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4. Kahin deep jale kahin dil (Bees Saal Baad, 1962) music by Hemant Kumar)

http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Kahin%20Deep%20Jale.mp3

Prior
to this song, Lataji had fallen seriously ill. Doctors had predicted
that she'd never be able to sing again. Being a born fighter, the
Nightingale swore to bounce back. Her first recording after her illness
was this high-pitched number of haunting Dimensions. Lataji was nervous
and apprehensive. “Fortunately the recording went off very well. Hemant
Kumar was of a very quiet temperament. He knew exactly what to compose
for me.” Interestingly Hemant Kumar recorded Lataji's voice during the
rehearsal and okayed it as the final take, the Nightingale says she's
glad she made a comeback after her illness with an intricate song like
Kahin deep jale. She had a point to prove to her detractors who were
waiting for her downfalls and she proved it. The song won her another
Filmfare award.

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3. Aaja re pardesi (Madhumati, 1957) music by Salil Chowdhury)

http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Aaja%20Re%20Pardesi.mp3

Salil
Chowdhury is one of her absolute favourite composers. “I love all the
songs of Madhumati,” the Nightingale confesses excitedly, and
blushingly remembers how happy everyone was on the day Aaja re pardesi
was recorded. “Lyricist Shailendra gave me flowers. The director Bimal
Roy came forward to congratulate me. The song was beautiful and it was
such a big hit too.” The song won Lataji her first Filmfare award.

Some of these song will be featured in “LATA MANGESHKAR ACCOMPANIES US DOWN MEMORY LANE: VOLUME 2”

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2. Pyar kiya to darna kya (Mughal-e-Azam, 1960; music by Naushad)

http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/PYAR%20K…0TO%20DARNA%20KYA.rm

The
image of Madhubala dancing in a thousand images reflected on the walls
of the “Sheesh Mahal” set is as alive today as it was in the 60s. The
lyric by Shakeel Badayuni has acquired the hue of an emblem
accentuating rebellious love. It was composed by Naushad who suggested
the key line Pyar kiya koi chori nahi ki to Badayuni. The line became
the highlight of the song. Naushad feels Lataji gave her best to
Mughal-e-Azam.
Listen to Lataji sing Pyar kiya to darna kya and
you'll know why the composing genius Sajjad Hussain once exclaimed,
“Lata sings, the others weep before the microphone.”

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1.Aayega aanewala (Mahal, 1949) music by Khemchand Prakash)

http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Aayega%20Ane%20Wala.mp3

This was the song that defined the beginning of the Mangeshkarian magic
and transformed Madhubala into an instant living legend. Ironically,
Madhubala didn't lip-sync it on screen at all ! It was played in the
background. But what an impact it made ! With one song Lataji wiped
away all the careers of existing female singers. Ashok Kumar who played
the lead in Mahal still recalls how everyone in the room reacted when
the then- unknown Lata was asked to sing. Even today mention of Aaayega
aanewala lights up Lataji's eyes. “It's hundred percent my
favourite. I had done a number of rehearsals for the song. Actually the
composer Khemchand Prakash heard me singing for Anil Biswas. A number
of tunes were readied for Aayega aanewala. I was given strict
instructions about the importance of the song. The producer Ashok
Kumar and the director Kamal Amrohi told me I had to sing as though the
heroine was approaching from a distance. Since the studio was very
large, I was placed in one corner of the room and told to gradually
approach the microphone in the middle of the room while singing. There
were no dubbing and editing devices in those days. We had to do it all
in one go. I still remember we recorded the entire day.”

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Aaja Sanam………………Chori Chori

http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Very%20Old%20Indian%20Songs/Aaja%20Sanam%20-%20Chori%20Chori.rm

One of the many many Lata Mangeshkar gems.

