Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs : July 2022

Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song With The Music Director

Second Five-Year Period: 1949 -1953

Many historians of Hindi Film Music consider the year 1949 as the transition year when HFM can be positively seen to be entering era of Golden Period, with Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi, the two major singers of Golden Era, occupying the undisputed center stage. One indicator which perhaps validates this hypothesis is presence of more and more music directors who remained active during the Golden period in so far as the duets of Mohammad Rafi during the presently under consideration 5-year period of 1949 to 1953.

To commemorate the birth and death anniversaries of Mohamad Rafi, we have commenced a series on Mohammad Rafi’s first duet with a music director.  Our journey began with the 1^st Five-Year Period of 1944 to 1948 in the year 2021. We take up the Male-Male or Triad as well as a regular Male-Female duet in the present series because our main purpose to revisit maximum possible duets of Mohammad Rafi.

Presently we will take up the 2^nd Five-Year Period of 1949 to 1953.

1949

The year has Mohammad Rafi’s duets, almost, in the proportion of 2: 1 as compared the solos. Even with the Mohammad Rafi duets with two music directors for the year 1949 not available for these two music directors, we have been able to cover 14 music directors in 1949!

As such, we will cover the year 1949 in two parts, to be able to relish the songs thoroughly.

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Naushad had composed first two duets for Mohammad Rafi in 1944 for the film Pahele Aap. Both were Male-Male duets. Naushad has since then deployed Mohaamad Rafi for the male-female duet only during 1949.  Even then, in the year 1949, for Andaz, Mohammad Rafi still was not the playback voice for major lead, Dilip Kumar, of the triangle Raj Kapoor and Nargis. However, the film did have two duets wherein Rafi plays back for Raj Kapoor. Of the two Yun To Apas Mein Bigadate Hain Khafa Hote Hain is a light composition, and is retained in the film

Sun To Dil Ka Afsana – Andaz – with Lata Mangeshkar – Naushad – Majarooh Sultanpuri

This song was finally not included in the film

Naushad had two more films in 1949 Chadani Raat and Dulari. Chandani Raat had three Rafi-Shamshad Begum duets – Chhin Ke Dil KyuN Pher Li Aankhein, Kaise Baje Dil Ki Sitar and Khabar Kya Thi Ki Gham Khana Padega whereas Dulari has two Rafi -Lata duets Mil Mil Ke Gayenge Do Dil Yahaan and Raat Rangili Mast Nazare Geet Sunaye Chand Sitare. The first two duets of Chandani Rat and both the Dulari duets had become quite popular.

Husnlal Bhagatram had as many as five duets and five triads for Rafi 1949 over. Of these we have picked up one duet with Suraiya, and one triad with Lata Mangeshkar and Geeta Dutt, so that we get as many duets  / duets+ songs different the co-singers.

Aataa Hai Zindgi Mein Bhala Pyar Kis Tarha – Baalam – with Suraiya – Lyrics: Qamar Jalalabadi

I had not heard this song before, but once I did, I liked it even though it has many strapping of vintage era. Of course, Rafi sounds his normal – what we get to hear in the 50s and Suraiya is, as always, so sweet to listen to.

Husnlal Bhagatram have two more duets with Suraiya, for the film Naach – Ae Ishq Hamein Barbad Na Kar (Lyrics: Sharshar Sailani) and Chhaya Sama Suhana (Lyrics: Kaif Irfani).

‘Jaltarang’ had one duet with Lata Mangeshkar – Zara Tumne Dekha To Pyar Ho Gaya (Lyrics: Kaif Irfani) and one with Shamshad Begum – Musafir Sada Geet Gaye Chala Chal (Lyrics: Sudarshan Faakir)

And now triads:

Lab Pe Fariyad Hai Dil Barbad Hai – Naach – with Lata Mangeshkar, Geeta Dutt – Lyrics: Mulk Raj Bhakri

It may not be inaccurate to assume that the dancing singers may be performing a street dance, because in (only) Hindi films these people can so accurately read the thought of the protagonist’s mind and put them in words on his /her behalf. The hero sems to perform the soliloquy of spelling out his mind, perhaps on the push by the force of the line these dancers sing. Even as hero is in pensive mood and the two female actresses sing in a very energetic mood, the song was well received in those days. Rafi goes in hyper-drive tone at the end!

It would be interesting to see the way the song would have been filmed.

Two other triads in the film were Kyun Karata Maan Jawani Ka (with Lata and Geeta Dutt; Lyrics: Mulk Raj Bhakri) and Namaste Ji Namaste Ji Hamara Tumhara Jeevan Beete Hansate (with Shamshad Begum and Zohrabai Ambalewali; Lyrics: Nazim Panipati).

