Mohammad Rafi’s first solo song with a music director

Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: December 2020

Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song With The Music Director: 1967-1969

To commemorate Mohammad Rafi’s anniversaries, [Born: 24 December, 1924// Death: 31 July, 1980] we commenced a series of articles on Mohammad Rafi that essentially tried to bring the solo song of Mohammad Rafi from the first film with the music director. Beginning 2016, we have taken up one five-year slot every year, in the chronological order, starting from 1944, the year in which Mohammad Rafi sang his maiden solo song in Hindi Films. Till now we have covered

- 1^st Five-Year Period: 1944 -1948 ,
- 2^nd Five-Year Period: 1949-1953, and
- 3^rd Five-Year Period: 1954 – 1958.
- 4^th Five-Year Period: 1959-1963

We have reviewed the first part of the years 1964 – 1966 for the present 5^th Six-Year Period , and for the time last part of the present series in July 2020. Presently, we will take the last three years – 1967 to 1969 – of this 5^th period.

As has been noted by the musicologists and the Film Music historians identify three main stages for the first 25 years of a 50-years long active career. ‘40s was the period for Mohammad Rafi to create his space in the playback singing. The period of 50s was the period of consolidation and strengthening his position. He started getting varied song genres by almost all music directors and emerged as THE voice for many of the heroes of that period. One male playback singer who was displaced totally by the end of the ‘50s was Talat Mahmood. ‘60s was the period he was considered to adapt to racy compositions that was now becoming the order of the day. He was the automatic choice for the next generation heroes who came up on the scene in the early ‘60s.Mohammad Rafi developed customized theatrics for most of the heroes.

In the year ’69 Rajesh Khanna suddenly came out of his initial struggle period with Aradhana, 1969, (Music S D Burman, but virtually conducted by R D Burman because of SDB’s ill health) and Dushman, 1971 (Music- Laxmikant Pyarelal). R D Burman and Laxmikant Pyarelal were the new stars of the emerging, new, generation of the music directors, who had huge success in the use of Kishore Kumar as THE voice of Rajesh Khanna. As a result, Mohammad Rafi started losing his top position. He continued singing almost till the end and did have quite a few ‘good’ songs, history records this period as the period of the afterglow after the Sun has finally set for the day.

Moreover, as was observed in the first three years of the present 5^th Six-Year Period, on one hand, the entry of new music directors who were to succeed in the years to come seemed to dry-up considerably. On the other hand, the music directors and the lead actors of the previous generation, who distinctly preferred Rafi, were distinctly seen ‘aging out’. It therefore makes all the more sense to complete the series of Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song With The Music Director with year 1969, as we take up the years 1967 to 1969.

1967

The year 1967 has 88 solo songs for Mohammad Rafi. Mohammad Rafi has had fairly popular songs from the films like Aman. An Evening in Paris (music director for both – Shankar Jaikishan, Amne Samne (Music: Kalayanji Anandji), Nai Roshani (Music : Ravi), Naunihal (music: Madan Mohan), Palki (Music: Naushad), Taqdeer(Music: Laxmikant Pyarelala). From his many popular songs during 1967, I would even consider Hum Intezaar Karenge Tera Qayamat Tak (Bahu Begam; Music :Roshan, Lyrics: Sahir) and Tere Pyar Ne Mujhe Gham Diya (Chhaila Babu, Muic: Laxmikant Pyarelala, Lyrics: Asad bhopali) that has strong shades of charm – less theatrics, more depth – of Rafi that we had seen during later pat of ‘50s. Mohammad Rafi had had two songs in Oriya film a’Arundhat’ and one in Gujarti film, ‘Sneh Bandhan’ –

Milan Na Deep Sau Bujai Gaya Chhe (Muisc: Dilip Dholakia)

The year 1967 has only music director Bhushan, who has his first ever Mohammad Rafi solo song. If I have been able to get all correct references, Bhushan seems to have only one more film – Purani Pahechan (1971) – subsequently.

Baithe Baithe Dil-e-E Nadaan Ye Khayal Aaya Hai – Maikhana – Lyrics: Kidar Sharma

We have here Mohammad Rafi that we usually hear in his NFS ghazals – playing with lyrics of mukhada differently every time, with deep emotions, sans all loudness even when he raises the scale a few notches.

1968

The year 1968 has 82 solo songs of Mohammad Rafi. The successful films for the year include Aadmi, Sangharsh (music director for both ; Naushand), Brahmchari, Jhuk Gaya Aasman, Kanyadaan, Mere Huzoor (All: Shankar Jaikishan), Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal) , Neel Kamal (Music: Ravi).

I would pick up Mile Na Phool To Kanton Se Dosti Kar Li (Anokhi Raat, Music: Roshan, Lyrics; Kaifi Azmi) and Dil Ki Awaz Bhi Sun Mere Afasane Pe Na Jaa (Humsaaya, Music: O P Nayyar, Lyrics: Shewan Rizvi) as real Rafi-touch songs.

We have five music directors – Ved Shethi, Parmarthi Ashwatham, Ram Kadam, S Kishan and Jimmy / Premnath recording their first solo songs for Mohammad Rafi this year.

Ved Shethi has only one Hindi film to his credit.

Ek Nanhi Si Kali Roye Daali Ke Liye – Aanchal Ke Phool – Lyrics: Naqsh Lyalpuri

The song is background genre song, that describes the fate of the child protagonist. The lyrics for these songs usually convey the meaning for the song. Singer has to ensure that he /she remains faithful to that message.

Pamarthi Ashwatham belongs to those music directors who have rendered music for the films that were originally made in South Indian languages.

Kaahe Ka Rona Dhona – Ram Aur Raheem (1968) – Lyrics: Sant Kabir

The film was directed by V Nagaiya. Nagaiya and Surya Kumari were in the lead roles. It had as many seven Mohammad Rafi solo songs, all Saint Kabir’s bhajans.

Ram Kadam was essentially a music director of Marathi films (113 films) who has also scored music for three Hind films and 1 Telugu film. We have two solo songs for his 1968 film Raaste Aur Manzil.

Jalte Jalte Ho Gayi Gam Ki Raat, Ho Gayi Gam Ki Raat, Khatam Hua Dil Jalte Jalte – Raaste Aur Manzil – Lyrics: Ibrahim Faiz

This is a poignant mood song. Rafi has done full justice to the mood.

Main Bahut Door Chala Aaya Hun – Raaste Aur Manzil – Lyrics: Ibrahim Faiz

Hindi films show the heroes resorting to heavy drinking to forget his sorrows. That always an ideal situation for a drunkard genre film.

S Kishan seems to have composed films earlier too, however all these B or C grade films never seem to have even faintly succeeded at the box office.

Ab Madad Farmaiyiye Mehboob Subahani Meri – Tattar Ki Haseena – Lyrics: M Yusuf

This is film which uses the folk themes – this time for the Tattar community of Mongolia. As can be expected, the composition has a strong influence of Mid-east music style.

Jimmy (James Singh), a Christian Sikh, from Ludhiana, had a long stint at Hindi films, but was not rewarded according to his merits. However, he has attained fame as the first music director to have a ‘yodelling’ song – Ek Do Teen Char, Bagon Mein Aayi Hai Bahar – by Kishore Kumar (With Asha Bhosle, Muqqadar, 1950). Shrimatiji (1952) is his relatively more remembered film.

One more music director- Premanth– is also credited as (joint) music director for the film Tarzan In Fairyland. However not much information is available about him

Hindi Cinema has all kinds of films made with Tarzan and King Kong. It seems Tarzan and King Kong also were infected with song-singing virus. The film Tarzan In Fairyland has one Mohammad Rafi solo – Ho Gaalon Pe Gulab Liye Nainon Mein Sharab Liye – probably composed by Premnath, for which I have not been able to find a digital version on the net.

1969

The year 1969 has 114 solo songs for Mohammad Rafi. The films that had all Rafi songs on the high-popularity chart were Aaya Sawan Jhhom Ke (Music: Laxmikant Pyarelal), Chirag (Music Madan Mohaan), Pagla Kahin Ka (Music: Shankar Jaikishan) and Pyar Ka Mausam (Music: R D Burman).

It is really interesting that one music director who changed the course of Hindi Male Playback Singing history – though, officially, as assistant to S D Burman in Aradhana – has three solos and one duet for Rafi in Pyar Ka Mausam (Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri, all of which have been filmed on the lead male actor, Shashi Kapoor. Of the three solos, Che Khush Nazare….Ke Khud Pukare Ke Hai Pyar Ki Manzil is a mandatory song wherein hero entices heroine by his happy-go-lucky mannerisms. Tum Bin Jaun KahaN had four versions in the film – two each by Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi, each with a happy and sad shades version each respectively. The Kishore Kumar fans o one side and Mohammad Rafi fans on the other side were strongly divided then, as they may probably be divided today, as to which of the version is better delivered by the singer. Well, I have no intention to step into the quagmire of that discussion here. Rafi – Lata duet – Ni Sulatana Re – was the undisputed THE popular song of the films. The irony of the fate that is Hindi film music is that it was Pyar Ka Mausam that turned out to be launching pad that ser R D Burman to the outer orbit of success.

Narayan Dutt is again a music director about whom not much is known. The only notable feature that can be be note of the film ‘Pujarin’ is perhaps the only film wherein Rehana Sultan is not in her ill-famed ‘bold’ roles.

Piya Ki Nagariya Taj Ke Gori Jaaye Re – Pujarin – Lyrics: Madan

This is a background song, for the one of the extremely popular Hindi Film situations of Bride Farewell from her parental home after the marriage.

With that we also bid farewell to our Six-Part series Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song With The Music Director…. Till we meet again for a series on Mohammad Rafi’s Duet Song From the FIRST Film With The Music Director.

Both episodes of the 5^th Six Year Period of Mohammad Rafi’s First solo with a Music director – 1964-1969 can be downloaded as one file by clicking on the link.

All six parts of the series Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song With The Music Director can be read / downloaded as one file by clicking on the hyperlink.

All episodes of Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs, from January 2020 to December 2020 can be read / downloaded by clicking on Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs 2020.

Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: July 2020

Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song With The Music Director -1964 – 1966

Since 2016, we have taken up a series of articles that specifically remembers Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song with a Music Director as token of our appreciation of Mohammad Rafi’s songs as we commemorate his birth (24^th December 1924) and death (31 July 1980) anniversaries. This exercise has given an excellent opportunity to revisit many of Mahammad Rafi’s songs remembered today, some of the songs that required a refreshing and some more that we got to listen first time. In the process, we have come more than 110 music directors.

