Remembering RD Burman on his death anniversary: Renowned music maverick Rahul Dev Burman who was popularly known as Pancham Da won millions of hearts owing to his unique style of composing music. It won’t be wrong to call him one of the most talented and influential music composers Bollywood had ever seen.
Born in June 27, 1939, RD Burman composed music for as many as 331 films and the evergreen songs from the same continue to be the all-time favourites of music lovers across the country even now.
Popularly known as Pancham Da, RD Burman is remembered as the musical genius who had a unique style of composing music. He is also credited with introducing new elements (jazz and rock styles) into Hindi film songs. As Burman worked with international artistes, his approach to music got more global in nature.
His work has influenced many new generation artistes as well. Vishal Shekhar, Amit Trivedi and many others have confessed that they have been inspired by Pancham Da on various occasions.
Though RD Burman was popularly known for his Hindi film music, Pancham Da also composed Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and Marathi tracks.
Here are some of the lesser – known facts about Pancham da-
- RD Burman would spend hours at his house balcony for the perfect recording of the sound of raindrops.
- It is a known fact that swimming and playing the mouth organ were Pancham Da’s passion, so during an event in Calcutta (now Kolkata), he played the mouth organ while he was floating in the water.
- RD Burman has sung/composed music for about 331 movies in various different languages.
- The song Mere Naina Sawan Bhadon from the movie Mehbooba (1965) is considered by critics and fans as one of the best works of Kishore Kumar. However, Kumar had initially refused to sing it because he felt he was ‘beyond him’. It was only after R. D. Burman convinced him that Kishore Kumar lent his voice to the song.
- RD Burman would use everyday instruments like soda bottles, flour mills running on the hydraulic force, etc to create music. In fact, reports have it that he would also use his musicians’ back to drum so that he can create his own unique sound for his music.
On his death anniversary, we remember and bring you some of RD Burman’s best Hindi songs:
- Do Lafzon Ki Hai (The Great Gambler)
2. Tujhse Naraz Nahin Zindagi (Masoom)
3. Kuchh Na Kaho (1942: A Love Story)
4. Piya Tu Ab To Aaja (Caravan)
- Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko (Yaadon Ki Baaraat)