For the songs of Hamari Manzil, HFGK mentions Geeta Dutt and Mohammad Rafi and chorus as singers for Badla Hua Duniya Mein Ulfat Ka Zamana Hai, Woh Aur Zamana Tha Ye Aur Zamana Hai and Geeta Dutt, Mohammad Rafi and other voice for Andhere Se Na Dar Kaante Banegi KaliyaN, but both these songs have S D Batish as third singer.

Shyam Sundar is widely credited with offering Mohammad Rafi his first ever song, a triad, in the Hindi films, that for Gaon Ki Gori (1945). Presently we have Shyam Sundar composing two duets for Rafi, both with Lata Mangeshkar, a triad – Chhalla De Ja Nishani Teri Meharbani (with Shamshad Begum and Satish Batra: Lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi) for Bazaar.

Ae Mohabbat Unse Milne Ka Bahana Ban Gaya – Bazar – Lyrics: Qamar Jalabadi

This as well as the other duet Apni Nazar Se Door Woh should rank among the finest duets by Rafi and Lata.

Haaye Yeh Bholi Suratwale – Chaar Din – with S D Batish, Iqbal, Rajkumari, Lata Mangeskar, Johrabai Ambalewali – Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni

This hexad is essentially composed in qawwali style.

Hanuman Prasad is also well-known music director vintage era.

Jale Jalaane Wale Humko Jaise Mombatti – Chilman – with Mukesh – Lyrics: P L Santoshi

Two friends merrily laugh away the world’s critical view of their carefree way of living.

What a coincidence! 1949 has one more Mohammad Rafi, Mukesh duet

Snehal Bhatkar is the music director who has composed that Mohammad Rafi – Mukesh duet.

Baat To Kuchh Bhi Nahin Dil Hai Ki Bhar Aaya Hai – Thes – with Mukesh – Lyrics: Kedar Sharma

Mukesh is assigned the pathos part of the song and Rafi with the role of counseling him!

We will take up the rest of 1949’s Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song with eight other Music Directors in our December 2022 episode.

We will continue remembering Unforgettable Songs that seem to Fading away from our Memories every second Sunday of the month next year too……..

Disclaimer: All images are sourced from net. All copyrights of the respective image remain with the original owner of the image.

Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: July 2021

Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song With The Music Director: 1944-1946

To commemorate the memory of Mohammad Rafi on his birth anniversary, December 24, 1924, @ Kotla Sultan, Sindh and death anniversary, July 31, 1980 @ Mumba, we have had taken up Mohammad Rafi’s first solo song with a music director, from December 2016 till 2020. The present series of Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song with the Music Director is the natural follow-on series.

The series is quite simple at its core. Mohammad Rafi’s exceptionally long career is divided in five-year periods, pick up the first ever association with music director(s) in the chronological order in that five-year slot and then pick up the first film which has the first duet song of the music-director – Rafi combination. If the film has more than one duets, then we take up the least heard one for a closer look and take note of the others. The primary focus would be male-female duet, but we will take due note of first male-male duet or even triads from that combination if and as and when they come up in later years. We will limit the scope of the present series till the year 1969.

I do not have any pretense of evaluating influence of different music director on Mohammad Rafi’s singing style or the contribution of each other to the furtherance of each other’s careers Our goal is quite simple: refresh our memories of Mohammad Rafi’s fading-from-the-memory-duet-songs and bring them on one page and enjoy them on the call.

1^st Five-Year Period: 1944 -1948

That Mohammad Rafi’s talent was first taken note of in 1937 in public function whereat he sang for K L Saigal, his initial introduction with music director Shyam Sundar are now a matter of folklore. Shyam Sundar recorded the first ever film song of Mohammad Rafi in Punjabi film Gul Baloch (which was released in 1944) in 1942. As is well-known now, that was a duet, with Zeenat Begum – Pardesi…Sohneys Oye Heeriye Oye. The song had become an instant hit, well before the film was released. The records also show that that film had one more duet, composed by Dhani Ram, with Munnavar Sultana – Achhanve – too.  

1944

Once Mohammad Rafi reached Bombay (as it was then known) from Lahore, after Shyam Sundar gave him an introduction letter, the way Mohammad Rafi could meet Naushad are the events very vividly covered in Mohammad Rafi’s biographies. For the purpose of our present series, the story begins after Mohammad Rafi got his first break in Hindi films under Naushad, which happened to be a chorus song – Hindustan Ke Hai Hum, Hai Hindustan Hamara; record # GE3416 – in the company of Shyamkumar, Allauddin Naved and B. M. Vyas in the film Pahele Aap.

