Chhaayaageet #197 - "Uncle, over the next ten days you will forget the tune. This cassette is for you to practice."
Not one, not two but three. Yes, three singers. The plan is to use the top three singers of the time for this song. Quite unusual. Other composers have used all three of them in the same film but typically in different songs or perhaps in multiple duets. But this composer has a different plan. All three in the same song.
They are all at the recording studio for rehearsal. The music is very unorthodox. It starts slow, then picks up with a duet, and then the third singer jumps in with a different tune. All this while the beats stay consistent. It seems like a song made up of many mini-songs.
The composer is happy. “The rehearsal was good. Now let’s plan for the final recording. We have this studio available again in ten days. In the meantime here is the cassette with the composition for you all to practice at home.” He hands out the cassette to the male and female duet singers. He turns around to see where the other singer is. The older and wiser one.
He finally spots him. “Uncle, here is your copy of the cassette.” He always addressed him as an Uncle. It’s been just a few years for the composer in the industry. The senior singer has a bewildered look on his face. “Cassette, what cassette? I don't use any cassette.” The composer tries to explain. “Uncle, over the next ten days you will forget the tune. This cassette is for you to practice.” The senior singer looks at him with a slight smile and raises both his hands up in the air like he is calling out the Lord. The composer takes the cue. No point pushing any further.
Both the male singers are so different. They are only a few years apart. The younger singer is always looking for feedback. He is always around the composer. Constantly seeking advice and willing to do multiple recordings to get it right. The senior one is completely on the other end. Very reserved. You can only push him so far.
Ten days pass by.
The composer shows up at the studio with the team. They are ready to start with the setup. He wants the orchestra to play the tune so that he is prepared before the singers show up. But wait. He can’t remember the tune. “Can someone get me the cassette? I want to listen to the composition.” One of the crew finds the cassette and puts it on play. “Ah, I remember the tune now. Thank goodness for the cassette.” Suddenly his face turns grim. The senior singer never took the cassette. Oh no! The composer can only imagine what to expect next.
The male and female duet singers show up on time. Based on their body language, it looks like they are ready to go. Perhaps they did the smart thing. Took the cassette and practiced during the break. The composer thinks to himself. “I wish Uncle had taken the cassette too. Hope he shows up early so we can do a small rehearsal and refresh the tune with him.”
It’s been a couple of hours now. The orchestra ensemble is ready to go. The singers have taken their positions and are ready to go. Where is this guy? The composer is anxiously pacing back and forth.
Finally, there is the sighting of the senior singer. He has the same casual smile on his face as he walks in. The composer greets him. “Do you want to quickly do a rehearsal or listen to the cassette before you join the bigger group here?” The senior singer is a man of few words. He raises his hand like a stop sign, “Relax, do not worry. I got this.”
The recording begins with the initial duet portion. The composer is not too worried since all these singers are veterans in their field and also these two were the smart ones to take the cassette. Now the moment approaches when the senior singer needs to jump in. The composer’s anxiety is at its peak. The senior singer begins with a crescendo and moves to the rest of his lines. The composer cannot believe what he is hearing. The words are flowing effortlessly. Not one scale outside of the composition.
Mohammed Rafi sang Kya Mausam Hai along with Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar in the film Doosra Aadmi. The song was composed by Rajesh Roshan and the lyrics were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The film was produced by Yash Chopra and directed by Ramesh Talwar. The song was filmed with Rishi Kapoor, Rakhee, and Shashi Kapoor.
The situation in the film required a third person to be singing a few lines in the middle of a standard duet. As the lead female actor is singing she remembers her late husband and that’s where Majrooh Saheb and Rajesh Roshan felt it would be good to have a few lines sung by a different singer and in a different tune so that it stands out. Since most of the other songs were duets by Kishore Kumar and Lataji, they decided to use Mohammed Rafi for that segment.
Artists were handed cassettes in those days so they could take it home and practice or listen to it before showing up for the final recording. That was just a norm to make the process more efficient. Mohammed Rafi refused to take the cassette since he was old school. Even Rajesh Roshan had trouble remembering the tune after he came back. But Rafi Saheb to his credit, came in and sang exactly as per the composition.
Music: Rajesh Roshan
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi
*ing: Rakhee, Rishi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor
Director: Ramesh Talwar
Producer: Yash Chopra
Film: Doosra Aadmi (1977)