An endless feud between the fans of Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar..
Mohammed Rafi was born at Kotla Sultan Singh, near Amritsar . Rafi displayed his talent for singing at the tender age of 13. The lure of movies beckoned him to Bombay in 1944. His first hit was the Tera Khilona Toota Balak from Anmol Ghadi in 1946. India lost this jewel on July 31, 1980.
Abhas Kumar Ganguly, better known as Kishore Kumar was born on August 4, 1929 in Kandwa. Following the footsteps of his elder brother Ashok Kumar he too ventured into movies. But he soon realised that his heart was in singing. Under the patronage of RD Burman he soon flourished. He would at times compose and write songs himself. Sadly he passed away in October,1987.
The debate as to who was the greater singer carries on even today, even decades after their death. Both of them left an indelible mark in the world of Indian film music, a void that still cannot be filled today. No wonder that their fans are at constant feud with one another trying to prove that their hero was better.
It is a no secret that Mohammed Rafi was a trained classical singer and that Kishore Kumar had a natural talent. Hence Rafi’s fans feel that he was the more accomplished and skilful of the two. Kishoreda’s fans are of the opinion that though he may not have been trained, he had purity and sheer quality of voice. The fact that he wasn’t trained, and could still sing anything, both classical and non classical songs with equal magic rendered him more superior than Rafi.
Fans claim that Rafi was the most favoured singer for many veteran composers while Kishore Kumar was preferred by few and was a playback mainly for Dev Anand and later for Rajesh Khanna. Rafi on the other hand balanced his melodious voice for diverse stars like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Guru Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Shammi Kapoor.
In support of Rafi’s greatness, many of his fans say Rafi sang for Kishore Kumar in films that Kishore himself acted. They also draw the attention to Rafi’s song Darde Dil in Karz which was based on a single note and proved that he was indeed blessed with God-gifted melody. Mohammed Rafi’s fans also claim that Sonu Nigam and Udit Narayan who belong to the Rafi school are technically better than Kumar Sanu, Babul Supriyo etc.
On the other hand, Kishore Kumar’s fans remind people of songs which he sang by melodiously incorporating his inimitable yodelling. Those numbers are extremely popular even today. They further claim that in the 70’s and 80’s, it was he who sang for a number of heroes.
This debate can go on endlessly. However it must be stated that both were great singers of their times and each had his own distinctive style.
There was no feud between the two and the immense respect that Kishore Kumar had for Mohammed Rafi is clearly seen in the photo during Rafi’s funeral. A silent, sad and grief-struck Kishore in the newspapers portrayed very well that no one except him understood what an irreparable loss had taken place in Indian film music.
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February 29th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Manish, You do not understand th meaning of quality. qualit maens popularity and kk was more popular than Rafi. )
I will jus tell u one popular song of KK .
“Taki ho taki ho taki …aaps main takdhin takdhin ho gaya..”
Iske aage gane mari aulat nahi. I will let KK sing the rest of the song….
:)
Manish.. do you want more of those quality songs? Let me know…
February 29th, 2008 at 7:17 am
One important note I forgot to add was: congratulations to both Rafi & Kishore fans for being able to carry out, for the most part, a decent discussion. This is a sensitive topic for some and that usually leads to trouble but not here - not so far!
February 29th, 2008 at 12:23 am
Just glimpsed at my last post and I apologize for awful grammar - not usually the case
February 29th, 2008 at 12:18 am
My nutshell of Rafi & Kishore debate is very much how I think SD Burman viewed it. SDB was Kishore’s mentor and worked extensively with both singers so he authority. SD called Rafi was his first serve and Kishore was his second serve. This didn’t mean he liked Rafi more. It means he was willing to go for the ACE with Rafi. With Kishore, SDB wanted to be more sure and typically gave Kishore the lighter songs. Essentially, for the *elite* songs Rafi scores over Kishore. For the lesser songs, such as “Nothing is Impossible” - Kishore scores over Rafi. So fans who fail to fully realize the worth of songs from the 50s & 60s will essentially perceive one singer to be better than another because he scores over lesser songs or light songs. This is why the Rafi-Kishore debate has been going on for many years but as time goes the winner will be more clear. As to who determines elite or lesser - fans who have genuinely (not just sampling) listened to 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s music. Even better for who determines -TIME.
