Canorous Male Duets & Laxmikant-Pyarelal Music

Canorous Male Duets & Laxmikant-Pyarelal Music

The ideology of male duets, in Hindi Films, started in late forties. It was initiated further  by music director S D Batish. Being a single hero concept the output of male duets was very limited. Still we got to listen to some remarkable male duets, till the end of the sixties.  

Laxmikant-Pyarelal have composed some illustrious male duets utilising various male singers combinations from Mohammad Rafi – Kishore Kumar to Udit Narayan – Vinod Rathod.

70s and onwards, Hindi Films witnessed double hero concept. Multi Starrer films becoming very popular. Two different but prominent voices were required for two heroes. Most of the mail duets are composed from seventies onwards. 

It took many years for legendary music director S. D. Burman to adopt this coherence, until Mohammad Rafi – Kishore Kumar sung Saa Re Gaa Maa for Chupke Chupke 1974. 

Music director R D Burman got Rafi – Kishore to render title track in Yadon Ki Barat 1973. Singing pair of Rafi-Kishore used by music director Rajesh Roshan to record 4 male duets  in Aap Ke Deewane 1980.

Mohammad Rafi – Kishore Kumar Duets with Laxmikant-Pyarelal. 

Laxmikant-Pyarelal needs a special mention here. Here was a duo who had no clear cut preference of one over the other, unlike many other MDs in the 70s and equally distributed their creations to both of them throughout. 

Laxmikant-Pyarelal kept on bringing two Legends, Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar  together throughout the seventies with memorable duets in Humjoli (1970), Parvarish (1977), Muqabla (1979), Ram Balram (1980), Dostana (1981), Waqt Ki Deewar (1981) Deedar-E-Yaar(1982).  The pair of Mohammad Rafi – Kishore Kumar sang the highest numbers of duets under music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal. 

Below, highlighting few famous male duets with various music directors. 

Naushad  : Aaj Gawat Man Mero / Ustad Amir Khan – Pandit D. V. Paluskar  (Baiju Bawara)

S D Burman : Saa Re Gaa Maa / Mohammad Rafi – Kishore Kumar (Chupke Chupke)

Shankar-Jaikishan : Keetaki Gulab Juhi / Pandit Bhimsen Joshi – Manna Dey (Basant Bahar) 

Roshan : Ai Maa Teri Surat Se Alag / Manna Dey – Mahendra Kapoor (Daadi Maa)

O P Nayyar : Tu Hai Mera Prem Devata / Mohammad Rafi – Manna Dey (Kalpana)

Kalyanji-Anandji : Do Bechare / Kishore Kumar – Mahendra Kapoor (Victoria 203)

R D Burman : Ek Janib Sham-E- Mehfil / Mohmmad Rafi – Manna Dey (Abhilasha)

Rajesh Roshan : Tera Jalwa Hai Tauba Mohammad Rafi – Kishore Kumar (Aap Ke Deewane)

Let us review, selected, few best male duets composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. 

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  after reading the write up, explaining peculiarities, for each of the songs, you will enjoy it more.

Bade Miya Deewane   “SHAGIRD” 1967

Singers:- Mohammad Rafi – Manna Dey.  Lyricist:- Majrooh Sultanpuri 

This song has the influence of Rock-N-Roll. The song is scintillating. Solo GUITAR is wonderfully orchestrated in “Prelude” and “Interludes” and as a “Fillers” as well.  Symphony style VIOLINS in “Interludes” are ear-pleasing. The Guitar is played by Gorakh Sharma, throughout. Excellent ending done by Manna Dey…! The song is filmed on Joy Mukherjee – I S Johar. 

