Top 10 Bollywood duets of Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle composed by Shankar Jaikishen

When Shankar Jaikishen predominantly used Lata Mangeshkar’s voice to record romantic duets with Rafi, they used Asha’s voice to record fast numbers. When the singing legends Lata and Rafi vowed not to work together, and they kept the vows for a few years, SJ used the voices of Asha Bhosle, Suman Kalyanpuri and Sharda to record duets with Rafi, while they never replaced Rafi’s voice with other artist so that they can bring Lata on board. Also, when SJ tricked into recording ‘Mein Ka Karoon Ram’ of Sangam in Lata’s voice much to her displeasure, she didn’t sing for the composers for a short interval. In those days, Shankar Jaikishen experimented with other female voices for the industry, both for singles and duets.

Though Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle can’t claim best duets of 1960s composed by Shankar Jaikishen, they definitely own a few hit songs like Raat Ke Humsafar. Whenever the duo recorded a duet for SJ, it has been a hit. We really wish, they could have contributed a few more. So, let me list 10 of their best duets composed by SJ. I have added a few more songs at the end of the article for your playlist next time.

1. Nanhe Munne Bachche from Boot Polish (1954) (Lyricist: Shailendra)

One of the earliest duets of Rafi and Asha, composed by SJ, this song was well noticed. Basically a children’s movie with a good message, the song was filmed on David Abraham Cheulkar and a group of kids including Baby Naaz, Baby Naaz and a few more. Rafi rendered his voice for David who played a handicapped bootlegger in the movie. Asha Bhosle gave voice for the kids. Nanhe Munne Bachche is still regarded as one of the finest songs filmed on children.

2. Yehi Hai Woh Sanjh Aur Savera from Sanjh Aur Savera (1964) (Lyricist: Hasrat Jaipuri)

The composers used the voices of Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Suman Kalyanpur to record different tracks of the album and they recorded a single song in Asha’s voice, and it’s the title track filmed on Meena Kumari and Guru Dutt. I often feel that we can easily distinguish those songs sung by Asha Bhosle for Meena Kumari.

3. Raat Ke Hamsafar from An Evening In Paris (1967) (Lyricist: Shailendra)

SJ mostly used Lata, Sharda or Suman Kalyanpur’s voices to record duets with Rafi during their peak years of 1950s and 1960s. Yet he recorded some good songs of Asha in An Evening In Paris. I assume Lata Mangeshkar was not working with the composers at the time of recording, following her indifferences over ‘Sangam’ song, though for a short time. The song filmed at night in Paris city starred Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore. Through An Evening In Paris, Tagore reinvented herself as a glamorous actress and she succeeded as well.

4. Muskurati Hui Ek Husn Ki Tasveer from Daman Aur Aag (1973) (Lyricist: Hasrat Jaipuri)

The song filmed on Saira Banu and Sanjay Khan was one of my most favourite songs when I was a child and Doordarshan was my best companion. Now also the song is among my favourites. Definitely it’s one of the best duets of Rafi and Asha in Shankar Jaikishen music, and one of the best compositions of SJ in the 1970s. The song was released after the death of Jaikishen.

5. Aap Ko Pehle Bhi Kahi Dekha Hai from Tum Haseen Mein Jawan (1970) (Lyricist: Hasrat Jaipuri)

It’s a dance sequence filmed on Hema Malini and Dharmendra long before they started dating. I get the shades of ‘Badan Pe Sitare’ in the beginning lines of Antara of this title song, a very rare happening in Shankar Jaikishen compositions. Do you feel the same?

6. Dil Use Do Jo Jaan De De from Andaaz (1971) (Lyricist: Hasrat Jaipuri)

The party song was filmed on Hema Malini and Shammi Kapoor. Andaaz was the last solo hit of Shammi Kapoor in a lead role. Same year Jaikishen also passed away, bringing an end to a glorious era, which never returned back.