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(93) ZAMANE NE MARE JAWAN……………BAHARON KI SAPNE 1967
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/BUQmnH7NU9.As1NMvHdW/

Year:………….1967
Singer:………..Rafi
Lyrics:………..Majrooh Sultanpuri
Musician:………R D Burman

(Zamaane ne maare jawaan kaise-kaise)2
killed by this world, such lovely youth
zameen khaa gayee aasmaan kaise-kaise
swallowed by the earth, such colorful skies
zamaane ne maare jawaan kaise-kaise
killed by this world, such lovely youth

paley the jo kal rang mein phool mein
nurtured in colors and flowers till yesterday
kaheen kho gay rah ki dhool mein
lost somewhere in wayside dust today
paley the jo kal rang mein phool mein
nurtured in colors and flowers till yesterday
kaheen kho gay rah ki dhool mein
lost somewhere in wayside dust today
huyi dar-ba-dar kaarvaan kaise-kaise
so many caravans, wandering, lost

Zamaane ne maare jawaan kaise-kaise
killed by this world, such lovely youth
zameen khaa gayee aasmaan kaise-kaise
swallowed by the earth, such colorful skies
zamaane ne maare jawaan kaise-kaise
killed by this world, such lovely youth

hazaaron ke tan jaise sheeshe hohn choor
so many bodies smashed like broken glass
jalaa dhoop mein kitni aankhon ka noor
burnt in the sun, apples of so many eyes
hazaaron ke tan jaise sheeshe hohn choor
so many bodies smashed like broken glass
jalaa dhoop mein kitni aankhon ka noor
burnt in the sun, apples of so many eyes
hein cheharon pe gam ke nishaan kaise-kaise
faces ravaged by grief, and scared by so much griefs

(Zamaane ne maare jawaan kaise-kaise)2
killed by this world, such lovely youth
zameen khaa gayee aasmaan kaise-kaise
swallowed by the earth, such colorful skies
Zamaane ne maare jawaan kaise-kaise
killed by this world, such lovely youth

lahoo ban ke bahte vo aansoo tamaam
tear drops of blood*, cried by all
ki hogaa inheen se bahaaron kaa naam
like the season will blooom in their names,
banenge abhee aashiyaan kaise-kaise
such nests will still be built

Zamaane ne maare jawaan kaise-kaise
killed by this world, such lovely youth
zameen khaa gayee aasmaan kaise-kaise
swallowed by the earth, such colorful skies
zamaane ne maare jawaan kaise-kaise
killed by this world, such lovely youth

Trans:Saeed

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Wednesday, September 28

Happy Birthday to Lata Mangeshkar .

Lata Mangeshkar is not just a name, it is a tune undefined. The most popular singer, India has ever known.

Born September 28, 1929 in Indore, Lata Mangeshkar has been active in all walks of Indian popular and light classical music having sung film songs, ghazals, bhajans and pop. She is the supreme voice of popular Indian music, an Indian Institution. Until the 1991 edition, when her entry disappeared, the Guinness Book of Records listed her as the most recorded artist in the world with not less than 30,000 solo, duet and chorus-backed songs recorded in 20 Indian languages between 1948 and 1987. Today the number might have reached 40,000!!!
Her first Playback was in a Marathi film in 1942 – Kitti Haasal(was not used)and 1942 – Pahili Mangalagaur (naatli chaitrachi navalai…), she even acted

in a few marathi films……..and her first Hindi song(but in a Marathi Film)1943 – Gajabhau (maata ek sapoot ki duniya badal de tu…)

The Royal Albert Hall, London has recorded the graph of Lata's voice with the help of a computer which is by far the “Most Perfect” in the World.

Lataji has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by 6 universities including the New York University.

She has been Voted as The Most Important Indian of the 20th Century (Arts) in a Net Survey By IndiaWorld

Some of Lataji's awards include :

1969 : Padam Bhushan
1974 : Guinness Book of World Records:for singing the maximum number . of songs in the world
1980 : Was presented key of the city of Georgetown, Guyana, South America
1980 : Honorary Citizenship. The Republic of Suriname, South America
1985 : 9th June declared as Asia Day in honour of her arrival in Toronto, Canada
1987 : Honorary Citizenship of the U.S.A, Houston, Texas, U.S.A
1989 : Dada Saheb Phalke Award
1990 : Honorary Doctorate (Literature) By Pune University
1998 : Lux Zee Cine Lifetime Achievement Award
1999 : Padma Vibh

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Whew!! Lataji turns 77 today, what a run this great artise had;

The greatest ever in playback singing, recorded the most songs by a single artiste.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LATAJI

