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souvik1 thumbnail
Posted: 17 years ago
#11
In this context Rafi's ghazals should be mentioned.

Immortal Ghazals sung by Mohammad Rafi.
By: Souvik Chatterji.
Master of Law from Warwick University, Coventry, UK.
Master of Law from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Mohammad Rafi is a name which has galvanised the Indian firmament during golden age of Indian film music. As his dimension was as wide as the horizon of creative arts, various categories of his songs has been remembered by generations for the last 50 years, including ghazals, Hindustani classical songs, bhajans, folk songs, songs on the freedom movement of India, qawallis, najrul geeti and many more types of geet. Among them ghazal is one category where Rafi's sweet voice has brought life into the sensational lyrics and outstanding music compositions of the Golden era.
The ghazal is a common song form in India and Pakistan today. There are different definitions of it, but simply it is a musical form, but having a poetic recitation. Today, however, it is commonly conceived of as an Urdu song, with prime importance given to the lyrics.In some modernized ghazals the poet's name is hidden somewhere in the last verse, usually between the front and end of a word.
In the 1950s and 60s, the song picturised on the different films were based on different moods of the characters depicted in the stories. As the lyrics of the ghazals were quite rich, having immense literary and poetic value they generally captured the pensive moods of the major characters of the stories.Most of the films had ghazal in one form or the other composed by the musical giants of the golden age.
Madanmohan used to be considered as the king of ghazals. His most outstanding creations were composed for Mohammad Rafi , including "Tumhari Zulfke sayeme sham karlunga, safar is umraka palme tamam karlunga" from the film Naunihal, 1967, " Baad muddat ke yeh ghari aayi, aap aye to zindagi ayee", from the film Zahanara, 1964, "kisiki yaad mai apna ko hai bhulaye hue", from the film Zahanara, 1964, " Rang aur noor ki barat tujhe pesh karu, in muradonki hassen raat tujhe pesh karoon," from the film Ghazal, 1965, "Barbad muhobaat ka dua saath liye ja" from the film Laila Majnu, 1977, picturised on Rishi Kapoor.
There were very dignified ghazals composed by Roshan during that era. Some of them include " jane who kaun hai kya naam hai in aankhoka" from the film Bheegi Raat, 1965, picturised on Pradeep kumar, " Hum intezar karenge, tera kayamat tak, khuda kareki kayamat ho, aur tu aye," from the film Bahu Begum, 1967, " Aab kya misal doon mai tumhare shabab ki," and "aapne yaad dilaya tha to mujhe yaad aya" from the film Aarti, 1963, picturised on Pradeep Kumar.Roshan composed one of the most evergreen hit titled " Zindagi bhar nahin bhulenge woh barsaat ki raat," from the film Barsaat ki raat, 1960, picturised on Bharat Bhushan.The legendary lyrics were written by Sahir Ludhiyanvi.
S. N. Tripathi composed few immortal ghazals based on the life of the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. The songs included " Na kisisi ki aankh ka noor hoon" and "lagta nahin yeh dil mera" from the film Lal Quila. Jaidev composed one of his master pieces, " kabhi khud pe kabhi halaat pe rona aya, baat nikli to har ek baat pe rona aya" from the film Humdono, 1961.
Shankar Jaikishan is known to create songs of diverse range of subjects.Even amongst his stylish western compositions the best ghazals were composed for Mohammad Rafi. Some of them include "unke khayal aaye to ate chale gaye" from the film Lal patthar,1971, picturised on Raajkumar, " Chalke teri aankhose sharab aur ziaada" from the film Aarzoo,1965, picturised on Rajenderkumar, "O Mere Shahe Khuba, o meri Jan- e- jajana" from the film Love In Tokyo, 1965, written by Hasrat Jaipuri and picturised on Joy Mukherjee.
Ravi has composed few unforgettable tunes like "chaudavi ka chand ho yah aaftab ho, jobhi ho tum khuda ki kasam, lajawab ho" from the film Chaudavi ka chand, 1960, picturised on Gurudutt, also "Chulene do nazuk hoton ko, kuch aur nahin hai jaam hai yeh" and "yeh zulf agar khulke bikhar jaye to accha ho" from the film Kaajal, 1965, picturised on Raaj Kumar.
Naushad had done proper justice to each and every raaga he has used to compose his songs. His notable ghazals include " Mere mehboob tujhe meri mohabbat ki kasam" and " tumse ishar – e –haal kar baithe" from the film Mere Meheboob, 1963 picturised on Jubileekumar Rajender Kumar" written by Shakeel Badayani, " koi sagar dil ko behlata nahin" from the film Dil Diya Dard liya,1966, and "aajki shaam mere dilki salaami lele, dilki salaami lele, kal tere bazm se diwana chala jayega, shamma rah jayegi, parwana chala jayega", from the film Ram Aur Shyam, 1967, picturised on Tragedy king Dilip Kumar.
OP Nayyar had made a very unique use of the santoor with the sarangi, and he too while making his western blend thought about ghazals for Rafi. His best creations include " aapke hasin rukh pe aaj naya nur hai, mera dil machal gaya to mera kya kusur hai" from the film Baharen phir bhi ayegi , 1966,picturised on Dharmender, and "Aachal se sajane lena dilko" and "Zulf ke chayon me chehere ka ujaala lekar"from the film Phir Wohi dil Laya Hoon,1963, written by Majrooh Sultanpuri and picturised on Joy Mukherjee.
There were ghazalas from other Classical composers also like "Kahin bekhayal hoker yuhin chuliya unhiko," and " Aise to na dekho, ki humko nasha ho jaye" by SD Burman in the film Teen deviya,1965, "Theheriye hosh me aaloon to chalejayiega" by Khayyam.As these songs are soft in nature, they create an everlasting impact on the souls of numerous music lovers of the country who find themselves associated with Rafi. It is very difficult to mention the notable ghazals sung by the maestro who has around 26000 songs in a span of 35 years.An archive should be created where Rafi's creations are restored, categorised and preserved for future generations to know the noble hertitage of ghazals India had during the golden age.


