Fading Memories…. Unforgettable Songs : December 2022

Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song With The Music Director: 2^nd Five-Year Period: Year 1949 – Part II

To commemorate the birth and death anniversaries of Mohamad Rafi [B: 24-12-1924 – D: 31-71980], we have commenced a series on Mohammad Rafi’s first duet with a music director.  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.

Our journey began with the 1^st Five-Year Period of 1944 to 1948 in the year 2021. We then commenced the 2^nd Five-Year Period of 1949-1953 with Part I of the year 1949 in July 2022.

Presently we will take up Part II of the year 1949.

1949 had as many as 16 music directors who had Mohammad Rafi for the first time for a duet. We have covered six music directors – Naushad, Husnlal Bhagatram, Shyam Sundar, Hanuman Prasad, and Snehal Bhatkar – in Part I. Vasant Desai is one of the highly respected music directors who has given innumerable songs to remember forever. However, the two Mohammad Rafi- Lata Mangeshkar duets that seem to have been composed by him for the film Narsimha Avatar are not traceable on internet. Similarly, I could not find the song – Na Thehar Sake, Na Tadap Sake (with Zohrabai Ambalewali; Film – Aakhari Paigam) composed by Abid Hussain Khan)

Presently, we will take up the rest of the eight music directors.

Vinod (a.k.a. Eric Roberts) was known for his catchy tunes one end and melodious compositions on the end had had a very wide creative range. For the year 1949, for Ek Thi Ladki, he has used Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar in three duets and two triads(+). Of the triads, Lara Lappa-… Laai Rakhada, Aadi Tappa …. (Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi, G M Durrani; Lyrics: Aziz Kashmiri) was an instant raze and continues to remain so even now. The other triad(+) was Hum Chale Door …  Dil Hua Choor (Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi, Satish Batra; Lyrics: Aziz Kashmiri)

Ab Hal-e-Dil Ya Hal-e-Jigar Na Puchhiye – Ek Thi Ladki – with Lata Mageshkar – Lyrics: Aziz Kashmiri

Rafi and Lata are so at ease in the conversational tone of this romantic duet. Introduction of catchy yodeling in the first interlude is typical of Vinod’s style of mixing catchy part in a serious composition or vice versa

The other two Rafi- Lata duets were:

• Ab Shokh Sitare Ik Shokh Nazar Ki Tarah – a very pleasing tune composed in waltz style
• Lambi Joru Badi Musibat – A comedy stage show composition

Mohammad Shafi was a highly talented and musically trained music director. Two noteworthy records that stand on his name are – Suman Kalyanpur (Hemadi, then) sang her maiden Hindi film song, Koi Pukaare Dheere Se Tujhe (Mangu, 1954) and Hemlata debuted either with Main Jaan Ke Badale Mein or  SadiyoN Ki Nishani Main Ankahi Kahani in Iraada (1971) under his baton.

Fariyaad Na Karna Haye Kahin Fariyaad Na Karna – Gharana – with Shyama Bai – Lyrics: Alam Syahaposh

The song so effectively epitomizes Mohammad Shafi’s musical prowess – soothing opening notes, Shyama’s opening in slightly higher scale and then to settle to pathos, rounding up by Mohammad Rafi in soulful climbing up the scale and reverting to the normal scale, and ending the song with Shyama joining Rafi.

Mohammad Shafi goes onto pair Paro Devi with Mohammad Rafi in the second duet – Tu Kahan Hai Baalam Mere Aaja (Lyrics: Bahzad Lakhnavi).

S Mohinder (a.k.a. Bakshi Mohinder Singh Sarna) composed music for some 50 films, but many of his compositions have achieved the status of evergreen classics. Even though he came from a very strong classical background, he was at ease while composing easy songs that the films demanded.

Chanda Ki God Mein TaaroN Ki Chaanv Mein Ruthe Hue Hum Manaye Re – Jeevan Sathi – with Chand Wirk – Lyrics: Hamid Khumar

S Mohinder has presented with such a lilting melody, even when he has used an almost unknown Chand Wirk to pair Mohammad Rafi in this duet.