We have selected a five-year slot each as the base review period. Starting from the year 1944, till now we have covered

1^st Five-Year Period : 1944 -1948 ,
2^nd Five-Year Period : 1949-1953,
3^rd Five-Year period : 1954 – 1958, and
4^th Five-Year Period – 1959 -1963

The present series commenced from the year 1944 when Mohammad Rafi set his feet in the Hindi Film World for the first time. From then till 1950, can be considered as the years wherein he gradually established his firm foothold on the male playback singing scene in the Hindi cinema. The decade of 50s saw his ascendancy to the numero uno position among the male playback singers. ‘60s was the period where his popular songs saw a quantum jump in the number of popular songs. ‘The ‘Aradhana’ phenomenon in 1969 jacked up Kishore Kumar to the No. 1 position almost overnight. Therefore, we had planned to limit our present exercise to the year 1969. Mohammad Rafi did remain active till 1980. He had several songs that were as good as his few among the best. There must have been some more music directors who were associated first time with Mohammad Rafi in this post-1969 period. But, this is a period which requires a point of view which should be different then what we have taken during 40s , 50s and then 60s. We will take up the post-1969 period separately in the future.

As such, we would now take up the last leg of our journey of Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song with a Music Director. This will be the period of 6 years, from 1964 to 1969.

Presently we take up the first half of the period 1964-19689, viz. years 1964 to 1966 so as to focus our attention to the core subject – Mohammad Rafi’s first solo Song with a Music Director – in our present post.

1964

1964 has 143 solo songs of Mohammad Rafi.

We have four music directors who have had their first solo song by Mohammad Rafi

Robin Banerjee

Robin Banerjee composed music for his very first film ‘Insaaf Kahaan Hai” in 1958. He went to compose music for another 20 odd films, all of B and C grade ones. He is best remembered for his Tum Jo Aao To Pyar Aa Jaye (Sakhi Robin, 1962; Manna Dey, Suman Kalyanpur)

Ek Taraf Hai Maa Ki Chhaya Ek Taraf Hai Taaj – Aandhi Aur Toofan – Lyrics: Farooq Kaiser

Here we have a classic background song.

V Nagayya

S Nagayya [a.k.a Chittoor V. Nagaiah (born Vuppaladadiyam Nagaiah Sarma)] was a multilingual Indian film actor, composer, director, producer, writer and playback singer

Dil Ko Hamare Chain Nahi Hai – Bhakt Randasu

The film was a remake Telugu film of the same name. V Nagiah had acted in the Telugu version in the role of 17th-century saint Kancharla Gopanna.

Mohammad Rafi is as his silken best as he begins this pleasure and has a high scale ending to the song as well.

Gandharva Ghantshala

I have not been able to locate much information about this music director.

Parbat Dera Pyar Bhara Tha, Maine Dekhi Thi Ek Doli – Jhanda Uncha Rahe Hamara – Lyrics: Shrinivas

This also is a remake of Telugu film. Mohammad Rafi renders a recital-style song here.

Shanti Kumar Desai

Shanti Kumar Desai is documented to be active from 1934 to 1964. As it appears that Tere Dwar Khada Bhagwan was his last film. I have no means to check whether he has composed a Mohammad Rafi solo earlier than this.

Dil Todanewale Aaja Re Sang Chhodanewale Aaja Re – Tere Dwar Khada Bhagwan – Lyrics: Pt. Madhur

The songs is set to a typical bhajan style, but has allowed full freedom to Mohammad Rafi to explore low to high to low scale variations.

We will also take note of another Mohammad Rafi song in this film

Teri Yaad Ki Gaau Saragam Sargam – – Tere Dwar Khada Bhagwan – Lyrics: Pt. Madhur

The song reflects the sheer joy of the protagonist as he seems to be on the move for exploring his search for his God.

1965

1965 has 128 solo songs of Mohammad Rafi.

1965 to has 4 new music directors. These music directors, too, had, extremely limited active career span. However, the songs that we get to listen comes back to our memory no sooner the songs starts playing.

P D Sharma

Not much is known about P D Sharma. It seems that he has composed music for just this one film.

Ek Ek Tinke Par Kab Tak Insaano Ka Lahu Bahega – Baaghi Haseena – Lyrics:

The composition of the song seems quite competent one for someone who is so obscure as a music director.

Roy Frank

Again, I do not have much information about Roy Frank. However, his song Zara Keh Do FizaoN Se Hamein Itana Sataye Na (Talat Mahmood, Mubarak Begum; Gogol;a, 1966) can be his best introduction!

Puchho Na Humse Ki Hum Hain Kis Haal Mein – – Chor Darwaja – Lyrics: Qafil Azar

The feeling of regret for not being able to realize what one has intended is so beautifully set to a Gujarati folk Graba Tune.

Tum Jahan Jaaoge Mujh Ko Bhi Wahin Paaoge – Chor Darwaja – Lyrics: Qafil Azar

Mohammad Rafi fans should easily be able to recollect this song.

Lala Asar Sattar

Lala (Gangwane), Asar and Sattar Khan were ace musicians who worked with the leading music directors of their time. They teamed up as independent music directors, created a few dazzling stars, broke up, leaving Lala and Sattar to carry the baton, ultimately to be cosigned to oblivion. Hindi Film Music archive is grave to a score of such musicians.

Yug Yug Se Gaate Aaye Hain Dharti Aur Aasmaan – Jahan Sati WahaN Bhagwan – Lyrics: ?

The song has all the elements of a background, title, song, each one fully justified by Mohammad Rafi, by his soft yet strong tone that signifies deep and firm, and still, very humble, feelings for the omnipresence of the God.

We have one more film in the same year, where Lala Asad Sattar have created one of the most memorable Mohammad Rafi song.

Main To Tere Haseen Khayalon Mein Kho Gaya – Sangram – Lyrics: Aish Kanwal

One of the most blessed side of a typical B or C grade Hind film was its excellent music score. Most of the music directors who have scored music for such films were at the stage of their initial days of struggle. That may be one reason why almost every song they composed for such songs had their best, and highly creative, scores. Many of the films benefited at the box office by these excellent songs . However, Lady Luck chose to favor Laxmikant Pyarelal only from the lot.

Vedpal Verma

Vedpal Verma worked as a story writer and lyricist before becoming a music director.

Ab To Bata De Avgun Mere Paanv Pada Hu Shyam – Sant Tukaram = Lyrics: Madhukar Rajasthani

The song is an emotional prayer to the God, wherein the protagonists seeks to his weaknesses. As can expected, the song moves along with variations in the emotions, duly matched by Mohammad Rafi’s throw of words.

In the database of Mohammad Rafi, for the year 1965 there is a reference to one Shyam Sharma, who has composed music for a Bhojpuri film, Hamara Sansar, in this year.

Atul’s Song A Day has listed one Mohammad Rafi NFS created by Shyam Sharma – Paagal Naina Sagri Raina Teri Baat Nihaare.

The song is a hidden gem.

1966

The year 1966 has 105 solo songs of Mohammad Rafi.

The year 1966 has three new music directors.

Ganesh

Ganesh (Sharma) was the younger brother of Pyarelal (of Laxmikant Pyarelal duo.). His most known song is from the same year, Hum Tere Bin Jee Na Sakenge Sanam (Thakur Jarnail Singh, Asha Bhosle)

Jinki Tasveer Nigahon Mein Liye Phirta Hun – Husn Aur Ishq – Lyrics: Noor Devasi

The orchestration is set to Arabic style composition.

Harbans

One more music director for which hardly any information is available.

Girdhaari O Girdhaari Laut Bhi Aao O Girdhaari Radha Neer Bahae– Nagin Aur Sapera – Lyrics: Satyapal Sharma

We have a mature composition from this music director.

Babu Singh

From the available information, it seems that Babu Singh has only one Hindi film and one Bhojpuri films to his credit.

Unhe Manzil Nahi Milti Jo Kismat Ke Sahare Hai – Vidyaarthi – Lyrics: Madhukar Bihari

One more example of a mature composition from what seems to be one-film music director.

The film has two more Mohammad Rafi solos: Bankar Ke Insan banaye Tumko Ham Bhagwan and Suno Sunate Aaj Tumhe Hum Nehru Ji Ki Amar Kahani. Both the compositions are also equally mature ones. In fact, I remember having heard the second one, a story of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, on radio on Nehruji’s anniversaries in late 60s.

We will conclude our series on Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song with a Music Director in our December 2020 episode.

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

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

Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song With The Music Director : 1962 – 1963

- - 1^st Five-Year Period : 1944 -1948 ,
  - 2^nd Five-Year Period : 1949-1953, and
  - 3^rd Five-Year period : 1954 – 1958.

For the 4^th Five Year period of 1959 to 1963, we have heard Mohammad Rafi’s maiden solo songs for the years 1959-1960 and 1961 this year. Presently, we take up the last two years – 1962 and 1963 – of the 4^th Five-Year Period.

As the journey progresses into the ‘60s, we a see trend of more songs under the category of ‘popular songs for the year’ than compared to the ‘first-solo’ one. If there is a systematic study of new music directors coming in in a given year, then such a conclusion can be corroborated. Till then, we will take this as an untested hypothesis.

1962

For the year 1962, we have 64 solo songs of Mohammad Rafi.

