As the music world prepares to observe Mohammed Rafi’s death anniversary on July 31, another significant occasion follows just four days later — Kishore Kumar’s birth anniversary on August 4. The close proximity of the two dates offers an apt opportunity to remember not merely two immortal voices of Indian cinema, but also an enduring bond strikingly different from the rivalry so often built around their names.
For generations of Hindi film music lovers, the question has often been posed: Rafi or Kishore? While Rafi reigned through much of the 1950s and 1960s, Aradhana (1969) ushered in Kishore Kumar’s remarkable dominance in the 1970s. Their professional competition was real, but the notion of a bitter personal rivalry was largely fuelled by comparisons in film magazines and among fans.
Those closest to the two legends tell a very different story. Rafi’s son, Shahid Rafi, has repeatedly dismissed any suggestion of bitterness, recalling that his father always enjoyed recording with Kishore because of his infectious humour. Their friendship extended beyond studios. During a visit to London, Rafi invited Kishore home for dinner, and the two spent the evening chatting and laughing together.
Their recordings together further dispel the myth of rivalry. They shared the microphone in several memorable songs, including Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Hum Premi Prem Karna Jaane, Chal Kahin Door Nikal Jaayen and Janu Meri Jaan. In Chal Kahin Door Nikal Jaayen, Rafi willingly accepted a comparatively brief but crucial portion despite Kishore having the dominant male part — a telling example of his humility and the mutual respect between the two.
Amit Kumar, who watched them record together, remembered them as competitors only before the microphone. Outside the recording room, they remained warm friends, even exchanging suggestions to improve each other’s singing. He also recalled Kishore often advising him to listen to Rafi Sahab’s songs to learn the finer nuances of singing. Another cherished memory was Kishore taking young Amit to Rafi Sahab’s home simply because he wanted to eat biryani.
Their admiration for one another surfaced on several occasions. Kishore reportedly felt that the qawwali-style Sachchai Chhup Nahin Sakti would suit Rafi better and even sought his guidance on the composition. During the recording of Mere Dildaar Ka Baankpan, Kishore is also said to have declined a substantially higher fee after learning that Rafi was being paid much less.
The most moving testimony came after Rafi’s sudden demise on July 31, 1980. Shahid Rafi recalled Kishore breaking down at the funeral, holding Rafi Sahab’s feet and weeping uncontrollably. Later, during his overseas concerts, Kishore regularly paid tribute by singing Rafi’s immortal Man Re Tu Kahe Na Dheer Dhare, publicly acknowledging his immense regard for the legendary singer.
More than four decades later, comparisons continue. Yet the evidence points to a simple truth: professional competition certainly existed, but the much-publicised personal rivalry finds little support in the way Rafi and Kishore actually treated each other. Indian cinema never needed to choose between them. It was fortunate to have both.
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Musical Tribute on Facebook Live:
Keeping alive this inspiring legacy of friendship, ‘The Harmony’, a unit of Jhumurr Socio-Cultural Society, Sri Vijaya Puram, will present a special Facebook Live musical programme, titled “Salamat Rahe Dostana Humara,” on Wednesday, July 30, from 7 p.m. onwards under the Concept & Programme Design of Asheesh Poddar. Featuring top notch singers of the Islands, Shri/s Abdul Rasheed, Abdul Nisar, Mohd. Nisar, Raaj, Shailender Singh, Aktar Hussain among others, the programme will primarily focus on presenting duet songs of Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar, and celebrate the mutual respect, admiration and friendship that united the two legendary singers. Music lovers are invited to join the live presentation and pay tribute to two timeless musical icons whose legacy continues to inspire generations.
The industry witnessed competition. The media magnified it into rivalry. Admirers created camps. Rafi and Kishore themselves, however, left behind an altogether different legacy — two towering contemporaries who competed professionally, yet remained friends and profound admirers of each other.
Perhaps the number they once sang together says it best: ‘Bane Chahe Dushman Zamana Hamara, Salamat Rahe Dostana Hamara’ and perhaps no other words could have summed up the relationship between Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar more fittingly.(Contributed by Asheesh Poddar)
