The Voice - Page 2

You are the composers. I will sing the way you tell me to
This anecdote was provided by Ms. Nalini Ramji

In 1947, the Shankar-Jaikishan team was given its first job, composing the music for Barsaat. Their first composition was Main Zindagi Mein Hardam Rota Hi Raha Hun, which required a singer with an extremely wide vocal range. Being new in the field, they were afraid that Rafi, whom they had been told was the only one who could sing it, would refuse to sing for them. When he came to see them, they were very nervous, and said, "Please listen to the tune and sing it as you would like to." Rafi smiled and replied, "You are the composers. I will sing the way you tell me to." From that time, Shankar and Jaikishan quickly climbed the ladder of success, and Rafi became the soul of their music.

The song, Yahan Badla Wafa Ka
This anecdote was provided by Ms. Nalini Ramji

In the early days, when Rafi was trying to establish himself, Firoze Nizami composed a duet between Noorjehan and G.M.Durrani, for 'Jugnu'. However, Noorjehan persuaded Firoze Nizami to use Rafi instead of G.M.Durrani. The song, Yahan Badla Wafa Ka became a super hit quickly brought Rafi into the limelight.

The Rafi-Kishore saga

It is an astonishing fact that O.P. Nayar used Rafi to sing for Kishore Kumar the unforgettable tune Man Mora Bawra in Ragini in 1957. Shanker Jaikishan also had Rafi to sing Ajab Hai Dastan in Shararat in 1958. Says record museum owner Vinod Santhalia, It is simply amazing. Imagine Mohd. Rafi sang for Kishore Kumar in films Kishore himself acted.

Shanker Jaikishan commented, No doubt Kishore Kumar is a good singer. He sang beautifully for me in Rangoli. But Ajab Hai Dastan was simply not Kishores cup of tea. The mukhdas and antaras required a singer of Rafis range and classical background.

Although Kishore Kumar felt bad about this, he could only marvel at Rafis brilliant rendering of the two songs. Rafi characteristically remarked, No one else except Kishore could sing Dukhi Man Mera in Funtoosh so well.

Salil Choudhury was not favourably inclined towards Rafi at one point of time, but even he was compelled to use Rafi for the unforgettable Tootey Huey Khuabo Nay in Madhumati and Koi Soney Ke Dil Wala in Maya and confess that Rafi was indeed peerless.

It is generally known that Rafi and Kishore went through a bad patch in their relationship. Yet it is also true that both liked and respected each other. S.D. Burman openly admitted to Kishore that the three solos in Guide by Rafi could not be matched by any singer. On Dev Anands special request, he composed the Kishore-Lata super hit duet Gata Rahe Mera Dil for Guide. Similarly, Rafis numbers in Teen Deviyan and the haunting duet with Lata Mangeshkar in Jewel Thief were far superior to the Kishore numbers in these films.

In the late 60s when R.D. Burman composed the melody for Tum Bin Jaaun Kahan in Pyar Ka Mausam, he experimented the same solo with both Rafi and Kishore. True, Kishore sang this number by melodiously incorporating his inimitable yodelling. But in the romantic number, Rafi scored over Kishore in melody.
As Kishore himself said when Jagjit Singh criticised the Rafi gharana, How dare these so-called ghazal singers criticise an icon that Manna Dey, Mukesh and I dare not criticise. Rafi was unique

Chale Saajan Ghar Shaadi Se Pehele 1947
Chalo Ho Gai Taiyaar Zaraa Shaadi Se Pehele 1947
Das Naa Jaayen Tujhko Malika 1947
Desh Mein Sankar Aaya Hai Aap Ki Sewa Mein 1947
Do Din Ginti Ke Umariyaa Biti Jaaye Do Dil (1947) 1947
Duniyaa Men Mere Aaj Andheraa Hi Andheraa Do Bhai (1947) 1947
Hamako Tumhare Hee Aasara Tum Sajan 1947
Is Banjaare Sang Hamaare Dhoom Sajan 1947
Jab Baite Baite Dil Bhar Aaye Aur Dak Bangla 1947
Jeewan Hai Anamol Musaaphir Shanti 1947
Kisko Sunaaoon Haal-e-dil … Hamko Tumhara Hi Sajan 1947
Maaya Man Ka Rog Hai Rishta 1947
Mein Hoon Jaipur Kee Banjaaran Sajan 1947
Mein Teri Tu Mera Dono Kaa Sang Aap Ki Sewa Mein 1947
Meree Aankhon Ke Taare Yeh Phool Suhaaye Aap Ki Sewa Mein 1947
O Babu Galee Mein Tere Chand Sajan 1947
Prem Kee Naiyaa Dol Rahi Hai Utho Jaago 1947
Sambhal Sambhal Ke Jaiyo Sajan 1947
Sawan Ki Ghata Dheere Dheere Aana Aage Badho (1947) 1947
Too Bhee Rah Mein Ek Kadam 1947