The year 1944 has one more landmark in Mohammad Rafi’s personal life- his marriage with Bilquis Bano.

Naushad’s association with Mohammad Rafi took some time before it turned into a Fevicol bond. Naushad–Mohammad Rafi combination has yielded around 149 songs to the Hindi film industry.

Tum Dilli Main Agre, Mere Dil Se Nikale Haye Fasla Sau Kos Ka, Humane Sawan Bito Jaaye – Pahle Aap– with Shyam Kumar – Lyrics: D N Madhok – Music: Naushad Ali [Record # GE3419]

A close listening to the lyrics indicates that Mohammad Rafi seems to be singing for an actor who plays a female role in this nautanki song.

We will make an exception here and listen to another duet from this film –

Ek Bar Unhein Mila De, Phir Meri Tauba Maula… Ab To Lagi Booja De, Phir Meri Tauba Maula – Pahele Aap– with Shyam Kumar – Lyrics: D N Madhok – Music: Naushad Ali [Record # GE3417/19]

Mohammad Rafi seems to have been given a second fiddle in comparison to more experience Shyam Kumar, but that has not deterred the budding singer a bit.

1945

We have four music directors opening their relationships of duets with Mohammad Rafi in the year 1945.

Shyam Sundar is always remembered for his meticulous choices of instruments (Kis Tarah Bhoolega Dil; Gaon Ki Gori, 1945), wonderful composition (Mausam Aaya Hai Rangeen; Dholak, 1951) and choice of singers (Saajan Ki GaliyaN Chhod Chale; Bazar, 1949).

Jab Dil Ho Kaabu Mein to Dildar Ki Aisi Taisi… Tauba Tauba Husn Ke Sarkar Ki Aisi Taisi.. – Gaon Ki Gori, a.k.a. Village Girl – with G M Durrani, an unknown male singer – Lyrics:  – Wali Sahab – Music: Shyam Sundar

This song is on record number GE3596, i.e. later in then the Pahle Aap songs here above,  but is widely considered as Mohammad Rafi’s first Hindi film song.

Incidentally, during his very initial years, G M Durrani was Mohammad Rafi’s role model for singing. As fate would have it, it was Mohammad Rafi who played back to GM Durrani  in Unke Khayal Aaye To Aate Chale Gaye (Lal Paththar, 1971; Lyrics:  Hasrat Jaipuri; Music – Shanker Jaikishan)!

H P Das (1905 – 1989) was one of the leading Bangla music directors who was successful in Hindi films as well.

Dil Diye Chalein… Hum Jiye Chalein Aise – Begum – with Mohantara Ajinkya – Lyrics: G S Nepali – Music – H P Das

We have a very pleasant, fast-paced song. Mohammad Rafi sounds so young.

Gobind Ram was a versatile music director of 40s. He is considered to have great influence in shaping the Hindi film music of 40s.

Chhoti Si Ek Banaayenge Naiyya… Khud Hi Banenge Us Ke Khewaiya – Hamara Sansar – with Shamshad Begum, Zohrabai – Lyrics: Ramesh Gupta – Music: Govind Ram

Mohammad Rafi sings in lower scale to begin with then raises the scale to higher octave.

Asides: Mohammad Rafi acted in a cameo role in Laila Majnu song Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha (with S D Batish and chorus; Lyrics: Tanvir Naqvi- Music: Gobind Ram)

Alla Rakha (a.k.a. A R Qureshi) would need any introduction to those who have even rudimentary exposure to the classical music. He was basically the famous tabla player, who composed music for around 30 films between 1943 and 1958.

Topi Wale Babu Ne Dil Chheena Re Mora Man – Kul Kalank – with Amirbai Karnataki – Lyrics: Roopbani – Music: A R Qureshi

For relatively new entrant, Mohammad Rafi exudes fair amount of confidence.

1946

Mohammad Rafi’s career wagon seems to be picking up the momentum, wih 8 muisc directors using his voice for the duets.

Firoz Nizami was the first music director who gave Rafi popularity in Lahore by offering him a chance to sing for AIR at its Lahore radio station.

Main Jab Chhedun Prem Tarana Naache Mere Saath Jhamana– Amar Raj – with Mohantara Ajinkya – Lyrics: Pandit Fani – Music : Firoz Nizami

Interestingly HFGK mentions ‘other singer’ to accompany Mohantara Ajinkya.  Shri Sudhir Kapur explored the matter in details and what comes out is truly unbelievable. The details can be read@ Main jab gaaun geet suhaanaa

Asides: It would be opportune to enlist the song on the side 2 of that fateful record GE3795 – a solo by Mohammad Rafi

S Quereshi is not a familiar name among the music directors.