If KK fans suggest Rafi was better from 1952 to 1969 and Kishore was better from 1970 to 1987. Then it becomes a question of Roshan vs Bappi. Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpe vs Khaike Pan Banaraswala. Look at it from that angle. I didn’t mention RDB because for one RDb there’s Shankar Jaikishan, Madan Mohan, OP Nayyar. I didn’t mention Zindagi Ka Safar Mein (one of my all time favorites) because for every one of those there’s Zindagi Bhar Nahin, Dil Ke Jharoke Mein, Baharon Phool Barsao, Jo Wada Kiya Ta, etc. Kishore will be remembered 500 years from now because of his songs like “Zindagi Ka Safar Mein” or “Rhim Jhim Gire Sawan” but majority of his Bappi songs will be forgotten, the popularity of Khaike Pan Banaraswala songs will WANE - whereas the appeal and elements of songs like “Aisa To Na Dekho” will always remain 100% intact just like the freshness of sunlight. Trivial matters like press related hype in the 70s will have washed away 100 years from now .In fact that has already happened and music lovers tody enjoy the songs of Rafi from his so called lean phase and some of the lesser songs that made it higher on the charts during that period due the media hype, wave, trends, break from Rafi, etc. are now forgotten today. Of course, this isn’t to say that early 1970s period had all songs that were lesser - some were absolutely terrific (like Yeh Jo Mohabat Hai) - just some. Nevertheless, hopefully you see what I mean by the test of time. In a debate that focuses only on WHAT SONGS RAFI & KISHORE ACTUALLY SONG - No need for 800+ posts. Look no further than these two paragraphs.
February 29th, 2008 at 12:17 am
Ashu, let’s summarize your viewpoints. Your exact words are in quotes and my commentary are not.
(1) “Ask Suresh wadekar to sing all difficult song of Rafi. I think he can do justice to those song”
(2) You suggested that Mohammed Rafi’s songs were low in quality. This suggests that the songs of SJ-Rafi, MM-Rafi, Roshan-Rafi, SDB-Rafi, Chitragupta-Rafi, Ravi-Rafi, Naushad-Rafi, OPN-Rafi, HB-Rafi were low in quality.
(3) “Why he did not persist same position when he got competitor”
You’re suggesting Mohammed Rafi was #1 in 60s because he had no competition during a period many regard as the golden age of music.
Ashu, my intention was always to speak my true thoughts. It wasn’t to superficially drag the debate with ingenuine statements like your 3 above. This is why I seeked the truth and learned from knowledgeable KK fans who interview Pyarelal about the Nafrat Ki Duniya recording and avoided silly rumors like Kishore failed to give quality in that song (he never recorded in the first place!). This is why I defended Kishore with the songs on him by Rafi because I spoke what I felt was true. This is why I tried to acknoledge that Kishore could score over Rafi in a minority of the songs.
Just because you and I have different opinion doesn’t give me a right to write you off. However, your three opinions above (I especially love the first) are beyond the limits of reason within subjectivity. No genuine music lover who is familiar with the careers of Rafi, Lata, Kishore, Asha will take you seriously. Do me a favor, before you discuss Rafi & Kishore with someone - introduce yourself to them with those three points FIRST. You’ll save them a lot of time because they’ll know immediately you don’t know what you’re talking about. Take note that the above three statements have nothing to do with Kishore (so it isn’t a comparison or a I like Rafi you like Kishore personal tastes kind of thing - those statements are absolute judgments on Rafi). It was fun debating with you but now that I realize these three statements - I will no longer entertain your discussions.
February 28th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Someone mentioned that difficult songs sung by Rafi and Manna Da could be sung by any singers!
It is not true. Remember. Mukesh was voice of RK and he sang almost all songs in movie “Dil hi to hai” . However, classical “Laga chunri main daag” went to Manna Dey. The reason is simple. Woh Mukeshji ke bus ki baat nahi thi. It is as simple as that.
Sudip, You mentioned song Chal oud ja re pannchii sung by Talat. I heard the songs on you tube yesterday (2 times) . For most of the part Talat was very good. Hoever he avoided going on high notes as Rafi did so effortlessly in the original. The reason is again simple. Talat can’t go on high notes.
Same thing with RD’s block buster Hum kisi se kum nahi”. Rishi was main hero and kk did playback for him except for title Quwalli as Rafi was more suitable (RD knew it was difficult for kk to match Rafi
I am with Manna babu. He said all difficult songs went to him and Rafi and I just agree with him.
Manna da, I salute your musical sense and also your range. You are awesome.
February 28th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Sudip, very well said on “WHAT IF” There is no point discussing that. Lets look at the facts and it points towards Rafi. (From 1947 till 1980). Someone very conveniently changed 1947-48 to 1952.
