By Jagmohan Singh Barhok,
तुमने पुकारा और हम चले आए
दिल हथेली पर ले आए रे
तुमने पुकारा और हम चले आए
Music maestro Naushad Ali ( Rattan, Anmol Ghadi, Shahjehan, Mela, Andaz, Babul , Deedar & Aan fame ) tested & humiliated Rafi time & again until the dame luck smiled on the young struggling singer when Talat Mahmood did not turn up for recording of “Baiju Bawara”.An annoyed Naushad, also called the doyen of classical music in India, & the highest paid music director, took his absence seriously asking the new talent to sing at his place the song “Man Tarpat Hari Darsan Ko Aaj” . The young singer did wonders surprising Naushad. “O Duniya Ke Rakhwale” , “Tu Ganga Ki Mouj” & “Jhoole Mein Pawan Ki Aai Bahar” a duet with Lata Mangeshkar were indicative of his singing potential. “Baiju Bawara”, was directed by Vijay Bhatt of ‘Goonj Uthi Shehnai’ (1959)’Hariyali Aur Raasta’ (1962)’ and ‘Himalaya Ki God Mein’ (1965) fame, starring Meena Kumari , Bharat Bhushan,Kuldip Kaur & Manmohan Krishan, turned out to be Blockbuster. Meena Kumari & Naushad both won Filmfare Awards as Best Actress & Best Music Director respectively.
There was no looking back for the young singer. His simple demeanour added to his acceptability & popularity in the later films like – ‘Mirza Ghalib’ (1954), ‘Basant Bahar’ (1956) & ‘Barsaat Ki Raat’1960),the last featuring Madhubala under the music score of Roshan with many hits including” “Maine Shayad Tumhe Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai” & “Zindagi Bhar Nahin Bhoolegi Woh Barsaat Ki Raat” both memorable solo hits.Followed by “Asli Naqli” (1962) starring Dev Anand & Sadhna,another musical hit with songs like- “Chheda Mera Dil Ne Tarana Tere Pyaar Ka” rendered by Rafi and a duet “Tujhe Jeevan Ki Dor Se Bandh Liya Hai”.
Interestingly, some of his popular songs in 1960s came from such films starring Biswajeet & Shammi Kapoor like- “Meri Mohabbat, Paak Mohabbat” and “Tujhe Pyar Karte Hain, Karte Rahenge” (April Fool-1964),”Pukarta Chala Hoon Main”, “Humdum Mere”,”Roka Kayi Baar Maine Dil Ki Umang Ko” & “Humne To Dil Ko Aapke Kadmon Pe Rakh Diya” last two duets with Asha Bhosle from “Mere Sanam”.”Na Jhatko Zulf Se Pani”, “Kitni Jawan Hai Zindagi” , “Sadiyon Purani Apni Kahani’ (Shehnai-1964)and “Aap Se Maine, Meri Jaan, Mohabbat Ki Hai” & “Phir Miloge Kabhi, Is Baat Ka Vada Kar Lo” duets with Asha Bhosle(“Yeh raat Phir Na Aayegi”). All these films featured Biswajeet.
Rafi also rendered some of his popular numbers in films starring Shammi Kapoor like- “Tumne Kisiki Jaan Ko Jaate Huye Dekha Hai” & “Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye” a duet with Suman Kalyanpur, my favourite number from Shammi-Sadhna starrer “Rajkumar” (1964) & earlier “Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra”,”Hai Duniya Usiki, Zamana Usika” & a duet “Isharon Isharon Mein Dil Lenewale” with Asha Bhosle from film ” An Evening in Paris’ (1966) under the music score O. P.Nayyar,”Dil Tera Deewana Hai Sanam” and “Mujhe Kitna Pyar Hai Tumse” duets with Lata fron film “Dil Tera Deewan'(1962) & “Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra”, “Subhanallah, Haseen Chehra, Yeh Mastana Adayen”, “Deewana Hua Badal, Sawan Ki Ghata Chhayi” & “Hai Duniya Usiki, Zamana Usika” (Junglee-1964) under the music score O.P.Nyyar & last but not least “O Haseena Zulfonwali Jaan-E-Jahan”, “O Mere Sona Re, Sona Re, Sona Re” & “Aaja Aaja, Main Hoon Pyar Tera” duets with Asha Bhosle from “suspense thriller “Tesri Manzil”(1966).
“Ae Phoolon Ki Rani”, “Ae Nargis-e-Mastana”, and “Chhalke Teri Ankhon Se” were his hits from Rajendra Kumar- Sadhna starrer “Aroo”(1966). “Daaman Mein Daag Laga Baithe” & “Tu Hindu Banega Na Musalman Banega” film “Dhool Ka Phool”(1959) & “Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahin”, “Jabse Tumhe Dekha Hai, Aankhon Mein Tum Hi Tum Ho”- “Gharana” (1961), “Bhagwan, Ek Kasoor Ki Itni Badi Sazaa” & “Tumhe Pake Humne Jahan Pa Liya Hai” in O.P. Ralhan’s “Gehra Daag” (1963) , “Mere Mehboob Tujhe” (Mere Mehboob-1963) & “Baharo Phool Barsao Mera Mehboob Aaya Hai” (Suraj-1966) could well be said some of his most popular songs though the list is unending.
Born at Kotla Sultan Singh near Amritsar the noted singer debuted with Punjabi film “Gul Baloch” singing a duet with Zeenat Begum,”Soniye Ni Heeriye Ni” composed by Shyamsunder. Rafi could sing songs of all varietes- playful, spicy, pathetic ,touching & even heart- rendering. “O Duniya Ke Rakhwale” (Raga Darbari), “Yeh Duniya, Yeh Mehfil”, “Aaj Purani Rahon Se Koi”, “Madhuban Mein Radhika Nache Re” & “Baabul Ki Duaayein Leti Jaa” (Neel kamal-1968) to mention some.
Mohammed Rafi was a thorough gentleman sans any hint of snobbery. Special events are organized on his Birth & Death Anniversary as a mark of respect all over. At Amritsar late Rana Jaspal Singh of Nirmal Studio organized ‘Rafi Nights’ every year & invited me. At Chandigarh Rafi Nights are held at Tagore theatre.
“Tumhe Pake Humne Jahan Pa Liya Hai, Zameen To Zameen Aasman Pa Liya Hai “, the singing sensation died on this day in 1980.Huge gathering followed the funeral procession amidst heavy rain reminiscing his popular number” Baharo Phool Barsao Mera Mehboob Aaya Hai”.