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Posted: 17 years ago
#12
WOW!!!!! What a great set of articles on the golden era music composers. And of course, I enjoyed reading them even more because they described the relationship of these composers with my most favorite singer - Mohd. Rafi saheb.
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Posted: 17 years ago
#13
rafi saheb was a great singer. 👏
Edited by chitra anand - 17 years ago
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Posted: 17 years ago
#14

Originally posted by: chitra anand

rafi saheb was a great singer. 👏

Well he was multi-talented and stood the test of time. Talents we find everywhere but a talented person of character like Rafi Saheb is rare indeed. I know you admire and worship him.😆

souvik1 thumbnail
Posted: 17 years ago
#15
In this context a short description of illustrious career of Mohammad Rafi should be highlighted.
MOHAMMAD RAFI - ONE OF THE MOST VERSATILE VOICES
IN OUR LAST CENTURY.


By: Souvik Chatterji
Master of Law from Warwick University, Coventry,UK
Master of Law from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.




Music had played a very significant role in translating Indian thoughts throughout thousands of years. Right from the time of maharajas and nawabs it used to be presented in their courtrooms either by ustads or by the ruler himself. There was music inherently existing at every place, every part of society, every geographical location irrespective of being sung by sants or bairagis or fakirs or majhimollas. Indian cinema in the last century had based its feet on the strong story base of such characters. Now one of the main reason of reaching the stories to millions of people in our country and abroad was the everlasting music produced during 1940s, 50s, 60s.Mohammad rafi is a name which has galvanized the musical history of the golden era of Indian cinema.

Now being very popular icon of the 50s, 60s and the 70s a lot had been said about the man with the golden voice in all the leading electronic media including, newspaper, journals, television and radio. What has not being said is the everlasting treasure of rich lyrics, compositions, tunes, orchestrations that had been left by the great legend for millions of his lovers to cherish for decades and decades.

