By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His 100th Birth Anniversary
‘आसमान से आया फ़रिश्ता, प्यार का सबक सिखलाने
दिल में है तसवीर यार की लाया हूँ वो दिखलाने
कहो प्यार है तुम से
जा जा
ओ जाना कहो प्यार है तुम से’
Mohammad Rafi appeared on the cine horizon to play a longer innings as a singer of prominence. His singing was exceptional & thought provoking . Music composer, Naushad Ali 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 under his music. Naushad made him master the art of singing and learn the finer elements of music to begin his career with .This background helped him become a singer of exceptional qualities, ultimately becoming the most sought after playback singer of Hindi Cinema. He sang hundreds of songs one after another. I start with Vijay Bhatt’s classic “Baiju Bawara”( 1952) starring Meena Kumari & Bharat Bhushan in the lead. I had watched the film, then barely aged 5, at Firozpur. The magic of Rafi Sahib’s songs was at its peak virtually blowing like a breezy wind.
“Tu Ganga Ki Mauj Mein Jamana Ka Dhara”, O Duniya Ke Rakhwal, Sunn Dard Bhare Mere Naale”, Man Tript Hari Daan Ko Aaj Aur Swing Me Pawan Ke Aayi Bahar, Pyaar Chhalke O Pyaar Chhalke Door Koi Gaye Tune Ye Sunaye, were some of the hits of the film under reference. Meena Kumari the heroine and Music director Naushad both won their respective First Filmfare Award for Best Actress & Best Music score. Surprisingly & interestingly, too, it remained the only First & Last Filmfare Award that music maestro won in his entire life, though he was known to have composed music of most Diamond, Golden & Silver Jubilee hits starring Dilip Kumar including Mughal-e-Azam.
“Kohinoor” (1960) starring Dilip Kumar & Meena Kumari was another Blockbuster with many popular numbers like- “Madhuban Mein Radhika Naache Re”, “Chalenge Teer Jab Dil Par”, “Dhal Chuki Sham-e-Gham”, “Do Sitaron Ka Zameen Par Hai Milan Aaj Ki Raat”, “Koi Pyar Ki Dekhe Jadoogari” to name some. Meena Kumari, again was in the lead ably supported by Kumkum, Mukri and Jeevan .The film was rated in the category of super- duper hit. In between he rendered many foot-tapping songs including “Sar Pe Topi Laal Haath Mein Resham Ka Rmaal O Tera Kya Kehna” , “Jawaniya Ye Mast Mast Bin Piye” (Tumsa Nahin Dekha-1957) starring Shammi Kapoor under the music score O. P. Nayyar. Rendered his voice to numerous songs picturized on Rajendra Kumar .
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 Meherabaan Ruk Gayi Yeh Zameen Thum Gaya Aasmaan”- (Teesri Manzil- 1966) & “Badan Pe Sitare Lapete Hue” (Prince-1969)
After some dispute with Lata, they parted ways 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.His prominent duets with Asha Bhsole include- “Meri Jaan Balle Balle”, “Deewana Hua Badal”, & ” Isharon Osharon mein Dil Lene Wale ( all ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’-1964 ).
Rafi died on 31 July 1980. On his death anniversary Musical Nights are arranged all over the country. 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.