Rafi was very much there after 1970 also compared to almost non existent KK before 69.
Oh ! I forgot.. he was busy with acting
February 28th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Ashu:
As I said who overtook him and sang better here and there are moot.
If you look at the entire spectrum of Hindi music, Rafi’s contributions are greater. It is a cumulative judgment not based on individual songs and years..I am sure even Kishore fans will agree with the fact that Rafi’s contributions between 1947-1980 was greater than Kishore’s between 1969 and 1987. Similarly, Asha Bhosle may be a better sounding singer on a few counts than Lata, but Lata’s contribution to film music is greater.
Let me tell you something else (though this is not directly related to singing). Since a lot has been discussed on Kishore and Bengalis, let me tell you. Kishore is unofficially “banned” in most “cultured” upper class Bengali households (there may be exceptions). Kishore has sung so many good songs, but somehow he is regarded as the guy with “questionable character” (with four wives), who used to sing “bad songs” (”oposanksriti” or “bad culture” if someone understands Bengali). Rafi sang a lot of bad songs (not that he sang badly), but kids grow up hearing that he sang “good songs”). Believe it or not-most people think Kishore was a drunkard though he did not drink a single drop of alcohol in his life. His tomfoolery in live shows make most people believe that he was drugged!
There was a difference in which Kishore and Rafi approached music and carried themselves (Ashu misunderstood me last time), and that made Rafi the singer of the elite and learned, and Kishore the singer of loafers, slum dwellers, etc (Pls do not get me wrong-I am not advocating it nor do I subscribe to it, but that’s the perception). Even if a song was not classical, Rafi’s approach to the song was sober and classical. Rafi carried himself with dignity and gravitas-that’s the reason why he will always be counted as a “cultural ambassador”. Kishore will never be considered a “cultural ambassador”.
I am sure this went into consideration when pundits chose the best singer of the century.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Ashu - my guess is you’re referring to the song “Geet Gaata Hoon Main”. I think I recognize you - you and I have talked on this matter before on youtub under screen names - ahahahahaha! We’ll discuss this topic and the points in your last post that I don’t agree with - tomorrow.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Thanks Vipul for ur generosity:)
I don’t want to comment on that. But i know u r among millions who can’t face truth. They think only those peole are right or great whose view matched with their view.
Vipul mere dost, it is ur call to visit this site or not.
But i would request you to pls. pls. define variety. Do you means
Qawaallis, dhumari or other form of music? If yes, then my friend here we are talking abt playback singing. So all forms are modified as per situation.
- Can anyone sing sing for “Satte Pe Satta”
Pyar hame kis mod pe le aaya….
Now pls. don’t talk abt quality of the songs. I am talking variety and other perspective of playback singing.
February 28th, 2008 at 9:23 am
My dear Rafi friends,
On outlook, i have already posted my comments in details last month. Please check the blog.
Vipul, you have asked why Rafi sang 11 times for KK. I think Manish has already answer that.
- Rafi did playback for Kishore, not becuase he was better singer, but kishore was very much busy with acting. One more, few song which you have mentioned, i believe it was MDs (SJ) confidence that Rafi could do justice to that song better than Kishore…Which i am not agreed. How can you judge people based on his personality. If SJ would have asked Kishore to sing those songs, and if he could not then MDs decision could have been justified. But my dear friends, this was not the case.
It was same SJ who asked Kishore to sing in “KAL Aaj aur Kal” And “Andaz”. he could have easily asked Rafi to sing all songs picturised on Randheer Kapoor in Kal aaj aur Kal.
There was one movie, I forgot name, typical SJ style whihc was sung by Kishore in Rafi’s style. It was uploaded to Youtube by maula, but i could not see maulas’ fav. songs list. I will definetely try to find out and publish here.
Sudip, you are right. Even i don’t want to write on why kishore was not in limelight till 69. Though history says, he was one of the most popular actor during that time, and very good singer. Is it possible for genuine music lover to forget kishore’s songs executed that time. Here is few list:
1. Dukhi man mere
2. Jaago sone wale..(check the range…)
3. Koi humdum na raha
4. koi louta de mere bite hue din
5. Mere Mehboob qayamat hogi
6. Payal wali dekhna..(pure semi-classical…composed by chitragupta)
and many more….
I am commenting on what both legends have achieved as per their contribution.
