Throughout the 1960s, Rajendra Kumar had some great songs picturised on him. The bulk of them were sung by Mohammed Rafi.
So to mark Rajendra Kumar’s 92nd birth anniversary on July 20, we choose 10 Rafi songs featuring the actor. As they say, ‘ek se badhkar ek gaane the’. These 10 are only a sample of what they did together.
Incidentally, Rafi’s 41st death anniversary is also coming up on July 31. Some of these songs could be played in his memory. The list is chronological.
1 Keh Do Koi Na Kare Yahan Pyaar – Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959)
This was a moving sad song, where Bharat Vyas wrote, “Bikhar gaye bachpan ke sapne, armaanon ki shaam dhale, kahin saje baraat kisiki, kahin kisika pyaar jale”. Vasant Desai composed the music. The film also had Lata Mangeshkar’s classic ‘Tere Sur Aur Mere Geet’.
2 Husnwale Tera Jawaab Nahin – Gharana (1961)
Shakeel Badayuni’s poetic ode to a woman’s beauty was composed wonderfully by Ravi. The lyrics had gems like, “Teri aankhon mein aisi masti hai, jaise chalke hue ho paimaane; Tere honton pe woh khamoshi, jaise bikhre hue ho afsaane; teri zulfon ki aisi rangat hai, jaisi kaali ghata bahaaron mein”. Rajendra Kumar and Asha Parekh appeared on screen.
3 Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko – Sasural (1961)
Rajendra Kumar had many hits composed by Shankar-Jaikishen and written by Hasrat Jaipuri. This one had the lines, “Teri pyaari pyaari surat ko kisiki nazar na lage, chashme baddoor; Mukhde ko chhupa lo aanchal mein, kahin meri nazar na lage, chashme baddoor”. Rajendra Kumar was paired with Saroja Devi. The way Rafi sang ‘chashme baddoor’ was magical.
4 Yaad Na Jaaye – Dil Ek Mandir (1963)
For many, this was one of the ultimate Rafi songs. Shailendra wrote the words and Shankar-Jaikishen composed it in raag Kirwani. The opening lines were, “Yaad na jaaye, beete dinon ki, jaake na aaye jo din, dil kyon bulayein, unhein dil kyon bulayein”. Rajendra Kumar was seen looking at photographs of Meena Kumari.
5 Mujhko Apne Gale Laga Lo – Humrahi (1963)
Mubarak Begum joined Rafi on this song picturised on southern actress Jamuna and Rajendra Kumar. The combination of Shankar-Jaikishen and Hasrat Jaipuri was at work again, and the lines went, “Mujhko apne gale laga lo ae mere humrahi, tumko kya batlaoon main ke tumse kitna pyaar hai”.
6 Mere Mehboob Tujhe – Mere Mehboob (1963)
The evergreen team of Rafi, music director Naushad and lyricist Shakeel Badayuni worked on this nazm, which had the lines, “Mere mehboob tujhe meri mohabbat ki kasam, phir mujhe nargisi aankhon ka sahara dede, mera khoya hua rangeen nazaara dede”. Rajendra Kumar appeared with Sadhna.
7 Yeh Mera Prem Patra – Sangam (1964)
A memorable love song, this was filmed on Rajendra Kumar and Vyjayantimala, with Rafi singing with emotion. Shankar-Jaikishen gave the music and Hasrat Jaipuri wrote, “Yeh mera prem patra padhkar, ke tum naraaz na hona, ki tum meri zindagi ho, ki 0tum meri bandagi ho”. The love triangle also starred Raj Kapoor.
8 Ae Phoolon Ki Rani – Arzoo (1965)
Another favourite of Rafi fans, this featured Rajendra Kumar and Sadhna. Shankar-Jaikishen’s tune was set to lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri, who wrote, “Ae phoolon ki raani, baharon ki mallika, tera muskurana ghazab ho gaya”. Rafi also sang the poetic ‘Ae Nargis-e-mastana’ in the same film.
9 Baharon Phool Barsao – Suraj (1966)
A super-hit from Rafi, this was picturised on Rajendra Kumar and Vyjayantimala. Hasrat Jaipuri wrote, “Baharon phool barsao, mera mehboob aaya hai, mera mehboob aaya hai” with Shankar-Jaikishen composing the tune. The song became a must at most wedding functions.
10 Mere Mitwa O Mere Meet Re – Geet (1970)
Kalyanji-Anandji composed this popular tune, with Anand Bakshi writing, “Mere mitwa o mere meet re, aaja tujhko pukare mere geet re, mere geet re”. Rafi’s voice was charming as ever, and the song featured Rajendra Kumar and Mala Sinha.
In this list, five songs feature the glorious combination of Shankar-Jaikishen and Hasrat Jaipuri. The two also gave other Rafi gems in Rajendra Kumar films like Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Aman and Jhuk Gaya Aasman, best known for ‘Kaun Hai Jo Sapnon Mein Aaya’, a direct lift of Elvis Presley’s ‘Marguerita’.
Besides the fact that most of Rajendra Kumar’s films reached a Silver Jubilee, the hit songs justified his being called ‘Jubilee Kumar’.
