On Rafi

Man is destined to be consumed - by flames or by worms. There is no escape, even in the safe lockers of pyramids. Ironically enough, these mummies don't remind us of immortality. On the contrary, they show that even high-and-mighty are brought down to dust by the ticking clock. 

You too have been claimed by the ticking clock, and consumed by worms. However, thanks to that magic wand of science, a part of you is alive and singing. Like the pyramids, your work, which is love made audible*, will last. What makes you immortal is not a clever trick of alchemy but a touch of divinity, for you were gifted, you were blessed. And blessed are those who can feel you in their heart, who can witness your gift. 

No matter what the experts make us believe, more often than not the best works of art don't put you in discomfort. For me, the best works of art lift you, hold you, embrace you, and comfort you. That's what your voice did to many of us, Md Rafi. You gave us comfort in countless nights of loneliness and longing. You still do. And you will, forever. 

And so you'll live, forever.

*"Work is love made visible". - Khalil Gibran

"The purpose of life is to find your gift. The meaning of life is to give it away". - Picasso

10 Less-Known Hindi Songs

For me, this post is not only about the joy of selecting 10 songs but also about the pain of not selecting many others. In the end, it has primarily been an exercise of elimination, based on certain criteria, most importantly accessibility. For instance, I had intended to add couple of K.L.Saigal gems but later decided against it. Thanks to Google, he is still reachable if you want to reach him. In comparison, I believe that the likes of Pankaj Mullick are relatively inaccessible to this generation because we don't even know how to search them. You can't search unless you know the keyword, can you?

Also, what easy to see is easy to miss. We feel rather, forgive my choice of word, saturated with Lata that we hardly bother to find out how she might have been 60 years back. After all, she started early and lasted as long as she wanted. She couldn't have been the same artiste all through these years. 

Finally, selecting something based on some romantic sentiment, and not respect, would have defeated the purpose. The purpose is to realize that there are many melodies that we have lost in the noise, and they are worth looking for. In the end, this post aspires to be but a beginning for those who happen to enjoy these songs and would like to explore further. The keywords will still not be there but perhaps there will be desire. These unsung people have made great songs, and there is no reason for them to remain lesser-known in the age of information overdose. After all, time has to level things.   

1. Yeh Raatein Yeh Mausam (?, ?)

Music - Pankaj Mullick

Lyrics - ?

Singer - Pankaj Mullick

Evidently, I don't know much about the who's who of this one. For a long time I used to believe that this song is sung by Lata. Later I came to know that her version is just a tribute to the original. Hers is also good, but but the original is precious.

Here is the link. Enjoy.

2. Dil Ko Hai Tumse Pyaar Kyon (?, ?)

Music - Jagmohan Bakshi

Lyrics - ?

Singer - Jagmohan Bakshi

Ditto for this. I don't know much about this one either. And truly, what matters is experience, not trivia. Here is the link. Let the song speak for itself.

3. Tumhare Bulaane Ko (Ladli, 1949)

Music - Anil Biswas

Lyrics - ?

Singer - Lata Mangeshkar

1949 was a landmark year in Hindi Cinema. With Mahal arrived Lata Mangeshkar, and charmed the nation with her ethereal Libran voice. In coming years, the landscape of female playback singing was going to be changed forever. Such was her force that the reigning queen, the sublime Geeta Dutt barely managed to float. No wonder not much is known about others.

There is another gem by her in the same year. The music is composed by Shyam Sundar for Nargis starred Lahore. But between the two I would go for this.

4. Tere Baghair (Jahaan Tum Wahaan Hum, Unreleased)

Music - Madan Mohan

Lyrics - Raja Mehdi Ali Khan

Singer - Md. Rafi

Of all the songs composed by Madan Mohan that never saw the light of day, this is my pick.

Rafi has sung many songs that can be included here. But I can't add all of them. Let me add this one for you. This is not the best, but certainly different. At this point it's difficult for me not to share this too, another differently rendered masterpiece, this time with Lata joining the party.

5. Khayaalon Mein Kisi Ke (Baawre Nain, 1950)

Music - Roshan

Lyrics - Kedar Sharma

Singer - Geeta Dutt, Mukesh

Geeta Dutt is at her mellifluous best in this duet, complemented well by Mukesh. Notice how their voices blend in the background music. And the occasional strum of Veena (or Sitar) is divine. Enjoy. 

6. Lehron Pe Leher (Chhabili, 1960)

Music - Snehal Bhatkar

Lyrics - Ratan S

Singer - Hemant Kumar, Nutan

Nutan is a revelation in this song. And nothing soothes like the baritone voice of Hemant Kumar. Together, they are absolutely mesmerizing in this full-moon melody. Check this out.

There is a solo version too.