Note: History never lies. History says, rafi was most popular singer from 52-69, and kishore was most popular from 69-87. I believe this can’t be changed.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:47 am
Ashu, Vipul, Manish:
The last few posts have focused on WHY Kishore was not in the scene till 1969. This is exactly what I want to avoid. Whether he was acting, singing, flirting, playing soccer is not important here. It is also NOT important to do a what if analysis. All these WHAT if analysis are moot.
-What if Noor Jehan had not gone to Pakistan?
-What if Jaikishen had not died? Would RD have risen as prominently?
-What if Vinod Khanna did not take leave from movies ?
-What if Saigal had not died early?
-What if Rafi had not taken Haj in 1972?
-What if SD Burman had not fallen sick during Aradhan recording?
-What if Madonna sang Qawalis?
-What if Netaji Subhas Bose became the Prime Minister of India?
-What if Tendulkar bowled legspin more regularly, would he have eclipsed Kumble?
I repeat, this whole analysis of what if is not at all important and, lame or not, should not bear any excuse for anyone.
Fact remains, Rafi’s contribution over 35 years of Hindi film music was more than any other male singer, even though Kishore could have eclipsed him in a certain period or in certain songs. When Outlook magazine or Hero Honda millennium awards chose the best singer, they based it on facts and not on WHO HAD THE POTENTIAL..
Rafi changed the face of Hindi music. While Kishore and Mukesh was still imitating KL Saigal’s style, Rafi brought the freshness of “Suhani Raat Dhal chuki” in as early as 1949. To me this was the first modern song in Hindi film. The rest that followed are minor incremental changes. He survived the different genres of music- the Naushad era, the Nayyar era and the Burman/LP era..
When you look at the whole spectrum, he can only be compared with the elder Mangeshkar. So please stop the “WHAT IFs” and focus on facts.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:14 am
Ashu wrote “Mere dost, talk abt fact not fiction”
Reply: Now this is really funny. “ulta chor kotwaal ko dante”. Dear we all know who is talking about fact and who is talking about fiction.
1> Fact: Rafi sang more Hindi songs than kk.
Fiction: kk songs were better in terms of quality. kk never concentrated on singing till 69 as he was busy in acting.
Dear, We all know what quality songs kk sang in 80’s. Please do not encourage me to put a big list of those kk songs here.
2> Fact: Rafi sang for more MD’s as he was more preferred. Even for RD he sang 100+ songs. KK hardly sang for Naushad, OP, Ravi, SJ, Sardar Malik, Madan Mohan ..
Fiction: kk was busy in acting and quality of those songs were not up to mark.
3> Fact: Rafi was even popular outside Hindi language. He sang more in terms of quantity and languages
Fiction: KK was charging more and he was anyway busy in acting.
4> Fact: Rafi even sang for kk (as many as 11 times)
Fiction: you know what, KK was busy in acting. So…you know…
5> Rafi sang all types of songs… (quality as well as quantity .. and even after 1970). It includes Classical, Ghazals, folk, Patriotic, Bhajnas.. KK hardly sang any of those even after 70. Rafi was more versatile than kk
Fiction: KK did not get a chance. If he would have then but… (Dear there is no place for if and but). and here you brought whole brigade of singers to defend KK. Ashu, you just cant win here..
6> Fact: Rafi was declared most popular male play back singer.
Fiction: .. Ashu.. please come up with one here….
7> Fact: Rafi was declared as best male playback singer of 20th century
Fiction: It does not matter…
8> Fact: Rafi and Manna dey sang many difficult songs in their life. I already gave the proof. Fact is other singers hardly sang any difficult songs because of their limitations.
Fiction: Others like Mukesh, Talat, KK would have sung those songs too if given a chance. (Dear.. no place for idf and but…)
9> Fact: Even after 69, KK hardly sang different variety. He was not versatile.
Ashu saab, I will let you stay in your dream (fiction) world. here is no point in discussing more. I think I was like a fool debating with u. My Mom always told me that “Pathhar se takraoge to apna hi sir phutega.. Pathhar waisa ka waisa he rahega”
Sorry Mom, I did not follow your advice. But now I will…. Ashu.. this could be my last reply to you.
Others, Thanks for all your input. I am glad to know that my music taste meets many of you. (Dhani Raam, Sudip, Manish Kumar, Parbal Das etc..)
Here is my email — vipulmapara@yahoo.com .. Please share your thoughts about music whenever you get a chance.
I am not going anywhere. I am on this forum but won’t reply to Ashu.. (I hope to keep my promise)
February 28th, 2008 at 1:16 am
Ashu: take what SD considers his best score: Guide. Would you prefer any of the three solos in that movie to be rendered by Kishore instead of Rafi?
