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.
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.
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
https://laxmikantpyarelal.com
Ajay Poundarik
Vadodara (Gujarat)