We will first take up the songs that had become popular for the year:

Roshan – Aarti (Ab Kya Misaal DooN), Vallah Kya Baat Hai (Gam-e-Hasi Se Bagana Hota) | Ravi – Apna Banake Dekho (Raaz-e-Dil Unse Chuupaya Na Gaya); Bombay Ka Chor (Hai Bahar-e-Baag-e-Duniya Chand Roz); China Town (Baar Bar Dekho); Raakhi (Bandha Hua Ek Ek Dhaage Mein Bhai Behan Ka Pyar, Ya Meri Manzil Bata Ya Zindgi Ko Chheen Le)| Shankar Jaikishan – Asli Naqli (Chheda Mere Dil Ne Tarana, Gori Zara Has De Tu, Ek Putal Banaunga, Kal Ki Daulat Aaj Ki Duniya); Dil Tera Diwana (Dhadakane Lagata Hai Mera Dil, Nazar Bachake Chale Gaye Ho); Professor ( Ae Gulbadan, Khuli Palak Mein Zootha Gussa) } S D Burman – Baat Ek Raat Ki (Akela HuN Main); | O P Nayyar – Ek Musafir Ek Haseena (Hum Ko Tumhare Ishq Ne, Mujhe Dekh Kar Aapka Muskurana); | N Dutta – Gyara Hazar LadkiyaN (Dil Ki Tamanna Thi, Mere Maheboob Mere Saath Chalana Hoge Tujhe) | Chitragupt – MaiN Chup Rahungi (Main Kaun HuN , Khush Raho Aele Chaman); Main Shaadi Karane Chala (Koi Bura Kahe Ya Kahe Bhala Main Shaadi Karane Chala); | Babul – Naqli Nawab (Chheda Jo Dil Ka Tarana, Tum Puchhate Ho Ishq Bhala Hai Ke Nahi) | Naushad – Son of India (Zindagi Aaj Mere Naam Se)

For the year, we have only two music directors composing maiden solo song for Mohammad Rafi. One of these is from the South remake genre and the other one belongs to ‘Only-One Rafi-song’ club..

S M Subbaiah Naidu

S M Subbiah Naidu, a.k.a SMS, (15 March 1914 – 26 May 1979) was a South Indian composer, conductor, and orchestrator. He was one of the oldest music directors. He was a favourite music director M G Ramchandran.

Sona Re Bhaiya Sona Re – Humein Bhi Jeene Do– Lyrics: Saraswati Kumar Deepak

The film is remake of Tamil film, featuring M G Ramchandran and B Saroja Devi

YT link for the song is not yet available.

Sudarshan

From All the available records, Sudarshan has composed music for only this film – Mall Road.

Jaam Chal Ne Ko Hai Sab Ahel-e- Nazar Baithe Hai – Mall Road –Dabalish

A well-composed ‘drunkard’ song that freely deploys Mohammad Rafi’s theatrics to full use.

Padhe Likhe Kuch Khak Nahin Par Naam Hai Mister Y – Mall Road –Lyrics: Dabalish

Lyrics and composition indicates that song must have been filmed on a comedy artist of the film.

Are Bus Mein Nazar Takrai – Mall Road – Lyrics: Dabalish

The composition is alin to some of the O P Nayyar compositions. Nonetheless the song comes out a worth-listening-to song.

1963

We see 102 solo songs of Mohammad Rafi in 1963. Even the songs that had become popular is also relatively a larger proportion both in number of songs as well as the range of music directors Interestingly it is Ravi who takes a lion’s share in these song this year. On a closer look, we also can observe that there are more of background songs in this list.

Ravi – Aaj Aur Kal (Itni Haseen Itni Jawan Raat, Ye Wadiyan Ye Fizayein Bula Rahi Hai Tumhe); Bharosa (Ye Juke Juke Naina, Is Bhari Duniya Mein); Gehra Daag (Aaj Udata Hua Ek Panchhi, Bhagwan Ek Qasoor Ki); Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya (Kaun Apana Kaun Paraya, Zara Sun Haseena-e-Naznin); Mulzim (Deewana Kah Ke Mujhe Aaj Pukariye, Sang Sang Rahenge Tumhare); Nartaki (Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Akele The Hum); Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (Jan-e-Bahaar Husn Tera Lajwab Hai, Zindagi Kya Hai Gam Ka Dariya Hai); UstadoN Ke Ustad (Sau Bar Janam Lenge); Ye Raaste Hai Pyar Ke (Tum Jis Pe Nazar Dalo, Koi Mujhse Puchhe Ke Tum Mere Kya Ho) | Kalyanji Anandji – Bluff Master (Govinda Ala Re); Phool Bane Angare (Watan Pe Jo Fida hoga) | Shankar Jaikishan – Dil Ek Mandir (Yaad Na Jaaye Beete Dino Ki); Humrahi (Dil Tu Bheega, Ye Ansoo Mere Dil Ki Zubaan Hai); | Dattaram – Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai (Hum Aap Ki Mahefil Mein Bhule Se Chale Aaye) | Jaidev – Kinare Kinare (Teri Tasveer Bhi Tujh Jaisi Haseen Hai); Mujhe Jeene Do (Ab Koi Gulshan Na Ujade) | N Dutta – Mere Armaan Mere Sapne (Duniya Mein Aaya Hai To, Tera Aana Bhi Dhokha Tha) | Naushad – Mere Maheboob (Mere Maheboob Tujhe, Ae Husn Jara Jaag Tujhe Ishq Jagaye, Tumse Izahar-e-Haal Kar Baithe) | S D Burman – Meri Surat Teri Ankhen (Nache Man Mora Magan Tikra Dheegi Dhegi); Tere Ghar Ke Samne (Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukar, Tu Kahan Ye Bata, Sun Le Tu Dil Sada) | OP Nayyar – Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hun (Banda Parawar Tham Lo Jigar, Anchal Mein Saja Lena KaliyaN, LakhoN Hai Naigahon Mein) | Ramlal – Sehra (Taqdeer Ka Fasana) | Roshan – Taj Mahal (Jo Baat Tujh Mein Hai)

We have a highly interesting mix of music directors this year to compose the first solo for Mohammad Rafi – two pairs, of which one could not rise to their promise and the other scaled Evesrtian peak, and the third on one is the most respected classical music personality.

Sapan (Sengupta) Jagmohan (Bakshi)

Even though these two individually came to Bombay (as it was then known) in early ‘50s, their first released music directed film could come up in 1963 only. Fairly reasonable acceptance of Begaana songs did not bring their next assignment soon enough – which in fact was Zimbo Finds a Son (1966). Later, they did spark in BR Ishara’s films (Main To Har Mod Pe Tujhko Dunga Sada – Mukesh – Chetna), Sapan Jagmohan have also gone down the history of Hindi Film Music as highly talented, well-remembered, but not successful music directors.

Phir Wo Bhoolisi Yaad Aayi Hai – Begaana – Lyrics: Shailendra

Like several other maiden associations that Mohammad Rafi had with the upcoming music directors, presently he lends that extra yard to the launch of high-profile set-up of the music director’s career.

Pt. Ravishankar

Pt. Ravishankar’s association with Hindi film music direction dates back to 1946 with Chetan Anand’s Neecha Nagar’ and K A Abbas’s ‘Dharati Ke Lal’. He then had another extremely well received score for Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Anuradha (1960). After Go Daan (1963), wherein we have two Mohammad Rafi songs, he worked for Gulzar’s Meera (1979).

Holi Khelat Nandlal Biraj Mein – Go Daan – Lyrics: Anjaan

Strictly not an exclusively a Mohammad Rafi solo, the song brings out Mohammad Rafi at his one of the very best.

Pipava Ke Patwa Sareekhe Dole Manwa – Go Daan – Lyrics: Anjaan

We have one more gutsy folk song. Rafi lives up the joy of protagonist’s return to his native village for a well-earned leave.

Interestingly, both these songs were lip-synced by Mehmood on the screen.

Laxmikant (Shantaram Kudalkar: 1937–1998) Pyarelal (Ramprasad Sharma: 1940- )

Laxmikant Pyarelal started their career with many B and C grade films, even when they had their first of the seven Filmfare awards for Dosti (1964) Their music did shine out in these films. They grew from strength to strength with every film, to record scores for 635 films in their 35-year career. Their score for Mohammad Rafi songs is a hefty 388 songs, which is the highest for Mohammad Rafi’s songs with any music director.

Roshan Tumhi Se Duniya Ronak Tumhi Jahan Ki – Parasmani – Lyrics: Indeevar

Parasmani, a mythological film, is listed as the maiden film for which LP duo composed music as an independent team.

Ustad Zakir Hussain has played tabla for the song.

The present song can be considered a high benchmark, against which LP’s all other Mohammad Rafi solo songs can be evaluated.

In fact, in my personal opinion, LP have never been able to breach this landmark in their career, even as they have some very successful Mohammed Rafi solos, except, perhaps Jaanewale Jara Mud Ke Dekho Mujhe and Chahunga Main Tujhe Saanj Savere (Dosti, 1964).

Dharam Ki Khaatir Bik Gaya Raja – Harshchandra Taramati – Lyrics: Pradeep

LP use Mohammad Rafi’s vocal strength in this background song.

We continue our journey of Mohammad Rafi’s first solo song with a music director next year with the 5^th Five-Year Period of 1964-1969

All three episodes of the 4^th Five Year Period of Mohammad Rafi’s First solo with a Music director : 1959 – 1963 can be downloaded as one file by clicking on the link.

Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: December 2019

Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song With The Music Director: 1961

- 1^st Five-Year Period : 1944 -1948 ,
- 2^nd Five-Year Period : 1949-1953, and
- 3^rd Five-Year period : 1954 – 1958.

We have heard Mohammad Rafi’s maiden solo song with a music director for the first part of 1959-1960 of the 4^th Five Year period in July, 2017.

Presently, we will take up the second part – 1961 – for the 4^th Five Year period. The films appear herein in the alphabetical order of their names.

In our earlier articles we used to take due note of the popular, and not-popular-but-remarkable songs for the years under review for those music directors who have already appeared in the previous Five-Year periods. We have continued with that practice.

As may be expected, in the decade of 60s, we find more songs that went on to become popular, sometimes far more than the more meritorious songs from the same film. Relative longevity was seen to be shortening up. However, this possibly outcome of the changing taste of Hindi Films – as more films went color from B&W format, the element of art in the film was becoming more a special genre, filmmaking had better technical back-end support. Now, films, in general, were the commercial films – set to a few stereotypes and their variations. In so far as the Hindi film music was concerned, ‘60s saw the beginning of the ebb, from the high highs that were scaled till now.

1961

Mohammad Rafi has 71 solo song in 1961.

First, we will note the popular songs for the year for those music directors who have appeared in the previous years.

