Ravi Shankar Sharma and Rafisahab's combination is remembered for generations.

Ravi Shankar Sharma and Mohammad Rafi’s combination is remembered for generations. The lovers of music remembered music director Ravi on his death anniversary on 7th March, 2020. Renowned music director Ravi Shankar Sharma died on 7th March, 2012, at the age of 86 years. His music had remained immortal over the years. From the film Vachan and Albeli in 1955 he started his musical journey. In 1960, Mohammad Rafi’s soft ghazal “chaudavi ka chand” in the film Chaudavi Ka Chand made him a musical star. Guru Dutt’s picturization was as outstanding as the lyrics and the brilliant performance of Rafi Sahab in both the songs “chaudavi ka chand ho” and “mili khak me muhobbat”. Even Rafi Sahab’s songs for Johnny Walker in the film namely “mera yaar bana hai dulha” and “yeh duniya gol hai” caught the attention of the music lovers. From that time it was magic been created whenever Rafi Sahab and Ravi Sahab combined together. In Rajender Kumar’s film Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan in 1959, Rafi Sahab’s song “ajab hai maalik tera jahan” was very impressive. Ravi Sahab used Rafisahab in films of Raj Kapoor also namely Nazrana in 1961. The song “baazi kisi ne pyar ka” stood out among the other hit songs of the same film including “bikhrake zulfen’ sung by Mukeshji and Lataji. In 1961, Rajender Kumar’s Gharana stormed bollywood with the soft music in the songs “husnwale tera jawab nahin”, “jab se tumhe dekha hai” where Rafi’s velvety voice made the audience spellbound. Ravi Sahab and Rafi Sahab created in Rajender Kumar’s other film Pyar Ka Saagar in 1961, where the song “mujhe pyar ki zindagi denewale” made viewers spellbound. In many of the film of Ravi Shankar Sharma, Shakeel Badayani wrote the lyrics. In Shammi Kapoor’s China Town, Ravi’s music for Rafi had loud numbers like “baar baar dekho”. The magic combination did magic in Biswajeet’s film Shehnai. Rafi’s song “na jhatkon zulf se pani”. Although Ravi created majority of songs for Rafi, he composed lots of successful songs for Mahendra Kapoor like “chalo ek baar phir se” in Gumrah, “neele gagan ki tale” in Humraaz, especially in the films of BR Chopra. The sarengi that had been used by Ravi had been excellent. No other composer other than Roshanlal Nagrath had used sarengi, the way Ravi used in the film Kaajal in 1965. Rafi’s songs for Raj Kumar namely “ye zulf agar khulke” and “chulene do nazuk hotonko” had made the audience intoxicated. Rafi Sahab’s song for Raj Kumar Nai Roshni in 1967, “kis tarah jeeten hai yeh log” really enchanted the audience. The 2 other songs composed by Ravi Sahab for Rafi Sahab were impressive “garibon ka jeena hai koi jeena” and “teri ankh jo ishara”. Biswajeet and Ashok Kumar played important roles in the film. All the songs of the film Do Badan in 1966 were smash hits. Rafi and Ravi were unparallel in the songs “bhari duniya me akhir dil”, “raha gardishon me hardam”, “naseeb me jisko jo”, etc., which were picturized on Manoj Kumar. Shakeel Badayani’s lyrics were meaningful and soulful. Even in Joy Mukherjee’s film Door Ki Awaaz, Ravi Rafi combination gave all super hit songs. They included “muqaddar azmana chahta hoon”, “banake mera muqaddar”, “dil mera aaj kho gaya hai kahin”, “husn se chand bhi sharmaya hai”, to name a few. The combination created magic in the films Ankhen, Do Kaliyan and Neel Kamal in 1968. Biswajeet’s song “tumhari nazar kyun khafaa ho gayi”, “yeh samaa yeh rut yeh nazaare” sung by Rafisahab had brilliant romantic andaz. All the songs in the film Neel Kamal were touchy including “tujkho pukare mera pyar”. It became a cult song. Rafi’s song “babul ki duyayen leti ja” had become a cult song during the marriages of daughters in India. It was also a gift of the Rafi and Ravi combination. The magic continued in the film Ek Phool Do Mali. Rafi’s songs “o nanhe se farishte” and “aulad walon” made the viewers and listeners mesmerized. In the 70s, Ravi faded out of the industry and made a comeback with the film Nikaah. Although Mahendra Kapoor and Asha Bhosle made notable contribution in Ravi’s songs, his magic of soft romantic tunes could be given right expression by Mohammad Rafi. The list of Rafi songs for Ravi is so long that it cannot be covered in several articles together. Even then the films and the songs should be restored. Although Ravi did not get the same honour as Shankar Jaikishan, or Naushad Ali or Roshan Lal Nagrath, his contribution in bollywood films cannot be ignored and he is one of the 10 best composers India had produced during the 50s and 60s and his combination with Mohammad Rafi had been unique.

