By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary
सर पे टोपी लाल
हाथ में रेशम का रूमाल
हो तेरा क्या कहना
गोरे गोरे गाल
गाल पे उलझे उलझे बाल
हो तेरा क्या कहना
Tumsa Nahin Dekha- 1957
Mohammad Rafi enjoyed a wonderful chemistry with O. P. Nayyar Some of his hits were duets rendered by Asha Bhosle and Rafi like- “Uden Jab Jab Zulfen Teri, Kunwariyon Ka Dil Machle”, Mangke Saath Tumhara, Maine Mang Liya Sansar”, “Sathi Hath Badhana, Sathi Hath Badhana”( Naya daur-1957), “Aap Yun Hi Agar Humse Milte Rahe”, “Bahut Shukriya, Badi Meharbani” & “Main Pyar Ka Rahi Hoon, Teri Zulf Ke Saye Mein”(Ek Musafir Ek Hasina-1962) & “Haay Re Haay, Yeh Mere Haath Mein Tera Haath”, “Isharon Isharon Mein Dil Lenewale”, “Deewana Hua Badal, Sawan Ki Ghata Chhayi”( Kashmir Ki Kali-1964) & not last but least “Sar Par Topi Lal, Haath Mein Resham Ka Rumal, Oh Tera Kya Kehna” (Tumsa Nahin Dekha-1957).
His solo hits include-“Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj” (Baiju Bawra-1952),”Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukare Chale Gaye” (Kala Pani-1958),”Zindagi Bhar Nahin Bhoolegi Woh Barsaat Ki Raat” & “Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho”(1960),”Tum Ne Kisi Ki Jaan Ko Jaate Hue Dekha Hai, Woh Dekho Mujh Se Ruth Kar Meri Jaan Ja Rahi Hai”- (Raj Kumar 1964), “Ae Phoolon Ki Rani,Bharaon Ki Malika”, “Ae Nargis-e-Mastana”, “Chhalke Teri Ankhon Se”(Arzoo-1965), “Chehre Pe Girin Zulfen”, “Baharon Phool Barsao Mera Mehboob Aaaya Hai (Suraj-1966) & “Tum Ne Mujhe Dekha Ho Kar Meherbaan Ruk Gayi Yeh Zameen Thum Gaya Aasmaan”- (Teesri Manzil- 1966).
Mohammad Rafi & Lata parted ways for some time during which Rafi rendered some of the best duets of his life with Suman Kalyanpur- like “Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye” ( Raj Kumar-1964),”Na Na Karte Pyaar Tumhi Se Kar Baithe” (Jab Jab Phool Khile-1965),”Itna Hai Tumse Pyar Mujhe, Mere Raazdar”(Suraj-1966),”Tumse O Hasina Kabhi Mohabbat Na Humne Karni Thi( Farz-1966 ),”Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche Har Zubaan Par ( Brahmachari-1968) to mention some.
Rafi rendered many duets with Lata Mangeshkar like-“Tu Ganga Ki Mauj Mein Jamana Ka Dhara” & “Jhoole Mein Pawan Ki Aai Bahar” (Baiju Bawra-1952), “Do Sitaron Ka Zameen Par Hail Milan Aaj Ki Raat”- (Kohinoor-1960),”Sau Saal Pehle Mujhe Tumse Pyar Tha Aaj Bhi Hai” (Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai-1961),”Jhilmil Sitaron Ka Aangan Hoga” (Jiwan Mritu-1970) to name some.
Rafi died on 31 July 1980. On his death anniversary Musical Nights are arranged all over. Rana Jaspal Singh, convener Rafi Society Amritsar, organized a “Rafi Night”, a musical extravaganza, every year & invited me, too. Rafi Night is also organized at Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh every year in the memory of the renowned singer. A Bollywood cine-star is invited as Guest.
Second of the six children Mohammad Rafi shot into fame with Vijay Bhatt’s “Baiju Bawara” (1952) also starring Meena Kumari. Naushad composed the music. The film won Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Meena Kumari ) & Best Music (Naushad) in 1954. Naushad tested him several times before accepting him as a talented singer. “Tere Koche Mein Armaano Ki Duniya” was one of the two songs Rafi rendered in “Dillagi” (1949), directed by A. R. Kardar with music score by Naushad. Bestowed with 6 Filmfare Awards & 1 National Award besides Padma Shri.
