Rafi – 1946 – Mehfil Mein Meri
4 min read
I am already publishing a yearly review of Lata Mangeshkar’s Hindi film songs. And on Rafi’s death anniversary last year, I also started a yearly review of Rafi’s Hindi film songs.In the first post, I included songs till 1945 and obviously the majority of the songs were lesser known and not very popular. The same I can say about today’s post. I heard the majority of the songs on today’s list for the first time with a few knowns.
Rafi was in the initial phase of his career.He sang his first solo for Naushad in 1946. It was for the film, Anmol Ghadi. Though he started with Naushad in 1944 with the film, Pehle Aap, all of his songs were duets with Shyam Kumar. In 1946 itself, Rafi sang with K L Saigal. The song is taken as a duet, Rafi’s voice can be prominently heard at the end. Both of these songs were under the baton of Naushad.Rafi sang for the first time for C Ramchandra, S N Tripathi, Bulo C Rani, and Shankar Rao vyas, if I am to mention Rafi’s first association with the prominent composers of the 50s.
Rafi sang around 36 songs in 18 films in 1946, including 17 solos, 18 duets and one trio. Barring the duet from Shahjahan, all his other duets were with female playback singers, Shamshad Begum & Amirbai Karnataki being the prominent singers. The film Kulkalank (1945) was re-released in 1946 as Jeevan Chhaya and hence I have excluded Rafi’s duet from the movie on this list. It was already there on the previous list.
I have chosen ten songs for today’s list. The songs are in No particular order.
1. Tera Khilona Toota Balak – Anmol Ghadi (1946) / Naushad – Tanveer NaqviThen newcomer Rafi sang his first solo for Naushad in the film. It was lip synced by a supporting character, that of a toy vendor. He’s selling attractive toys, made of paper and other things, even one made in Japan.The song is not as popular as the other songs by the leading ladies and the hero of the movie.
2. Main Jab Gaaun Geet Suhana – Amar Raj (1946) Firoz Nizami – Pandit Fani, Ishwar Chandra KapoorWhat a beautiful semi classical song! And he’s so impressive even in the beginning years of his career. The song also has a duet version sung by Rafi and Mohantara Talpade.
Talking about Rafi’s career, one tends to mention Naushad as one of the prominent composers. But Rafi was also chosen by C Ramchandra in the late 40s and his couple of solos from Safar do emerge as one of Rafi’s good songs. Though later Rafi wasn’t the first choice of C Ramchandra, he did offer him some good songs in the late 40s in general. So let’s now listen to one of Rafi’s solos from Safar.
3. Kehke Bhi Na Aaye Tum – Safar (1946) / C Ramchandra – G S NepaliA song depicting a disheartened lover. Rafi’s expressions are so wonderful in the song.
4. Rahe To Kaise Rahe – Room No 9 (1946) Rashid Attre – Nakshab JarchaviRashid Attre was a popular composer of the 40s. He composed for a handful of songs in India and migrated to Pakistan later. He had a successful career there till the early 70s. This wonderful ghazal recited in a typical style presentation stood prominently for me as one of his good songs from 1946.
5. Jaao Jaao Na Boloongi Main – Saal Girah (1946) with Kumud Dixit & unknown female singer / Bulo C Rani – Wali SahebIt was a find for me. Not a great song, but very enjoyable l must add. Two ladies, both nagging to the man. Finally the man succeeds when he offers them Banarasi saree and ghoda gadi. And Rafi is spot on with his mischievous expressions.
6. Karte Hain Woh Ab Humse – Ghoonghat (1946) / Shankar Rao Vyas – Ramesh GuptaThe first couplet seems to have its roots in Ghalib’s ghazal, Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi. The song portrays a betrayed lover and Rafi’s rendition is perfect for the occasion.
7. Rukhi Sukhi Main Kha Lungi – Insaaf /Justice (1946) with Hameeda Bano & Chorus / H P Das – D N MadhokThis was on my list of Rafi’s songs with composers from Bengal. Though not a great song, it is certainly fun to listen to. A conversation between a couple, perhaps husband working far away from home and his strict and Hitler like senior not permitting leaves. Of course Rafi was still a newcomer then, but has sung it with apt expressions.
8. Kadam Sue Manzil – Rangbhoomi (1946) with Chorus / Premnath – Pandit FaniAn inspirational song that boosts your confidence.
9. Watan Ki Amaanat Hamari – Rupa (1946) with Shamshad Begum & Chorus / Gobind Ram – Rammurthy ChaturvediAgain an inspirational song that ignites patriotism in the listeners.
10. Man Ki Sooni Nagariya – Sona Chandi (1946) with Amirbai Karnataki / Tufail Faruqui – Khawar ZamanA very cute duet portraying a couple, fallen in love. The song uses cute imagery that anyone can relate to.
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 rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.