1950s and 60s can be described as an era of classical prose, poetry, shayeris. Although the subject matter of Indian cinema ranged from Historical classics like " Tajmahal", " Mughal-I –Azam" to classic literature like"Devdas"(written by Sarat Chandra Chatterjee) " Kabuliwala" (written by Rabindranath Tagore) to Suspense Thrillers like " Woh kaun thi" " Mera saya". The list can go on. But what were common to all those films were the pains, devotion and imagination with which lyricists and music composers composed the songs. And of course the expression, andaz, style and perfection Mohammad Rafi had presented which is a rich asset for future generations.

If the compositions of the legendary music directors are analysed it can be said that each of them had their own foundation " in musical terms we call it gharana".It was a rich combination of ghazals, qawallis, Hindustani classical,mujras, thumris, kajris, bhajans, folksongs( like bhatiyali, bayul) , light songs, rock and roll, western..The composers included Shanker Jaikishan, Naushad, Roshan, Madanmohan, SD Burman, Gulam Mohammad, Wasant Desai, Khemchand Prakash, Salil Chowdhury, OP Nayyar, C.Ramchandran, Anil Biswas, Khayyam, Jaidev,Iqbal Qureshi, Ravi, Dattaram,S.N. Tripathi and others. Typically in those days musical sequences used to be created on the basis of the situation the story required, and both the lyricist and the composer used to create music which suited such sequence. Mohammad Rafi had the record of transforming the creation into history.

If we look at the film " Tajmahal" ,released in 1963, after the demise of mumtaz mahal , Shahjahan was associated with the lyrics" hum ate rahen hai, hum ate rahenge, muhabbat ki rasme nibhate rahenge, jan-e-wafa tum do sada fir kya thikana humko ana parega." The lyrics was written by Sahir Ludhianvi and music composed by Roshan in Rag- Pahari..Rafi had transformed his passion with the badshahi andaz of Shahjahan that existed at that time.The song had not lost its immortal value even today.

Similarly in the film " Bahubegum" , released in 1967, Meenakumari had waited for Pradipkumar a long time and was almost deciding to marry Ashokekumar when came the classic song "hum intezar karenge, tera qayamat tak,khuda Karen ki qayamat ho aur tu aye".The song had such an everlasting impact that people forgot to pay homage to the serious performance of Ashokekumar who burnt himself in that film.
There are songs where Rafi had made people intoxicated. There are other songs where he had awakened the audience. One of the example is in the Film " Bheegi Raat" .At the frag end of the film, the song "Dil Jo na kah saka wohi raz-e dil, kaheneki raat ayee." It was picturised on Pradeepkumar in 1965 and song composed by Roshan in raag kalyan.

In the film "Zahanara" Rafi's immortal song " Baad muddat ke yeh ghari ayee, ap aye to zindagi ayee, isq marmar ke kamyab hua , aaj ek zarra aaftab hua" and " kisiki yaad me aapnako hai bhulaye hue" had brought poetic passion in numerous Indians. People could not understand what to appreciate, Rafi's poetic passion , or Bharatbhusan's natural performance or the strong lyrics or Madanmohan's composition. In the film " Mirza Ghalib" Rafi had brought life into few quality ghazals composed by Ghalib himself where tunes were given by Ghulam Mohammad.

In the film " Mere mehboob" released in 1963, the title song " Mere mehboob tujhe meri muhhobat ki kasam , phir teri nargisi aankhoka sahara deden, mera khoyahua rangeen nazara deden" had brought the cultured pardanashin community of Aligarh to Cinemahall. Rafi's sweetness and bass had overpowered the majestic screenpresence of Jubilikumar " Rajenderkumar" , classic creation of Naushad and rich lyrics of Shakeel Badayani.The pandemonium hall of Aligarh University was opened for the classic song.

In Gurudutt's Pyasa released in 1957, the climax of the film came into being when Gurudutt did not accept the recognition given to him by brothers in open hall.The famous song " yeh mahalon , yeh takhton , yeh tajon ki duniya " had created unrest in the cinema halls. Rafi's voice had helped in social awakening. The song was composed by SD Burman. The same Rafi had mesmerized the listeners with his romantic mood in the film "Chawdavi ka chand" acted by Gurudutt , released in 1960,with the title song, "Chawdavikachandho, yah aaftab ho, jobhi ho tum khudakikasam lajawab ho". The music was composed by Ravi. Rafi's tragic andaz in the film Kagaz ka phool , released in 1959 had brought tears in the eyes of the audience with " are dekhi zamane ki yaari, bichre sabhi, bari, bari." The sensitive words were put in by Sahir Ludhiyanvi.