Mehbooba Mehbooba  “SADHU AUR SHAITAN” 1969

Singers:- Mohammad Rafi – Mehmood.  Lyricist:- Rajendra Krishna 

The song is inspired from Hyderabad “folkish” style with admirably DHOLAK rhythm. 30 seconds of ‘prelude’ full of yelling by Mehmood and VIOLINS. Mehmood’s yelling, ACCORDION and VIOLINS are awesomely orchestrated in the ‘Interludes. ”Even though it is sung by two singers, it has been filmed on Mehmood and actress Bharti who have danced pretty well throughout the song. 

Chal Shuru Ho Ja  “HUMJOLI” 1971

Singers:- Mohammad Rafi – Kishore Kumar.  Lyricist:- Anand Bakshi  

This song is comicality filmed in a club on Jeetendra and Mehmood. Both of them have brawled, danced and acted perfectly, synchronising with the unique ‘rhythm’ of the song. SAXOPHONE is spectacularly used in the “interludes”. 

Na Mangoo Sona Chandi   “BOBBY” 1973

Singers:- Manna Dey — Shailendra Singh. Lyricist:- Vitthalbhai Patel

Entire song has surround sound of CHORUS, throughout. 44 seconds of “prelude” contains dulcet CHORUS synchronised with BRASS instruments, ACOUSTIC GUITAR and beautiful ‘Aalaps” rendered by CHORUS, in “Gowain Folkish” style. Sweet-Sounding, foot tapping ‘rhythm’. BRASS instruments, solo VIOLIN,  MANDOLIN are wonderfully used in both the ‘interludes’. Glimpses of ACCORDION sounds pleasing to the ear. Brilliant take off by Manna Dey. Everfresh song is filmed on Prem Nath and Rishi Kapoor. 

Mere Pyale Main  “AMIR GARIB”  1974

Singers:- Kishore Kumar – Manna Dey. Lyricist:- Anand Bakshi

Qawwali “rhythm” orchestrated in typical Laxmikant-Pyarelal style. The song is awesomely filmed on Helen, Hema Malini, Prem Nath and Dev Anand. 

Saat Ajube Is Duniya Main  “DHARAM VEER”  1977 

Singers:- Mohammad Rafi – Mukesh. Lyricist:- Anand Bakshi 

33 seconds of ‘prelude’ full Horseshoe Tapping style ‘rhythm’ overlapped with  ACOUSTIC GUITAR, SAXOPHONE, ACCORDION, symphony style VIOLINS. Symphonically display of DHOLAK “rhythm’ gives ear-pleasing moments.  In the ‘Interludes’ SAXOPHONE is predominantly orchestrated and intermixed with VIOLINS, CHORUS and ACOUSTIC GUITAR. The song was a huge hit when film released, still popular. 

Teen Batti Wala Govinda Aala  “MUQUABLA”  1979

Singers:- Mohammad Rafi – Kishore Kumar.  Lyricist:- Verma Malik

One of best Dahi Handi songs. A “folk” style composition in typical Laxmikant-Pyarelal style. The ‘prelude’ of 40 seconds is full of SHEHNAI / NADASWARAM and CHORUS in surrounds. The ‘rhythm’ full of DHOL / DHOLAK intermixed with GHUNGROO BELLS. The song is awesomely orchestrated with NADASWARAM and CHORUS. Filmed on Sunil Dutt (Rafi) and Shatrughan Sinha (Kishore). At the end it is RAFI + KISHORE = WOW

Ek Rasta Do Rahi  “RAM BALRAM”  1980

Singers:- Mohammad Rafi – Kishore Kumar.  Lyricist:- Anand Bakshi  

Enjoyable song of two legends Amitabh Bachchan – Dharmendra…two greatest singers 

Rafi – Kishore, sung this song on their different style of singing quality. Western style song. “Prelude” 50 seconds is full of symphony style VIOLINS, ACCORDION and ACOUSTIC GUITAR.  

Salamat Rahe Dostana Hamara  “DOSTANA”  1980

Singers:- Mohammad Rafi – Kishore Kumar.  Lyricist:- Anand Bakshi  

One of the most popular male duets, on ‘friendship’. Very simple tune and composition effortlessly rendered by legends Rafi – Kishore. Effectively acted by Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughn Sinha. Mellifluously orchestrated in Symphony style VIOLINS. 

