It’s been almost a year since I published a post in the yearly review series of Rafi’s Hindi film songs. Today I’m presenting the year 1951.
Image from Internet
The opening year of the 50s saw Rafi singing about 70 songs in 36 films, including 20+ solos and 35+ duets. Among the duets, the maximum number of duets were with Lata Mangeshkar followed by Shamshad Begum in second position, and Asha Bhosle in third position. Among male singers, he sang one duet each with Chitalkar and Master Sonik (from the duo Sonik Omi).
I could find 6 Trios in the year.
If we think particularly of this year, Rafi had relatively few memorable songs in comparison to his contemporary male singers, mainly Mukesh, Talat Mahmood. It was the year when Rafi became the main playback singer for Naushad. In the 40s, Naushad seemed to have experimented with Mukesh, Rafi and Talat Mahmood to finally settle for Rafi and throughout the 50s and the 60s, Rafi was his choice.
The top three composers in 1951 were
Husnalal Bhagatram (5 films)
C Ramchandra (4 films)
Shankar Jaikishan (3 films)
Today I have chosen 15 songs. The songs are in no particular order.
1. Meri Kahani Bhoolne Wale – Deedar (1951) / Naushad – Shakeel Badayuni
While Naushad chose Mukesh for Dilip Kumar in Mela (1948) and Andaz (1949), it was in Deedar that Rafi sang for him under Naushad’s baton for the first time. A couple of his solos from this movie are still very popular and it was very obvious for me to choose one of those. As one of the songs was a part of ‘Street singers’ post, I added the other one. And, both these solos were among Rafi’s best songs for the year.
2. Lelo Lelo Do Phool Jani – Jadoo (1951) with Shamshad Begum & Zohrabai Ambalewali / Naushad – Shakeel Badayuni
A jazzy delightful stage performance with a cowboy and two flower vendor girls. Shamshaad sings for Nalini Jaywant, while Zohrabai for the other dancer, Sharda. Rafi enters late for the cowboy, Krishna Kumar, the popular choreographer of the 50s. The song is quite catchy and I loved it. Naushad tried western based compositions for the movie, Jadoo. The movie actually belonged to Lata Mangeshkar and Shamshad Begum, Rafi had just a couple of songs to his credit.
3. Dil Deke Dil Liya Hai – Stage (1951) with Lata Mangeshkar / Husnalal Bhagatram – Sarshar Sailani
What a cute conversation between the lovers! The initial faux anger of the lady melts soon and both the lovers enjoy each other’s company. It’s one of my favourite duets by Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar.
4. Duniya Ek Kahani Re Bhaiya – Afsana (1951) / Husnalal Bhagatram – Saraswati Kumar Deepak
The tune of the song reminded me of ‘Suno Jee Yeh Calcutta Hai’ from Howrah Bridge. A well written philosophical song from the movie. Lata Mangeshkar was the actual star singer of the movie with five wonderful solos to her credit. Rafi got a couple of songs including this solo. His other song was a duet with Shamshad Begum, a stage performance picturised on Jeevan and Cuckoo.
5. Main Keh Doon Tumko Chor – Sanam (1951) with Suraiya / Husnalal Bhagatram – Qamar Jalalabadi
Rafi got to sing just a couple of duets with Suraiya in this movie, which otherwise was full of solos by Suraiya. This cute chhed-chhad song is a delight to watch and listen to. Suraiya and young Dev Anand look great together and their on-screen chemistry is cute too.
6. Udhar Se Tum Chale – Sagaai (1951) with Lata Mangeshkar / C Ramchandra – Rajendra Krishan
A romantic duet picturised on Rehana and Premnath. The song also had another short duet version by the same singers. The song had a typical touch of C Ramchandra. Rafi had a few songs in the movie including a couple of trios.
7. Mehfil Mein Meri Kaun Yeh – Albela (1951) with Lata Mangeshkar / C Ramchandra – Rajendra Krishan
Amidst the solos and duets by Lata Mangeshkar and Chitalkar, it was Rafi’s only contribution to the film. Nevertheless it’s as popular as the other songs from the film. The song was a dream sequence if I remember correctly. Picturised on Geeta Bali and Bhagwan, the song certainly catches attention by its Arabian tune. The song was the inspiration for the name of the blog and I took the opportunity to acknowledge the fact.
8. Duniyawalo Hosh Sambhalo – Ustad Pedro (1951) with Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus / C Ramchandra – Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Quite fun to listen to this one! Dr Baro (I guess the name was to rhyme with the word Maro) announces an epidemic of love in the town and asks patients to be careful. However he himself falls prey to a beautiful lady, compelling his patients to ask for an injection for himself. Would you believe it was penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan?
9. Kali Ghata Ghir Aayi Re – Kali Ghata (1951) with Lata Mangeshkar / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
Shankar Jaikishan was just to open their innings with RK in Barsaat (1949). After a gap of a year, they were back with films beyond the RK banner. This beautiful, romantic duet was Rafi’s only song for the movie. Picturised on Bina Rai and Kishor Sahu, the boat song is a delight to listen to.
Rafi also had a couple of films with Shankar Jaikishan. Awara and Nagina. Awara of course had Mukesh singing for Raj Kapoor, while Rafi got songs for other characters. In Nagina, he had a couple of duets both picturised on Gope and Mohana. Let’s listen to a song from Awara.
10. Naiya Teri Mazdhar – Awara (1951) with Chorus / Shankar Jaikishan – Shailendra
Rafi sang for both Premnath (who was in a cameo) and the man from the boatmen team. The song actually portrays the intense emotional drama going on in the life of the characters played by Prithviraj Kapoor and Leela Chitnis.
11. Magar Ae Haseena e Bekhabar – Dholak (1951) with Sulochana kadam / Shyamsundar – Aziz Kashmiri
What a dreamily romantic duet it is! Such a beautiful rendition by both the singers. Equally good are the lyrics and the tune which enhance the aura.
Dholak was a film by Shorey films, with Meena Shorey and Ajit in lead roles. Rafi sang a number of duets for the movie, with Sulochana Kadam, Lata Mangeshkar and Uma Devi.
12. Yaad Aane Lagi – Daaman (1951) with Lata Mangeshkar / K Datta – Ehsan Rizvi
One of their best duets for me. Though it portrays the longing of lovers, it’s quite appealing. I mean such songs may at times be slow paced and extremely melancholic.
13. Us Paar Is Deewar Ke – Saiyan (1951) / Sajjad – D N Madhok
Rafi’s only song for the movie, actually the only song in male singer’s voice in the movie. In contrst to the other songs portraying intense emotions, this one bring a breeze of relief being a light hearted one. It’s picturised on Sajjan who was a surprise package for me when I watched the movie.
14. Preet Jatake Meet Banake – Hulchul (1951) with Lata Mangeshkar / Mohammad Shafi – Khumar Barabankavi
Rafi sang three beautiful duets with Lata Mangeshkar for this movie and all are real gems. All were composed by Mohammad Shafi who took over the movie after Sajjad left it. It’s the only cheerful song picturised on the main lead.
15. Aansoo Thi Meri Zindagi – Bhikhre Moti (1951) with Amirbai Karnataki / Ghulam Mohammad – Akhtar Ul Iman
A song with pathos. The couple making allegations against each other. Perhaps a misunderstanding between the two was shown in the film. Amirbai has sung a number of duets with Rafi, though most of the songs are not popular. For me, this is one of their best known duets.
Here I end the list. If you want to add your favourite by Rafi from the year, please add it in your comments.
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.