Ravi Shankar Sharmaji's combination with Rafisahab is remembered for generations.

Ravi Shankar Sharmaji and Mohammad Rafisahab’s combination is remembered for generations. Renowned music director Ravi Shankar Sharmaji died on 7th March, 2012, at the age of 86 years. His music had remained immortal over the years. From the film Vachan and Albeli in 1955 he started his musical journey. In 1960, Mohammad Rafisahab’s soft ghazal “chaudavi ka chand” in the film Chaudavi Ka Chand made him a musical star. Guru Dutt’s picturization was as outstanding as the lyrics and the brilliant performance of Rafi Sahab in both the songs “chaudavi ka chand ho” and “mili khak me muhobbat”. Even Rafi Sahab’s songs for Johnny Walker in the film namely “mera yaar bana hai dulha” and “yeh duniya gol hai” caught the attention of the music lovers. From that time it was magic been created whenever Rafi Sahab and Ravi Sahab combined together. In Rajender Kumar’s film Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan in 1959, Rafi Sahab’s song “ajab hai maalik tera jahan” was very impressive. Ravi Sahab used Rafisahab in films of Raj Kapoor also namely Nazrana in 1961. The song “baazi kisi ne pyar ka” stood out among the other hit songs of the same film including “bikhrake zulfen’ sung by Mukeshji and Lataji. In 1961, Rajender Kumar’s Gharana stormed bollywood with the soft music in the songs “husnwale tera jawab nahin”, “jab se tumhe dekha hai” where Rafi’s velvety voice made the audience spellbound. Ravi Sahab and Rafi Sahab created in Rajender Kumar’s other film Pyar Ka Saagar in 1961, where the song “mujhe pyar ki zindagi denewale” made viewers spellbound. In many of the film of Ravi Shankar Sharma, Shakeel Badayani wrote the lyrics. In Shammi Kapoor’s China Town, Ravi’s music for Rafi had loud numbers like “baar baar dekho”. The magic combination did magic in Biswajeet’s film Shehnai. Rafi’s song “na jhatkon zulf se pani”. In Sunil Dutt’s film Nartakee in 1963, Rafisahab’s song “zindagi ke safar me akele the hum” created hypnotizing effect. Although Ravi created majority of songs for Rafi, he composed lots of successful songs for Mahendra Kapoor like “chalo ek baar phir se” in Gumrah, “neele gagan ki tale” in Humraaz, especially in the films of BR Chopra. The sarengi that had been used by Ravi had been excellent. No other composer other than Roshanlal Nagrath had used sarengi, the way Ravi used in the film Kaajal in 1965. Rafi’s songs for Raj Kumar namely “ye zulf agar khulke” and “chulene do nazuk hotonko” had made the audience intoxicated. Rafi Sahab’s song for Raj Kumar Nai Roshni in 1967, “kis tarah jeeten hai yeh log” really enchanted the audience. The 2 other songs composed by Ravi Sahab for Rafi Sahab were impressive “garibon ka jeena hai koi jeena” and “teri ankh jo ishara”. Biswajeet and Ashok Kumar played important roles in the film. All the songs of the film Do Badan in 1966 were smash hits. Rafi and Ravi were unparallel in the songs “bhari duniya me akhir dil”, “raha gardishon me hardam”, “naseeb me jisko jo”, etc., which were picturized on Manoj Kumar. Shakeel Badayani’s lyrics were meaningful and soulful. Even in Joy Mukherjee’s film Door Ki Awaaz, Ravi Rafi combination gave all super hit songs. They included “muqaddar azmana chahta hoon”, “banake mera muqaddar”, “dil mera aaj kho gaya hai kahin”, “husn se chand bhi sharmaya hai”, to name a few. The combination created magic in the films Ankhen, Do Kaliyan and Neel Kamal in 1968. Biswajeet’s song “tumhari nazar kyun khafaa ho gayi”, “yeh samaa yeh rut yeh nazaare” sung by Rafisahab had brilliant romantic andaz. All the songs in the film Neel Kamal were touchy including “tujkho pukare mera pyar”. It became a cult song. Rafi’s song “babul ki duyayen leti ja” had become a cult song during the marriages of daughters in India. It was also a gift of the Rafi and Ravi combination. The magic continued in the film Ek Phool Do Mali. Rafi’s songs “o nanhe se farishte” and “aulad walon” made the viewers and listeners mesmerized. In the 70s, Ravi faded out of the industry and made a comeback with the film Nikaah. Although Mahendra Kapoor and Asha Bhosle made notable contribution in Ravi’s songs, his magic of soft romantic tunes could be given right expression by Mohammad Rafi. The list of Rafi songs for Ravi is so long that it cannot be covered in several articles together. Even then the films and the songs should be restored. Although Ravi did not get the same honour as Shankar Jaikishan, or Naushad Ali or Roshan Lal Nagrath, his contribution in bollywood films cannot be ignored and he is one of the 10 best composers India had produced during the 50s and 60s and his combination with Mohammad Rafi had been unique.