Mere Dildar Ka Baanqpan  “DEEDAR E YAAR”  1980

Singers:- Mohammad Rafi – Kishore Kumar.  Lyricist:- Sahir Ludhiyanvi

No words to describe the singing of the two sensational singers, 

Mohammad Rafi – Kishore Kumar. Filmed on Jeetendra – Rishi Kapoor

Ai Yaar Teri Yaari Teri Humen Jaan Se Bhi   “WAQT KI DEEWAR”  1981

Singers:- Mohammad Rafi – Kishore Kumar.  Lyricist:- Anjan  

One more song on ‘friendship’.’ Uncomplicated song. Cosily rendered. ‘Interludes’ are orchestrated with symphony VIOLINS and ACCORDION. It has smooth DHOLAK ‘rhythm’.

Tu Kal Chala Jayega “NAAM” 1985

Singers:- Mohammad Aziz – Manhar Udhas Lyricist:- Anand Bakshi  

Filmed on Sanjay Dutt and Kumar Gaurav. 44 seconds of “prelude” is orchestrated with SHEHNAI / NADASWARAM. Brilliant “Take Off” by Mohammad Aziz.  The  ‘interludes’ are symphonically orchestrated in western style with VIOLINS, BRASS instruments, ACCORDION. It is a melodious male duet with new generation singers, Mohammad Aziz – Manhar Udhas. 

Imli Ka Boota  “SAUDAGAR” 1991

Singers:- Mohammad Aziz – Sudesh Bhosle..  Lyricist:- Anand Bakshi  

Very high profile super-hit song in terms of filming on sensational actors of yesterday’s Raj Kumar and Dilip Kumar.  Melodious composition well orchestrated by using SHEHNAI / NADASWARAM, solo VIOLIN. Typical LP style ‘DHOLAK” rhythm.   

Main Aatma Tu Parmatma  “DHUN”  1991

Singers:- Mehdi Hasan – Talat Aziz.. Lyricist:- Anand Bakshi  

Mesmerizing GHAZAL rendered by world famous ghazal singer from Pakistan  Mehdi Hassan and Indian Ghazal singer Talat Aziz. Vichitra VEENA and Mehdi Hassan’s AALAP in 40 seconds of “Prelude” fascinate the listeners. Mind-boggling take off by Mehdi Hassan. FLUTE used as filler gives ear-pleasing moments, in ‘mukhada’. DHOLAK rhythm spellbinds. ‘Interludes’ are amazingly instrumented by JAZZ FLUTE. This is the first song rendered by Mehdi Hassan for hindi film. Special appreciation for songwriter Anand Bakshi for writing meaningful devotional words. This song is filmed on Anupam Kher – Talat Aziz acting as “guru” – “shishya”. Unfortunately the film directed by Mahesh Bhatt, never released. 

Duniya Re Duniya Very Good Very Good  “TRIMURTI” 1996

Singers:- Udit Narayan – Vinod Rathod  Lyricist:- Anand Bakshi  

The beauty of this song is ‘finger pinch’ used after VIOLINS  in the ‘rhythm’ in 36 seconds of ‘prelude’ . End of the ‘prelude’ sensational take off by Udit Narayan and a mellifluous ‘pause’ for 5 seconds to highlight the BONGO DRUM rhythm. Shahrukh Khan  has danced excellently synchronizing with Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s supar rhythm composed for the song. 

Laxmikant-Pyarelal have composed 66 Male Duets Starting With 

ना करुं बंद तेरे छंद (माधवी.१९६९) By Rafi Saheb-Manna Dey 

To 

बील्लो की पीली पीली आंखोंका (बरसात की रात.१९९८)  By Mohd.Aziz-Abhijeet

Ajay Poundarik