Shankar Jaikishan – Aas Ka Panchhi (Char Dino Ki Chhuti Hai); Boy Friend (Dheere Chal .. Ay Bheegi Hawa, Mujhe Apna Yaar Bana Lo, Salam Aap Ki Meethi Nazar Ko); Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Teri Zulfon Se Zudai); Junglee (Chahe Koi Mujhe Jaunglee Kahe, Aiya Ya Karoon Main Kya Suku, Ehsan Tera Hoga Mujh Par); Sasural (Teri Pyari Pyari Surat Ko, Wallah Yar Lut Gaye Hum) | Chitragupt – Bada Admi (Akhiyan Sang Akhiyan Lage, Agar Dil Kisi Se Lagay Na Hota) |Salil Chowdhury – Chhaya (Yaa Kehde Ham Insaan Nahi); Kabuliwala (O Saba Kahena Mere Didar Ko); Maya (Koi Sone Ke Dilwala, Sanam Tu Chal Diya Rasta Mere Bina, Zindagi Hai Kya Meri Jaan) | Naushad – Ganga Jamuna (Nain Lad Jai Hai) | Ravi – Gharana (Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahi); Nazarana (Baazi Kisine Pyar Ki) | Jaidev – Hum Dono (Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata, Kabhi Khud Pe Kabhi Haalat Pe) | Madan Mohan – Sanjog (Do Ghoont Maine Pee) | Ghulam Mohammad – Shama (Woh Sadagi Kahe Ise Diwangi Kahe) | Khayyam – Shola Aur Shabnam (Jane Ky Dhundhati Raheti Hai) |

We now take a closer look at Mohamad Rafi’s first solo song with a music director for the year 1961. This year, we have three very talented, but not commercially successful music directors, one who succeeded by defying the Hindi Film ‘normal’ of ‘assistants do not succeed’ and two music directors for the South remakes.

In order to err on the safer side, we have included all the solos of the film wherein Mohammad Rafi and a music director have their first solo song.

S Madan

Not accepted well in Hindi Films, S Madan earned big fame in Punjabi films. Many of his songs in Punjabi films have been plagiarized in Hindi films. He assisted Vinod in the early part of his career.

Ye Kaisi Deewaar Hai Duniya – Batwara – Lyrics: Majroojh Sultanpuri

The background song epitomizes the division between two brothers.

P Nageswara Rao

Nageshwara Rao was well-known name in Telugu films.

Narayan Ki Isi Murti Se Hoga Govinda – Bhagwan Balaji –Lyrics: Sarswati Kumar Deepak

It seems every remake – dubbed version- of South Indian religious films has at least one song by Mohammad Rafi.

Rahul Dev Burman

When Rahul Dev Burman (27 June 1939 – 4 January 1994) debuted as an independent music director, the Golden Era of Hindi Film music was at its high-sun point. The ecosystem was extremely competitive with high-quality-but-very-popular individual styles of the music directors who had entered the scene in the late second half of the ‘40s./ early first half of ‘50s.R D Burman easily transformed himself from the understudy of his father, S D Burman, into an independent music director, by developing his own distinct style of compositions. Along with Laxmikant Pyarelal, he very effectively carried the baton form the second generation of music directors to the third generation.

Aam Chum Taam Chum – Chhote Nawab – Lyrics: Shailendra

Produced by Mehmood, the film revolved around a mentally under-developed character of Memood. The song epitomizes physically fully-grown-up, but mentally childlike personality of the lead male character, Choote Nawab – The Child Ruler.

Ilaahi Tu Sun Le Hamaali Dua – Chhote Nawab – Lyrics: Shailendra

R D Burman creates a very mature tune in the very first film. Along with all other playful songs, the present song and Lata Mangeshkar’s Ghar Aaja Ghir Aaye demonstrate the depth of versatility of R D Burman’s musical range.

C Arjun

C Arjun assisted Bulo C Rani in his early career. C Arjun’s first Hind film Road No. 303 (1960) had a couple of Mohammad Rafi duets. His Punar Milan (1964) Mohammad Rafi solo Paas Baitho Tabiyat Bahal Jayegi remains one of the best ever Rafi song. But of course C Arjun is more immortalized by his Usha Mangeshkar record-breaking prayer Jai Santoshi Ma (1975)

Ho Gori Zulm Kare Zulf Ka Bikhar Jaana – Main Aur Mera Bhai– Lyrics: Jaan Nisaar Akhtar

Mohammad Rafi is at his playful best in this lively song.

Insaan Kitne Yug Beete Yunhi Rahi Nadaan.. Moorakh Hai Insaan – Main Aur Mera Bhai – Lyrics: Jaan Nisaar Akhtar

This should be background song.

Arun Raghavan

Arun Raghavan is one of the 48 music directors who have composed only one Mohammad Rafi song. As he is a music director of South Indian films, this does not seem to be so stounding statement.

Chali Aaj Rajbhawan Se..Yug Yug Se Anyaya – Mera Suhag – Arun Raghavan – Vinod Sharma

Like other South Indian film remakes in Hindi, Mohammad Rafi gets to sing a background song.

SL Merchant, Shri Ram

SL Merchant, Shri Ram are perhaps more active in Tamil films.

Kaisa Hai Ye Shraap Haye Re..Haye Re Qismat – Sati Renuka – Bharat Vyas

As has been now a well-formed pattern, Mohammad Rafi gets to sing this background song.

Putraheen Ko Pita..Janani Janani Mahima Hai – Sati Renuka –Bharat Vyas

One more background song in a South Indian remake Hindi film.

D Dilip

Known more as assistant to S N Tripathi, then Chitragupt and lastly as arranger to Laxmikant Pyarelal, Dilip Dholakiya took up D Dilip as his pen name when composing independent music in Hindi films. He also was a very accomplished singer. He did sing a few Hindi songs under S N Tripathi and Chitragupt. The only Hindi song that he has rendered under his own baton is Khanke Kangana Khan Khan Re, Chhanake Ghungharu Chhan Chhan Re – Saugandh (1961) – with Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi in the lead.

Apne Liye Jiye To Zamane Mein Kya Jiye.. Kaun Raha Hai Kaun Rahega – Saugandh – D Dilip – Prem Dhawan

The song is a background song, filmed on Gemni Ganeshan on the screen.

As a special note on Dilip Dholakia – Mohammad Rafi, I succumb to the urge to record here a beautiful Gujarati solo song from this pair – Meethadi Nazrun Vaagi – Satyavan Savitri ,1963)

Since we have far too many song to listen to in the present post, we will take up the last two years – 1962 and 1963- of the 4^th Five Year period in our episode of 15^th December, 2019.

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

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

N.B. : All episodes for the year 2019 can be seen / downloaded as one file by clicking on Fading Memories..Unforgettable Songs – 2019

Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: July, 2019

Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song With The Music Director: 1959 -1960

Our purpose is to revisit Mohammad Rafi’s solo songs across the start point of his career till the end. We have been able to cover Mohammad Rafi’s association with around 90 music directors in these first three periods. Presently, we take up the first two years of 4^th Five-Year Period 1959-1963. While looking for the first solo song with music director for each of the five years of this Five-Year Period, I have also listed some of the very popular or not-so-popular but quite remarkable songs for the music directors who have already appeared in the past three Five-Year Periods. Most of these songs we remember so well that just three words of the first line of the song is enough for us to create the whole song in our minds. There are some which you love to listen again and re-enjoy the beauty of the song, as I did.

With every passing year, the list of the solo songs with the music directors who already have appeared in the previous periods is swelling up. So even at the cost of digressing from the titled-course of the post, we will take the tour of the very-well known and not-so-known but very-good-to-listen-again songs. The sequence is – name of music director, the film and (the song). I have included here only those films which had one or more songs to take note of, to my liking, of course.

I have followed the name of the films in the alphabetical order while listing the songs in this post.

1959

Noteworthy songs for the year were –

Chitragupta – Barkha (Sur Badle Badle Kaise ) / N Dutta – Dhool Ka Phool (Tu Hindu Banega) / Shankar Jaikishan – Chhoti Bahen (Main Rickshawwala), Love Marriage (Kahan Jaa Rahe The), Shararat (Ajab Hai Dastan) / Vasant Desai – Goonj Uthi Shenai (Kahe Do Koi Na Kare) / S D Burman – Insaan Jaag Utha (Dekho Re Dekho Ajuba), Kagaz Ke Phool (Dekhi Zamane Ki Yaari) / Hans Raj Behl – Sawan (Dekho Bina Sawan),

1959 has (technically) seven (but effectively six) music directors who had the maiden solo song for Mohammad Rafi. Of these six music directors, two music directors did achieve commercial acknowledgement from the industry.

Kalyanji Virji Shah commenced his career as independent music director in 1958 with ‘Samrat Chandra Gupt’. The film had three Rafi/ Lata duets, but the solo song(s) with Mohammad Rafi came up only in 1959, for two films – Bedard Zamana Kaya Jaane and Ghar Ghar Ki Baat.

Bedard Zamana Kya Jaane – Bedard Zamana Kya Jaane – Lyrics: Bharat Vyas

Mohammad Rafi gets to sing the background song, which is a title song as well.

Uparwale Ne Jaldi Mein Likh Di Meri Taqdeer – Ghar Ghar Ki Baat – Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra

This is a song in a totally different mood.

Kalyanji – Anandji

After having worked solo in some more films like P B No. 999, Chandra Sena etc. Kalyanji Virji Shah teamed up with his younger brother Anandji. The brother duo gradually created their own style of compositions and went on to record many successes, including some of the iconic songs.

Suno Bhai Aankade Ka Dhandha Ek Din Teji – Satta Bazar – Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra

This is classic Jhonny Walker song.

Usha Khanna

Usha Khanna is another debutant for the year 1959 who scaled peaks in her first foray. She did have a very long active career, which may not fall within the textbook definition of ‘success’ in the Hindi film industry, but she was certainly successful in creating her own space, in an otherwise male dominated domain.

The debut film is Dil Deke Dekho, for which she lined up a slew of Moahhamd Rafi songs, filmed on Shammi Kapoor. The title song Dil Deke Dekho and other quite popular Bolo Bolo Kuchh To Bolo, Hum Aur Tum Ye Sama and a back-to-back pair of songs Megha Re Bole Chhanan Chhanan- Bade Hai Dil Ke Kale

Rahi Mil Gaye Raho Mein – Dil Deke Dekho – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Usha Khanna very deftly handles an OPNayyar-styled lilting tune, customized to the theatrics of Shammi Kapoor. Usha Khanna’s musical insight can be seen very well in the prelude of the song, wherein Rafi’s alaap is blended with whistling.

Gajanan Karnad

From very sketchy information that I could collect, Gajanan Karnad was an ace violinist and is known as the most-used support violinist fir Hindi film songs recordings. A more strenuous Google search provides a few links to his violin recordings.

