Rafi – Lata Misunderstanding

Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar have perhaps sung the maximum number of duets as compared to any other Singers, which was even admitted by Lata in her SHRADDANJALI. Those days, the MDs used to get the complete Royalty for any record sold. In the mid sixties, these two great Singers had a rift due to which they did not sing together for about three years. Officially it was given that Lata wanted a higher Royalty for the Singers, and thought that with Rafi’s backing, as he was the most popular singer during that period, it could be achieved. But Rafi’s contention was that once the song is recorded and money paid to the Singer, the Singer does not have any further business to claim Royalty. Well, there can be arguments against both the stands, but both stuck to their principled stand. In fact, Lata in her SHRADDANJALI has admitted to this fact, though she appreciated the stand taken by Rafi. I personally thought both were right in their stands, though the perspective with which they viewed the particular issue was different.

The three years hiatus resulted in Lata singing more duets with Mukesh and Mahendra. But the real gainers were Asha Bhonsle and Suman Kalyanpur who got the opportunity to sing maximum duets with Rafi. Of course, Rafi Asha duets were always there thanks to O P Nayyar. In fact, in the Rafi duets during this period, no body felt the absence of Lata.

Rafi and Asha had Kaise Samazhaun and Ho Ek Baar Aata Hai both from SURAJ, Raat Ke Humsafar from AN EVENING IN PARIS, Ae Chaand Zara Chupza and Tanme Agni Manme Chuban both from LAAT SAAB, title song of CHOTISI MULAQAT, Sawan Aaye from DIL DIYA DARD LIYA, Kabhi Tera Daman from NEEND HAMARI KHWAB TUMHARI, Na Yeh Zamin Thi from SAGAAI, Gori Chalona Hans Ki Chaal from BETI BETE, all duet songs of TEESRI MANZIL, Yeh Parda Hatado and the medley of parody songs from EK PHOOL DO MALI, title song of APNA BANAKE DHEKHO, title song of PYAAR MOHABBAT, Jidhar Jo Main Dekhoon, Kisiki Mohabbat Me from KAISE KAHOON, Sadiyon Purani from SHAHNAI, Panchi Re O Panchi from HARE KAANCH KI CHUDIYAN, Hathon Me Haath and Ham Bhi Agar Bache Hote from DOOR KI AWAAZ, Tum Ishq Ki Mehafil Ho and Pyaar Ki Raah Bahar Ki Manzil both from SAANZ AUR AWAAZ, title song of SAANZ AUR SAVERA, Neel Gagan Par Udate Badal and Aa Daance Kare from KHAANDAN, Dilruba Dilse Tum from RAAJ KUMAR, Dekho Abto from JAANWAR, Bhari Mehafil Me Cheda qawali from PALKI, Ek Chameli Ke Manve Tale in CHA CHA CHA, Dayya Re Dayya from LEADER, Aapko Pyaar Chupane Ki Buri Aadat Hai and Tere Paas Aake Mera Waqt Guzar Jaata Hai from NEELA AKASH, In Baharon Me Akele Na Phiro from MAMTA. PYAAR KA SAGAR had Rafi-Asha duet Muzhe Pyaar Ki Zindagi Denewale, BAHU BEGUM had a duet of Asha – Rafi “Hum Intezar Karenge”. Well, the list is endless.

But personally I feel Suman Kalyanpur was the maximum beneficiary and could give plenty of hits with Rafi during this period. Suman, though was a good Singer, was always in the shadow of Lata. Here was her chance and she grabbed with both hands. The Rafi Suman duets included Baad Muddat from JAHANARA, Tuzhe Dekha from CHOTTISI MULAQAT, Na Na Karte from JAB JAB PHOOL KHILE, Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche from BRAHMACHARI, Itna Hai Tumse Pyaar Muzhe from SURAJ, Tumse O Hasina from FARZ, Tuzhe Pyaar Karte Hain and Kehdo Kehdo Jahan Se Kehdo both from APRIL FOOL, title song and Meri Zindagi Tere Pyaar Me from JEE CHAHTA HAI, Aise To Na Dekho from BHEEGI RAAT, title song of DILNE PHIR YAAD KIYA, Maine Ae Zaane Wafa Tumse from BEDAAG, Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye from RAAJKUMAR, Aja Huna Aaye Balama from SAANZ AUR SAVERA, title song of DIL EK MANDIR, Phir Aane Laga Yaad Wahi Pyaar Ka Alam, Oye Tu Raat Khadi Thi in HIMALAY KI GOD ME, Raat Suhani Jaag Rahi Hai from JIGRI DOST, etc. Perhaps some of the songs in the above lists might have been recorded before or after the rift, but majority of the above songs during the period were due to the Rafi Lata rift.

Even Sharada got a chance to sing with Rafi though only in SJ movies like Jaane Chaman in GUMNAAM, Shamshaad Begum in Muzhko Apne Gale Lagalo in HUMRAAHI and Aarti Mukherjee in DO DIL Kara Mora Kazara Churaya Toone.