In most of the tragic situations Rafi had felt the pathos in himself while analyzing what the situation demanded. His song "koi sagar dil ko bahalata nahin" in the film "Dil diya dard liya" composed in raag kalawati had transformed intoxication into tragedy. It was released in 1966.In the film " aadmi", released in 1967, his song " aaj purani raahon par koi mujhe awaz na den, dard me dube geet na den , gham ka sisakta saz naden" had made people think who was a better tragedian, Dilipkumar or Rafi himself. Both the lyrics were written by Shakeel Badayani and music composed by Naushad. In the film " Kohinoor" released in 1960, Rafi had presented a pure classical andaz in the song " Madhubanme radhika nacchere, giridharki muraliya bajere".It was composed by Naushad in raag hamir and was picturised on Dilipkumar.In the same film there was totally different melody in the song " Do sitaronka zammen par hai Milan aaj ki raat".The words of Shakeel Badayani had been given adequate expression by Rafi.Aushad had given some serious compositions to Rafi like " Ek shahanshah ne banwake hasin tajmahal sari duniyako muhabbatka nishani di hai."It was composed in raag lalit in 1964 in the film "Leader" acted by Dilipkumar.

In the film "Meri surat teri aankhe" acted by Ashoke kumar , SD Burman had given Rafi one of the tragic raag Pilu, the song was" Tere bin sune nayan hamare". It was composed on the same lines as " ami chinu eka basoro jagaye" in Bengali, sung by SD Burman himself. Other notable creations of SD Burman were "Aise to na dekho" in raag Gara in the film " Teen Deviya" , " hum bekhudime tumko pukare chaalegaye" in "Kalapani", 1960 and "Din dhal jaye" in Guide, 1965.

In the film " Lal patthar"(1971), Shankar jaikishan had composed for Rafi " unke khayal aye to ate chaale gaye"in raag gara. There the nostalgic mood of badshah was presented by Rafi.Other quality creations of Shankar Jaikishan included " Aji ruth kar ab kahan jaiyega" in raag desh in Aarzoo(1966) starring Rajenderkumar, " Khudabhi asma se jab zamin par dekhta hoga" in the film 'Dharti," " mujhko apne gale lagalo ai mere humrahi"( Humrahi, 1962) "surahidar gardan koel sihi awaz"in the film " Aman". The lyrics were written by Hasrat Jaipuri.
In creations of OP Nayyar, Rafi had mixed the eastern passion with western flavour. So in the song "Zulfke chayon me chehreka ujala lekar" in "Phir wahi dil laya hoon"(1963) written by Majrooh sultanpuri or " Mujhe dekhkar aapka muskurana" in " Ek musafir ek hasina" (1962) picturised on Joy Mukherjee , or " Tukre hai mere dilke ai jan tera aansoo" in "Mere Sanam" (1965) picturised on Biswajeet, we find the voice floating with western air to suit the compositions.
Besides Rafi 's voice had been used in "Kabhi khudpe kabhi halatpe rona aya" (Humdono, 1961) by Jaidev, "Parabatoke Pedo par shamka basera hai'by Khayyam, " ek sawal tum karon, ek sawal hum Karen" (Goonj uthi sahnai, 1959) by Wasant Desai.There were other composers also in those decade who had given their best creations to Mohammad Rafi. It is difficult to compile major songs of the legend who did sing around 25000 songs in a span of 35 years. But the songs are expected to be preserved for future generations as rich historical remains because the alfaz (words) and sur ( musical composition) were created not mechanically, but with the deepest thoughts from the core of the heart.
Tragedy King Dilipkumar had rightly said that "jaise indradhanush ke andar saat rang kaid hai, usi tarah rafi ki awaz ki ehmiat tafteez karne ke liye mere pass alfaaz nahin hai",
Meaning the way the seven colours (vibgyor), are immersed in a rainbow, in the same way it is not possible to express the significance of Rafi's golden voice in words. An Archive on Mohamad Rafi's works should be established where the creations of musical giants can be preserved. Furthermore the future generations can get inspiration for rich creation in future.