Ye Sach Hai Ae Jahanwalo Hamein Jeena Nahi Aaya – Kal Hamara Hai –– Shailendra

There is one more Asha Bhosle mujhra recorded composed by Gajanan Karnad – Irada Katl Ka Hai (Aise Na Dekho Rasiya) – which has several, very distinct accompaniment of tabla

The present song would be a major find for Hind film song fans, in general, and those of Mohammad Rafi, in particular.

The other songs of the film have been composed by Chitragupt.

Bipin Dutta (Datt ?)

Bipin Dutta, and Babul, who have also been assistants to Madan Mohan, have independently paired too, to give some outstanding songs. Bipin Dutta seems to have forayed individually too. Other films to his individual credit are – Diamond King (1961) and Baaghi Shahazada (1964).

Ye Bambai Shahar Ka Bada Naam Hai – Kya Ye Bambai Hai – Lyrics: Noor Devasi

A Johnny Walker styled song that is filmed on Maruti, who, along with Nishi plays the lead role in the film.

This mundane trivia has, very rightly, any importance today Joy is to relish the half-a-century back Mumbai and the lyrics that highlight Mumbai USPs!

Nirmal Kumar

Hardly any information is available about this music director or the fllm – Lal Nishan.

Teri Nazar Ki Chhabi Ne Khola Dil Ka Tala – Lal Nishan – Lyrics: Anand Baxi

The song has shades of Naam Bade Darshan Khote, in the basic tune and interlude orchestration..

Prem

Here is one more totally obscure name!

Duniya Chala Chali Ka…Do Din Ki Zindagi Hai Is Par Na Phool Pyare – Zimbo Ki Beti –Lyrics: Preetam Dahelvi

Hindi film industry had some very typical fad for certain names – Sindabad, Zimbo etc. are a few such names which were used to make films like ‘Son of ..’ Duaghter of .. ‘ ‘..In town etc.

Mohammad Rafi sings a text-book background song in right earnest.

1960

Some well-known and some still-good-to-listen solo songs of Mohammad Rafi for the year 1960 –

S D Burman – Bombai Ka Babu (Saathi Na Koi Manzil), Kala Bazar (Uparwala Jaan Ke, Khoya Khoya Chand) / Roshan – Babar (Tum Ek Baar Muhabbat Ka), Barsaat Ki Raat (Maine Shayad Pahele Tumhe, Jindagi Bhar Nahi, Mayoos To Hoon) / Ravi – Chaudhvin Ka Chand (Chaudhvin Ka Chand), Ghunghat (Haaye Re Insaan Ki) / Kalyanji Anandji – Chhalia (Gali Gali Sita Roye) / Shankar Jaikishan – Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (Jaane Kahan Gayi), Ek Phool Char Kante (Tirchhi Nazar Se Na Dekh) / Usha Khanna – Ham Hindustani (Ham Jab Chale To) / Naushad – Kohinoor (Madhuban Mein Radhika), Mughal-e-Azam (Zindabad..Ae Mohabbat Zindabad) / S N Tripathi – Lal Quilla (Lagata Nahi Dil Mera, Na Kisi Ki Ankha Ka) / Chitragupt – Patang (Ye Duniya Patang),

1960 seems to yield only three music directors that fit our basic selection criteria of composing the solo song for Mohammad Rafi for the first time. G S Kohli is a noteworthy name in these three music directors.

G S (Gurusharan Singh) Kohli

A very able tabla-player and music arranger, G S Kohli worked as assistant to O P Nayyar for almost his whole career, even when he had started composing music for films independently. He belongs that class of assistants who could not evolve their own distinctive styles. These music directors could shine for a few songs but could never make their own permanent space, even in the 2^nd or 3^rd rows.

Pyar Ki Rah Dikha Duniya Ko Roke Jo Nafrat Ki Andhi – Lambe Haath – Lyrics: Anjaan

The song shows all the talent that GS Kohli possessed as music composer. The film has a couple of more Rafi, light-mood, solo songs – Are Bus Mein Nazar Takraai and Sone Jaise Pyar Ko Samaj Liya Tambaa, that would vouch for his versatility as well.

Ramlal Heera Panna

In all probabilities, he is same famous flute and shehnai plyer who once worked with Ram Ganguly in Prthivi thaters. As destiny of Hindi films’ ways are, he kept struggling with C grade mythological films.

Aaj Yahan Kyun Andhkaar..Tera Mera Amar Pyar Hai – Maya Machhindar – Lyrics: Pt. Madhur

Mohammad Rafi gets his usual background song.

T G (Thiruchirappalli Govindarajulu) Ligappa

T G Ligappa was a noted music director who scored music for Tamil, Kannada and Telugu films.

Chhod Chale.. Ram Ayodhya Chhod Chale – Ramayan –Lyrics: Saraswati Kumar ‘Deepak’

This film appears to be the remake of Tamil film. Mohammad Rafi gets to once more sing a background song.

Before we end today’s episode, I am not able to resist temptation to present a recitation song from Barsat Ki Raat (1960).

Kya Gham Jo Andheri Hai Raatein, Kuchh Shamm-e-Tamanna Sath To Hai

I am sure you will be able to feel the shadow of other famous song by Roshan / Sahir combination!

We will continue with the first solo song of Mohammad Rafi for music director(s) for the other three years – 1961, 1962 and 1963 – of the 4^th Five-Year Period of 1959 to 1963 in our December 2019 episode.

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

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

Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song With The Music Director: 1957 – 1958

Till now we have covered

1^st Five-Year Period: 1944 -1948: December, 2016

1944-1946 – 11 December, 2016

1947-1948 – 22 December, 2016

2^nd Five-Year Period: 1949-1953

1949 – 15 July, 2017

1950 -1951 – 10^th December, 2017

1952-1953 – 17^th December 2017

Presently, we are into the 3rd Five-Year Period of 1954 to 1958, of which we have already covered

1954-1955 – 8 July, 2018

1956 – 9 December, 2018

We now take up the 3d and the last piece of the years 1957 and 1958 of this five-year period.

1957

1957 had as many as 187 solo songs of Mohammad Rafi. Apart from the music directors who already have been regularly selecting him, we see music directors, like Anil Biswas, Ajeet Merchant, Shivram Krishna, who had first solo with Rafi in 1956 also opting for Rafi again.

1957 has its own share of Mohammad Rafi’s landmark solo songs from these music directors, like Chal Ud Jaa Re (Bhabhi, Chitragupta); Mohabbat Zinda Rehti Hai (Changezkhan, Hans Rah Behl); Janam Janam Ke Phere (Janam Janam Ke Phere, S N Tripathi); Zindagu Bhar Gam Judai Ka (Miss Bombay, Hans Raj Behl); Na Main Bhagwan Hoon (Mother India, Naushad); Ye Hasrat Thi Ke Is Duniya Mein (Nausherwan-e-Adil, C Ramchandra); Ana Hai To Aa (Naya Daur, O P Nayyar); Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par and Ye Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye (Pyasa, S D Burman); Yun To Hamane Lakh Haseen (Tumsa Nahin Dekha, O P Nayyar) etc.

In terms of numbers, 1957 does not seem to have many of Mohammad Rafi’s maiden solo songs with a music director. But the ones that are there, more than make up for the paucity of numbers.

Dattaram (Wadkar) had had a maiden solo song with Mohammad Rafi that has gone onto become a milestone song. In his later films Dattaram seems to have experimented with other male singers like Mukesh and Manna Dey too. However, his own career unfortunately could not reach the critical escape velocity, for reasons other than his merit as composer.

Chun Chun Kar Ke AAyi Chidiya – Ab Dilli Door Nahin – Lyrics: Shailendra

The song has remained so evergreen, that hardly anything more need to be said about it.

Ramnath has only other picture, Meera of 1947 to his credit. This is the film that was a remake of the Tamil version. Both had M S Suubulaxmi as the lead actor and, obviously, the lead singer. Ramnath was the music director who seems to have been added for the Hindi version.

Radhe Shyam Duniya Door Se Suhani – Aadmi – Lyrics Sartaj Rahmani

Getting to listen the song for the first time!

Jaidev, though did not use Mohammad Rafi in his maiden film Joru Ka Bhai. However, he has several of Rafi’s greatest songs to his credit.

Budhdham Sharanam Gachchami – Anjali – Lyrics: Nyaya Sharma

Even though the song has not attained the level of popularity that the Anil Biswas composition of 1960 film Angoolimal has attained, Mohammad Rafi has full justice to Jaidev’s concept of composing the tune to the spirit of the message.

Ravi made his debut from ‘Vachan’ in 1955. This film had two duets of Mohammad Rafi – a classic tonga song – Jab Liya Haath Mein Haath and one of the pioneering song in the genre of beggar songs – O Babu Ek Paisa De De .

Dil To Kisi Ko Doge Kisi Ke Aakhir Hoge – Ek Saal – Lyrics: Prem Dhawan

Ravi has successfully created a classic-fit composition to Johnny Walker’s signature mannerisms.

Kis Ke Liye Ruka Hai Kis Ke Ruka Hai Karana Hai Jo Bhi Karle Ye Waqt Ja Raha Hai – Ek Saal – Lyrics: Prem Dhawan

Here is another successful experiment of using Rafi’s voice for a background title song. Ravi has used voices of Hemant Kumar (Ulaj Gaye Do Naina) and Talat Mahmood (Sab Kuchh Luta Ke) in the film..

Basant Prakash began his career in Hindi films from 1942. So he becomes one more of vintage era music director to work with Mohammad Rafi. He has composed two solos Dharti Maan Ke Veer Sipahi Jeene Marne Aaj and Gajar Baj Raha Hai Sehar Ho Rahi Hai in ‘Maharani’. I have not been able to locate the digital links to these songs.

S Haridarshan is another obscure music director whose first solo with Rafi, Aya Kar Ke Bhesh Nirala in ‘Shahi Bazaar’ seems to have no soft digital link.

