shammi Kapoor.
https://youtu.be/gq0vQ7afuv0?si=1v6AsAXxWdU5_NbW
14 Just love– selected song is “ Mujhe Kitna Pyar Hai Tumse, Apne Hi Dil Se Poocho Tum” from Dil Tera Deewana (1962) Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Shammi Kapoor and Mala Sinha.
https://youtu.be/0fCCTlqBmN0?si=cDVBwkmP1V7t7opL
15 Just Romance– selected song is “ Aye Gulbadan, Phoolon Ko Mehak, Kaanton Ki Chubhan” from Professor (1962), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Shammi Kapoor.
https://youtu.be/jroIBI4mH5g?si=z0FK5dydtSIBiRCr
16 Rustic Love– selected song is “ Hum Kaale Hain To Kya Hua Dilwale Hain” from Gumnaam (1965), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Mehmood.
https://youtu.be/ILgrhR9rjyM?si=i_wsQcARMKhGVkWf
17 Pain of Love– selected song is “ Din Dhal Jaaye Aur Raat Na Jaaye” from Guide (1966). Shailendra (L), SD Burman (MD). On screen Dev Anand.
https://youtu.be/HrbzfLFj6Es?si=RMNtme7__U4p0XHM
18 Pain of Tears– selected song is “ Babul Ki Duayen Leti Ja, Tujhko Sukhi Sansar Mile” from Neel Kamal (1968). On screen Balraj Sahni and Waheeda Rehman.
https://youtu.be/PyH73nP-6Qs?si=cBEZWuppyKCko_As
Above mentioned songs are my personal selection for the various emotions and expressions. There are many more songs sung by Mohd Rafi on these same and other emotions/expressions. He was genius, and there have been no playback singer to match the greatness of Mohd Rafi as he could sing for any emotion or expression as demanded by the situation in the film. In future.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
29th September 2023.