(Part 5) Rafi sings for Composers from Bengal – Mehfil Mein Meri

Last year on this exact day, marking Rafi’s death anniversary, I started a new series based on Rafi’s association with composers from Bengal. Somehow with a major exception of the Burmans, Rafi wasn’t a main singer of any of the composers from Bengal. They only offered him songs from time to time, for the reasons best known to them only. And I find no point in discussing now, the possible reasons for the fact.Though I hadn’t thought of it as a series to start with, it later got transformed into one.

I was a bit disappointed with the lukewarm response, but decided to continue it as per schedule. I thoroughly enjoyed the process and the last couple of parts had a lot of lesser known or even unheard songs. So it was a knowledge booster for me. It rejuvenated my wish of a full dedicated post on Sapan Jagmohan songs. Anyways, I will do it in due course!

Today I’m posting the last part of the series. Here’s the link for all the parts.

Today’s part, the last in the series, deals with Rafi’s association with composers from Bengal from the 60s and the 70s.

1. Robin Banerjee –He came to Mumbai in his late teens and after a long struggle he composed for Insaaf Kahan Hai, which was never released. For his film Masoom (1960), he was associate composer with Hemant Kumar. The latter composed only the song, Rani Teri Morani Ko by Ranu Mukherjee. His first independent Hindi film was Wajeer e Azam (1961). In all he composed for around 12+ films, a few of which were never released. Most of his films were from the 60s, the last to release was perhaps, the Dara Singh starrer, Phir Aaya Toofan (1973).

I found around 7 songs by Rafi for him. There’s a film, Rocket Tarzan (1963) where HFGK credits 2 solos to Rafi with a note ‘According to Robin Bannerjee the songs were most probably by Rafi’. The credit titles of the film however mention only Suman Kalyanpur as the playback singer of the movie.

Irada Na Tha Aapse Pyar Ka – Aandhi Aur Toofan (1964) with Suman Kalyanpur / Robin Bannerjee – Faruq KaiserWhat a sweet tune and melody! I knew the song for more than a decade and it’s one of my favourite Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur duets. The film is available online but video of this song is not available. Perhaps it was not included in the movie.

Aji Maine Kaha Salam e Mohabbat – Spy in Goa (1966) with Malika / Robin Bannerjee – Yogesh GoudYet another romantic melody, simple but sweet! It seems Robin Bannerjee got typecast in B grade movies. The interlude music makes you think of O P Nayyar, so in a way it’s Nayyarish.The song is picturised on Randhawa and Malika, who are a real life couple as well. Randhawa is Dara Singh’s brother and Malika is Mumtaz’s sister. Isn’t that a great coincidence! Dara Singh and Mumtaz acted in so many films and were a popular on-screen couple.

Do Ghadi Zara Chain Se – Raaz Ki Baat (1960s ?Unreleased) / Robin Bannerjee – Hairat SitapuriA soulful song, sung wonderfully by Rafi. Though I think it’s not popular, Rafi has poured his heart out. The song is picturised on Sujit Kumar. Look at the name of the lyricist! At first glance, I read it as Hasrat Jaipuri. Perhaps it was meant to be a name sounding like Hasrat Jaipuri.

2. Sapan Sengupta –Sapan Sengupta and Jagmohan Bakshi (who sang, ‘Dekho Mane Nahi Roothi Haseena’ for S D Burman in Taxi Driver) came together to form a team. They were interested in music and used to sing in chorus, whenever opportunity struck. Jagmohan worked as an assistant to Burman da for some time. They formed a team that had an interesting mixture of Punjabi rhythm (from Jagmohan) and Sweetness of Bengali tunes (from Sapan Sengupta). They indeed started with a Punjabi film, before they got a break in Hindi films. Their first Hindi film, Begana (1963) had good songs, which are still remembered.Rafi wasn’t their main singer as in the career spanning over 25 years, they had around 20+ songs for him, the last being a duet with Suman Kalyanpur for the film, Maa Ki Saugandh (1986).Actually a full post dedicated to the composer duo is due on the blog for a few years. I had thought of it around 5 years back. Shame on me! I’ve planned it this year!I was very much impressed with their songs and liked the majority of the available songs. It was indeed difficult for me to choose the songs and to decide the number of songs. Sapan Jagmohan paired with lyricist Naqsh Lyallpuri crafted a good number of memorable songs! Have a look for yourself.

Phir Woh Bhooli Si Yaad – Begana (1963) / Sapan Jagmohan – ShailendraThe duo was fortunate to have both Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar singing their tunes right from their first movie. And also got to tune lyrics written by Shailendra. The song is still remembered as one of Rafi’s best songs. The song opens with a Ghalib couplet, and blends then with the main song by Shailendra.