7. Kitni Haseen Ho Tum (Yeh Dil Kisko Doon, 1963)

Music - Iqbal Qureshi

Lyrics - Qamar Jalalabadi

Singer - Md. Rafi, Asha Bhosale

This song contains both honey and moon, lot of it. The usually earthy Asha is unusually ethereal here. And Rafi sounds rather besotted. It's geriatric to remain sober when something like this is poured into your senses.

8. Woh Tere Pyaar Ka Gham (My Love, 1970)

Music - Daan Singh

Lyrics - Anand Bakshi

Singer - Mukesh

Mukesh sounds sincere and vulnerable. That's why, despite his technical failings as a singer, his sad songs hardly ever fail to move. This song is neither an exception nor exceptional. But, you might not like to miss this anyway. 

9. Tere Khayaalon Mein Hum (Geet Gaaya Pattharon Ne, 1970)

Music - Ramlal

Lyrics - Hasrat Jaipuri

Singer - Asha Bhosale

I am not absolutely sure about this one. But certainty is elusive while doing what I am doing.

10. Khamosh Sa Afsana (Libaas, Unreleased)

Music - Rahul Dev Burman

Lyrics - Gulzar

Singer - Lata Mangeshkar, Suresh Wadkar

I am a steady fan of RDB-Gulzar compositions. They are not just the best in their league, they are only one in their league. There is a lot to be said about them, which warrants a separate post.

Libaas was never released. Perhaps that why this song remains relatively anonymous. The music is typical RDB and the lyrics is typical Gulzar. And the effect is typically magical. Rendition-wise, I would rather have Lata one note down, but Suresh Wadkar hits right on the spot. 

The little party is over. Or may be the party is yet to begin. This was just a teaser, as it were. It couldn't have been anything more than that. However, in the end, one can't help feeling frustrated.

My 10 Favorite Monsoon Songs

I am one of those ordinary millions who can feel the beauty but can not express beauty beautifully. All I can express is my heartfelt gratitude to those who burned their nights and churned their hearts to discover beauty for us. This little list is a tribute to all such artists, even to those who have not got a mention here. I plead guilty of ignorance.

1. Ghata Ghanghor Bhor (Tansen, 1943)

Music - Khemchand Prakash
Lyrics - Rajender Kishen
Singer - Khursheed Bano

Which contemporary musician can even attempt to work on a musical, in which the protagonist is the mythology of classical music - Tansen! There is no one that I can think of.

Tansen was brought to life on silver screen, in all glory and opulence, amid the sound of temple bells tolling and Sitar resonating till the halls of heaven. In 1943 we had a man called Khemchand Prakash, who promised, and delivered us a credible Tansen.

Tansen showcases super-prowess of the legendary K L Saigal, in and as Tansen. And his reel consort - Khursheed Bano - matches him well. The prelude casts a spell on you as soon as you press 'play', and her earthy rendition keeps you mesmerized throughout. Unknown to the ordinary, this gem is an explorer's delight.


2. Hariyala Saawan Dhol Bajata Aaya (Do Beegha Zameen, 1953)

Music - Salil Chowdhury
Lyrics - Shailendra
Singers - Lata Mangeshkar, Manna De, and Chorus

Which feeling can be more liberating than feeling of relief? And who can feel more relieved by the promise of rains than the poor Indian farmer? Do Beegha Zameen is rooted deep into the soil, and so is its music. The way I look at it, this song is a musical translation of a rainy afternoon. When you play this song, monsoon plays vividly in your imagination. Every note is fragrant with rustic innocence, and though shehnai is sparingly used, it is lovable wherever it is used.


3. Kaare Kaare Baadra (Bhabhi, 1957)

Music - Chitragupt
Lyrics - Rajinder Kishan
Singer - Lata Mangeshkar

Whenever I relax my reverence for Lata Mangeshkar, she comes up with something like this! Vibrant, vivacious, and contagiously so. Pure joie de vivre! The mood of this melody is coquettish and cute at the same time. And for me, there is something more - nostalgia.


4. Kaali Ghata Chhaye (Sujata, 1959)

Music - S D Burman
Lyrics - Majrooh Sultanpuri
Singer - Asha Bhosle

Asha Bhosle, in her early days, sounded (tried to sound) very much like Geeta Dutt - mellifluous, as if she kept honey in her mouth while singing. Or is it love? For her voice is seductively lazy with a monsoon desire. While Senior Burman's compositions have always been distinguished by their compelling visual elements, this one goes further - and veritably fills your lungs with the petrichor of an Indian village.


5. O Sajna Barkha Bahaar Aayi (Parakh, 1060)

Music - Salil Chowdhury
Lyrics - Shailendra
Singers - Lata Mangeshkar

My opinion doesn't matter much. This song makes an appearance in Lata Mangeshkar's favorite-20 list. Need I say more?


