ASTOUNDING FOURSOME Mohammad Rafi Anand Bakshi Laxmikant-Pyarelal

ASTOUNDING  FOURSOME Mohammad Rafi..Anand Bakshi.. Laxmikant-Pyarelal

Mohammad Rafi is considered no less than a genius when it comes to varied styles of music. This great singer had the perfect blend of melody, emotions and energy, which resulted into thousands of soulful songs.

Mohammad Rafi has recorded the maximum numbers of  songs under the music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal, precisely 379 songs, including 183 solo.

ASTOUNDING  FOURSOME :: Mohammad Rafi,  Anand Bakshi, Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Out of gigantic 379 songs composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal for Mohammad Rafi, monumental 254 songs, (Including 122 solo) are written by Anand Bakshi, ONLY.

We get incomparable variety of songs from these astounding FOURSOME  of Mohammad Rafi/Anand Bakshi and Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Gazal, Western, Semi-Classical, Lori (lullaby), Folk, Qawwali, Mujra, Patriotic etc. Sad Songs, Romantic Songs, Devotional Songs etc, many more varieties can be found in this QUARTET.

This “TETRAD” of  Mohammad Rafi, Anand Bakshi, Laxmikant-Pyarelal  came together for the first time for the song, ‘Shokhiyan Nazar Mein Hai’  from “Aasra” in 1966. Followed by super musical from J. Om Prakash’s “Aaye Din Bahar Ke”.  The association lasted till July, 1980 when Rafi Sahab recorded his last song ‘Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost’  for J. Om Prakash’s “Aas Paas”.

The ‘era’ has now begun with series of hits after hit  songs from these ‘FOURSOME”

1966:- Biswajit’s “Aasra”, Dharmendra’s “Aaye Din Bahar Ke”

1967:- Bishwajeet’s “Night In London”, Jeetendra’s “Farz”, Rajshri Production’s “Taqdeer”, Sanjay Khan’s “Milan Ki Raat”.

1968:- Dharmendra’s  “Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke” , Rajendra Kumar’s “Anjana” , Sanjeev Kumar’s “Raja Aur Runk” .

 1969:- Jeetendra’s “Jeene Ki Raah”, “Do Bhai” and  “Jigari Dost”, Rajesh Khanna’s  “Do Raaste” Manoj Kumar’s “Sajan” .

These “FOURSOME” are instrumental in ceding most of the “stars”  many ‘signature tunes’.

— Jeetendra ::  ‘Mast Baharon Ka Main Ashiq’ …”Farz” 1967

— Rajesh Khanna :: ‘Yeh Reshmi Zulfein’ “Do Raaste” 1969

— Sanjeev Kumar :: ‘O Phirki Wali Tu Kal Phir “Raja Aur Runk” 1968

— Biswajeet :: ‘Nazar Na Lag Jaye’ … “Night In London” 1967

— Rajendra Kumar :: ‘Aap Aaye Bahar “Aap Aaye Bahar Aaye” 1971

— Dharmendra :: ‘Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana’ … “Pratigya” 1975

— Rishi Kapoor :: ‘Ramji Ki Nikli Sawari’ … “Sargam” 1979

— Shashi Kapoor :: ‘Kali Ghata Chhayi’  … “Kali Ghata” 1980

— Amitabh Bachchan :: ‘John Jani Janardhan’ … “Naseeb” 1981

Binaca Geetmala:–

Many songs of the “FOURSOME” have aired in weekly Binaca Geetmala Programme. Interestingly  48 songs involving “QUARTET”, Mohammad Rafi/Anand Bakshi/Laxmikant-Pyarelal appeared in Binaca Geetmala Finals, with one song as number one in 1979, ‘Dafliwale Dafli Baja’ ( Rafi-Lata) from “Sargam”.

Filmfare Awards / Nominations:-

As many as SIX songs of the “TETRAD”, Mohammad Rafi/Anand Bakshi/Laxmikant-Pyarelal were nominated for filmfare awards. (Best Male Singer Category ).

1969 ‘Badi Mastani Hai Meri Mehbooba’ …  “Jeene Ki Raah”

1970 ‘Khilona Jaan Kar Tum Mera Dil’ … “Khilona”

1977 ‘Parda Hai Parda’ … “Amar Akbar Anthony”

1978 ‘Aadmi Musafir Hai’ … “Apnapan” (with Lata Mangeshkar)

1980 ‘Mere Dost Kissa Ye Kya Ho Gaya’ … “Dostana”

1980 ‘Dard-E-Dil Dard-E-Jigar’ … “Karz”

However Laxmikant-Pyarelal did win the awards, involving these “FOURSOME”  for

“Jeene Ki Raah” (1969)

“Amar Akbar Anthony” (1977)

“Sargam” (1979)

“Karz” (1980)

Anand Bakshi too win the filmfare award for the song, created by the “FOURSOME”

‘Aadmi Musafir Hai’ (Rafi-Lata), “Apnapan” in 1978.

Unfortunately, NONE for Rafisaab, involving “QUARTET”.  