Macha Di Dhoom Duniya Mein Islaam Ke Deewanon Ne – Arab Ka Sitara – with Ameerbai Karanataki – Lyrics: Shewan Rizvi – Music: S Quereshi

HFGK does not have names of the singers identified for the songs of the film. I have selected the song from one of the highly authentic-considered spreadsheet compilations of Mohammad Rafi’s filmography by Mauveen. However, when we listen to the song, female voice is accompanying in mukhada and then is part of the chorus, only. So, for all practical purposes, the song is a Mohammad Rafi solo only.

Shankar Rao Vyas was a classically trained vocalist and musician. He had 35 Hindi, 5 Marathi and 3 Gujarati films to his credit in the career spanning 1937 to 1955.

Naino Se Mad Madira Pilaakar Tumne Humein Deewana – Ghunghat – with Nirmala – Lyrics: Ramesh Gupta – Music: Shankar Rao Vyas 

We have here a romantic song that begins in form of exchange of dialogue that is acceptance of mutual love.

S N Tripathi[1] who worked under the baton of legendary Saraswati Devi was a versatile artist a music director, director, and actor.

Jai Hind…Ye Hind Ki Kahaniyan… Sansar Ke Itihas Ki Ye Hai Amar Kahaniya – Mansarovar – with Geeta Dutt, Binapani Mukhrjee – Lyrics: Saraswati Kumar Dipak – Music: SA N Tripathi

HFGK lists the singers as ‘Chorus’ only. However, Geetadutt.com and other reliable sites mention Geeta Dutt and Beenapani Mukherjee as co-singers along with chorus.

Premnath has had formal training of music in his formative years. Rangbhoomi is his maiden film as an independent music director. He has given four songs to Mohammad Rafi, one with chorus and three duets with Shamshad Begum.

Khud Samajh Lo Iletajha Kya Hai, Hum Hi Keh De To Phir Maza Kya Hai – Rangbhoomi – with Shamshad Begum – Lyrics: Arzoo  Lakhanavi – Music Premnath

Mohammad Rafi sings in a typical vintage era style here.

Other duets are: Aag Lagi Tan Man Dhan Sab Mein Narak Bhayo Sansaar (with Shamshad Begum – Lyrics: Arzoo Lakhanvi) does not seem to be available on YT and Jo Aage Badhe Use Peechhe Hata Do with Shamshad Begum – Lyrics: Pandit Fani) – a second part of the Rafi and Chorus song Sue Manzil Badhaye Chala Chal. – is available together in one clip@ https://youtu.be/KHAk87nu8w8

Hanuman Prasad is known mostly for the discovery of Geeta Roy, when she was 16, and gave her few lines in foiur songs of film Bhakta Prahlad (1946). He is also director of the present film, Raseeli.

Dil Mujhko Jalaata Hai Main Dil Ko Jalaati Hun – Raseeli – with Shamshad Begum- Lyrics: Hanuman Prasad – Music: Hanuman Prasad

Here is the song that is inherently poignant, as Rafi and Shamashad render it in low octaves. It must have been quite an experience to the budding Rafi!

The film has another Shamshad – Rafi duet, Yah Nayan Kyun Sharma Gaye (Lyrics: Gaafil Harnaalvi) where Rafi can be heard in early raw tone.

Bulo C Rani is a leading vintage era music director.

Jaao Jaao Na Bolungi Main Accha Ji Hato Hato – Saalgirah – with Kaumudini Deekshit , an unknow female singer – Lyrics: Wali Sahab – Music: Bulo C Rani

This a mischievous mood romantic song, where Mohammad Rafi indulges in music-director guided ‘harkats’ of interrupting with Aisa Kya and all. In the later years, Mohammad Rafi was known to do so spontaneously to make the songs lively.

Taufil Farooqi (1916-1988) is fondly recalled as creator of the original Zumka Gira Re (Dekhoji, 1947 – Shamsahd Begum).

Baithe Hain Tere Dar Par Kuchh Karke Uthenge – Sona Chandi – with Shamshad Begum – Wali Sahab – Music: Taufil Farooqui

This can be considered maiden Chhed Chaad song for Mohammad Rafi.

We will make an exception to include another duet –

Man Ki Suni Nagariya Suhani Bani – Sona Chandi – with Amirbai Karnataki – Lyrics: Khawar JamaN – Music: Taufil Farooqui

Here we have a totally romantic duet. Mohammad Rafi quite easily matches sur-by-sur with experienced Amirbai.

We will take up Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet with a Music Director for the years 1947 and 1948, of the First Five-Year Period: 1944-1948, in our December 2021 episode.

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[1] S N Tripathi’s Unremembered Songs from 1941 to 1968