February 28th, 2008 at 1:04 am
doston,
i am confident that as time keeps passing, say 200 years from now, there will be no rafi-kishore debate. it will become all too clear. kk fans simply bank on the press & change of trends that occurred for a brief period. these things will not matter 100 years from now, all that will matter will be the voices that remain. kk’s voice will remain too - but rafi’s songs will remain 100% heavenly & timeless like sunlight - the comparison will be obvious. we won’t be around to see it - but i’m positive.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:01 am
vipul,
i deliberately gave in sj because even after, the difference is quite clear. additionally, one could argue that sj-kishore never had a chance since jaikishan died in 1971 (middle of kishore wave) etc. i just wanted to keep things simple.
as for the 11 picturisations on kishore - i think except for ajab hai dasatan and man mawra bawra - the other songs kishore would have done just fine. i know one instance where op nayyar took rafi for kishore (this is not man mawra bawra) because kishore came late for recording. as for ajab hai dasatan - i’m not sure if the off key part is true. it could be but i won’t bother pursuing it. it could be just an unsubstantiated rumor to put down kk (just like some of ashu’s remarks on rafi - him suggesting that suresh wadkar can do justice to most of rafi’s songs - hahahaahaha! it’s hard to take someone seriously after that ). besides, kk respected rafi and didn’t object to rafi doing playback. sj were very inclined towards rafi and for a song like that - all logic points that they wouldn’t even bother letting kk recording it - that song was composed for rafi in mind right from the start. i trustworthy kk fan tells me that for nafrat ki duniya 1973 - the song was composed for rafi in mind right from the start - there was no such recording by kk.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Ashu Says: “Ask Suresh wadekar to sing all difficult song of Rafi. I think he can do justice to those song”
this just goes to show how much you know about rafi
ashu - you keep ignoring the MD aspect - don’t go for why the MDs backed rafi but focus on END RESULT, what he have today (for the purpose of keeping a simple focus). who has the edge in MDs in terms of quality & quantity?
once again, for you to question the QUALITY of elite MDs of 50s and 60s once again goes to show your sound judgment.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
BTW, you have not replied on why Rafi sang 11 times for KK? Was kk really busy inacting?
Is it true, that in one of the songs for film Ragini . KK was so off key that MD called Rafi to sing the same song? Just curious.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Ashu, If you talk about popularity so I will do the same. In outlook Rafi’s 7 songs were selected to kk’s 2. It is a fact and not fiction. Rafi ws declared most popular male singer and not kk. The judges were not me and you but legends like Mana, Rahman, Alka Yagnik, Sonu, Mahendra kappor etc…
and by the way .. in this forum also Rafi is more popular as there are more Rafi supporters compared to one kk supporter… kidding yaar… Dil pe mat le
February 27th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Vipul:
U wrote:
Ashu, When I compared Rafi and kk, I compared them for entire Career span (from 48-49 till 80) till Rafi was alive.
Why did you stop comparing khanna and Bachhan at 1981? They both are alive and Bachhan was number 1 for longer period of time than Khanna (just like Rafi was number 1 for longer time than kk)
My reply:
I stopped comparing Rajesh khanna and Bachhan aftre 81, because Rajesh Khanna’s major hit came in and before 81(Avataar and Amrit). After that all his movie was super duper flopped except SWARG which came very late, and he was almost not doing film. Hope u got my point. As u said, Bachhan was no. 1 for longer time, it is completely untrue. If living alive is criteria than Dilip Kumar is no. 1…Because all his movie whihc he acted in 70s, 80s and even 90s (Saudagar) was super duper hit.
Mere dost, talk abt fact not fiction.
Kishore’s singing career started in full fledge from 69, before that he was just singing for himself, Dev Anand and sometime Mehmood.
Rafi’s first major hit was “Baiju Bawra” which was released in 1952.
I will not talk abt no. 1 or no.2, because you will not agree to it.
I will talk abt popularity.
Rafi’s popularity accepted from 52 - 69
Kishore from 1970 - 1987 [Rafi bounced back very well in 77, but could not regain his lost position…This is history.]
February 27th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Manish, Your MD’s view on kk and Rafi is to the point. But you said SJ and RD cancel each other. How? Remember Rafi sang 100+ songs for RD and KK hardly sung for SJ. So Rafi has an edge here too.
February 27th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Ashu, How are u so sure that since kk was concentrating on acting so he did not sing many songs till 69.