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Posted: 17 years ago
#16
Thank you....... it will take time to read all this. 😆 I really enjoy listening to Rafisaab.
souvik1 thumbnail
Posted: 17 years ago
#17
It is a pity that Mohammad Rafi neither received Bharat Ratna nor Dada Saheb Phalke award but the greatest award he received is the love, respect, affection and admiration from millions of music lovers accross the world who never realise that his Golden voice died in 1980 and still considers him immortal in his 26,000 masterpieces sung in a span of 35 years.
Souvik Chatterji.
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Posted: 17 years ago
#18

Originally posted by: souvik1

It is a pity that Mohammad Rafi neither received Bharat Ratna nor Dada Saheb Phalke award but the greatest award he received is the love, respect, affection and admiration from millions of music lovers accross the world who never realise that his Golden voice died in 1980 and still considers him immortal in his 26,000 masterpieces sung in a span of 35 years.
Souvik Chatterji.

Well they could award it to him posthumously maybe? Anyway he is already regarded as the best and most versatile by all.👏

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Posted: 17 years ago
#19

Originally posted by: souvik1

It is a pity that Mohammad Rafi neither received Bharat Ratna nor Dada Saheb Phalke award but the greatest award he received is the love, respect, affection and admiration from millions of music lovers accross the world who never realise that his Golden voice died in 1980 and still considers him immortal in his 26,000 masterpieces sung in a span of 35 years.
Souvik Chatterji.

Pardon me but even Lata Mangeskar did not get a Bharat Ratna award till 2001!!!!!

Below are the awards that Rafisaab did get:😊

Awards

Government Awards

    1948 - Rafi received a silver medal from the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, on the first anniversary of the Indian Independence Day.[6].
  • 1965 - he was honoured with the Padmashri by the Government of India [1]

National Film Awards

Winner

  • 1977 - National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Kya Hua Tera Wada song in the film Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin), composed by RD Burman, lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

[edit] Filmfare Awards

Winner

    1960 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho song in the film Chaudhvin Ka Chand 1961 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko song in the film Sasural 1964 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Chahunga Mein Tujhe song in the film Dosti 1966 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Baharon Phool Barsao song in the film Suraj 1968 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Dil Ke Jharoke Mein song in the film Brahmachari
  • 1977 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Kya Hua Tera Vaada song in the film Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin

Nominated

    1961 - Husnwale Tera Jawaab Nahin song in the film Gharana 1962 - Aye Gulbadan Aye Gulbadan song in the film Professor 1963 - Mere Mehboob Tujhe song in the film Mere Mehboob 1965 - Choo Lene Do Nazuk Hothon Ko song in the film Kaajal 1968 - Mein Gaaon Tum Sojaao song in the film Brahmachari 1968 - Babul Ki Duayein Leti Ja song in the film Neel Kamal 1969 - Badi Mastani Hai song in the film Jeene Ki Raah 1970 - Khilona Jaan Kar song in the film Khilona 1973 - Hum Ko To Jaan Se Pyaari song in the film Naina 1974 - Achha Hi Huva Dil Toot Gaya song in the film Maa Behen Aur Biwi 1977 - Pardah Hai Pardah song in the film Amar Akbar Anthony 1978 - Aadmi Musaafir Hai song in the film Apnapan 1979 - Chalo Re Doli Uthao Kahaar song in the film Jani Dushman 1980 - Mere Dost Kissa Yeh song in the film Dostana 1980 - Dard-e-dil Dard-e-jigar song in the film Karz
  • 1980 - Maine Poocha Chand Se song in the film Abdullah

Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards

Winner

    1965 - Best Male Playback Singer for Dosti
  • 1966 - Best Male Playback Singer for Arzoo
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Posted: 17 years ago
#20
Very nice... Are these articles written by you, souvik1 ji?

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