Period after 1970-

Till 1970, Mohammad. Rafi was undisputed and demanded singer in Bollywood music industry. But after 1970, Kishore Kumar came into limelight and his popularity increases after he sang super hit songs for the movie Aradhana (1969).

During this ‘lean’ period of Mohammad Rafi it was ONLY Laxmikant-Pyarelal gave many hit songs for Mohammad Rafi to sing. To be precise Laxmikant-Pyarelal have recorded 264 numbers of songs (Out of total of 379 songs from Rafi-LP combo) of Mohammad Rafi in post “Aradhana” period.

Laxmikant-Pyarelal along with Anand Bakshi are instrumental in bringing back the Glory of Mohammad Rafi, in post “Aradhana” (1969)  period. That too without damaging the giant popularity of  Kishore Kumar. This “FOURSOME”  have recorded as many as 192 songs (out of  total of 270 songs) which includes many hits as well as memorable songs.

Listing few hit albums.  

1970:- Rajesh Khanna’s ”Aan Milo Sajna”, Jeetendra’s “Humjoli”, Sanjeev Kumar’s ”Khilona”, Shashi Kapoor’s “Suhana Safar”, Dharmendra’s “Jeevan Mrityu”.

1971:- Rajendra Kumar’s “Aap Aaye Bahar Aayi”, Rajesh Khanna’s “Mehboob Ki Mehndi” and “Haathi Mere Saathi”, Jeetendra’s “Banphool”, Rajashi Production’s “Uphaar”.

1972:– Jeetendra’s  “Jeet” and “Roop Tera Mastana”,  Rajendra Kumar’s “Gora Aur Kala” and “Mom Ki Gudiya”.

1973 :-  Dharmendra’s “Loafer”, Sanjeev Kumar’s “Suraj Aur Chanda”.

1974:- Shatrughan Sinha’s “Dost”

1975:- Dharmendra’s “Pratigya”, Rajesh Khanna’s “Prem Kahani”.

1976:- Shashi Kapoor’s  “Naach Uthe Sansaar”  and Dharmendra’s “Maa”.

1977:- Manmohan Desai’s FOUR hits . Amitabh / Rishi Kapoor’s “Amar Akbar Anthony”,  Dharmendr’s “Dharam Veer” and “Chacha Bhatija”, Amitabh / Shashi Kapoor’s “Parvarish”. Jeetendra’s “Apnapan”.

1978:- Shashi Kapoor’s “Amar Shakti”, Sunil Dutt’s “Daku Aur Jawan”

1979:- Rishi Kapoor’s “Sargam” (LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL have given all the SEVEN songs for MOHAMMAD RAFI to sing. This was very unusual phenomena during seventies.), “Karz” , “Do Premee” and also Jeetndra’s “Aasha”  and Sanjeev Kumar’s “Ladies Tailor”.   Rajesh Khanna’s and Dharmendra’s “Rajput” ++ Many more.

The above analysis confirms that both Anand Bakshi and Laxmikant-Pyarelal have given more melodious as well as hit songs for Mohammad Rafi in seventies (Post “Aradhana” period)

Let us  review few of the BEST songs from these “FOURSOME”.

The orchestra arrangements in “PRELUDES” and “INTERLUDES” used to be the assets of the songs composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. It would be more proper to listen to the songs, listed below, after reading the write up, explaining peculiarities, for each of the songs you will enjoy it, more.

1  AAYE  DIN BAHAR  KE – 1966

— Mere Dushman Tu Meri Dosti Ko Tarse

Song Writer ANAND BAKSHI’s painful wordings, showing vexation. MOHAMMAD RAFI’s soulful and heart touching rendering and LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL  ‘symphonic’ orchestra arrangements are justifying the frustration in this song. Also not to forget the expressions shown on screen by Dharmendra.

2  NIGHT  IN LONDON  – 1967

— Bahosh-O-Hawas Mein Deewana

ANAND BAKSHI’s fanciful wordings. LAXMIKANT-PYARELAL’s Wonderful Westernized Orchestra Arrangements In SYMPHONY Style. “PRELUDE” of 51 seconds is just mesmerizing. Use of VIOLINS and VIOLA for first 33 seconds and than again huge “pick” at 48 seconds as well as in the first “interlude” from 1.25 to 1.45 is just ear pleasing. Both the interludes have different tunes. There are some glimpses ‘pauses’. The “symphony style violins” vowing around MOHAMMAD RAFI’s voice that gives an additional mellifluousness and romantic feeling to this song. Each and every moment of this GEM of song makes you “thrill” and that is why it is one of my all time favorite song.

3  JEENE  KI RAAH  – 1969

— Aane Se Uske Aaye Bahar

ANAND BAKSHI comparing nature beauty and intermixing it in  romantic mood. Mesmerizing “Prelude” of 40 seconds, with overlapping sound effects of VIOLINS, Twitting of

BIRDs, Mohammad Rafi’s “aalap” as well as ACOUSTIC GUITAR, gives the feeling of village

background. Both the mellifluous “Interludes” have different orchestra arrangements, decorated with FLUTE, VIOLIN and ACCORDION. This sweet and melodious song have ear-pleasing ‘DHOLAK’ rhythm. Jeetendra  looks handsome.

