MOHAMMED RAFI - THE LAST DECADE. Cont'd...5...

TRIBUTE TO THE GREAT INDIAN LEGENDARY SINGER:
MOHAMMED RAFI.
THE LAST DECADE – Rising of the Phoenix.Continued…5…

In 1970-1980, Rafi Sahaab also sang with:Usha Mangeshkar in such movies as Aaja Sanam, Priyatama, aankh Ka Tara, Chacha Bhatija, Kartavya, Teen chehere, Kala Patthar, Mr Natwarlal, and Wardat among others.

With Suman Kalyanpur in Mann Ki Aankhen (1970), Ek Paheli (1971), Voh Din Yaad Karo (1971); Insaniyat (1974 - Mere Yaar Ki Yaari Dekh Ke); Jay Vijay (1977) and Jeevan Saathi (1987): Aye Jaane Tamanna which was composed by Kalyanji-Anandji.

With Anuradha Paudwal in Aadmi Sadak Ka (1977); Lahu ke Do Rang (1979); Mr Natwarlal, Unees Bees, Do Premi (1980) Sharada (1981), Taaqat (1982).

With Chandrani Mukherjee he sang in Prem ki Ganga (1971), Zulm ki Pukaar (1979), Mr. Natwarlal (1980: Qayamat Hai Qayamat Hai); and Poonam (1981).

With Usha Timoti in Mera Salaam (1980); with Bhupinder in Dharam Kanta (1982): Duniya Chhootey Yaar Na Chhootey; and in Chameli Memsaab (1981); With Dilraj Kaur in Mandir Masjid (1977); Bhakti Men Shakti (1978); Maan Gaye Ustaad (1981) and sang certain Punjabi songs too with her.

With Manna Dey in Rivaaj (1972); Chandi Sona (1977); Apna Khoon and Chor Ho Toh Aisa (1978); Ahimsa (1979); Waqt Ki Deewaar (1980); Maan Gaye Ustaad and Ustaadi Ustaad Se (1981); With Amit Kumar in Phandebaaz (1978) and Aap Ke Diwaane (1980); and along with Asha Bhonsle in Dil ka Heera (1979). In Gehra Zakhm (1981) we have Rafi Sahaab’s quartet with Udit Narayan (who felt truly blessed) Asha Bhonsle, and Amit Kumar.

With Kishore Kumar in Humjoli (1970), Heeralal Pannalal (1978); Waqt Ki Deewaar and Swayamvar (1980); Ek Aur Ek Gyaarah (1981); Deedar-e-Yaar (1982); and Khoj (1989). Again with him in Zakhmee (1975) and Muqabla (1979). Rafi Sahaab sang with Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Mukesh in Amar, Akbar, Anthony (1977) where he makes an excellent late entry singing for Rishi Kapoor. Rafi Sahaab sang together with both Kishore Da and Suman Kalyanpur in Badalte Rishte (1978); again in 1978 Rafi Sahaab sang the quartet with Kishore Kumar, Chandrani Mukherjee and Anuradha Paudwal in Amar Shakti. The same year Rafi Sahaab sang with Kishore Da, Usha Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle in Muqaddar (1978). Then we have him singing with Lata and Kishore in Aap Ke Diwane (1980); again with Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey in the former’s Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi (1981). Rafi Sahaab’s quartet with Kishore, Usha, Asha was in Naseeb (1981): RANGG JAMAAKE; and in Shaan (1980): JAANU MERI JAAN.

Seventies also saw Rafi Sahaab and Mukesh singing together a couple of songs in Do Jasoos (1975) and Dharmveer (1977) after a very long hiatus. Kartavya (1979) had Geeta Dutt singing with the Legend after many years. In Chacha Bhatija (1977) we had Shailendra Singh singing with him: KOI MAANE YA NA MAANE. Shailendra, Bhupendra and Asha Bhonsle sang in the 1981 Humse Badhkar Kaun.The year 1980 saw the return of Thespian Dilip Kumar, after a gap of nearly five years, although in a character role for the first time. Fortunately for us, this role also saw him lip-syncing Rafi Sahaab's song: MERA CHANA HAI APNI MARZI KA... This song was a quartet: Rafi Sahaab, Kishore Da, Lata Mangeshkar and Nitin Mukesh.

We have Rafi Sahaab’s quartet with Asha Bhonsle, Bhupendra, and Sapan Chakroborti in Gehra Zakhm (1981). In another 1981 flick, Jail Yatra, Rafi Sahaab sang with Bhupendra, Asha Bhonsle and chorus a very interesting qawwali number: YA MUHIBBI HAMKO APNA JAANIYE, the music being composed by R.D. Burman. Rafi Sahaab’s stylish rendering it is that brings charm to that qawwali. Earlier in 1975 (Aandhi) Rafi Sahaab had Bhupendra and chorus singing SALAAM KIJIYE AALI JANAAB AAYE HAIN again under the baton of R.D. Burman who himself sang with Rafi Sahaab in Shaan (1980): YAMMA YAMMA YAMMA YAMMA YEH KHOOBSURAT SAMAA.Rafi Sahaab had Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor singing along ith him CHAL MERE BHAI in a popular 1980 movie Naseeb.An interesting flick, Film Hi Film, released in 1983 has Rafi Sahaab singing with Asha and Geeta Dutt: HAMM KHOOB JAANTE HAIN.

Rafi Sahaab also sang with the Pandit sisters: With Vijayeta Pandit in Dil hi Dil Mein (1981); and with Sulakshna Pandit (who could have been another Suraiya) in Ek Baap Chhe Bete (1976), Chehre Pe Chehre, and Daud Dhoop (1980); Unnees Bees (1980); Dil Hi Dil Mein (1981); Habari (1978); and the hugely popular numbers: JAB AATI HOGI YAAD MERI in Phaansi (1977), and JISKE LIYE SABB KO CHHODA in Saajan Ki Saheli (1980).

The above list is by no means exhaustive. Besides the above, there were other singers too who sang with Rafi Sahaab especially towards the end of Seventies (such as Runa Laila in Jaane-e-Bahaar a 1979 flick: MAAR GAYO RE) in early Seventies: Krishna Kalle in the 1973's Gaal Gulabi Nayn Sharabi: MERI HASRATON KI DUNIYA; and the beginning of the Eighties (Pankaj Mitra: MERI AANKHON MEIN EK SAPNA HAI in 1984 movie Videsh). Chandrani Mukherjee had the opportunity to sing with Rafi Sahaab in Zulm Ki Pukar (Iss Ishq Muhabbat ki...) and Vani Jairam sang with him in Jurm Aur Sazaa (Maine Tumeh Paa Liya)just to name these two among many others.

Now having briefly dealt with Rafi Sahaab' songs for the year 1970-1980 let's check out some music directors who utilized Rafi Sahaab in the Seventies.