Mohammed Rafi & SD Burman gems - duet - (No.1) : film Nau do gyarah

 Aaja panchhi akela hai

This duet by Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle is from the 1957 movie, "Nau Do Gyarah" and is picturised on Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik, the lyricist being Majrooh Sultanpuri.

This duet is sung by Rafi in his  usual soft flowing romantic voice but the piece de resistance of this song is the naughty voice of Asha Bhosle. The manner in which she says " So ja " is simply awesome and everytime she says this is in a different nuanced way. Both of them have done full justice to this signature SD Burman tune.

Here is the video. Enjoy!

Click here to view my blog of travel and cartooning

Mohammad Rafi & SD Burman gems-solo - (No.15) : film Pyasa

Jinhe naaz hai hind par woh kahan hain

This classic song is from the 1957 film " Pyasa" and is picturised on Guru Dutt, the lyricist being Sahir Ludhianvi.

This masterpiece of song was sung by Mohammed Rafi by injecting tremendous pathos which shatters the conscience of every listener. The lyrics penned by Sahir Ludhianvi were revolutionary by any standard. "Jinhe naaz hai hind par woh kahan hain" was a satire on Nehru's India and on his quote "Mujhe hind par naaz hai".

The song was initially recorded in the voice of legendry singer Manna Dey but was ultimately recorded in the voice of greatest of all Mohammed Rafi. Manna Dey has himself acknowledged on record that the quality and range of Rafi's singing is better and unmatched.

Here are two videos, one by Mohammed Rafi [seen by clicking on the youtube link] and the other by Manna Dey, of the same song. Listen to both versions and decide yourself. One need not say anything!!

                                                                                      

Click here to view my blog of Travel and Cartooning

Mohammed Rafi & SD Burman gems - solo- [No.14] : film Kagaz ke Phool

 Dekhi zamane ki yaari, bichhare sabhi baari baari

This classic song is from the 1959 film" Kagaz Ke Phool" and is picturised on Guru Dutt. The lyricist is Kaifi Azmi.

The intensity of the song along with its picturisation is classic, to which only Mohammad Rafi could do justic to. The great Rafi infuses  pathos in the song, which is astonishing. This film was the first cinemascope film. The film although a superflop of its time is now considered to be a classic, which was way ahead of its times. Some say the film reflects to some extent Guru Dutt's own life story. The film was the last for Guru Dutt as director.

Here is the video. Enjoy!

                                                

Mohammed Rafi & SD Burman gems-solo- [No.13] : film Kala Bazar

Apni to har aah ik toofan hai oopar wala jaan kar anjaan hai

 The song is from the 1960 film " Kala Bazar" and  is picturised on Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. The lyricist is Shailendra.

The song is sung by Mohammed Rafi in a soft velvety voice and the tune is utterly hummable. Kala Bazar was perhaps the only film in which all three Anand brothers have acted together. 

Greogory peck of Hollywood fame is also seen in the film as there is a clip of film  Mother India's premiere in which he is seen along with many Indian stars who make a guest apperance. Dev Anand  was also referred to as Gregory Peck of India.

Here is the video. Enjoy!

Mohammed Rafi & SD Burman - solo-[No.12] : Film Baat ek raat ki

Akela hoon main  is duniya mein, koi saathi hai to mera saaya

This gem of a song is from the 1962 film "Baat ek raat ki" and is picturised on Dev anand, the lyricist being Majrooh Sultanpuri.

The film had three hit songs, one each by Mohammed Rafi, Hemant Kumar and Manna de. This song is picturised on Dev Anand, wearing a cap and riding a bicycle in a carefree manner, which only he could do and act. The song has a very hummable tune and Rafi's voice as usual is adapted perfectly to the picturisation. The song was quite popular with students in those days, while riding bicycles, commuting to their colleges.

Here is the video.  Enjoy!

 

Click here to visit my other blog on Travel & cartooning.

Mohammed Rafi & SD Burman gems-solo [No.11] : film Teen deviyan

Aise to  na dekho ki hum ko nasha ho jaye

This gem of a song is from 1965 film " Teen Deviyan", the song being picturised on Dev Anand and Nanda . The lyricist is Majrooh Sultanpuri. 

The film was shot mostly in black and white with few scenes in color. It was made in Hindi as well as English. The english version was called "Oh boys and three girls", though this version never saw the light of the day. The music director in Hindi version was SD Burman and in the English version was RD Burman. This song has been sung by Mohammed Rafi in a very soft mellifluous romantic voice. Such is the modulation in his voice that one is awestruck  by this quality. While in our younger days, we took this voice for granted, but now when we look back and hear his songs, one is really astonished as to how could he effortlessly sing such numbers. In fact he reduces the job of the performing artist to a considerable extent by giving emotions in the song itself.

Here is the video. enjoy.

 

         Click here to see my other blog on Travel & Cartooning

Mohammed Rafi & SD Burman gems-solo [No.10] : film Bombai ka babu

Saathi na koi manzil, diya hai na koi mehfil

This gem is from the 1960 film "Bombai ka babu" and the song is picturised on Dev Anand and Suchitra Sen. The lyricist is Majrooh Sultanpuri.

The film was based on the bold theme of incest relationship in those times. Although not a box office success, the film's songs and music got critical acclaim and is heard with pleasure even to this day. This song has been sung with a heavy heart and truly reflects the sad and forlorn feelings of the character. Such was the mastery of Mohammed Rafi in bringing out the emotions with the song, one could actually visualise the scene even without watching. This quality of Rafi was exclusive and has not been found in any singer till date.

Here is the video. Watch it by clicking on the youtube link. Enjoy!

Click here to see my other blog on travel & Cartooning

Visit here for more on Mohammed Rafi