4  DO RAASTE  – 1969

— Ye Reshmi Julfe

Concordant romantic song, penned by ANAND  BAKSHI, seductively performed by Rajesh Khanna. Glamorous inception by Rafi saab after 19 seconds ‘prelude’ of 19 seconds, VIOLINS overlapped with MANDOLIN. It has a ear-pleasing, melodic DHOLAK rhythm, with few ‘pause’  of 8 seconds at the end of each mukhada. The “rhythm” keeps listeners enchanted, throughout. Mumtaz looks beautiful. MOHAMMAD RAFI in supreme form.

5  UPHAAR  – 1971

— Mein Ek Raja Hoon Tu Ek Rani Hai

Soft Romantic words by ANAND BAKSHI. “Prelude” of 27 seconds comprises of VINA and SANTOOR and Mohammad Rafi’s beautiful take off (main ek raja hoon) is just brilliant. Extremely Soft and Melodious ROMANTIC song composed in the “raag” ‘ BAIRAGI’. Use of the BONGO drum in “Toe Stepping Rhythm” intermixed with SANTOOR is ear-pleasing. Use of FLUTE , ACOUSTIC GUITAR, SANTOOR and SITAR and other string instruments are mellifluously executed in the song. In early seventies Mohammad Rafi was almost forgotten but it was only Laxmikant-Pyarelal gave some of the finest songs to Rafi. This is one of them. It was a “Binaca Geetmala Hit song”

6  KHILONA  – 1971

— Khilona  Jaankar Tum  To Mera Dil Tod Jaate Ho

I have chosen the famous song, title song, heartbroken wordings by ANAND BAKSHI, rendered by MOHAMMAD RAFI with pain. No words to describe the elegance of Mohd Rafi. The song starts with the ‘aalap’. It has wonderful “DHOLAK” rhythm. “Interludes” are beautifully decorated with MANDOLIN, VIOLINS and SAROD. In the second “interlude” SYMPHONY orchestra is mellifluously overlapped with SHEHNAI.  Sanjeev Kumar have acted wonderfully. In early 70s when most of the music directors had forgotten Mohammad Rafi, it was only Laxmikant-Pyarelal used to give some of the best songs to Rafi Sahab. This is one of them.

7  MEHBOOB  KI MEHANDI  – 1971

— Ye Jo Chilman Hai, Dushman Hai Hamari

Flawless composition, with ‘zero’ ‘prelude’, by using bare minimum instruments along with the rhythm of DHOLAK / TABLA. Radiant take off by Rafi Saab. All the ‘interludes’ are glitteringly orchestrated with SARANGI, SITAR, VIOLIN, SANTOOR and SAROD.  The “pause” given at the end of each the ‘antara’ gives a soothing effect to this erotic song.

Rajesh Khanna simply awesome.

8  LOAFER  – 1973

— Aaj Mousam Bada Beimaman Hai

Once again ANAND BAKSHI masters in writing romantic words, with difference. “Prelude” of  SYMPHONY style VIOLINS, brilliantly synchronized with Rafi Sahab’s HUMMING sets the mood of this sensational and romantic composition. The first “interlude” is remarkably decorated with SITAR (played by Ustad Rais Khan). Second and third “interludes” have mellifluous effect of  SYMPHONY style VIOLINS. Rafi Sahab’s rendering is simply outstanding. Dharmendra looks romantic.

9  AMAR  AKBAR ANTHONY  – 1977

— Parda Hai Parada

Superbly composed “Qawwali” . “Prelude” 67 seconds, full of RUBAB, MANDOLIN, SHEHNAI / NADASWARAM, GUITAR, HARMONIUM, synchronised with DHOLAK rhythm,  mesmerizes you. Brilliant take off by Rafi Sahab.  SHEHNAI / NADASWARAM are mellifluously used as ‘filler’ in ‘mukhda’. Wonderfully performed by Rishi Kapoor.  

10  SARGAM  – 1979

— Hum To Chale Pardes Hum Pardesi Ho Gaye

Mohammad Rafi sounds very different in all of the “Sargam” songs, perhaps at it’s best.

The song starts with   beautiful ‘aalap’ from Rafi Sahab”. The DHOLAK rhythm hypnotizes. The song has a village background the music is justifying it too. The “interludes” of the song is just worth to listen to. Sounds of BULLOCK  CART BELLS wonderfully synchronized with NADASWARAM and MANDOLIN as well as in second “interlude’ with FLUTE and SANTOOR.

11  KARZ  – 1980

— Dard- E-Dil, Dard-E-Jigar

Enjoy fascinatingly instrumented solo VIOLIN in 52 seconds of “Prelude”. This is a western style GHAZAL composition orchestrated awesomely with GUITAR in the rhythm. All the “Interludes” are mellifluously synthesised with TRUMPETS, SYMPHONY style VIOLINS, GUITAR, percussion instruments.

Ajay Poundarik

Vadodara (Gujarat)

INDIA.