Ravi Shankar Sharma and Mohammad Rafi's combination is remembered for generations.

Ravi Shankar Sharma and Mohammad Rafi’s combination is remembered for generations. Renowned music director Ravi Shankar Sharma died on 7th March, 2012, at the age of 86 years. His music had remained immortal over the years. From the film Vachan and Albeli in 1955 he started his musical journey. In 1960, Mohammad Rafi’s soft ghazal “chaudavi ka chand” in the film Chaudavi Ka Chand made him a musical star. Guru Dutt’s picturization was as outstanding as the lyrics and the brilliant performance of Rafi Sahab in both the songs “chaudavi ka chand ho” and “mili khak me muhobbat”. Even Rafi Sahab’s songs for Johnny Walker in the film namely “mera yaar bana hai dulha” and “yeh duniya gol hai” caught the attention of the music lovers. From that time it was magic been created whenever Rafi Sahab and Ravi Sahab combined together. In Rajender Kumar’s film Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan in 1959, Rafi Sahab’s song “ajab hai maalik tera jahan” was very impressive. Ravi Sahab used Rafisahab in films of Raj Kapoor also namely Nazrana in 1961. The song “baazi kisi ne pyar ka” stood out among the other hit songs of the same film including “bikhrake zulfen’ sung by Mukeshji and Lataji. In 1961, Rajender Kumar’s Gharana stormed bollywood with the soft music in the songs “husnwale tera jawab nahin”, “jab se tumhe dekha hai” where Rafi’s velvety voice made the audience spellbound. Ravi Sahab and Rafi Sahab created in Rajender Kumar’s other film Pyar Ka Saagar in 1961, where the song “mujhe pyar ki zindagi denewale” made viewers spellbound. In many of the film of Ravi Shankar Sharma, Shakeel Badayani wrote the lyrics. In Shammi Kapoor’s China Town, Ravi’s music for Rafi had loud numbers like “baar baar dekho”. The magic combination did magic in Biswajeet’s film Shehnai. Rafi’s song “na jhatkon zulf se pani”. In Sunil Dutt’s film Nartakee in 1963, Rafisahab’s song “zindagi ke safar me akele the hum” created hypnotizing effect. Although Ravi created majority of songs for Rafi, he composed lots of successful songs for Mahendra Kapoor like “chalo ek baar phir se” in Gumrah, “neele gagan ki tale” in Humraaz, especially in the films of BR Chopra. The sarengi that had been used by Ravi had been excellent. No other composer other than Roshanlal Nagrath had used sarengi, the way Ravi used in the film Kaajal in 1965. Rafi’s songs for Raj Kumar namely “ye zulf agar khulke” and “chulene do nazuk hotonko” had made the audience intoxicated. Rafi Sahab’s song for Raj Kumar Nai Roshni in 1967, “kis tarah jeeten hai yeh log” really enchanted the audience. The 2 other songs composed by Ravi Sahab for Rafi Sahab were impressive “garibon ka jeena hai koi jeena” and “teri ankh jo ishara”. Biswajeet and Ashok Kumar played important roles in the film. All the songs of the film Do Badan in 1966 were smash hits. Rafi and Ravi were unparallel in the songs “bhari duniya me akhir dil”, “raha gardishon me hardam”, “naseeb me jisko jo”, etc., which were picturized on Manoj Kumar. Shakeel Badayani’s lyrics were meaningful and soulful. Even in Joy Mukherjee’s film Door Ki Awaaz, Ravi Rafi combination gave all super hit songs. They included “muqaddar azmana chahta hoon”, “banake mera muqaddar”, “dil mera aaj kho gaya hai kahin”, “husn se chand bhi sharmaya hai”, to name a few. The combination created magic in the films Ankhen, Do Kaliyan and Neel Kamal in 1968. Biswajeet’s song “tumhari nazar kyun khafaa ho gayi”, “yeh samaa yeh rut yeh nazaare” sung by Rafisahab had brilliant romantic andaz. All the songs in the film Neel Kamal were touchy including “tujkho pukare mera pyar”. It became a cult song. Rafi’s song “babul ki duyayen leti ja” had become a cult song during the marriages of daughters in India. It was also a gift of the Rafi and Ravi combination. The magic continued in the film Ek Phool Do Mali. Rafi’s songs “o nanhe se farishte” and “aulad walon” made the viewers and listeners mesmerized. In the 70s, Ravi faded out of the industry and made a comeback with the film Nikaah. Although Mahendra Kapoor and Asha Bhosle made notable contribution in Ravi’s songs, his magic of soft romantic tunes could be given right expression by Mohammad Rafi. The list of Rafi songs for Ravi is so long that it cannot be covered in several articles together. Even then the films and the songs should be restored. Although Ravi did not get the same honour as Shankar Jaikishan, or Naushad Ali or Roshan Lal Nagrath, his contribution in bollywood films cannot be ignored and he is one of the 10 best composers India had produced during the 50s and 60s and his combination with Mohammad Rafi had been unique.

