Shabbir Kumar Ke Kuch Geet, Bol do meethe bol soneya Options

[oye_sonu]

Shabbir Kumar:

Working out his own style

Shabbir Kumar's entry into the world of film music is just five years old. In so short a span, he's carved a niche for himself amongst the younger generation of playback singers. The 38- year-old singer, who came in with the image of being a Rafi clone, is now determined to work out his own style in singing,
His first love, however, was painting, not singing. Says Shabbir, "I had a tremendous craze for listening to the radio but never for singing." Shabbir recollects, "I was just 13 years old, my neighbours let me listen to the radio but they asked me to run errands for them in return. Soon I became the errand boy of my locality. I didn't mind doing anything sc~ long as I got to listen to Rafisaab's songs."
Shabbir, unable to turn down a request at a private gathering, hesitantly and nervously broke into a Rafi number, 'Himalaya ke bulundi se', from the film'Phool Bane Angare'. It dawned on all those present - including Shabbir himself - that he was endowed with a melodious voice. Shabbir discontinued his diploma in fine arts at the M S University in 1971, after Ashok Jagtap, the organiser of Opeta Music Circle, offered to make Shabbir a member of his stage group in Baroda.
At a paltry sum of Rs 15 per show, Shabbir was inducted into the group. Being a newcomer, he was allotted just about five minutes to render one number. There wasn't enough money coming in. Shows were held irregularly. Just then, cashing in on Shabbir's growing popularity, Melody Makers offered Rs 60 per show and promised at least six shows a month. Shabbir agreed.
Soon Shabbir was forced to come to terms with himself. "I wanted to prove that I could captivate the audience on the strength of my singing alone. "Shabbir went
went ahead with a solo performance of 33 Rafi numbers in a 2 1/2 hours' show -'Shabbir Kumar Nite'. It was a total success. The shows were continued for some time, until a financial mess he got himself into forced him to accept a job in a textile mill in Ahmedabad in 1978.
"Mohammed Rafi's death in July 1980 transformed Shabbir's life. "I was in Baroda at that time. I didn't want to believe the news was true. I was shattered. When I reached Bombay by train I dashed off to have the last 'darshan'. By sheer chance, just when Rafisaab's body was being lifted to lay it to rest, his feet got placed into my hands. What better way could I have hoped for to pay my last respects!" Just after the funeral, Junior Mahmood came in touch with Shabbir and put him up at a guest house at Bombay Central, for Shabbir was almost penniless. Shabbir was soon back on stage belting Rafi numbers. And then he was introduced to Usha Khanna by a musician friend.
Usha Khanna picked up the dark-complexioned, soft spoken stage singer and gave him his first break in the film 'Tajurba' in 198 1. "For this particular song 'Hum ek nahin hum do nahin', I had another young singer Suresh Wadkar accompanying me so I felt quite at ease.
"Shabbir also sang with Usha Khanna that year for'Sardar'and'Adat Se Majboor'. None of the films did too well. But the effort did not escape the notice of movie moghul Manmohan Desai. He was on the lookout for a new voice for Amitabh's playback for'Coo(ie'. He recommended Shabbir's name to Laxmikant-Pyarelal. The duo agreed to hear him.
Shabbir came through. "This was a real big break for me, my happiness knew no bounds. I was extremely grateful to Manji, Laxmibhai and Pyarebhai. During the recording of the song 'Mubarak ho turn sab ko Haj ka mahina', Manji used to bring me a flask full of turmeric milk to soothe my throat and keep me going through the takes."
Shabbir found another well-wisher in R D Burman who offered him all the male playback songs in' Betaab'. But 'Betaab'was a challenge of sorts for Shabbir. "I had to sing a duo with Latadidi. I was so nervous. But Latadidi spoke some kind words and put my mind at rest. Panchamji too comforted me and soon I was prepared to go through with the recording." The duet,'Badal yun garja to hai', went on to become a hit, giving his career a boost. Shabbir, however, still felt insecure. The reason, "I always had the fear of rejection. I knew I didn't have a trained voice and even a thousand Shabbirs could not make a Rafi."
Shabbir proved his versatility under different music directors, Laxmikant-Pyareial, R D Burman and Usha Khanna. Whether it was a romantic number, a racy lilting song or a sentimental rendering, Shabbir was able to deliver.
Shabbir signed up with HMV in 1982. The three-year contract resulted in only one album,'Ab Pesh Hai Ghazal'. 1982,'83,'84 proved the most fruitful years for Shabbir. Soon CBS, Venus and T Series released compilation albums of' Shabbir Kumar Hits'.
Looking back on the past five years, how does Shabbir feel today about his career? "Looking back, I feel I've yet to travel a long way and achieve something. Real success still eludes me. Although I had an opportunity to sing all types of songs, romantic, sentimental, disco, ghazals, geet, I feel there's still something missing. And that is having my own style."
Shabbir has still to sort out the Rafi problem. "I have not aped Rafi. If I had tried to sing like him I would not have lasted. One cannot act for too long. I didn't sing like Rafi. It is not my fault that my voice resembles his. Even the late Mukeshji in his early days sounded like the late K L Saigal. But over the years he managed to evolve his own inimitable style."
"Now I'm working on my own style!"


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When it comes to Rafi clones shabbir kumar is among my favs. then Anwar and then mohd aziz. Yes sonu nigam also comes under this category. but iam talking abt 80s era. Shabbir kumar really had a great run from eraly 80s to late 80s before he was replaced by Mohd aziz.He got nominated for FF awards 3-4 times only to be beaten by classy KK. After the death of Rafi saab , LP were v much missing their fav singer Rafi. hence started using Shabbbir in a big way.This association yielded many gems thorughout 80s.
He got great start with big hits in initial stage of his career like Betab, coolie etc. Betab is among the best works of Shabbir and among the few movies he did with Pancham.
Shabbir also sung for other MDs like ..Anu malik, Bhappi lehari, Rajesh roshan, etc

One more reason for liking him is that his songs reminds of my childhood. ie The late 80s. so I dont know whether he sung those songs well or not..but i like all those songs.

Starting with first song of Shabbir kumar.One of my personal favs . from pyar jhukta nehi.

" tumhe apna saathi banane ki".

co singers : Anuradha paudwal and lata mangeshkar
Music : Laxmikant pyarelal


open to corrections

God bless

Sonu

[oye_sonu]

yes if iam not wrong the song "aa beth mere near" is also by suresh and lata resp.

Sonu

[deewani]

You're both right I was thinking of Lata/Suresh duets - my bad - so sorry.

Okay, some of my fav Shabbir songs, then:
Log Tau Mandir Masjid Jayen (Na Sona Na Chandi) - Ek Chaddar Maili Si
Phir Milne Aap Kabh - Mahaguru
Gori Hai Kalaiyan Tu Laade Mujhe - Aaj Ka Arjun
Kangana - Woh 7 Din

And please Sonu if you have the track list from that CBS label - would very much appreciate it. (not a request for songs).