How about this view, Since his singing carrer was not pickling up, he concentrated on acting! There is always a second view daer. Neither your statment nor mine has any proof. The naked proof is that kk as singer never worked till 69. He was way far behind!
February 27th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
My dear friend Manish,
Rafi was never no. 1 in his career, but he was highly regarded singer. In 50s - 60s so called golder year of music, Rafi was one singer whose voice suits to most of the actors, though i am not agree to it.
Yes, Rafi was great during mid 50s and early 60s, thanks to great MDS of that era (i am not taking away Rafi’s contribution). Late 60s and 70s, Rafi’s voice did not remain same as during so called golder year of music.
Manish, u wrote:
This whole talk of Kishore being an actor during the golden age of music is a very, lame excuse.
My reply:
Kishore was an actor during that time, and i believe he might have acted in more movie than songs he sang. This is not excuse but naked truth. I believe turning point in Kishore’s singing career is “Teen Deviyan” movie where he got sing different mood of songs..
1. khwab ho tun ya…Romatic
2. Arey yaar meri…
3. Kitni thandi hai..
My dear friend Vipul:
Yes. Any issue with Name
U wrote:
Do you think many difficult songs that were sung by Rafi saab can be sung by Talat, Mukesh, Hemant, Saigal or your kk.
My reply: “YES”
Do you think many dificult song sung by other artists could be sung by Rafi?
And of course MY KK is far ahead of your rafi
“NO WAY”
Ask Suresh wadekar to sing all difficult song of Rafi. I think he can do justice to those song, and ask suresh wadekar to sing Kishore’s song. He could not be close to 50% of his song.
Note: Here i am not talking abt Kishore’s jolly song.
I am writing this so confidently because i heard Suresh wadekar singing Kishore and Rafi song in Live show with KA organized in Mumbai.
He sang:
- “Tumne mujhe dekha” from Teesari Manzil
- “Zindagi ka safer” from Safar
February 27th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Ashu: comparing an actor’s career to a singer’s career is silly.
“Why he did not persist same position when he got competitor?”
Luckily I remind myself to differentiate between Kishore Kumar & his fans. You are suggesting that Rafi had no competition from 1950 to 1970? For those 20 years? And during the golden period? Listen to yourself - unbelievable. In any case, remember that Talat’s voice was fixated on Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor had Mukesh / Manna, Dev Anand had Kishore Kumar - when Mohammed Rafi entered the scene and became #1. This whole talk of Kishore being an actor during the golden age of music is a very, lame excuse.
Finally, Ashu, can you please answer the question on the perspective of MDs (one of my earlier posts)? Thanks
February 27th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Ashu Wrote:
“Rafi was not best in any category, but He was one of the best. In 50s and 60s, there were pre-defined categories for the singers and Rafi got edge over other running singers like Manna Dey, talat Mehmood, Mukesh and etc, because of his voice was suitable for Heroes. Do you think other singers were less talented than him. No yaar, since Rafi’s voice was most suitable for movie actors compared to other singers. Why he did not persist same position when he got competitor”
My reply:
Dear, Rafi was the BEST and not one of the best. Do you think many difficult songs that were sung by Rafi saab can be sung by Talat, Mukesh, Hemant, Saigal or your kk. I will give few example here.
1> Man Tadpadt Hari Darshan
2> Muhobat zinda rahti hai
3> Zindabaad
4> O duniya ke rakhwale
5> Kuhu kuhu bole koyalia
6> Aklee aklele kanha ja rahe ho
7> Hai duniya usiki…
8> Kae chale hum fida and many more
I think only Manna saab can possibly sing them.
I can go on and on but as Manna said all MD’s called Rafi and him for difficult songs and he accepts Rafi’s superiority over him. When I met him personally he told us (my family) the same thing.
You mentioned kk was busy with his acting at that time. Do not give excuse. Was he so busy that Rafi sang as many as 11 times for him. Please provide proof and do not assume things. The fact is Rafi sang for him 11 times and neither you nor any kk fan can change this truth.
Even in 70’s, when kk was in limelight, most of the Quawalis, classical songs, Bhajnas, Patriotic songs went to Rafi and Manna. Why not KK? The reason is simple. He was not suitable and all kk fan agree here too. Else please provide some examples for KK’s database.
kk did sing very few Quawalis, but those songs were simplified to match kk’s style. If you see those songs w/o video, they will even not sound like quawallis (my view).. I am referring to Haal kya hai dilon ka and Wada tera wada. They are more like light songs than quawallis.
Thanks Ashu and bye.. (BTW, is your name Ashwin? Just curious… nothing personal)