Sunil Dutt and Raj Kumar were sublime in the film Humraaz.

Director BR Chopra directed many multi-starrer films and all of them did great business. Humraaz was one of the blockbusters released in 1967. In the film Vimi, the daughter of military officer Manmohan Krishan loved Raj Kumar and secretly married him. But Raj Kumar was send to the warfront and she came to know that he was no more. She gave birth to a daughter which was kept a secret by Manmohan Krishan. After 4 years of marriage, when Manmohan Krishan was in his last days the secret was disclosed. It was also mentioned that Vimi’s daughter Sarika was studying in a Boarding School, and the details relating to that was given to Vimi. Sunil Dutt, discovered that Vimi secretly went to a hotel to meet Raj Kumar, her earlier husband, and to find the truth took the disguise of a bearded man and stayed in a hotel to discover the matter. On one of the days Vimi was killed. Then Balraj Sahani had investigated into the matter. Raj Kumar and Sunil Dutt came to Ooty to take Sarika when they came to know that Madan Puri had taken her to that place. Madan Puri extracted money from his father-in-law and gave Sarika falsely mentioning that she was his granddaughter. Sarika after the killing of Vimi became dumb. At the end when the death scene of Vimi was shown by Iftekar and Mumtaz, which was recorded in a camera, everyone came to know Madan Puri killed Vimi. In a tassle to rescue Sarika, Raj Kumar was killed. The performances of Raj Kumar, Balraj Sahani, Sunil Dutt were excellent. The beautiful locations of Darjeeling and other places mesmerized the audience. BR Chopra utilized the best composition of music director Ravi Shankar Sharma. The songs of Mahendra Kapoor, “neele gagan ke tale”, “kisi patthar ki moorat se”, “na muh chupake jiyo”. Mahendra Kapoor also won filmfare award for his brilliant singing in the film Humraaz. BR Chopra did a great job as a producer and director. The film ended up being the 4th biggest blockbuster of 1967 after Upkar, Ram Aur Shyam and Farz. The film should be restored and preserved.

Ravi and Rafi

Ravi’s memorable combination with Rafi.

Ravi, better known as Ravi Shankar Sharma, emerged in the film arena in the 1950s when success of most of the movies were dependant on strong story base and everlasting music composed for those films. Even more significantly the composers like Shankar Jaikishan, Roshan, Naushad, Madanmohan and lyricists like Shakeel Badayani, Shailendra, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Hasrat Jaipuri, never compromised with the producers in respect of compositions. Further Directors like Bimal Roy, Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, had tried to built in realistic approach in respect of picturisation of song sequences.

It was difficult for any new composer to create his identity in that scenario. Ravi began his journey by composing music in the film Wachan in 1955, but got acclamation of music lovers with his landmark composition in the film Chaudavi ka Chand in 1960. Mohammad Rafi, the man with the golden voice, had galvanized the destiny of many composers, lyricists and instrumentalists. The Title song “Chaudavi ka Chand ho, ya aftab ho, job bhi ho tum khuda ki kasam, lajawab ho,” picturised on Guru Dutt became the greatest hit in a year when Roshan had composed “Zindagi bhar Nahi Bhulenge woh barsaat ki raat” in the film Barsaat ki Raat, 1960, and Naushad had composed “Do sitaron ka zami par hai Milan aaj ki raat”, Kohinoor, 1960. Only the song in the film had a coloured picturisation. It was a challenge of Mohammad Rafi excelling himself in one song or the other.

