Two songs from the movie ‘Zindigi’ by Rafi were “Pehle mile thei sapnon mein” and “Hamne jafa na seekhi”. This song was “Hai na bolo bolo” (with children). The movie ‘Andaz’ had a lovely song by Rafi despite Rajesh Khanna starring in it who used to patronise Kishore Kumar. Rafi’s versatility is shown in a fast number “Jaane kahan gai” from the movie ‘Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai’ and in the song “Jaan pehchan ho gai ho gi” from the movie ‘Gumnaam’. This was one of last of black and white cinemascope movies and I love all its songs.Įven in Mukesh’s hey days, Rafi could not be ignored in Raj Kapoor’s movies and he sang “Naiya teri manjhdaar hoshiar” in the famous movie ‘Awara’, “Sawa lakh ki lottery” in the movie ‘Chori Chori’ and “Sadqe heer tujh pei” in ‘Mera Naam Joker’. Nargis bagged National award for best actress. It is later discovered that Varuna has a multiple personality disorder. Then Pratap meets a young man Dilip, who claims to be Varuna’s lover, and states that she is actually his girlfriend Peggy. When he demands an explanation on Varuna’s part, she denies ever doing such things. He later finds out Varuna at midnight in a nightclub, where she sings, dances and gets drunk. He falls in love with her and soon they get married. In this movie, Pratap meets a young woman named Varuna. I have written in my book Melody Makers that in this movie Nargis’s dual role both in a good and negative character role is mesmerizing. Why have I gone into details of this film’s music is because of the lovely rich but simple melodies composed by SJ for this movie. The latter song is picturised on Nargis while in Feroze Khan’s arms in a nightclub. The other songs are “Jeena hamko raas na aaya” by Shailendra and “Dil ki girah khol do” by Shailendra. Nargis played double role, one of a debauch character with her singing Lata’s “Na chairo gham kei afsaney” while singing and drinking in a nightclub.
The song “Phool sa chehra” was penned by Hasrat Jaipuri and sung by Rafi, a ghazal composed in geet/qawwali style picturised on Pardeep Kumar with Nargis getting embarrassed. This movie had “Awara Aei Mere Dil” penned by Shailinder, by Lata in both happy and sad moods, the song “Raat aur din diya jale” by Lata was penned by Hasrat Jaipuri picturised on Nargis followed by Pardeep Kumar in a jungle a haunting number. Then another black and white cinema scope movie ‘Raat Aur Din’ is remembered for Rafi’s songs along with Lata and Mukesh. It has Muhammad Rafi’s melodies like “Aei phoolon ki rani baharon”, “Tera muskurana ghazab” and “Aji hum sei bicher kar”.
I remember having watched the movie ’Arzoo’ while in UK in late sixties with petit Sadhna singing Lata’s marvellous song “Bedardi baalma tujh ko mera mun” in bewitching wilderness backdrop. Muhammad Rafi - full throat, tuneful, versatile singer - Part III, IV