Magic of Mohammad Rafi

Ask any Rafi fan to list out the Top 10 songs of his, and this one has a very high probability of featuring in everyone’s list. This song from *Suraj* won Rafi Saab the Filmfare Award for best male singer, apart from getting Hasrat Jaipuri, the best lyricist award. What is more, this song topped the Binaca Geet Mala chart for the year too.

Amazing lyrics, calling Nature to welcome and adorn his beloved, picturised on Rajendra Kumar and Vyjayantimala, this song literally grows on you. The subtle sensuality in the verses “ Sajaayi hai jawan kaliyon ne ab yeh sej ulfat ki, inhe maloom tha ayegi ek din rutu mohabbat ki”, Rafi’s hypnotic voice and of course, the musical interludes stand out as symbols of this song ‘ Baharon phool barsao, mera mehboob aaya hai’.

One thought has always bothered me – Why did Hasrat Jaipuri use the words ‘ mera mehboob aaya hai’ and not ‘ meri mehbooba aayi hai’. Any idea on this?

https://youtu.be/McP9D114BfU?si=z2-VU4ZLsUD_xytY

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Magic of Mohammad Rafi

An all-time favourite from Mohammad Rafi from *Neelkamal*. During one of its re-runs, I watched this film in the 80s ( film was from 1968) especially for this song. The pain and longing in the voice of Rafi Saab, literally tugs at your heart. Oh boy, when I saw this song on screen, I was so disappointed. The stone-faced ‘ Jaani’ Raaj Kumar’s wooden expressions did not do justice to this landmark song. No way did Raaj Kumar, display the pain of separation in Rafi’s voice. Possibly, the scene, where Raaj Kumar is buried alive behind a stone wall, accounted for his deadpan expressions. Oh, for a Sivaji Ganesan, was an immediate thought.

One of Ravi’s finest composition, among the best of Rafi and Sahir Ludhianvi, this is one song that is best enjoyed with eyes closed, rather than watching it on screen. Judge for yourself.

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https://youtu.be/A2jglqjOqSw?si=HVzSnIYeQEIytPrC

Magic of Mohammad Rafi

Year: 1958

Film: Madhumati

The music director, Salil Choudhry had created the tunes in advance for all the songs. Then, Shailendra came up with the beautiful lyrics. Salil Choudhry had used the voice of Mukesh to sing playback for Dilip Kumar for the breezy numbers such as ‘ Dil tadap tadap ke keh raha’ and ‘ Suhana safar aur yeh mausam haseen’, that became big hits. However, when it came to an emotional Dilip Kumar pining for his sweetheart, Salil Choudhry turned to Mohammad Rafi. The lyrics, the on-screen emoting by the thespian and of course, the magic of Rafi Saab’s voice brought home the pain of separation to the viewer or listener.

https://youtu.be/xkjfF11k7ls?si=W7eOP50w7Lc_9vQ6

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Magic of Mohammad Rafi

Continuing in the black and white era, another emotional but a rare song of Rafi Saab. This one from the 1957 film *Changez Khan* starring Premnath and Bina Rai. Rafi singing that love is eternal and can never die…. a truly moving song. The lyrics, simple, yet powerful are by Qamar Jalalabadi and music by Hansraj Behl.

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https://youtu.be/Jl_8HM_M0PQ?si=4F3Bz_d0-Ull96Kt

Magic of Mohammad Rafi

We move back in time to the 1950s, 1957 to be preciseWe move from light-hearted numbers from Rafi to an emotional one.
We move from color to black and white.
Why? To show the range of Mohammad Rafi and the pure magic in his voice. This song, with powerful lyrics by Rajinder Kishan and excellent music by Chitragupta is from the film *Bhabhi*, which was a remake of the Tamil film *Kula Deivam*.

The wordings and emotions in this song seem to be very much applicable today in a different context, when so many youngsters yearn for a life abroad and migrate at the smallest opportunity.
‘Chal ud jaa re panchhi ke ab yeh des hua begaana..’
A later line is telling — ‘Kisko pata ab is nagri me, kab ho tera aana’. Rafi Saab’s brings not only the emotion of parting before our eyes but also tugs at our heart. Listen to the song with eyes closed to experience this.

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https://youtu.be/B91uKr-wHv8?si=GJiIZvlxbXmD885o

Magic of Mohammad Rafi

Apt song for 1st April– All Fools Day, this song is from the film ‘April Fool’ starring Biswajit and Saira Banu.

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Magic of Mohammad Rafi

Kashmir again, but no Shammi Kapoor tonight but his younger brother Shashi Kapoor, playing a boatman. A more subdued lover. No Shankar Jaikishan or O.P. Nayyar here, but music was by Kalyanji Anandji but the common factor was Mohammad Rafi. When he sings for Shashi Kapoor, the style appears synced with him, Shammi Kapoor forgotten. It was this great strength, Rafi had, of singing not in a false voice but always syncing perfectly with the actor to whom he lent his voice.

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https://youtu.be/acdUrtokMIU?si=WvmvhnN7h0Hxtrf4

Magic of Mohammad Rafi

Shammi Kapoor was in Kashmir again, this time romancing Rajshree. The film – *Janwar*. Shammi’s typical head and body movements are intact, but you will observe that the movements appear to be in slow motion. Did Shammi slow down his movements to suit the slow beat and pitch of the song? Not the usual boisterous and hyper-active Shammi Kapoor. Rafi Saab shows that he could still be the voice of a less boisterous Shammi Kapoor.
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Magic of Mohammad Rafi

Kashmir, before it became a troubled paradise, was a favorite for film producers. So, it was no surprise that a film was made with the title *Kashmir ki Kali* starring Shammi Kapoor & Sharmila Tagore. It was Shankar Jaikishan who were the original choice to set the music for the film but O.P. Nayyar marketed himself well. It is said, he played some of the tunes he had composed and simply floored Shammi. OP was chosen and he did deliver, with all the songs being big hits. Shammi’s voice was, of course Rafi Saab, who modulated his voice so perfectly for each and every antic or jerky movement of Shammi, be it a tilt of the head to one aide, throwing it behind, raising his arms and what not. I often wonder, how Rafi would have recorded these Shammi songs? Would he have sung standing straight with headphones on or would he have made those animated movements or at least some of them that Shammi made on screen. The Shammi-Rafi combo did bring joy to the viewers and listeners and continue to do so even today.

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https://youtu.be/VueN49P7JyU?si=ZaQR5opbkWHiX5Zk

Magic of Mohammad Rafi

Pardon me my indulgence – Another duet featuring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala, a personal favourite from *Naya Daur*. Rafi singing with Asha, lyrics of Sahir Ludhianvi set to tune by O.P. Nayyar. The sound of the horse’s hooves in canter, playing all through, and Rafi and Asha’s voices being in romantic mode, one gets the feel of riding the horse-cart ourselves (with our chosen ‘someone’) along the country road, with a cool breeze blowing against our face.

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