Khuli Wadiyon Ka Safar Hai – Aayega Anewala (1967) / Sapan Jagmohan – Naqsh LyallpuriA good song, though again not popular! The tune is easy on the ears. I kept on remembering Shokh Nazar Ki Bijaliyan while watching the song. Not only because of the ice skating, but the orchestration also sounded similar at places. Beautiful picturisation amongst snowy mountains and the lead pair, Kumkum and Sanjeev Kumar, also looks good.

Teri Aawaz Ki Jadugari – Teri Talash Mein (1968) / Sapan Jagmohan – Prem BarbartaniWhat a soulful rendition! Rafi always sang with sincerity and dedication, whether it was for a popular composer, actor or not. Listen to the amazingly magical rendition! The first line of the song actually expresses the emotions of the listeners after listening to it.

Ae Jaan e Jaan – Gustakhi Maaf (1969) with Asha Bhosle / Sapan Jagmohan – Naqsh LyallpuriNot a great song, but certainly enjoyable and fresh! Perfect expressions by both the singers. The song is actually quite catchy and the tune is also quite easy to humm. In the absence of big banners and popular starcast, many such good songs remained in the dark. The song is picturised on Tanuja and Sujit Kumar, but the latter seems very awkward or so I felt! Perhaps I am not used to watching a singing and flirting Sujit Kumar!

Shayar To Nahin Hoon – Insaaf Ka Mandir (1969) / Sapan Jagmohan – Naqsh LyallpuriBy now I have started counting Sapan Jagmohan as one of the composer duos who offered Rafi a few of his bests! Let the number of songs be less, the quality, I felt, is top notch! Watch this romantic song picturised on a handsome Sanjeev Kumar and beautiful looking Snehlata (which are her other Hindi films by the way?). Good lyrics by Naqsh Lyallpuri, who penned really good songs, but was underrated.

Hans Do To Mohabbat Ho Tum – Gunah Aur Kanoon (1970) / Sapan Jagmohan – Naqsh LyallpuriRafi was the only male singer for this movie and got to sing a couple of solos. This one, picturised on Kumkum and Sailesh, is a delight to listen to. I preferred ignoring Mohan Choti and company in the song and mainly focused on Kumkum, that made me enjoy the watch as well.

Dil Kabhi Tune Diya Tha – Rocky Mera Naam (1972) / Sapan Jagmohan – Naqsh LyallpuriFor this film again Rafi was chosen as the main singer who got to sing a couple of solos. The song is picturised at a party with Sanjeev Kumar singing it with a grim face making allegations, Nivedita watching with puzzled expressions on her face.

Ye Surkh Joda Ye Badan – Shadi Se Pehle (1980) / Sapan Jagmohan – Gauhar KanpuriRafi sang three songs for this movie, including a couple of solos and a duet with Asha Bhosle. What a freshness in his voice even after three decades of his career! The orchestration also takes a modern turn in the song and in all quite a good song in my opinion.

3. Kishore Kumar –Rafi has sung a number of duets and trios with Kishore Kumar. But there’s only one song by Rafi sung under his baton. Kishore Kumar has produced and composed for a few Hindi films, though we mainly focus on his career as an actor and playback singer.The song that qualifies for today’s post, is a trio by Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey singing for the three Ganguly brothers.

Band Mutthi Lakh Ki – Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi (1981) with Kishore Kumar & Manna Dey / Kishore Kumar – IrshaadQuite a fun to watch the Ganguly brothers singing together trying to recreate the magic of Babu Samjho Ishare. Even the mukhada is inspired by one of the lines from the aong from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi. Though not exactly the same, it seems interesting! Manna Dey sings for Ashok Kumar, Rafi sings for Anup Kumar and Kishore for himself. It’s not a comedy song, but a philosophical cum inspirational song.

4. Bappi Lahiri –Bappi Lahiri started in the early 70s in Hindi films and composed his first song for Rafi in the 1975 film, Zakhmee. It was a duet with Kishore Kumar. Later he worked on and off with him. In total, I could find 20+ songs sung by Rafi under his baton. I must confess that I am not a Lahiri fan, and I heard the majority of the songs for the first time while researching for this post. Around 10 songs of their association were released posthumously, after 1980, the last being a solo for a film, Farz Ki Jung (1988). I particularly noticed that we get to listen to a completely different Bappi Lahiri than his usual disco songs. Barring his very first song with Rafi, majority of other songs have a melody and are quite soothing. Of course Bappi Lahiri had his share of melodious songs as well, though one tends to remember him for the disco beats of the 70s and the 80s.I’ve chosen a few songs from their association. I’m not so sure about my selection being representative of their popular songs.