To end the year with live linked song, we reach out a forgotten song from the film which had one Rafi song which remains a milestone even today- Jawan Ho Ya Budhiya Ya Nanhi Si Gudiya – Bhabhi (1957) – Music: Chitragupta – Lyrics: Rajinder Krishna); –

1958

1958 was also quite a productive year for Mohammad Rafi, with as many as 177 solo songs., with a fairly large share of some of the all-time greats like – Tujhe Kya Sunau Main Dilruba (Aakhari Dao, Madan Mohan); Bhala Karnewale Bhalai Kiye Ja (Ghar Sansar, Ravi); Hum Bekhudi Mein Tujm Ko Pukare (Kala Pani, S D Burman); Toote Hue Khwabon Ne (Madhumati, Sail Chaudhary); Man Mora Bawara (Ragini, O P Nayyar); Aaj Galiyon Mein Teri (Sohini Mahiwal, Naushad); Raat Bhar Ka Mehman (Sone Ki Chidiya, O P Nayyar); etc.

1958 has a fair catch of songs befitting our subject.

Mukul Roy, brother of Geeta Roy (Dutt), debuted with Sailaab in 1956, which he had produced too, in association with his sister.

Chhodiye Gussa Huzur Aisi Naraazgi Bhi Kya – Detective – Lyrics: Shailendra

On the Brother Mukul Roy page of the site Geeta Dutt.com, it is noted that the song borrows its main body and interlude from “Bimbo” – a 1953 Jim Reeves song.

Khayyam, technically, could be considered to have made a debut with a 1949 film Parda. But here we have films with his more official name. We have two films in this year. So, instead of choosing which film should appear as the one to include a maiden Rafi solo, I would prefer to place Hai Kali Kali Ke Lab Pe Tere Hush Ka Fasana (Lala Rukh, Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi) in the phigh pedestal of an evergreen song. That leads us to another film, Phir Subah Hogi, in the same year.

Sabki Ho Khair Baba Sab Ka Bhala, De De Bhookhe Pet Ko Roti Ka Tukda – Phir Subah Hogi – Lyrics: Sahir Ludhyanavi

Here is the least noted song from the film which had some great Mukesh songs, including a Mukesh- Rafi duet, Jis Pyaar Mein Ye Haal Ho. The present song is a beggar genre song, wherein chorus of support singers also join Mohammad Rafi.

R Sudharshanam is a music director from the Tamil films, and as such would be content with scoring music for the remake-into-Hindi films.

Jis Dil Mein Lagan Manzil Ki Ho – Matwala – Lyrics: Har Govind

We have what is popularly known as Tonga genre song, wherein Rafi maintains high scale to reflect the high mood of the song.

Iqbal Quereshi, is one of those fairly known music directors, who could not make it as big as his caliber was. He makes a debut this year..

Milke Baitho Jodo Bandhan – Panchayat – Lyrics: Shakeel Nomani

This a background title song, and assuch conveys the core message of the film.

Adinarayana Rao, also is a music director from Telugu films, who makes appearance on Hindi films because of the remakes form the South. He, also, is the producer of Suvarna Sundari, the film that figures presently.

Ram Naam Japna Paraya Maal Apna – Suvarna Sundari – Lyrics: Bharat Vyas

The song is possibly made to cater to the Hindi film audience.

Maa Maa Karta Phire Laadla – Suvarna Sundari – Lyrics: Bharat Vyas

This is a background song, which typically is used a vehicle to carry the film story forward .

Dhani Ram, as per some of the records, was Guru of music directors like Vinod and O P Nayyar.

Botal Mein Band Jawani Peete Peete Dil Jaani – Taqdeer – Lyrics: Verma Malik

A fast paced, drunkad (sharabi) genre song, which I hae listened for the first time.

Is Taqdeer Ke Aage Koi Hi Tadbeer Chalti hai, Agar Chalti Hai Dunia Mein To
Bas Taqdeeir Chalti Hai, Is Taqdeer Ke Age Jhuk Gaye … – Taqdeer – Lyrics: Verma Malik

This appears to be the background song, which typically is played with the film titles.

The receding-from-the-memory song that I have selected to end the present episode is a very unique Madan Mohan composition

Bada Hi CID Hai Wo Nili Chhatriwala – Chandan (1958) – Music: MadanMohan – Lyrics: Rajendra Krishna

Well, on the whole, the third five-year period of 1954 to 1958, for Mohammad Rafi’s maiden solo song with a music directors, has indeed proved to a very rich experience that has refreshed as many known or quite unknown songs, with a large catch of gems as an add-on bonus.

Next year we will take up the 4^th Five-year period of 1959 to 1963, which expectedly should be as interesting as our present 3^rd five-year period.

P.S.

All the three separately posted posts of Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song With The Music Director: 1954 -1958 can be accessed at / downloaded by clicking on the hyperlink.

Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: December, 2018

Mohammad Rafi’s First Solo Song With The Music Director: 1956

Till now we have covered

1^st Five-Year Period: 1944 -1948: December, 2016

1944-1946 – 11 December, 2016

1947-1948 – 22 December, 2016

2^nd Five-Year Period: 1949-1953

1949 – 15 July, 2017

1950 -1951 – 10^th December, 2017

1952-1953 – 17^th December 2017

3^rd Five-Year Period: 1954-1958

1954-1955 – 8 July, 2018

Presently, we will take up songs for the year 1956, of the third five-year-slot of 1954-1958.

[For the sake for structured documentation, I will be following the alphabetical sequence of Film names in the post.]

1956

1956 has 138 solo songs of Mohammad Rafi., and as can be expected most of these songs are from music directors like, Bulo C Rani, Husnlal Bhagatram, Narayan Dutt, A R Quereshi, Hemant Kumar, Salil Chaudhary, Shamker Jaikishan, Madan Mohan, Shardul Kwatra, N Dutta, O P Nayyar, Lachhi Ram, Shyam Babu Pathak etc.

The major landmark solo songs that we remember from this year are: Badi Der Bhayi and Duniya Na Bhaye (Basant Bahar, Shanker Jaikishan); Aaye Bahar Ban Ke Lubha Kar Chale Gaye (Raj Hath, Shankar Jaikishan), Maine Chand Sitaron Ki (Chandrakanta, N Dutta); Gareeb Jaan Kar (Choo Mantar, O P Nayyar), Parwar Digar-e_Alanm (Hatimtai, S N Tripathi); Aeki Main Jhooth Boliya (With S balbir, Jagate Raho, Salil Chaudhary); Hazaron Rang Badalega Zamana (Shirin Farhad, S Mohinder).

Interestingly, for the year 1956, even as there are so many music directors who have already settled on Mohammad Rafi as a lead male singer, we have a fairly large catch of first films in which a music director has composed solo songs for the first time for Mohammad Rafi.

Sudipta Bhattacharya is totally an unknown name.in so far as Hindi films is concerned. There appears to be one more film to his credit – Taaj Aur Talwar in this year itself.

Bahut Jal Kar Mohabbat Mein Mera Dil, Aaj Bola Kayamat Hai Tu , Are Bijali Hai Tu Shola Hai
Thoda Sa Sharbat-e-Dildar Chahiye – Ghulam Brgum Badshah – Lyrics: Rupbani

The song is quawaali-styled composition, rendered in what is recognized as classic Johnny-Walker mannerisms on screen and mimicked by Rafi in the playback.

K Datta (a.k.a. Korgaonkar Datta) was a music director whose main body of the work pertains to the vintage era. He was known for his preference of Noor Jehan as his most favored singer.

Hamein Na Bisaro Hamein Taro Sanware – Harihar Bhakti – Lyrics: S P Kalla

I have not been able to locate the digital copy of this song from net.

It was high time that Anil Biswas uses Mohammad Rafi in a solo song. He has used Rafi’s voice for two s0los and a duet (with Asha Bhosle).

Preet Ka Rogi Ho Ya Jogi, Dono Ek Saman, Ho Ek Dhunde Apne Pritam Ko, Ek Dhunde Bhagwan
Allah Teri Khair Kare, Maula Teri Khair Kare, Data Teri Khair Kare – Heer – Lyrics: Rajendra Krishna

Rafi enacts the intense desire to meet the beloved while retaining an undertone of control befitting an ascetic.

Le Ja Uski Duaaye Woh Jo Tera Ho Na Saka, Apni Jati Baharo Se Gale Mil Ke Ro Na Saka – Heer – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

The song is set to the Punjabi folk tune heer, meant for the songs sung at the time of farewell of bride from her parent’s home.

Ajit Merchant is one of the legions of music directors who did not succeed at the altar of commercial counter.

Panchhi Gane Lage Prabhati Aane Laga Saras Savera, Jaag Sundari Madhur Milan Ka Aaya Hai Din Tera….– Indra leela – Lyrics: Deepak Kumar Saraswati

Here is a, quite a complex, song to sing, particularly for a film that seems to be based on a mythological subject.

Name of Sanmukh Babu (Upadhyay) will immediately bring to mind his Mubarak Begum song – Nigahon Se Dil Mein Chale Aayiega…(Hameer Hath, 1964)

Angaro Pe Hai Teri Zindagi Ki Gaadi, Khele Ja Tu Aag Se Khiladi – Lakar – Lyricist: Pradeep

We get to listen to an innovative variation of marching tune.

Naya Aadmi seems to be a remake of a Telugu film, hence barring three songs, which were composed by Madan Mohan, all songs have been composed by the music directors of the original version, i.e. Vishwanaath – Ram Murthy.

Jo Bhi Chahe Mang Le Bhagwan Ke Bhandar Se, Koi Bhi Na Jaaye Khali Is Darbar Se…. Jagat Ka Rakhwala Bhagwan Are Insaan Use Pahechan – Naya Aadmi – Rajendra Krishna

The song appears to be a background song.

Shivram Krishna, known for his music for the Surang(1953), Teen Batti Char Rasta(1953) and Sampurna Teerth Yatra(1970), gives two solos for Mohammad Rafi here.

Bade Pyar Se Milana Sab Se – Sati Anasuya – Lyrics: Bharat Vyas

The songs is enacted by an ascetic on his daily alms-collection round. The song is quite melodious and has deftly embedded Rafi’s signature scale variations.

Sun Sun Re Zara Insaan – Sati Anasuya – Lyrics: Bharat Vyas

This one seems to be a background song. .Incidentally song draws upon the Gujarati folk rhythm of Garba.

Iqbal, a.k.a. Chhota Iqbal, more a stunt film composer, is often been mistaken for more famous name-alike composer Iqbal Qureshi. Iqbal (Mohammed Iqbal), operated from 1953 to 1975.