The film had one more duet with Amirbai Karanataki – Main Kaise Keh Doon (Lyrics: Surjeet Sethi) and two with Shamshad Begum – Mil Kar Jaayen Hum Preet Ke Deewane and Muhabbat Rog Bankar Dil Ki Har Dhadkan Mein Rehti Hai (Lyrics: Hamid Khumar)

Krishna Dayal is not a well-known name, but he had composed music for five films. Many keen followers of old films songs may well remember Mukesh and Suraiya duet – Badra Ki Chhaon Tale Nanhi Nanhi BundiyaN (Lekh, 1949) – that was composed by Krishna Dayal.

Kar Le Kisi Se Pyar Jawani Do Din Ki – Lekh – with Asha Bhosle – Qamar Jalalabadi

I have heard this song for the first time. The duet is set to lower scale and is difficult to sing.

We have had a triad – Chhoti Si Ek Banaayenge Naiyya… Khud Hi Banenge Us Ke Khewaiya (with Shamshad Begum, Zohrabai) – composed by Pt. Govindram for the film Hamara Sansar (1945) earlier. For the year 1949, he gives a duet of Mohammad Rafi with Shamshad Begum

Taaron Ka Ye Khazana Ye Chaandani Suhani – Nisbat – with Shamshad Begum – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Here is one more song that I got to listen first time. Govindram has presented both singers in quite different than the normal style we are familiar with.

Khemchand Prakash can be attributed to giving a big push to the opening up the space for the Golden Era to get into the center stage, replacing the vintage era, through Lata Mangeshkar’ Ayega Aanewala (Mahal, 1949). We have seen Khemchand Praksh using Mohammad Rafi first time, in a triad, Aji Maat Poochhco Baat Ki College Albeli, Indrapuri Sakshat Colege Albeli, for Samaj Ko Badal Dalo (1947).

Hawa Tu Unse Jaakar Keh De Ek Deewana Aaya Hai – Rim Jhim – with Ramola – Lyrics: Moti B A

Khemchand Prakash composing such a light-toned song should stand up as more noteworthy part of the song.

1949 had one more Mohammad Rafi duet- with Shamshad Begum- under the baton of Khemchand Prakash – Ae Dil Na Mujhe Yaad Dila Baaten Purani (Sawan Aaya Re; Lyrics: Bharat Vyas) – which was heard often on radio at least till ‘60s, when I had  taken up listening to Hindi Film Songs as a conscious hobby.

Khan Mastana was another highly respected music director as well as playback singer of the 40s period.

Tum Ho Jaao Hamare Hum Ho Jaaye Tumhaare – Roop Lekha – with Surinder Kaur – Lyrics: Khumar Barabanqvi

We have here a path breaking composition from Khan Mastana whom we know as a music director steeped in vintage era style music compositions.

Sudhir Phadke brought in Marathi folk composition styles to Hindi Film Music,

Hari Hari Mere To Shri Hari Naahi Dooja – Sant Janabai – with Lalita Deulkar – Lyrics: Narendra Sharma

Mohammad Rafi is all persona dignified as a committed devotee in the duet.

https://youtu.be/Yma4vmzDVzM

Azeez (Khan) Hindvi has had a few films in ‘40s.

Mehaman Banke Aaye The .. Armaan Ban Gaye – Shoharat – with Hamida Banu – Lyrics: Gulshan Zama / Madhup Sharma

The duet also seems to follow the composition style of the solo version. Both versions can be heard in the clip here.

We will continue with listening to Mohammad Rafi’s First Duet Song With The Music Director for the year 1950 of the 2^nd Five-Year Time Period of 1949-1953 in the next episode of the series.

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.

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All episodes of the series Fading Memories …  Unforgettable Songs – Volume VII – 2022 can be read /downloaded by clicking on the hype link.

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