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LATA MANGESHKAR ACCOMPANIES US DOWN MEMORY LANE: VOLUME 1

(1) AY MERE DILAY NADAAN:
http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Ae%20Mere%20Dil%20e%20Nadan.mp3

(2) AAJA RE PARDESI
http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Aaja%20Re%20Pardesi.mp3

(3) AY DIL TUJHAY KASAM HAI:
http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Ae%20Dil…he%20Qasam%20Hai.mp3

(4) BAHARO MERE JEEWAN:
http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Baharon%20Mera%20Jeewan.mp3

(5) BICHRE HOWAY PARDESI:
http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Bichre%20Hue%20Pardesi.mp3

(6) CHALE JANA NAHEE:
http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Chaley%2…Nahin%20Nain.mp3.mp3

(7) DIL APNA OUR PREET PARAYE:
http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Dil%20Apna%20Aur%20Preet.mp3

(8) EHSAAN TERA HOGA MUJH PAR:
http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Ehsan%20Tera%20Hoga.mp3

(9) EK BEWAFA SAY PYAR KIYA:
http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Ek%20Bewafa%20Se%20Pyar.mp3

(10) DUNIYA NAY TERI DUNIYA WALO:
http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Duniya%20Na%20Teri%20Duniya.mp3

(11) HAWA MEIN URTHA JAYE:
http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Hawa%20Main%20Utar%20Jaye.mp3

(12) BARE AARMAAON SAY RAKHA:
http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Bade%20Armanoon%20Se.mp3

LOOK OUT FOR VOLUME 2

Loverji as much as I enjoyed these, I cannot help but share and hope that some memories are stirred:

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loverofmusic:

Ah! ‘Poocho na kaise’ is a masterpiece! It is in my favourite raga – ‘aahir bhairav’. There is a not-so-famous number in the same raga by yesudas….i’v forgotten the song now….it is there in the collection which i told u i bought recently. But anyway, ‘poocho na’ is incomparable….

puuchho naa kaise maine rain bitaaI
ik pal jaise, ik yug biitA – 2
yug biite mohe nii.nd naa aayii
puuchho naa kaise …

(naa kahii.n cha.Ndaa, naa kahii.n taare
jyot ke pyaase mere, nain bichaare ) – 2
bhor bhii aas kii kiran naa laayI
puuchho naa kaise …

ik jale diipak ik man meraa, merA, man, merA, merA …
ik jale diipak ik man meraa
phir bhI naa jaaye mere ghar kaa a.ndheraa
ta.Dapat tarasat umar ga.nvaayii
puuchho naa kaise …

A beautiful song, the voice is really pleasing, at times sound like Hemant Kumar, could not help listen a couple of times:

http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/S%20D%20Barman/POOCHO_NA_KAISE_16.mp3

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All time best actresses in my opinion; not necessarily the top right now; but during their Reign, could be referred to as the best: Hence my all times best would be:

(1) Meena Kumari

(2) Vijyanthimala

(3) Waheeda Rehman

(4) Nutan

(5) Mumtaz

(6) Shabana Azmi

(7) Madhuri Dixit

(8) Kaajol

(9) Rani Mukherjee

and my number 10 would go to the actress that had many mega hits and hits; and indeed a very beautiful woman

Sadhana

Most of the above actresses had proven themselves by obtaining the prestigious Filmfare Awards on more than one or two occasions but sometimes three and four:

We could classify Filmfare Awards to the American Oscars:

There are actresses that I have omitted but felt that their contributions were immense, and those are Hema Malini, Zeenat Aman, Rekha, Nargis, Madhubala,

Of Recent there is Preity Zinta, Ashwariya Rai, Priyanka Chopra, Sushmita Sen, and a couple more that I cannot remember right now.

.

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Another of your fave:
Aaja Re Pardesi……………………………..Madhumatti (Lata Mangeshkar)

http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Hits/Aaja%20Re%20Pardesi.mp3

Main to kab se khadi is paar, ye ankhiyaan
Thak gayi panth nihaar, aaja re pardesi (repeat)

Main diye ki aisi baati, jal na saki jo bujh bhi na paati -2
Aa mil mere jeevan saathi, oh
Aaja re, main to kab se khadi is paar..

