When Manna Deysahab faced Rafisahab in duets they ended up as masterpieces

Manna Dey and Mohammad Rafi’s duet songs were masterpieces.

Only genius singers have the capability of simplifying difficult ragas and Hindustani classical music simplified into the version which is understandable by the common mass. Both Manna Dey Sahab and Mohammad Rafi Sahab had the capability of making those complicated tunes simple, melodious and romantic. There were huge numbers of difficult songs composed for both of them in the 1950s and 1960s. Some of them had become immortal over the years. The greatness of Manna Dey and Rafisahab lies in simplifying these high voltage qawallis and classical songs in the language of the lay man. Every filmlover who had watched the films and heard the classical andaz in these songs in the beginning wondered about the brilliance of Manna Dey and Rafisahab, and then enjoyed them, clapped at the rhythm created by them and sang all the lines themselves. It was a revolution brought about by the 2 genius singers. It can be very well understood, had these singers not being born, the giant of giants Roshanlal Nagrath, Shankar Jaikishan, Naushad Ali, Madanmohan Kohli and others would not have composed the songs at all. Roshanlal Nagrath’s qawallies had the quality and the brilliance to overshadow the romantic songs and be the striking song of the film beating all other songs. In Barsaat Ki Raat, the qawalli sung by Manna Deyji and Rafisahab titled “Na to caarvaan ki talaash hai, na to humsafar ki talaash hai Mere shauq-e-khaana kharaab ko, teri rehguzar ki talaash hai”, was the lifeblood of the film. Sudha Malhotra and Asha Bhosle also made notable contribution in the song. The Roshan, Sahir Ludhiyanvi magic continued in the film Taj Mahal. Pradip Kumar played the role of emperor Shahjahan in the film. Rich urdu lyrics and khandani Hindustani classical songs mesmerized the audience in 1963. One of the brilliant qawallies titled “chandni ka badan, sone ka nazar” had classical contest of Rafisahab with Manna Dey. Again there was strong performances of Mahendra Kapoor and Asha Bhosle in the song. The Roshanlal Nagrath, Sahir Ludhiyanvi masterpiece continued in Bahu Begum in 1967. Again there were brilliant performances of Pradip Kumar and Meena Kumari. Rafi Sahab and Manna Dey complimented each other in the song “dhoond ke layun kahan se mai”. In that song in addition to the classical tans, both Rafisahab and Manna Dey Sahab, established the sufi andaz of the song as it was picturized in a dargah. The other duet song of Rafi Sahab and Manna Dey Sahab in the film titled “waqib hunk hub ishq ke” really made the musical bandits astonished. Perfection was very close to Manna Dey and Rafisahab’s uncomparable singing. Madanmohan Kohli did another good experiment in the film Haqeekat. In that film in 1964, Rafi Sahab, Manna Deyji, Bhupinderji and Talat Sahab had sung the song “hoke majboor usne bulaya hoga”. Everyone’s style was very different. Very significantly the pathos exhibited in the song was also very unique in respect of all the singers. Shankar Jaikishan composed a beautiful song “mehfil me shama chamki” in the film Gunahon Ka Devta in 1967. Here also Manna Dey and Rafisahab showed their own gayaki skills to make the song sound beautiful. Naushad Ali created a beautiful qawalli in Rajender Kumar’s film Palki in 1967 titled “mai idhar jayun yaah udhar jayun”. Rafisahab and Manna Dey reached the message of the lyricist to the audience through their excellent classical singing. In the film Chandi Sona in 1977, Rafisahab and Manna Dey sang the song “ek shokh haseena se”. The singing was notable again. Sonik Omi composed the song “mujhse nazren milaaneki” for Manna Dey and Rafi Sahab in the film Maan Gaye Ustad released in 1981. There were duet songs sung by Rafisahab and Manna Dey in light mood like “yeh do diwane milke” in Johar Mehmood in Hongkong, “dekho dekho madam” in Pyar Muhabbat, “aayo aaten kyun nahin”, but those had comedy andaz in respect of them. The list just goes. More than 100 articles can be devoted to the two giants Manna Dey and Rafisahab. Their songs and films require restoration.

Rafisahab topped Binaca Geetmala 8 times

In 1966, Rafisahab song "baharon phool barsao" from film Suraj topped Binaca Geetmala. Shankar Jaikishanji composed the song and Hasrat Jaipuriji wrote the lyrics. Rajender Kumarji and Vyjayantimalaji gave lips. In 1980, Rafisahab song "dafliwale dafli baja" from film Sargam topped Binaca Geetmala. Laxmikant Pyarellalji composed the song and Anand Bakshiji wrote the lyrics. Rishi Kapoorsahab and Jaya Pradaji gave lips and Lataji sang the song with Rafisahab. So till 1980, Rafisahab song topped Binaca Geetmala 8 times. The Male and female version songs of Rafisahab with Lataji and other singers were masterpieces. By: Dr Souvik Chatterji During the 1950s and 1960s there were many landmark male and female version songs created by composers and poets. The version songs of Rafisahab were masterpieces. Shankar Jaikishanji used Rafisahab in the song “ehsan tera hoga mujhpar” for Shammi Kapoorji in film Junglee in 1961. The same song had Lataji effect for Saira Banuji in the film. Roshanji used Rafisahab in the version song in film Barsaat Ki Raat, where the title song composed by Bharat Bhushanji became blockbuster hit. Lataji sang the version song for Madhubalaji in the film. Naushadji used Rafisahb in Rajender Kumarji song “mere mehboob tujhe meri muhabbat ka kasam” in film Mere Mehboob in 1963. Lataji sang the version song for Sadhnaji in the film. Shankar Jaikishanji used Rafisahab for Dharmenderji version of song “gar tum bhula na doge” where Lataji sang the Sharmilaji version. Rafisahab sang Pradip Kumarji song “dil jo na keh saka” composed by Roshanji in film Bheegi Raat in 1965. Meena Kumariji version was sung by Lataji in the film. In film Mamta in 1966, Suchitra Senji song “rahe na rahe hum” was sung by Lataji. The same song in a different version for Ashok Kumarji was sung by Rafisahab and Suman Kalyanpurji. In Shammi Kapoorji film Pagla Kahin Ka, Rafisahab song “tum mujhe bhula na payoge” was very brilliant where Lataji sang the Asha Parekhji version. In Balraj Sahaniji film Bhabhi, Rafisahab song “chal ur ja re pachi” was created was theme song in film Bhabhi composed by Chitraguptji in 1958. Talatji also sang the same song recorded for Bhabhi. In Joy Mukherjeeji film Love in Tokyo, in 1966, Shankar Jaikishanji composed “o mere shahe khuba” sung by Rafisahab. Lataji sang the version song for Asha Parekhji. In Sunil Duttji film Chirag, Rafisahab sang the song “teri ankhon ke siwa” composed by Madanmohansahab. Lataji sang the version song for Asha Parekhji. In Guru Duttji film Aar Paar, in 1954, Rafisahab sang duet song “sun sun sun sun zalima” composed by OP Nayyarji. Geeta Duttji sang the version song for Shyamaji in the same film. The list goes on. The songs really matched the sequences in the films and the composers also utilized the brilliance of Rafisahab and other singers very well.

