A voice so soft and delicate. pregnant with emotions…very melodious…and absolutely flawless – **the voice of Mohd. Rafi**. I am about to present to you 10 songs of the tuneful Rafi Saab, which I consider among my favorites. No, don’t think these are the best of him – this is a collection that is dear to me because of the overall quality of each individual song. In some, Rafi has a co-singer(mostly it is our very own nightingale, Lata Mangeshkar), in some he is the solo artist, in some the lyrics are so fine that the poetry overshadows all else in the song compilation…etc etc. It cannot be disputed that the song as a whole has to stand out in order to be qualified as exceptional music. A harmonious blend is what I’m talking about! Some utterly hummable, some tear jerking, some amorous and passionate, others mischievous and playful. I’ll put forth a concoction, my very own list. Here it comes:
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**Main Zindagi Ka Sath Nibhata Chala Gaya**
Film: Hum Dono(1961)
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
This song is a sad-cum-happy song for me. It is optimistic, encouraging and philosophical on the one hand, and on the other, it is poignant. Leaves me feeling strangely content – I cannot describe it. And yes, it is one of my most favorite songs.
Main zindagi ka sath nibhata chala gaya
Barbaadiyon ka sog manana fizul tha
Barbaadiyon ka jashn manata chala gaya
Jo mil gaya usi ko muqaddar samajh liya
Jo kho gaya, main usko bhulata chala gaya
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**Chaudhvin Ka Chand**
Film: Chaudhvin ka Chand(1960)
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
The song is from the romance genre and is about an indulgent form of love. Vivid description of the beloved’s physical attributes in Rafi’s tender voice makes you truly cherish Waheeda Rehman’s beauty(the song is picturised on her).
Chaudhvin ka chand ho, ya aftaab ho
Jo bhi ho tum khuda ki kasam, lajavaab ho!
Zulfen hain jaise kaadhon pe baadal jhuke hue
Aankhen hain jaise mey ke pyaale bhare hue
Chehra hai jaise jheel mein hansta hua kaval
Ya zindagi ki saaz pe chhedi hui ghazal
Jaan-e bahaar tum kisi shayar ka khwaab ho
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**Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar**
Film: Hum Dono(1961)
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Co-Singer: Asha Bhonsle
’Abhi na jao chhod kar’ is a playful one. It is romantic and has touch of youth. Dev Anand and Sadhana give it the right feel in their naughty, teasing ways. Rafi and Asha Bhonsle render it with perfection. It is not such an easy song to sing, even though it is hummable by one and all.
Abhi na jao chhod kar ki dil abhi bhara nahin
Abhi abhi to aayi ho
Bahaar ban ke chhayi ho
Hawa zara mehak to le
Nazar zara behak to le
Ye shaam dhal to le zara
Ye dil sambhal to le zara
Main thodi der ji to loon, nashe ke ghoont pi to loon
Abhi to kuch kaha nahi, Abhi to kuch suna nahi
Abhi na jao chhod kar ki dil abhi bhara nahin
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**Aaj Ki Raat Mere Dil Ki Salaami le le**
Film: Ram aur Shyam(1967)
Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni
This song is about unrequited love. It’s a sad song…its about parting and heart-break. Rafi, once again, sings with pain in his voice. Touches me!
Aaj ki raat mere dil ki salaami lele
Kal teri bajm se diwani chala jayega
Shamma reh jayegi, parwana chala jayega
Teri mehfil tere jalwe ho mubarak tujh ko
Teri ulfat se nahi aaj bhi inkaar mujhe
Tera mey-khana salamat rahe aye jaane-wafa
Muskurakar tu zara dekh le ek baar mujhe
Fir tere pyar ka mastana chala jayega
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**Chalo Dildar Chalo**
Film: Pakeezah(1971)
Lyrics: Kaif Bhopali
Co-Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
This is a dreamy song with a far-away feel. A melodious, sweet number; Rafi and Mangeshkar create the magical aura so apt for the words.
Chalo dildar chalo
Chand ke paar chalo
Hum hain taiyaar chalo
Chand ke paar chalo
Aao kho jayen sitaron mein kahin
Chhod den aaj ye duniya ye zameen
Chalo dildar chalo, chand ke paar chalo
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**Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukare Chale Gaye**
Film: Kala Pani(1958)
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
The beginning of the song is undoubtedly the best. Rafi hums in a pained, subtle voice and croons to the tune with amazing precision. This, too, is a sad song and has Dev Anand drinking whilst he lip-syncs to Rafi’s voice.
Hum bekhudi mein tumko pukare chale gaye
Sagar mein zindagi ko utare chale gaye
Dekha kiye hum tumhe banke diwana
Utara jo nasha to humne ye jana
Saare woh zindagi ke sahare chale gaye
Tum to na kaho hum khud hi se khele
Doobe nahi humi yoon nashe mein akele
Sheeshe mein aapko bhi utaare chale gaye
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**Teri Bindiya Re**
Film: Abhimaan(1973)
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Co-Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
This is a duet in the soulful voices of Rafi and Mangeshkar. Another romantic number with mellow words and a subtle tone…
Teri bindiya re, re aye haye, teri bindiya re
Sajan bindiya le legi teri nindiya
Re aye haye, teri bindiya re
Tere maathe lage hain yoon, jaise chanda tara
Jiya mein chamke kabhi kabhi to, jaise koi angara
Tere maathe lage hain yoon
Sajan nindiya le legi
Meri bindiya
Re aye haye, tera jhumka re
Chain lene na dega sajan tumka
Re aye haye mera jhumka re
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**Jo Vada Kiya**
Film: Taj Mahal(1963)
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Co-Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
This is an eternal love song from the movie Taj Mahal. It is timeless in every sense. Lata’s voice has an echo-effect to give the song an eerie feel, as is required.
Jo vada kiya who nibhana padega
Roke zamana chahe, roke khudaai tumko aana padega
Ye maana hume jaan se jaana padega
Par ye samajhlo tumne jab bhi pukara
Humko aana padega
Hum apni vafa pen a ilzaam lenge
Tumhe dil diya hai, tumhe jaan bhi denge
Jab ishq ka sauda kiya, phir kya ghabraana
Humko aana padega
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**Kya Se Kya Ho Gaya / Tere Mere Sapne / Din Dhal Jaye Haye**
Film: Guide( 1965)
Lyrics: Shailendra
Co- Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
I have clubbed three songs from the same movie on one spot because I love them all and couldn’t exclude any. Each of them is a classic.
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Kya se kya ho gaya, bewafa tere pyar mein
Chaha kya, kya mila, bewafa tere pyar mein
Chalo suhana bharam to toota
Jana ke husn kya hain
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Tere mere sapne, ab ek rang hain
Jahan bhi le jaye rahe, hum sang hain
Mere tere dil ka, tay tha ek din milna
Jaise bahar aane par, tay hai fool ka khilna
O mere jeewan saathi. .
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Din dhal jaye, haye, raat na jaaye
Tu to na aaye teri yaad sataye
Pyar mein jinke sab jag chhoda, aur huye badnaam
Unke hi haathon haal hua yeh, baithe haindil ko thaam
Apne kabhi the, ab hain paraaye
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*Continued in the comments section*