Tum sang janam janam ke phere, bhool gaye kyoon saajan mere -2
Tadpat hoon main saanj savere, oh
Aaja re, main to kab se khadi is paar..

Main nadiya phir bhi main pyaasi, bhed ye gehra baat zaraa si -2
Bin tere har baat udaasi, oh
Aaja re, main to kab se khadi is paar..

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loverofmusic:

Favourite song!!!! LOL! I can jus go on and on……

Suno sajna, ajare pardesi, bole re papi hara, mein tulsi, tumhi meri mandir, chain se humko kahi, ye zindgee usi ki hai, aapki nazro ne samjha, akhiyo ke jharoko se, saara pyaar tumhara, ajeeb daasta, ajee rooth kar, tu jaha jaha chalega, aawaaz deke hume tum bulaao, na jaane kyo hota hai, rajneegandha phool, wakt ne kiya, wo jab yaad aaye, zindagee bhar…. to mention a few. Honestly, this doesnt cover even one third of my favourite songs sung by female singers…

Loverji we shall try to listen to some of your fave:

BOLE RE PAPI HARA………………………..GUDDI (VANI JAIRAM)
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/W4mmDZIX1d.As1NMvHdW/

Bole re papiiharaa papiiharaa

Nit man tarase, nit man pyaasaa

Nit man pyaasaa, nit man tarase

Bole re…

Palako.n par ik buu.nd sajaae

Baithii huu.n saavan le jaae

Jaae pii ke des me.n barase

Nit man pyaasaa, nit man tarase

Bole re…

Saavan jo sa.ndesaa laae

Merii aa.nkh pe motii chhaae

Jaae mile baabul ke ghar se

Nit man pyaasaa, nit man tarase

Bole re…

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(92) TERE ANKHON KI SIVA…………….CHIRAG (1969)
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/IqIm8EMKed.As1NMvHdW/

Year:……………1969
Singer:………….Rafi
Lyrics:………….Majrooh Sultanpuri
Musician:………..Madam Mohan

(Tere akhon ke siwa duniya me rakha kya hai)2
For me, your eyes are very important in this world
Ye uthe subaha chaley, ye jhukhe shaam dhale,
In the morning it is opened, and the evening it is closed
Mera jeena mera marna inhi palkonke thaley,
My entire life of living and dying lies within those eyelashes

(Tere akhon ke siwa duniya me rakha kya hai)2
For me, your eyes are very important in this world

Palkon ke galiyon me chehre bahaaron ke hasthe hue
In those eyes I see a refreshing smiling season
Hai mere khabonke kya kya nazar in mein basthey hue
And so many of my dreams are living in them
Palkonke galiyon me chehre bahaaron ke hasthe hue
In those eyes I see a refreshing smiling season
Ye uthe subaha chaley, ye jhukhe shaam dhale,
In the morning it is opened, and the evening it is closed
Mera jeena mera marna inhi palkonke thaley,
My entire life of living and dying lies within those eyelashes

(Tere akhon ke siwa duniya me rakha kya hai)
For me, your eyes are very important in this world

Inme mere aanewaley zamaane ki tasveer hai
there in your eyes is displayed a picture of my future
Chahat ke kaajal se likhee *** meri taqdeer hai
In those eyes, my future written is like the mascara of love
Inme mere aanewaley zamaane ki tasveer hai
there in your eyes is displayed a picture of my future
Ye uthe subaha chaley, ye jhukhe shaam dhale,
In the morning it is opened, and the evening it is closed
Mera jeena mera marna inhi palkonke thaley
My entire life of living and dying lies within those eyelashes

(Tere akhon ke siwa duniya me rakha kya hai)2
For me, your eyes are very important in this world
Ye uthe subaha chaley, ye jhukhe shaam dhale,
In the morning it is opened, and the evening it is closed
Mera jeena mera marna inhi palkonke thaley,
My entire life of living and dying lies within those eyelashes

Trans:Oldie Fan

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LEGENDARY:MUKESH CHAND MATHUR

(53) SAAWAN KA MIHINA………….MILAN
http://www.channeldosti.com/oldies/Lata%20Duets%20(prob…N%20KA%20MAHEENA.mp3

Movie Name: Milan
Lyricists: Anand Bakshi
Music Director: Laxmikant Pyarelal
Singer(s): Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar

