A series dedicated to the Hindi film duets of Asha Bhosle and Rafi was started last month on Rafi’s death anniversary. Starting with their first duet in 1949, we covered just beyond the mid 50s, that is till 1956.
As I said in the previous post, it is the beginning of a peak of their duets in Hindi films. By the end of the decade of the 50s, their duets were one of the most popular and successful songs of Hindi films. In the last four years of the decade, from 1957 to 1960, they sang around 185+ duets for Hindi films. The years 1958 and 1960 were the busiest with an average of 60 duets in each year.
One of my weaknesses is to shortlist the songs. I can’t act brutally to cut down the number of songs. Still by editing strictly, it boiled down to 20 songs for today’s post. For me it was one of the toughest editing processes. I hardly took note of a few lesser known films and had to completely overlook the unknown films.
Having finalized the list, I realised that 1/3rd songs (7 songs) are by O P Nayyar, followed by S D Burman with 4 songs. If we note the history of playback singing of Hindi cinema in that period, it’s very obvious to see why! It was the beginning of Nayyar’s inclination to Asha Bhosle and due to differences with Lata Mangeshkar, S D Burman was also choosing Asha Bhosle for his films. Though both also had a successful association with Geeta Dutt in the past, she was not easily available owing to her personal problems. A similar scenario was there with C Ramchandra, when Lata Mangeshkar separated from his team.
Anyways, without indulging into a long prologue, let’s hit the list.
The songs are arranged chronologically avoiding any personal bias or adding favourites on the top slots.
So, here we go…
1. Ude Jab Jab Zulfein Teri – Naya Daur (1957) / O P Nayyar – Sahir
It was the film when we note that Asha Bhosle has completely taken over the lead female playback singer place in Nayyar’s team, reducing others female singers to a duet or two. Nayyar’s Punjabi flavour is highlighted in this song with additional clapping sounds to boost the rhythm. Asha Bhosle sings with full energy and expressions, competing neck and neck with Rafi. The captivating rhythm of this foot tapping number is too hard to avoid.
2. Aaye Hain Door Se – Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) / O P Nayyar – Majrooh
Rafi was Nayyar’s top favourite male playback singer, a fact that gets highlighted by his presence in all the songs of the movie. Asha Bhosle sang three duets with Rafi and one solo which was not released on discs. The singers capture the playful mood perfectly in their rendition, aided wonderfully by the tune and captivating rhythm.
3. Aaja Panchhi Akela Hai – Nau Do Gyarah (1957) / S D Burman – Majrooh
It was a surprising revelation to me that Nau Do Gyarah was actually the first film where S D Burman offered duets to Asha Bhosle and Rafi. They had a couple of duets, both picturised on the main lead, played by Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik. They pretended to be a couple and had to spend the night in a single room. This song has a unique situation where the characters are separated from each other, yet can listen to each other’s voices. The song has a mixture of excitement, nervousness and yet it has a touch of blooming romance too. The singers do full justice to it.
4. Dekh Humein Aawaz Na Dena – Amardeep (1958) / C Ramchandra – Rajendra Krishan
It was around the same time that Lata Mangeshkar broke off from C Ramchandra and all together stopped singing for him. It resulted in him choosing Asha Bhosle as his main female playback singer. The film Amardeep was perhaps in the making at the time, so it had a mixed picture. A few solos by Lata Mangeshkar and other songs by Asha Bhosle.
This is one of the most popular songs from the movie, picturised on Dev Anand and Vyjayantimala. The song also has a sad version by the same singers.
5. Achha Jee Main Haari – Kaala Pani (1958) / S D Burman – Majrooh
Asha Bhosle’s association with Burman da continued throughout the late 50. In the film she sang for both Madhubala and Nalini Jaywant. The duet, picturised on Dev Anand and Madhubala, depicts the nok-jhonk between the lovers, Madhubala tries to coax an angry Dev Anand. While the picturisation of the song is good, the facial expressions of the actors and expressions instilled by the singers match so well to make it an excellent audio-visual treat. Asha and Rafi complement each other so well.
6. Dekh Ke Teri Nazar – Howrah Bridge (1958) / O P Nayyar – Qamar Jalalabadi
The film had three duets by Asha Bhosle and Rafi, though none was lip-synched by Ashok Kumar. This duet is lip synched by a gorgeous and beautiful Madhubala, and other dancers whom Rafi sings for. A playful club song that Madhubala at times directly addresses to Ashok Kumar. A typically melodious and rhythmic song.
7. Sambhal Ae Dil – Sadhna (1958) / N Datta – Sahir
The song appears in the film, when Sunil Dutt, unaware of Vyjayantimala’s reality as a courtesan, falls in love with her and shows hos inclination to her. Vyjayantimala, fully aware of the reality, however also falls in love with him. She warns her heart against following unachievable dreams. The song thus portrays two different moods woven together seamlessly. The singers emote very well through their expressions and the joy of Sunil Dutt’s character and the agony of Vyjayantimala’s character aptly reach us. The song, though not very popular, is one of their finest duets.
8. Aana Hai To Chale Aao – Taxi Stand (1958) / Chitragupt – Majrooh
This could be an obscure film, but this melodious romantic duet is not. The playful, energetic and somewhat Nayyar styled orchestration with good rendition by the singers. The film featured Chandrashekar and Anita Guha. One more A grade song from a so called B grade movie.