7. Sau Baras Ke Zindagi Se from Sacchai (1969) (Lyricist: Rajinder Krishan)

The song was filmed on Shammi Kapoor and Sadhana, who made a comeback to acting after her medical treatment. It’s one of the very rare Bollywood songs filmed with the backdrop of temple festivals of Kerala with caparisoned elephants, traditional artists and of course, fireworks.

8. Na Rooto Na from Jawa Mohabbat (1971) (Lyricist: Hasrat Jaipuri)

Shammi Kapoor owns only less number of hit songs in the 1970s, and this teasing number featuring Asha Parekh and Shammi worth mentioning. They remained a hit pair of 1960s. But when this movie got released, they had already passed their good old days. Jaikishen too passed away the same year, bringing down the curtain of a glorious era. It seems SJ tried to recreate ‘O Mere Sona Re’ from Teesri Manzil composed by Pancham da. Though the song failed to recreate the magic, it’s definitely worth to listen.

9. Dekho Abto Kisiko Nahin Hai Khabar from Janwar (1965) (Lyricist: Shailendra)

The dance number was filmed on Shammi Kapoor and Rajshree and got noticed also. Sad to say, it’s not an original tune, and was a direct copy/cover version of The Beatles’ I Want to Hold your Hand, in a little bit Indian version. The hairstyle and costumes of Shammi Kapoor and 4 men playing the guitar were also copied from The Beatles. It seems the filmmakers just wanted to create a Hindi version of this iconic song. Needless to say, the tune is really amazing, and Rafi and Asha have also given full justification to its Hindi rendition. I just loved it. When four guitarists lip sync to Rafi’s voice and dance along with the tune with smile on their faces, at the beginning of the song, it’s beautiful to watch. Such a picturization looks unique on screen.

10. Kaise Samjhaoon Badi Nasamajh Ho from Suraj (1966) (Lyricist: Hasrat Jaipuri)

It’s a competition between Rajendra Kumar as a singer and Vyjayanthimala as a dancer in the song filming. Vyjayanthimala is best known as a professionally trained dancer, and she has exhibited her dancing skills in many of her films. Shankar Jaikishen has composed music for many of her films like Sangam, Amrapali, Pyar Hi Pyar, Prince etc.

A few more Mohammed Rafi – Asha Bhosle duets tuned by Shankar Jaikishen

Though all the songs listed below were not big chartbusters, a few of them are worth listening. A few of them are not so familiar. Yet I preferred to list a few.

1. Chhoti Si Mulaqat Pyar Ban Gayi from Chhoti Si Mulaqat 

2. Aa Ha Aayi Milan Kee Bela Dekho Aayi from Aayi Milan Kee Bela

3. Dilruba Dil Pe Tu from Rajkumar

4. Tumhare Hain Tumse Daya Mangte Hain from Boot Polish

5. Tu Mera Main Teri from Pyar Hi Pyar

6. Gori Chalo Na Hans Ki Chaal from Beti Bete

7. Rikshe Pe Mere Tum Aa Baithe from Dil Tera Deewana

8. Pyar Mohabbat Ke Siva from Pyar Mohabbat

9. Tumhe Agar Mein Apna Saathi from Satranj

10. Raat Yu Dil Me Teri Khoyi Hui Yaad Aayi from Janwar

11. Ghungharwa Mora Chham Chham from Zindagi

12. Kabse Dhari Hai Samne Botal Sharab Ki from Sachaai 

13. Panchi Re O Panchi from Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiyan

14. Tujh Mein Hoo Mein from Rivaaj

15. Tan Mein Agni from Laat Saheb

16. O Ek Baar Aata Hai Din Aisa from Suraj

17. Teri Chahat Me Sanam Humne Bada Kaam Kiya from Chand Aur Bijli

18. Jal Jal Mar Jaye from Patanga

Also go through the gallery to read a few more articles about Rafi.  The gallery lists Rafi’s finest works with other artists in the golden era. Here is the page link. Click on the images to read.