Mukesh:
Hmmm..
Sawan ka mahina, pawan kare sor
The month of rains, breeze creates noise

Lata:
Sawan ka mahina, pawan kare shor
The month of rains, breeze creates noise (mispronounced)

Mukesh:
Hhmm, pawan kare sor
breeze creates noise (mispronounciation corrected)

Lata:
Pawan kare shor
breeze creates noise (mispronounciation repeated)

Mukesh:
Arey baba shor nahin .. sor, sor
listen its not shor, its sor, sor (annoyed)

Lata:
Pawan kare sor
breeze creates noise (mispronounciation corrected)

Mukesh:
Haan..
Yesssss
Jiyara re jhoome aise, jaise banmaa naache mor..
the heart dances with joy as the peacock dances in the forest,
Sawan ka mahina, pawan kare sor
The month of rains, breeze creates noise
Jiyara re jhoome aise, jaise banmaa naache mor
the heart dances with joy as the peacock dances in the forest,

Lata:
Sawan ka mahina, pawan kare sor
The month of rains, breeze creates noise
Jiyara re jhoome aise, jaise banmaa naache mor
the heart dances with joy as the peacock dances in the forest,

Mukesh:
Raama gajab dhaae, yeh purwaiyya
Oh God cruel is this cool breeze from west

Lata:
Naiyya sambhalo kit, khoe ho khiwaiyya
Look to the boat, are you lost, oarsman

Mukesh:
Rama gajab dhaae, yeh purwaiyya
Oh God cruel is this cool breeze from west

Lata:
Naiyya sambhalo kit, khoe ho khiwaiyya
Look to the boat, are you lost, oarsman

Mukesh:
Hey.. Purwaiya ke aage, chale naa koi zor
hey .. Against the western cool breeze, all are helpless
Jiyara re jhoome aise, jaise banmaa naache mor
the heart dances with joy as the peacock dances in the forest,

Lata: Ooo
Lata/Mukesh:
Sawan ka mahina, pawan kare sor
The month of rains, breeze creates noise
Jiyara re jhoome aise, jaise banmaa naache mor
the heart dances with joy as the peacock dances in the forest,

Lata:
Maujhwa kare kyaa jaane, humko ishaara
the waves signal to us, who knows what

Mukesh:
Jaana kahaan hai poochhe, nadiyaa ki dhaara
where are you going, asks the stream of the river

Lata:
Maujhwa kare kyaa jaane, humko ishaara
the waves signal to us, who knows what

Mukesh:
Jaana kahaan hai poochhe, nadiyaa ki dhaara
where are you going, asks the stream of the river

Lata:
Marzi hai tumhari, le jaao jis or
It is as you wish, take us in any direction
Jiyara re jhoome re aise re jaise banmaa naache mor
the heart dances with joy as the peacock dances in the forest,

Mukesh: Ooo
Lata/Mukesh:
Sawan ka mahina, pawan kare sor
The month of rains, breeze creates noise
Jiyara re jhoome aise, jaise banmaa naache mor
the heart dances with joy as the peacock dances in the forest,

Lata:
Jinke balam bairi, gaye hain bideswa
the unfeeling lovers, have gone away
Aaye hain leke unke, pyaar ka sandeswa
they have brought a message of love
Kaali maat waari ghathaye ghan.ghor
these awesome rain cloudes, dark as Mother Kali
Jiyara re jhoome aise jaise banmaa naache mor
the heart dances with joy as the peacock dances in the forest,<b

[imported_abdool]

I can never translate anything, too bad I have to depend on friends for all my translations; despite at times I feel like editing a few words.

There is a couple of Classics by Manna Day and others, maybe my next post, we will go further down memory lane with some classics like

(1) Albeli naar pritham dwaare

(2) Laga Chuniri ne daag

(3) Cham Cham Baje re Payal

(4) Kaun aaya meri man ki dwar..paayal ki

(5) Phool Ghendava na maro

(6) Poocho na kaise man

(7) Ek Chaturnaar karke singhaar

(8) Tere Aakhon ka Siva

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[imported_abdool]

Madhuji, much appreciated.