In the next year, Ravi had been successful to create his identity with the film Gharana, 1961.[1] Most of the songs were picturised on Rajender Kumar, prominent among them being “yeh jhuki jhuki naina”. The best song was “Husnwale tera jawab nahi”. Ravi concentrated on the sweetness of melody, and the softness of his use of instruments had created an intoxicating appeal for the listeners. Rafi was probably at the peak of his career, and the sweetness of his voice added colour in the black and white classic.

The combination of Ravi and Rafi continued in the films that followed after that period of time. In films like China Town, 1962, Ravi produced the rock and roll andaz of Shammi Kapoor in the song Baar Baar Dekho. Even better songs were composed in Guru Dutt’s film Bharosa, 1963, with songs like “aaj ki mulakat bus itni,” where all the songs were sung by Mohammad Rafi. Ravi also composed songs for Mukesh in the film Nazrana, 1961, directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, as it was picturised on Raj Kapoor, as his voice suited him the most.

The following films in that period include Ravi’s compositions with tunes relating hills of India, where some of the songs of Rafi like “yeh wadiyan yeh nazare” becoming big hits. There were successful compositions for Mahendra Kapoor also in the films Gumrah, 1963, Waqt, 1965, Humraaz, 1967. But some of Ravi’s best Ghazals were composed in the film Kaajal, 1965 where Rafi’s song “Chulene do nazuk hoto ko” and “yeh zulf agar khulke bikhar jaye to accha ho” picturised on Raj Kumar was outstanding by every musical standard. The use of Sarengi in those songs were simply brilliant. Other than Roshan, no other composer had used Sarengi the way it was used in the film Kaajal.

Ravi composed very impressive songs in the film Shehnai, 1964, picturised on Biswajeet where most of the songs were sung by Rafi. Songs like “na jhatko zulfse pani” were big hits. Also the songs in Biswajeet’s film Do Kaliyan, 1968, like “yeh sama yeh rut yeh nazare”, “tumhari nazar kyon khafa ho gayi”, were successful. Within all types of creations of Ravi, the songs with tragic notes identify his class. The best examples include “Bhari Duniya me akhir dil ko samjhana kahan jaye” written by Shakeel Badayani and picturised on Manoj Kumar in the film Do Badan, 1966, and “Aaja Tujhko pukare mera pyar” written by Sahir Ludhianvi and picturised on Raj Kumar in the film Neel Kamal, 1968. Rafi was brilliant in all these songs where the pathos of the characters were displayed through his voice. Rafi's song in 1968 titled “Babul ki duwayen leti ja” in the film Neel Kamal, received critic's acclamation which was composed by Ravi.

Due to strong dominance of Shankar Jaikishan in the 50s, 60s and early 70s, Ravi did not get the recognition which he deserved as some of his tunes even had similarity with them, specially in films of Raj Kapoor, Rajender Kumar, Raj Kumar and Shammi Kapoor who were identified with SJ tunes. In the 70s Ravi composed music for lesser number of films but again came into limelight with his classic composition of music in the film Nikah, 1982. Ravi’s creations should adorn the archive of Mohammad Rafi to remember their relationship and the soft compositions and hilly tunes composed by the legendary composer.

[1] Ravi won his first filmfare award for composing music in the film Gharana, 1961.


Related Reading

• Immortal Ghazals sung by Mohammad Rafi.
• Awards received by Mohammad Rafi in his illustrious career.
• Mohammad Rafi- the greatest voice of the last century.
• Rahul Dev Burman’s immense respect for Mohammad Rafi.
• Laxmikant Pyarellal’s immortal relationship with Mohamand Rafi.
• OP Nayyar’s immortal relationship with Mohammad Rafi.
• Salil Chowdhury’s relationship with Mohammad Rafi.
• Ravi’s memorable combination with Rafi.
• Roshan's everlasting bond with Mohammad Rafi.
• SD Burman and Mohammad Rafi.
• Rafi’s pleasant memories with Madanmohan.
• Khayyam and Jaidev’s relationship with Mohammad Rafi.
• Kalyanji Anandji’s association with Mohammad Rafi.
• Naushad’s association with Rafi.