6. Zindagi Bhar Nahi Bhoolegi (Barsaat Ki Raat, 1960)

Music - Roshan
Lyrics - Sahir Ludhianvi
Singers - Md Rafi

A beautiful confluence of a common fantasy and a sublime poetry. Unforgettable stuff! You can almost live through this night while you are into the song. Waking up can be heart-breaking. You wish this night to have really happened. But no night, real, surreal, or unreal, can be as fascinating as this one.


7. Tum Bin Sajan Barse Nayan (Gaban, 1966)

Music - Shankar Jaikishan
Lyrics - Shailendra
Singers - Lata Mangeshkar and Md Rafi

After K L Saigal, if anyone has shaped Hindi Film Music, it was this duo. Their success was phenomenal, and therefore inspired subsequent music directors.

In the later years of their career, they sometimes overdid what made them hit - orchestration. But this song is typically SJ stuff - hearty, melodious and simple. The simplicity is ensured by their choice of lyricists - they would hardly ever team up with a Gulzar or a Sahir.

Coming back to this song, this is the only sad song in my list of favorite monsoon songs. By the way, why do we hear sad songs? Why should a good sad song is better than a bad happy song?


8. Rimjhim Ke Geet Saawan Gaaye (Anjaana, 1969)

Music - Laxmikant Pyarelal
Lyrics - Anand Bakshi
Singers - Lata Mangeshkar and Md Rafi

Listening to this song is like sitting near a fire-place inside a quiet wooden house, on a cold dark winter night pouring and storming outside. Besides everything else, there is something vaguely claustrophobic about rains, which makes you feel enveloped in its embrace, and makes you feel drawn to the flame. This song is about this vague awareness, its charm, its dread, and a paradise lost. This song is a story of a beautiful dilemma - you hope it happens as much as you pray it doesn't.


9. Rimjhim Gire Saawan (Manzil, 1979)

Music - R D Burman
Lyrics - Yogesh
Singer - Kishore Kumar

Another gem from the Burmans, this time from the junior Burman. And how he shines in rain! Lata's version is a stillborn; although she is technically OK, she doesn't make up for her lack of passion, and I can't imagine a facile-hearted rain song in my favorite list. Thankfully, Kishore does justice to the tunes. You can raise your expectations as much as you can, this one will meet them all.


10. Rimjhim Rimjhim (1942 A Love Story, 1994)

Music - R D Burman
Lyrics- Javed Akhtar
Singers - Kavita Krishnamurthy, Kumar Sanu

The 80s were the worst years of Pancham's career, and coincidentally for Hindi Film Music as well. 1942 came at a time when melody was exiled out of fashion. With "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha" and "Kuchh Na Kaho", 1942 marked the return of melody to Hindi Film Industry.

With Javed Akhtar, Pancham composed one of the most romantic rain songs ever. Divine. Do they play this in heaven? They must.



the other side of page - I am lousy enough with descriptions. And this section made this post even more difficult for me. They almost made to the list.

11. Jhoole Ke Pawan Mein Aayi Bahar (Baiju Bawra, 1952)

Music - Naushad
Lyrics - Shakeel Badayuni
Singer - Lata Mangeshkar and Md Rafi

12. Thandi Hawa Kaali Ghata (Mr and Mrs 55, 1955)

Music - O P Nayyar
Lyrics - Neeraj
Singer - Geeta Dutt

13. Megha Chhaye Aadhi Raat (Sharmili, 1971)

Music - S D Burman
Lyrics - Neeraj
Singer - Lata Mangeshkar

14. Nahin Saamne Tu (Taal, 2000)

Music - A R Rehman
Lyrics - Anand Bakshi
Singer - Hariharan

and let's be honest...

15. Tip Tip Barsa Paani (Mohra, 1994)

Music - Viju Shah
Lyrics - Anand Bakshi
Singer - Alka Yagnik and Udit Narayan

Food for Melancholy Mood

RDB sounds rather mellowed when he croons Gulzar's verses. His tunes remain 'youthful', somewhat pedestrian, but retain the essential elements of music - melody, mood, and timelessness.

If blue is color of your mood, play them on. Melancholy can't sound any better. Here are my favorite 9 Gulzar-RDB blues.

Libaas - Khamosh Sa Afsaana (Lata & Suresh Wadkar)

Jeeva - Roz Roz Aankhon Tale (Asha & Amit Kumar)

Sunny - Jaane Kya Baat hai (Lata)

Sitara - Yeh Saaye Hain (Asha)

Kinara - Naam Gum Jaayega (Lata & Bhupindar)

Ijaazat - Mera Kuchh Saamaan & Khaali Haath Shaam Aaayi Hai (Asha)

Masoom - Tujhse Naaraaz Nahi Zindagi (Anup Ghoshal)

Namak Haraam - Main Shayar Badnaam (Kishore)