Aye Madre Vatan Madre Vatan, Rahenge Leke Raj Hum Wo Tera Takhat-o-Taz Hum – Sipahsalar – Lyrics: Farooq Qaisaar

We have a patriotic songs, composed on the marching tune.

Kamal Mitra is an obscure name.

Pyaar Be-qaraar Hai, Pyaar Ki Pukaar Sun, Rakh Le Aaj Meri Laaj, Main Tere Nisaar Sun – Yahudi Ki Beti – Lyrucs: Kaifi Azmi

The composition of the song does full justice to Kaifi Azami’s lyrics. The song appears to be the background song, ending with high-pitched call to the love to listen to the voice of the loved one.

There is a Lata Mangeshkar version, composed to an altogether different style, manifesting more the poignancy of separation.

To end our present episode, I have selected a Mohammad Rafi song from 1956, which is lesser known one:

Ankh Mein Surat Teri Lab Pe Fasana Tera – Choo Mantar (1956) – O P Nayyar – Lyrucs: Jan Nissar Akhtar

As we have had enough number of songs for one post, we will take up the songs for 1957 and 1958 in a separate post, planned to be published on 24^th December, 2018, on the birth anniversary of Mohammad Rafi.

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

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

P.S. :

All episodes of the series ‘Fading Memories….Unforgettable Songs’ for the year 2018 can be accessed at / downloaded from Fading Memories….Unforgettable Songs – 2018

Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs : July, 2018

Mohammad Rafi’s Solo Song From The FIRST Film With The Music Director: 1954 -1955

To commemorate Mohammad Rafi’s anniversaries, [Born: 24 December, 1924// Death: 31 July, 1980] we commenced a series of articles on Mohammad Rafi that essentially tried to bring the solo song of Mohammad Rafi from the first film with the music director. Beginning 2016, we have planned to take up one five-year slot every year, in the chronological order, starting from 1944, the year in which Mohammad Rafi sang his maiden solo song in Hindi Films.

Till now we have covered the first slot of 1944 – 1948 in Part I and Part II in December, 2016, the second five-year-slot of 1949 – 1953 in our July,2017, 10^th December, 2017 and 17^th December, 2017 articles.

Presently, we will take up the years 1954 and 1955 of the third five-year-slot of 1954-1958.

[For the sake for structured documentation, I will be following the alphabetical sequence of Film names in the post.]

1954

The year 1954 has 44 Hindi solo songs of Mohammad Rafi. There are many repeat-music directors like SN Tripathi, Salil Chaudhary, Naushad, Hansraj Behl, Shanker Jaikishan, Chitragupt, Ghulam Mohammad, Madan Mohan, Nissar Bazmi etc, wo composed music for one or more than one film in the year. The films ranged from successful to obscure films.

As a result, with every passing year, we now observe less number of songs that would meet the criteria for our present series, since most of the music directors have had used Mohammad Rafi for a solo song in the years reviewed till now.

Year 1954 is to yield 7 music directors who had a maiden solo song composed for Mohammad Rafi.

Roshan had made his debut in Hindi Films in 1949 with Neki Aur Badi. His first ever use of Mohammad Rafi, wasa Rafi Asha duet Mohabbat Ke Maaron Ka, in Baware Nain (1950).. Then he has used Rafi in a Rafi- Kishore Kumar-Ram Kamlani triad and a Rafi-Kishore Kumar duet, materialized only in Malkin (1953). The first solo comes up now, in 1954. Since then, Roshan’s association with Mohammad Rafi has gone on to become stronger and richer.

Zameen Bhi Vahi Hai Vahi Aasma, Magar Ab Wo Dilli Ki Galiyan Kahan – Chandni Chowk – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

This is a background song. The only male solo – Hamein Aye Dil Kahin Le Chal – filmed on the lead male actor has Mukesh for playback.

Datta Davjekar has had one solo – Main Teri Tu Mera – with Mohammad Rafi in 1947 for Aap Ki Sewa Mein. Incidentally, Lata Mangeshkar had had her first solo playback song – Paa Lagun Kar Jori Re, Sham Mose Na Khelo Hori Re – too in this film. However, we now have a film in which Datta Dvajekar and Jagganath share the credits as music directors, hence our present song.

Saheedo Amar Hai Tumhari Kahani, Watan Par Luta Di Jinhone Jawani – Golkonda Ke Qaidi – Lyrics: Anjaan

The film has had three music directors – Datta Davjekar, Jagganath and Kundan Lal – and three lyricists. HFGK records Datta Davjekar’s statement that all songs for the film were in fact composed by him.

There is one more Rafi solo in the film – Uthake Sar Chalo Jawani Shaan Se

Hemant Kumar probably brought in Mohammad Rafi for this song because it is was possibly Rafi only who could effortlessly scale vertically up while delivering ‘Uttho Chhalang Mar Ke Aaksh Ko Chhoo Lo’ and then in the very next line ‘Tum Gaad Do Gagan Mein Tiranga Uchaal Ke’ come back to the normal scale.

Hum Laaye Hai Tufan Se Kashti Nikal Ke Is Desh Ko Rakhana Mere Bachchon Sambhal Ke – Jagriti – Hemant Kumar – Pradeep

In a very rare Hemant Kumar – Mohammad Rafi combination, Mohammad Rafi does full justice to the confidence invested in him.

Shailesh Mukherji, is one of those Bengali music directors who could not comfortably last longer in the Hindi Film world.

Kismat Ka Likha Na Tale Na Koi Bas Chale, Yah Kya Hai Zindagi Haye Yah Kya Hai Zindagi – Parichay – Lyrics: Keshav Trivedi

We have Mohammad Rafi singing a background song in what is now established his signature style.

Sudhir Phadke has used Mohammad Rafi very selectively. In fact, he has used Kishore Kumar also very selectively, but for the film under discussion, Pahli Taarikh, he has created one of the most iconic KK song – Khush Hai Jamana Aaj Pahli Taarikh Hai….

Kahun Kya Ki Kaun Hoon Kya Hoon Main, Kisi Raste Ka Chirag Hoon, Mujhe Jisne Chaha Jala Diya…Gareebon Ki Duniya Mita Denewale – Paheli Tareekh – Lyrics : Qamar Jalalabadi

This also seems to be a background song.

Lachchiram (Tamar), composed music for around 20 films. For most of the Hindi Film fans, the name of this music director would itself, perhaps, be a forgotten name. But his songs – Dhalati Jaaye Raat, Karale Dil Ki Baat (Razia Sultan, 1961), Gori Tere Nain Nainva Kajar Bina Kare, Sab Jawan Sab Haseen Koi Tumsa Nahin, and solo and duet versions of Tu Shokh Kali Main Mast Pawan (all from, Main Suhagan Hun, 1964) – would easily be recognized.

Akaash Ke Aanchal Mein Sitara Rahega – Shaheed E Azam Bhagat Singh – Lyrics: Shauquat Pardesi

Mohammad Rafi exudes nationalistic fervor in every word that he sings in this rally song.

Hafiz Khan is credited as the music director who created a qawwali – Aanhein Na Bhari Shiquaw Na Kiye (Zeenat, 1945; Noorjehan, Zohrabai, Kalyani) which has the distinction of being the oldest among all the well-known qawwaalis of Hindi movies.

Apne Diwano Se Daaman Na Chhuda, Bekhabar Hosh Mein Aa – Watan – Lyrics: Shevan Rizvi

We have one more background song…

1955

The year 1955 had 76 songs solo songs of Mohammad Rafi, of which we have 2 solo songs each of B S Kalla and N Dutta and one solo of Bipin Babul from one film each from their respective maiden association with Mohamamd Rafi.

B(alkrishna) S Kalla is quite an unknown name. From various records, we observe that prior to 1955, he has also jointly composed for films like Mangala (1950), Mr. Sampat (1952), Bahut Din Huye (1954), which were all produced by the then known Tamil banners. Do Dulhe is his solo music direction film.

Naam Hai Mere Baap Ka Soda, Uski Surat Dekh Ke Aata Mujhko Bukhaar – Do Dulhe – Lyrics: Pt. Indra

The present song is a very good comedy genre song. The song is filmed on mentally challenged persons, and had parodied a couple of known songs. Mohammad Rafi has another solo song – Hal Na Kar Paaye Jise Tu Kaun Si Mushkil Hai Wo – which appears to be background song, one duet with Geeta Dutt and a triad with Geeta Dutt and Sarla Devi.

N Datta (a.k.a. Dattaram Baburao Naik) commenced his career as an assistant to S D Burman in films like Bahar, Sazaa and Ek Nazar (1951), Jaal (1952), Jeevan Jyoti (1953) and Angarey (1954), before his got his maiden assignment in Milaap (1954), which was also maiden directorial venture of Raj Khosla.

Ab Woh Karam Kare Ya Sitam Main Nashe Mein Hun – Marine dive – Lyrics: Sahir Ludhyanavi

His early association with Sahir when N Datta was an assistant to S D Burman seems to be continuing and continuing well. In the present song N Dutta comes out in the true elements of his abilities – very soft orchestration, a smooth composition which has some typical twists.

The film had two Mohammad Rafi – Asha Bhosle duet songs, one of which is what is known as Beggar Song genre song in Hindi films – Bata Ae Aasmanwale Tere Bande Kidhar Jaye and another one is a romantic duet – Muhabbat Yun Bhi Hoti Hai.

Bipin (Dutt) and Babul Started their career as assistants to Madan Mohan, Thiers is one more case of a capable music director who did not ring success to the cash box. They have composed two highly respected Rafi songs – Tum Poochhate Ho Ishq Bhala Hai Ke Nahin Hai and Chheda Jo Dil Ka Fasana Hansa Zor Se Kyon Zamana in Naqli Nawab, 1962.

Rukh Se Parda To Hata Zara Nazrein To Mila – Shahi Mehmaan – Lyrics: Anjum Jaipuri

The composition of the song is more on the Sufi style.

While ending the present episode, I am not able to resist the temptation of presenting one of my most favorite Mohammad Rafi songs (for 1954), even at the cost of repeating a music director.

