With formula driving the Hindi movies always, almost each movie has a
tailor-made situation to infuse a romantic duet. And irrespective of the
actors performing, the most popular duo to perform these duets were
Lata & Rafi. With their mellifluous & pure rendition, and their
command over ragas, together, they always managed to create that effect
of pure romance which was difficult to match for most of the other
singers.
Pancham had worked with them , as assistant to his father
in a number of movies - specially those of Navketan banners. However,
there have been very few numbers where he himself used their magical
chemistry for a romantic duet. This, despite Lata being one of his
favourite singers. Partly, this could have been due to him preferring
Kishore for most of his male songs.
Yet, when he did work with
them together, the compositions & the songs turned out to be not
only super hits, but also have been rated amongst Rafi & Lata's best
songs together.
One such song was in 1971 from the Jitendra
& Asha Parekh starrer - Caravan. Being a Nasir Hussain movie, with a
story woven around gypsies, the compositions - across the movie - were
outstanding. Pancham used the theme of road journey to bring in sounds
that were as varied as jazz, the blues as well the folk. Amongst all the
compositions, one closest to Hindustani sound was this lovely duet with
a two-paced composition. The interesting part is the way song ends with
a refrain on Harmonica as the caravan moves on. This refrain was later
used by Pancham for another of his composition - Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na -
from Aa Gale Lag Ja.
Of course, with Majrooh in his prime,
Lata & Rafi lending their voices to suitably subtle & coy Asha
Parekh with dancing Jitendra - much before white shoes became his
trademark - the songs could not have been anything but sweet &
melodious - to remain a chart toppers for years to come.
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