9. Humsafar Saath Apna Chhod Chale – Akhri Dao (1958) / Madan Mohan – Majrooh
As I said in the beginning, the years 1957 to 1960 were very fruitful to Asha Bhosle. In this period, Madan Mohan also gave her good opportunities. Not that his focus was fully shifted to Asha Bhosle, but her share was on a higher side as compared to the earlier period. For example, the film Akhri Dao (1958) had the majority of the songs by Asha Bhosle. This soulful duet, portraying the despair of separation is also among my favourite duets by Asha Bhosle and Rafi.
10. Zameen Se Humein Aasman Par – Adalat (1958) / Madan Mohan – Rajendra Krishan
Talking about the film Adalat (1958), one tends to remember Lata Mangeshkar’s solos which became extremely popular. But Asha Bhosle also had a couple of duets with Rafi, and one duet each with Lata Mangeshkar (the film version of Ja Ja Ja Re Sajna) and Geeta Dutt. And the majority of them had Asha Bhosle singing for Nargis. This romantic duet depicting the feelings of dedication and devotion, is one of their best duets in my opinion. Asha Bhosle was evolving from a voice of club dancers and supporting characters to the voice of the leading lady of the movie.
11. Main Soya Aankhiyan Miche – Phagun (1958) / O P Nayyar – Qamar Jalalabadi
The Madhubala and Bharat Bhushan starrer movie is still remembered for the melodious songs by Nayyar. Asha Bhosle was a part of all the songs of the movie. Though Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya would be ranked as the most popular song from the movie, this slow paced song without overpowering orchestration and prominent rhythm, is most of the times overlooked. What a delightfully marvelous melody it is!
12. O Kali Topiwale Zara Naam To Bataa – Kali Topi Laal Roomal (1959) / Chitragupt – Majrooh
Though the film would be regarded as a B grade movie, all the songs were wonderful. The underrated composer, Chitragupt, never compromised with the quality of his compositions. This playful romantic number had beautiful harmonica pieces in the interludes. Both the singers maintain the playfulness and naughtiness throughout the song.
13. Chand Sa Mukhda Kyun Sharmaya – Insaan Jaag Utha (1959) / S D Burman – Shailendra
Throughout the late 50s, Asha Bhosle dominated Burman da’s recording room. He chose her as his main female playback singer and consistently offered her songs. This romantic song feels like a feather soft melody. There are so many of their iconic duets in the late 50s. This is among their most popular duets.
14. Yaar Chulbula Hai – Dil Deke Dekho (1959) / Usha Khanna – Majrooh
It was Asha Parekh”s debut film and also Usha Khanna’s first film as a composer. The songs had Nayyar’s influence. The energetic tunes, foot tapping rhythm and orchestration, and choosing Asha Bhosle and Rafi, all proved to be successful. This fast paced song had an infectious rhythm of clapping sounds, which added a charm to it. The naughty expressions in the singer’s renditions sounded so perfect for the mood!
15. Nazaron Ke Teer Maare – Do Ustad (1959) / O P Nayyar – Qamar Jalalabadi
The Raj Kapoor Madhubala starrer movie had good songs, with Rafi singing for Raj Kapoor. This romantic duet is easy on the ears, though the interludes are somewhat stereotypical of Nayyar. A bit repetitive. For me, it’s only the singer’s renditions and Madhubala who make it enjoyable.
16. Deewana Mastana Hua Dil – Bombai Ka Babu (1960) / S D Burman – Majrooh
What should I say about this one! It’s still extremely popular and deserves to be so. Just look at the way Asha Bhosle sings the sargam in a mocking way in the third interlude! Though Rafi enters just before the third verse, his voice is inseparable from the song. And to top it all, what a beautifully filmed song! The mountain ranges, the greenery, the incorporation of the local people in the picturisation, all feels beautiful.
17. Ae Baby Ae Jee – Love In Simla (1960) / Iqbal Qureshi – Rajendra Krishan
The film marked the debut of Sadhana, Joy Mukherjee, and also of the composer Iqbal Qureshi. He composed a good number of songs, with good tunes. He offered the songs to Rafi and Asha Bhosle along with Suman Kalyanpur and Mukesh. This romantic duet portrays playful interaction between the lovers.
18. Chori Chori Ek Ishara – Basant (1960) / O P Nayyar – S H Bihari
The film featured ten duets of Asha Bhosle and Rafi, and Asha Bhosle was a part of all the songs. The song starts with a whistle. Nutan looks gorgeous in a very simple attire. It’s one of my favourites from the movie.
19. Dil Hai Aapka Huzoor – Jali Note (1960) / O P Nayyar – Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Such a cute song! Madhubala is mesmerizing! Just watch her facial expressions and listen also how Asha Bhosle complemented them with her vocal expressions. Though Chand Zard Zard Hai is perhaps the most popular song from the movie, I also like this one. In this movie, Asha Bhosle sang for both Madhubala and Helen.
20. Dekhiye Huzoor Mujhse Reh Ke Door – Tu Nahin Aur Sahi (1960) / Ravi – Asad Bhopali
I’m aware, neither the film nor its songs are particularly popular. But this song, fully inspired by Nayyar’s style of orchestration, is a pleasure to watch and to listen to. The song is picturised on Minoo Mumtaz and Pradeep Kumar. Though I wasn’t much familiar with the song, I liked it instantly on the first listen itself. The liveliness of the singer’s voices and fresh and bright orchestration make it very pleasant.
Would you like to add your favourite Asha-Rafi duet within the timeline?
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.