Dilbar Hamare Dil Ko Tum – Sangram (1976) with Kishore Kumar & Anuradha Paudwal / Bappi Lahiri – Gauhar KanpuriA typical qawwali! Rafi sings for Danny Dengzompa. Seems to be a climax song where a lot of things happen for a suitcase, perhaps full of money or a secret document.

O Humdum Jhoom Le Zara – Haiwan (1977) / Bappi Lahiri – Pradeep RoychowdhuryWhat a lovely song! Seems like a surprise. Rafi’s fresh voice sounds so fascinating. Though it’s an inspired song, it does enchant you.

Phoolonki Tarah Woh – College Girl (1978) / Bappi Lahiri – Dev KohliThe film is known more for songs by Kishore Kumar, I wasn’t even aware of this one! A good song picturised on Sachin and Bindiya Goswami.

Itni Mili Na Saanse – Lahu Ke Do Rang (1979) with Anuradha Paudwal / Bappi Lahiri – Faruq QaiserI couldn’t get the video of this soulful song! But I liked it.

Mathe Ki Bindiya Bole – Lahu Ke Do Rang (1979) with Anuradha Paudwal / Bappi Lahiri – Faruq QaiserI couldn’t help adding the other duet from the same film. The on screen pairing of Helen and Vinod Khanna seemed a bit odd, but the melodious song took over and I ignored the feeling. It shows Bappi Lahiri’s versatility as a composer. It must be one of the earliest hits of Anuradha Paudwal.

Ye Wada Pyar Ka – Waqt Ki Pukar (1985) with Suman Kalyanpur / Bappi Lahiri – Gauhar KanpuriA typical melody of the 70s with a sweet tune. The song was released posthumously.

5. Basu Manohari –Basudev Chakraborty and Manohari Singh both were musicians cum arrangers with the Burmans. In the 70s they started composing for Hindi films. In all the duo composed 30 songs together in 7 films.Sabse Bada Rupaiya (1976), Yasmin (1978), Bin Baap Ka Beta (1978), Kanhaiya (1980), Jeena hai Pyar mein (1983) and Chatpati (1983).Their tunes were sung mostly by Kishore Kumar. I could find only one song by Rafi.

Duniya Ki Tijori Mein – Kanhaiya (1981) with Chorus / Basu Manohari – Khalid SamiA good song, I heard for the first time. A touch of philosophy, a touch of humour, but interesting to listen to.

6. Subir Sen –The well known playback singer from Bengal came to Mumbai in the early 1950s and sang for a number of Hindi films. Most of his singing was for Shankar Jaikishan and Salil Chowdhury, though he also sang under Hemant Kumar, Kalyanji Anandji, Bulo C Rani etc. In the 60s, he composed for a Bengali film.His only Hindi film as a composer was Midnight which was unreleased, but at a few places the year 1972 is mentioned. The film had a couple of solos by Rafi, which I’m adding to the list.

Zindagi Ka Hai Yeh Fasana – Midnight (1972 ? Unreleased) / Subir Sen – Tajdar TajI heard it for the first time, but liked it. A soulful melody woven in a simple but impressive tune with beautiful musical arrangement.

London Ki Ek Mill Mein – Midnight (1972 ? Unreleased) / Subir Sen – Ustad BhatangiThough presented in a light hearted manner, the song does talk about serious things. The film sounds interesting, though it’s not available on the internet.

7. Sumitra Lahiri –I couldn’t get much information about him, except that he composed for a film named Nadaniyan (1984). I found one more film which perhaps wasn’t released. Sachin and Kavita Choudhary (TV serial Udaan fame) played the main lead. The film had a couple of songs by Rafi. Let me share it,

Shaher e Mohabbat Ujda – Ek Aur Suhagan (?1980s) Rafi / Sumitra Lahiri – Bharat Gourav, Khayal NohviHeard it for the first time, but liked this song. Rafi has poured intense emotions in his rendition. One of his good songs from the late 70s.

And to end the list and the series, I have a special song composed by a Bengali composer.

8. Nachiketa Ghosh –A popular composer in Bangla films, his career spanned over three decades from the 50s to the 70s. In Hindi however he composed for just one film named 25th July (1951). The songs of the movie were sung by Binota Chakraborty (neé Vinata Amladi).Today’s song however is from a Bangla film composed by Nachiketa Ghosh

Sabhi Kuchh Lutakar – Indrani (1958) / Nachiketa Ghosh – ShailendraA beautiful romantic song, sung on-screen by a road singer playing guitar. It’s the couple’s wedding night, played by Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen. The song seems to portray their emotions and Uttam Kumar tries to translate it for her during the interludes.I’m happy to find the song for concluding the series.

Would you add a song?

Disclaimer –Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs vests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.