[imported_abdool]

Aha, I could not agree with you more as we stayed with the concept and ignored the literal meanings, for example

chaahe dvaar hriday ke band karo
No matter if you close the doors to your heart

… worked well enough but someone later mentioned that he could follow most of the hindi but there were holes in his knowledge of the language which the translated text filled. Thus the question begs should we stay in step with the hindi text – try to translate in chunks so that literal meanings too become apparent. I guess I am a bit boring.

Personally I like the way that the text kept flowing and understandable rather than precise and trying to figure out….what really the lyricist wanted to say. To be precise it will be less understandable; to be flowing and continuous will be understandable but not not precise.Hence like you said, translations take away the beauty………totally agreed.

Sometimes we have to give in to people like “myself” that does not understand the language, and translation plays a great part in giving me that insight.

Loverji, in order to make millions understand some of the beauty of the romantical language hindi/urdu we must continue to keep the translation flowing and continous rather the precise to the text it is too bad, but it is the only way to keep the language alive.

I definately take your point that the trans take away the beauty of the songs.

Give the kids time, and you will not able to feed them enough old music, was at that stage once. No one could have mention to me K L Saigal, KC Dey, Pankaj Mallik, Shamshad Begum, Noor Jehan, Geeta Roy/Dutt, Hemant Kumar, so much more I cannot even remember.

It is a joy to discuss old song with someone as knowledgeable as you loverji.

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India did not give Mohammed Rafi his due

Indo-Asian News Service

A Bangladeshi newspaper has raked up an old controversy by saying
that singer Mohammed Rafi was not given his due by the government of
India. Paying rich tributes to Rafi in the the Daily Star, Bakul
Sultan, a columnist asks why Rafi was given only a Padma Shri while
some of his contemporaries received higher honours. Lata Mangeshkar
received a Bharat Ratna.

Irrespective of the honours Rafi will remain immortal in the hearts
of music lovers of the subcontinent, wrote Sultan. Rafi, who died 26
years ago on July 31, remains popular in South Asia and even distant
climes such as the UK, Kenya and West Indies that have a large Indian
expatriate community, he wrote.

Disagreeing that Rafi was at par with Mukesh and Kishore Kumar,
Sultan quotes Manna Dey, another great singer, who often said that Rafi
was by far the most versatile and gifted singer among his
contemporaries. Sultan points out that although Kishore Kumar sang all
the songs in the films he acted in, music maestro OP Nayyar preferred
Rafi’s voice for the classical song Man mora bawra in the Kumar starrer
“Ragini”.

Nayyar knew that only a singer of Rafi’s calibre with a classical
background could fully justify his songs, he wrote. Rafi has left a
rich legacy that is kept alive by new Bollywood singers Mohammad Aziz,
Shabbir Kumar, Anwar and the current sensation Sonu Nigam, he added

http://www.mohdrafi.com/web/india-did-not-give-mohammed-rafi-his-due.html#more-201

[imported_abdool]

India did not give Mohammed Rafi his due

Indo-Asian News Service

A Bangladeshi newspaper has raked up an old controversy by saying that singer Mohammed Rafi was not given his due by the government of India. Paying rich tributes to Rafi in the the Daily Star, Bakul Sultan, a columnist asks why Rafi was given only a Padma Shri while some of his contemporaries received higher honours. Lata Mangeshkar received a Bharat Ratna.

Irrespective of the honours Rafi will remain immortal in the hearts of music lovers of the subcontinent, wrote Sultan. Rafi, who died 26 years ago on July 31, remains popular in South Asia and even distant climes such as the UK, Kenya and West Indies that have a large Indian expatriate community, he wrote.

Disagreeing that Rafi was at par with Mukesh and Kishore Kumar, Sultan quotes Manna Dey, another great singer, who often said that Rafi was by far the most versatile and gifted singer among his contemporaries. Sultan points out that although Kishore Kumar sang all the songs in the films he acted in, music maestro OP Nayyar preferred Rafi’s voice for the classical song Man mora bawra in the Kumar starrer “Ragini”.

Nayyar knew that only a singer of Rafi’s calibre with a classical background could fully justify his songs, he wrote. Rafi has left a rich legacy that is kept alive by new Bollywood singers Mohammad Aziz, Shabbir Kumar, Anwar and the current sensation Sonu Nigam, he added

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