Versatile Asha Bhosleji demise ended a marathon history of versatile singing

Versatile legendary singer Asha Bhosle died on 12th April 2026. After a huge history of legendary singing done from 1940s till date she ended the marathon music innings. From Ravi Shankar Sharmaji, OP Nayyarsahab, Shankar Jaikishanji, RD Burmansahab, Bappi Lahiriji and many composers used her versatile voice quality. Happy birthday to Asha Bhosle. The viewers of bollywood films and listeners of music all across the country wish happy birthday to Asha Bhosle on 8th September, 2025. She had remained a legend of legends in the field of music. She came to limelight in the 70s and 80s and ended up being the most successful female playback singer after Lata Mangeshkar. In the 50s, Asha Bhosle had to face the competition from other singers dominating the bollywood playback industry like Lata Mangeshkar, Shamshad Begum, Noorjahan, Suraiya, Geeta Dutt, Suman Kalyanpur, Sudha Malhotra and many other singers. Asha’s successful songs in the 50s include “mur murke na dekh” composed by Shankar Jaikishan in the film Shree 420, “aiye meherban” composed by OP Nayyar in the film Howrah Bridge, “accha ji mai hari” composed by SD Burman in the film Kala Pani, to name a few. In the 60s, OP Nayyar backed Asha Bhosle, and her duets with Rafi in films like Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon released in 1963, Ek Musafir Ek Haseena released in 1962, Mere Sanam released in 1965, Kashmir Ki Kali in 1964, are considered milestones in Indian film music. Her famous duets with Rafi include “naznee bara rangeen hai wada”, “mai pyar ka rahi hoon”, “isharon isharon”, “diwana hua badal”, “bahut shukriya”, “zulf ki chayon me chehere ka ujala lekar”, etc. Few other composers only reposed their confidence on Asha like Khayyam who made her sing memorable songs in Raj Kapoor’s film Phir Subah Hogi, released in 1958. Ravi had given songs to Asha Bhosle in films like Waqt, Humraaz, Gumraah, etc. Some of her notable songs in those films include “in baharon me in fizayon me”, “wo subah kabhi to ayegi”, etc. Roshanlal Nagrath’s famous qawalli “na to karwaki talaash hai” in Barsaat Ki Raat in 1960 featured Mohammad Rafi, Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle and Sudha Malhotra. Shankar Jaikishan used Asha Bhosle in Rajender Kumar Vaijayantimala starrer Suraj, notably in the song “kaise samjhayun” which was a classical duet song between Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle. The list can go on. In the 70s Asha Bhosle married RD Burman and it changed the career of the premier singer. Her westernized style of singing was used by RD to give her super hit songs like “piya tu ab tu aja” in the film Karwan, “dum maro dum” in the film Hare Rama Hare Krishna, “chura liya” in the film Yaadon Ki Baraat, etc. She sang in almost all the films where RD Burman composed music. Asha Bhosle had sung landmark qawallies opposite Mohd. Rafi like “hum kisi se kum nahi”, in the film Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahi, “pal do pal ka” in the film Burning Train, etc. In the 80s, Asha Bhosle crossed new milestones by showing her skills in singing mujras in the film Umrao Jaan, composed by Khayyam. All the songs in the film including “dil cheez kya hai”, “justju”, etc., were appreciated by the critics. Her song “mera kuch saman” in Gulzar’s film Ijazat showed the versatile class of singing of Asha Bhosle. She received filmfare awards a number of times and she balanced the innovative style of singing of Kishore Kumar with her own innovation. It is not possible to cover the accomplishments of legendary singer Asha Bhosle in a single article as she had sung more than 25000 songs in hindi and other languages. Even her songs “amar din katena”, “aro dure cholo jai” in Uttam Kumar’s Bengali film Choddobeshi composed by Sudhin Dasgupta was worth mentioning. After marrying RD Burman, she had sung a number of Bengali songs composed by RD Burman. She had even sung ghazals with Ghulam Ali. In 2012, she had remained one of the judges of Sony TV Indian Idol 6 Program along with the other judges Anu Malik, Sunidhi Chauhan and Salim Merchant. There also she did a great job. The listeners expect Asha Bhosle to continue the great work she had started more than 50 years back.