Shankar Jaikishan & Mohd. Rafi, A Golden Era Options

[princeali]

Track's request:

A nice song from a Shashi Kapoor starrer in the early seventies. There were three lyricists for this film, Hasrat Jaipuri, Indeevar and Neeraj. Neeraj and SJ worked on 14 films together.

Shankar worked with alot of lyricists after the passing away of Shailendra and at one point Neeraj was thought to be the one to fill the void left by Shailendra but Shankar was not convinced which is why he kept on changing his lyricists in the seventies. Shailendra's demise was a big blow to Shankar as no one understood Shankar better than Shailendra. In fact, Neeraj once mentioned that he thought Shankar was a very bad composer who did not understand Hindi poetry. This was a shocking remark because we know Shailendra had his best reserved for for Shankar.

Sone Deti Hai Na Yeh Raat
Film: Patanga
Year: 1971
Lyrics: Neeraj

[princeali]

Trivia - Part 2:

* Neeraj acted in Rafi saab's Paise Ki Pehchan (Pehchan) and also wrote the lyrics for the song.

* Jaya Bhaduri never had the opportunity to sing a song of SJ but she acted in Tujhe Jeevan Ke Dor Se (Asli Naqli) from Guddi with Dharmendra.

* Aarti Mukherjee sang Ayeega Ayeega (Boyfriend/1960) with Rafi saab and the next SJ song she sang was 15 years later, again with Rafi saab, Hamara Yaar Hai (Neelma/1975).

* Rafi saab also sang in one of the three versions of Zindagi Ek Safar Andaz

* Sushama Shreshta was introduced by SJ in Andaz singing in Hai Na Bolo Bolo with Rafi/Suman K.

* Rafi saab's Jaan Pehchan Ho (Gumnaam) is used in the Hollywood film Ghost World

* Shankar played the piano in Rafi saab's Dil Ke Jharoke Mein (Brahmachari) along with the usual pianist because he liked the song so much that he insisted on playing the piano himself, so an extra piano was arranged for him during the recording.

* One Rafi/SJ song that Naushad played as a tribute to Rafi saab in his Jaimala presentation was Yaad Na Jaaye (Dil Ek Mandir)

* Aaj Kal Tere Mere (Brahmachari) by Rafi/Suman was originally made for Rajendra Kumar.

* Sharda wrote the lyrics to Rafi/Sulakshana's Pardesiya Tere Desh Mein (Garam Khoon) under the pseudonym Singhaar

* Most unusual duet - Yeh Mera Prem Patra (Sangam), where Lata sang the tail-end separately and is technically a duet.

* SJ's first Shammi Kapoor film Ujala had no Rafi song for him. Yaaro Hamari Surat had Rafi for Rajkumar and Mukesh for Shammi.

* Two songs speculated to be unprofessional:

Love Marriage (1959) - Teen Kanastar Peet Peet Kar - a slam against O.P. Nayyar
Around The World (1967) - Kauva Chala Hans Ki Chaal - poking fun at R.D. Burman

[Akhtar]

Thanks for the insightful and interesting trivia bro.

[myawan]

quite interesting.......specially the last ones.......but I like O.P.Nayyer as well

[princeali]

Shahrukh bhai's request:

Rafi saab's voice glides over all the notes in this song with ease. A great western-type composition, excellent use of the guitar along with a good rhythm.

Naino Wali Tere Naina
Film: Beti Bete
Year: 1964
Lyrics: Shailendra

[princeali]

Faruk Qaiser writes the lyrics to this song which Rafi saab puts life into, just as he did for everything he sang. One of Shammi Kapoor's final releases of the decade that he made his own.

Nazar Mein Bijli
Film: Prince
Year: 1969
Lyrics: Faruk Qaiser

[princeali]

A very nice duet by Rafi saab and Asha Bhosle from another Shammi Kapoor film also starring Nutan.

Aye Chand Zara Chup Ja
Film: Laat Saab
Year: 1967
Lyrics: Shailendra

[princeali]

Rafi saab with Shankar and others at one of their last recordings for Inteqam Ki Aag.

[princeali]

We never overlooked Rafi Miyan's advice. This is the reason why whenever I had an argument with Jaikishan on the suitability of the tunes for any song, Rafi Miyan was the only person whom we both used
to accept as the judge. On whichever tune he used to put his seal of approval, we used to accept the same without any hesitation. He was a versatile singer and was completely at ease while singing. There was
no question of any tension; he kept on smiling while singing. Sometimes, he even used to tease us. We decided to insert the sexy voice of a female in one of the songs of Aman "Aaj Ki Raat Yeh Kaisi Raat..." When we told him about this, mischievously he exclaimed "Wow, there is a girl too (in this song) ? There you are; this will create proper mood for the song now !"

- Shankar



Recordist Minoo Katrak, Jaikishan, Suman Kalyanpur, Hasrat and Rafi saab.

[sri]

princeali - nice snippet from music director shankar about rafi saheb !!

thanks

sri

[princeali]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAFI SAAB

Rafi saab, we miss you, your voice and songs continue to enrich our lives. You were absolutely right when you said "Tum Mujhe Yun Bhula Na Paaoge.....". We always remember you each day wishing you were still here with us and we will never forget you. You continue to inspire us with your character that was always humble and simple.

Lata Mangeshkar ji was absolutely right when she said music was orphaned the day you passed away. Rafi saab, the void you left behind was too large and it can never be filled.

Rafi saab you are the pride of India. Happy Birthday to you wherever you are.

[princeali]

Recently, about three months back, I had gone with him to Raipur for a programme. When Rafi Miyan started singing he went on singing but public applause and sequence of "once more" did not stop. Even the musicians in the orchestra were tired, but not the audience.

Eventually, Rafi Miyan sang five songs accompanied only by the harmonium. When the public was not satisfied even by this, he sang the (national anthem) "Jan gan man…". But the public still kept on
waiting, longing for more. Oh, how much people loved him ! Who new that he will leave us so soon ?

- Shankar

[princeali]

A small audio clip in which Lata Mangeshkar talks about Ehsan Tera Hoga Mujhpar (Junglee) and the story behind the song. Ameen Sayani presents the created Rafi/Lata duet version before Lata talks about the song.

[princeali]

The title song from this Dev Anand film of the sixties. This was one of Dev's biggest musicals of the decade with many good songs and it was a great follow up to SJ's earlier Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai for the star. Dev has never really acknowledged SJ's contribution to his career as they gave him great musicals. Furthermore, Dev's musical reputation was largely built upon Rafi saab's vocals and this film is also proof of that.

Kal Ki Daulat
Film: Asli Naqli
Year: 1962
Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri

[princeali]

A song that describes Mother India, from one of Shammi Kapoor's final releases of the decade.

Ganga Meri Maa Ka Naam
Film: Tumse Acha Kaun Hai
Year: 1969
Lyrics: Rajinder Krishan