''Indian's ko sirf do hi shauk hain..ek gaana aur doosra bajaana''...voila that?s what a dialogue in the movie Musafir goes..and if you happen to be someone like me..a small town guy...you sure know what it implies..and if you are someone from the fairer sex..presumably hardly having an idea as to what ''gaana'' and ''bajaana'' stands for..you still would agree to it.
In India the parameter for the success of any movie is its music and ability so the music director to carve out a separate identity for himself in the years to come. Decades back when I Our parents were the youth i.e. early 60's to mid 80's you get to hear some of the best poetry and sounds in Indian cinema.
When you start talking about great Indian singers you can never forget Mohd. Rafi. Had he lived to see this day, he sure would have been far more respected singer in the industry than Lata Mangeshkar. Without being prejudice to the industry and ''means of livelihood'' of those in the industry I am sure one would agree Rafi had more compassion then his counterparts.
For those movie buffs who have known the ''backstages'' of industry they would remember it was Rafi who refused charging royalty for the songs he sung apart from the ''one time'' payment, which sure to many including Lata was unacceptable and ''foolish''.
Sitting the same reasons Lata refused to sing duets with Rafi for almost a decade and eventually had to bow down and sing songs with rafi for lesser payments. It?s hard to understand why Rafi did this, but he had his own set of ideals and principles. According to Islam ''sood'' (interest)..or royalty is ''haraam''. Rafi also regularly donated 20% and more of his income to charity. Staunch muslim..and in no way fundamentalist or why else till day you find the best Hindu bhajans sung by him.
Now let?s get to the real part of this revue. the finest songs by Mohd Rafi both from cinema and otherwise. could have given you the name of music directors and Movies along with songs in this revu but since I have heard them on LP records from older years which are almost worn out and took around 6 months for me to convert them into mp3's, I am unable to do so.
Mohd rafi has been the best in his solo songs rather than duets, merely because no singer every matched his pitches and depth of ''ragas''. and again because his choice of solo songs is by far more mature and with immense emotions.
a) ''Swapna Jhade phool se...meet chubhe shool se...
lut gaye shringar sabhi baagh ke babool se..
aur hum khade khade..bahaar dekhte rahe....
carvaan guzar gaya gubaar dekhte rahe''
This ''geet'' is a tribute to the great Indian poet...Gopal Das ''neeraj''...how many of us have actually read him. I am sure not many of us..after all we know more about Wordsworth than ''neeraj'', sarcasm aside, with this song not only can you feel the depth in Rafi's voice but also feel pain and overflowing emotions in Neeraj's poetry.If you have heard this grand old man reciting his poetry I am sure you know the kind of life this ''poet in ruins''(read neeraj) has lived and then compare the life of Rafi when he was alive. Just like combination of Walnut Brownie and Cappuccino this song is a perfect combination of sound and poetry.
b) ''rang aur noor ki baraat Kise pesh karun....
Yeh muraddon ki hansin raat kise pesh karun...
maine zazbat nibhaayen hain usulon ki tarah..
apne armaan piro laya hun phoolon ki zagah...
tere sehre ki yeh saugaat kise pesh karun..''
If you were in love and are no more in love...lying on the floor trying to find reasons why she left you...this is the one you were searching for.With a drink in your hand and few on your head, this is the one you are looking for. I am sure if you were born a decade or two before you actually were this one is for you to sing when you girlfriend gets married to someone else other than you and all you can do is sit back home for a while. not being comical, but think of any oldie to be sung when deserted by the one you love, this song is the one you sure would include in your list. a great hit in hostels every summer time.
c) aur kuch der thahar..
aur kuch der na jaa...
raat baaki hai..
abhi raat main ras baaki hai...
paake tujhko paane ki hawas baaki hai...
aur kuch der thahar...
aur kuch der na jaa...''
It?s not an A grade cabret song,''hawas'' does not only mean lust it means desire...not only for sex..but for anything. Listen to this song for some real good Urdu poetry. something you would love to listen when you utterly romantic with your honey. something that?s worth listening on an autumn night lying in the balcony or rooftop of your house in some secluded place. if you happen to be in love, this is for you. great hearing experience.
d)''maine rakkha hai mohabbat...apne afsaane ka naam...
tum bhi kuch accha sa rakh do...apne deewane ka naam...
kis kadar khhobsurat hai..tere deedar ki duniya..
meri nazaron ki zannat hai..zulfo rukhsaar ki duniya..''
It?s my personal choice, not a recommend but yes if you happen to understand some complex Urdu you sure can go ahead with this one. Music is a bit like Arabic ''belly dancer'' type. when you need to name what your intimacy with the one you love is...this song solves your problem, something where you don't know whether this is love or infatuation but your beloved is sure..its not love.
e)''tere mere sapne...ab ek rang hain...
jahaan bhi le jaayen raahen hum sang hain...''
One of the greatest hits from a superhit movie ''Guide''. Picturised on Dev anand and Wahida Rehmaan. Nothing compares to this song and anything written in praise of it would only belittle its importance not only with the story line but also love between two lovers. Its kind of narrative, a story that?s being sung by none other than Rafi. soothing voice and Music only enhances the effect on the audience. A song for those rebellion lovers who promise heaven and hell together. this song fairly gives an idea what love should be like. Great hearing.
f)''bhaaron fool barsaao...mera mehboob aaya hai''
A hit all the way picturised on ''jubilee'' Rajendra Kumar, no idea which movie but it sure is a lovers paradise where the lover gives everything from the beauties of nature to his own tears for the beauty and love of his beloved. comparing every things from ''lali fool ki mehendi in gore heathen main'' to :kaalin ghataaon''. great hearing experience and fairly simple to understand nothing out of the ordinary but kind of Cliff Richards in Indian cinema.
Last but not least ..should I forget...''chaudahavin ka chaand ho..ya aftaab ho..jo bhi ho tum khuda ki kasanm..lazawaab ho''from the movie ''chadahanvi ka chaand''...sung by numerous new age singers but none could match the magic of rafi and the only way to write about it is hear it play..and once you hear it..you sure would fall short of words to describe its essence.
I could have well added a whole lot of other songs but then there is an unending list of songs which are incomparable to any other vocalist than Rafi himself. these oldies are for those who understand what music is for ears. I remember what was once written by A Shoughnessy
''we are the music makers..
and we are makers of dreamers of dreams...
wondering by lone sea breakers