Hai Baski Har Ek Unke Ishare Me Nishan Aur, Karate Hai Muhabbat To Guzarata Hai Guman Aur – Mirza Ghalib (1954) – Ghulam Mohammad

We will take up the years 1956 to 1958 of the third five-year-slot of 1954-1958 in the month of December, 2018

Mohammad Rafi’s Solo Song From The FIRST Film With The Music Director: 1952-1953

We have taken up to celebrate Mohammad Rafi’s anniversaries by publishing a series of articles that enlist the solo song of Mohammad Rafi with the music director for the first time in any film. The first 5-year slot of 1944 to 1948 was covered in Part I and Part II in December, 2016. We have covered 1949 and 1950-1951 of the 2^nd five-year-slot of 1949 to 1953.

Presently we will take up years 1952 and 1953 of this 1949-1953 period..

[For the sake for structured documentation, I will be following the alphabetical sequence of Film names in the post.]

1952

Year 1952 had 80 songs to Mohammad Rafi’s account, of which 32 songs were solos. Naushad gave a slew of Rafi hits in Aan and Baiju Bawra. For Deewana, Naushad had one of Rafi’s immortal Tasweer Banata Hun Teri Khoon-e-Jigar Se.Ghulam Mohammad had had Rafi in films like Ajeeb Ladki, Amber and Sheesha, C Ramchandra in Saaqui and Maadn Mohan had him in Anjaam. Chitragupt had Rafi songs in a religious film, Bhakta Puran and a Sinbad series film, Sindbad The Sailor. Rafi gets repeat preference by several other music directors too.

O Moorakh Insaan Apne Ko Pehchan – Annadata – Mohammad Safi – Anjum Jaipuri

Mohammed Safi was an excellent Sitar player and music arranger. He has provided music independently in about 14 films and was a key assistant to Naushad.

Kit Jaoge Ghanshyam Murari Jaane Na Doonga – Mordhwaj – Narayan Dutt – Bharat Vyas

The most striking feature of the song is so complex orchestration in support of the song as well as for the interludes.

We find second part of the song on YT.

1953

The last year of the 2^nd Five-year period of Mohammad Rafi’s career is quite rich in terms of the ‘first film wherein Rafi had a solo song with the music director’ as well as the films with the music directors who seem to have started giving Mohammad Rafi as lead male playback singer. If we have to select one Mohammad Rafi song from this year that has stood up the tests of time that would easily be Madan Mohan’s composition – Ye Duniya Pagalo Ka Bazaar. For the purpose of records, we note that the year had 31 solos songs of Mohammad Rafi out of a total of 71 songs.

Asides:

This should go on records as the only year where Mohammad Rafi has played back in the films which had the three Kapoor brothers.

Ghata Mein Chup Kar..Jo Dil Ki Baat Hoti Hai – Baaz – O P Nayyar – Majrooh Sultanpuri

O P Nayyar gets to toe in the narrow space through this Guru Dutt film which went on create a crescendo in the years to come. Guru Dutt also comes up in this directorial venture for the first time as a n actor too. The present song is cast in quawalli style. Interestingly, OPN has chosen Talat Mahmood for Mujhe Dekho Hasrat Ki Tasveer Hun Main

Koi Ameer Hai Koi Gareeb Hai – Dana Pani – Madan Junior – Kaif Irfani

The film credit has Shashi Kapoor to as one of the actors, who would have been 14 then.

Ajab Tori Duniya Ho More Rama – Do Bigha Jameen – Salil Chowdhury – Shailendra

Here is the song that can be said to be one more defining step in Mohammad Rafi’s career.

Jal Jal Ke Shama Ki Tarah Fariyad – Fariyadi – Baldev Nath Baali – Muzaffar Orakhzai

The song is cast in what we know as Mohammad Rafi’s signature style for the songs of sad mood.

Mohabbat Aur Wafa Ki….Chanda Ka Dil Toot Gaya Hai Roney Lage Hai Sitaare – Khoj – Nissar Bazmi – Raja Mahendi Ali Khan

The film has Shammi Kapoor in the lead role. It is said that Mohammad Rafi had charged only Rs. 1.00 to sing this Nissar Bazmi song.

Sulag Rahi Hein Husn Ki Sigdi Aaja Pakaye Prem Ki Khichadi – Madmast – V Balsara – Madhukar Rajasthani

Deft use of mandolin in the prelude and interlude has the distinct imprint of V Balsara. It seems Rafi was mandated to deliver this light-toned song with a dead-pan expression.

Chudiyan Lelo Gori, Pehan Le Chudi – Paapi – S Mohinder – Raja Mahendi Ali Khan

The record-worthy feature of the film is that this is the only film wherein Raj Kapoor was seen in a double role. And of course, we can count one more film where Rafi has playedback for Raj Kapoor.The film had another solo too – Tera Kaam Hai Jalna O Parawane – which had gained immense popularity.

Naram Naram Yeh Garam Garam Yeh Chane Gagan Ke Tare – Rangeela – Jamal Sen – S H Bihari

We have picked up this song over two other solos – Nadaan Na Ban E Matwale..Kuchh Haath Nahin and Sun Sun Meri Kahani Mushkil Hai Jaan Bachani – because it is similar genre as that of the earlier song. That genre is small-tradespersons-selling-their-wares-by-singing-on-the-streets songs.

To conclude the statistics the music directors with whom Mohammad Rafi sang his first solo song for the 2^nd Five-Year-period of Mohammad Rafi’s career, we have had 10 films in 1949, 5 each in 1950 and 1951, 2 in 1952 and 8 films in 1953.

At this stage, Rafi has had established fairly wide base of association with music directors – of the vintage as well as golden era. Also, now more and more of his songs with repeat-music directors are getting high popularity. That sets a very interesting tone for the next 5-Year period.

Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs: December, 2017

Mohammad Rafi’s Solo Song From The FIRST Film With The Music Director: 1950-1951

To commemorate Mohammad Rafi’s anniversaries, we commenced a series of articles on Mohammad Rafi that essentially tried to bring the solo song of Mohammad Rafi with the music director. We had planned to take up one five-year slot in a chronological order to bring all the first films in which Mohammad Rafi had had a solo song with a music director. The first slot of 1944 to 1948 was covered in Part I and Part II in December, 2016. We have covered the year 1949 of the 2^nd five-year-slot of 1949 to 1953.

Presently we will take up years 1950 and 1951 of this 1949-1953 period..

[For the sake for structured documentation, I will be following the alphabetical sequence of Film names in the post.]

1950

Mohammad Rafi had had 29 solos out of 108 songs in 1950. Of the prominent music directors who had now frequenting Rafi more, Hans Raj Behl had 3 Hindi and Punjabi films with Rafi, Husnlal Bhagatram had 5 films and Naushad had 1, which had Mukesh as lead singer. I find only Akele Mein Wo Gabarate To Honge as the only song that is most recognizable solo.

Hum Ishq Mein Barabad Hai – Aankhen – Madan Mohan – Raja Mahendi Ali Khan

Madan Mohan and Mohammad Rafi’s work together which was to open up a class of its own opens the account. The song is filmed on Shekhar.

Saahil Jo Dubo De Kashti Ko.. Saahil Ki Tamanna Kaun Kare – Baawra – Krishna Dayal – Amar N Khanna

Incidentally, this is one of those songs that Mohammad Rafi has lip-synched for Raj Kapoor.

Jalte Deep Bujh Gaye Chha Gaya Andhera – Jalte Deep – Shardul Kwatra + T K Das – M A Taaj

Here is a song that is pleasant to listen to even though cast in sad mood.

Zamana Jo Aankhe Dikhata Hai Zamana Ko Aankhen Dikhata Chale Chal– Man Ka Meet – Shardul Kwatra – Sarshar Shailani

This song is credited to Shardul Kwatra solely, hence taken up in our present list.

Dekho Dekho Paanv Mein Pahen Ke Paayaliya – Janmashtami – Shyam Babu Pathak – Bharat Vyas

The lyrics do seem playful enough, but difficult to guess how the songs would have been filmed.

Naari Tere Jeevan Ki Ye Karun Kahani – Veer Babruwahan – Chitragupt – Anjum Jaipuri

After a few attempts we get a maiden Chitragupt – Rafi solo combination in this song. Apparently there is not much that would make the song to remember for, except that it is to open one more very fruitful partnership in the years to come.

We end the year with 5 music directors who had had a first solo song recorded for Mohammad Rafi.

1951

Year 1951 has 26 solos from a total of 72 Mohammad Rafi songs. The year had Naushad switching over to Mohammad Rafi for background voice of Dilip Kumar and we have some of the top Mohammad Rafi songs in Deedar. Husnlala Bhagatram also has a twin solo for Mohammad Rafi in Afasana – Duniya Ek Kahani Re Bhaiya – which also was quite popular. Shankar Jaikishan has used Mohammad Rafi for special songs in RK’s Aawara, which is also going to be a very notable trend initself.

Dhanwano Ki Dhan Nagari Ki Sun Lo Ek Kahani – Dashavtar – Avinash Vyas – Sagar Hussain

Avinash Vyas was to use Rafi very selectively in his Hindi and Gujarati film music.

Hey Shankar Hey Pralayankar Rakho Mohe Apni Sharan – Hanuman Patal Vijay – S N Tripathi – B D Mishra

S N Tripathi went onto create a few all-time great of Rafi songs, of which most easily remembered are ghazals of Lal Quila or Ye Hai Janam Janam Ke Phere or a Binaca chartbuster Jara Samane To Aao Chhaliye.or Hatimtai’s Parvar Digar-e-Alam.

Suraj Ghoome Chand Ghoome Ghoome Gagan Sara– Ishwar Bhakti – Sonic – Girdhar – Pt. Narendra Sharma – Trilok Kapoor

1951 seems to be the year of Bhakti Sangeet as far Mohammad Rafi is concerned! Mohammad Rafi was known to deliver his best even for new music directors even when he was at his peak.

Kisiko Iska Pata Ho Na Ho – Jauhri – Pt. Harbans Lal – Tajnath Zaar

For a change, we have a very light song too,

The song has a very interesting second version too:

Poochhiye Na Haal Jee, Palle Nahin Maal Ji – Mukhda – Vinod – Azeez Kashmiri

This is first opportunity when Vinod has been able to use Rafi in a solo (with chorus support) song, that too in a very light situation so tellingly.

Year 1951 also has 5 music directors who scored first solo with Mohammad Rafi. The year, on the whole, seems to be the game turner in the career path of Mohammad Rafi..

We will take up last two years of 2^nd Five-Year period of 1949-1953 in the next installment.

We will continue our search for Unforgettable Songs that seem to Fading away from our Memories every second Sunday of the month……..

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