Rahul Dev Burman, or R.D. Burman, affectionately called Pancham Da, was also called a maverick and musical wizard. Known to revolutionise Indian film music by introducing trends and tech of western music, he will always be remembered for his films like “Teesri Manzil,” “Caravan,” “Kati Patang,” “Amar Prem,” “Aandhi,” “Sholay,” “Ijaazat,” and “1942: A Love Story.”
Born on June 27, 1939, in Calcutta, he was the only son of the legendary composer Sachin Dev Burman and his lyricist wife, Meera Dev Burman. His early life was steeped in music, with his father being a prominent figure in Bollywood music. It’s said that he was nicknamed ‘Pancham’ because he used to cry in very high volume—”Pancham Sur.” Another story is that Ashok Kumar gave him the name after witnessing his blabbering as a toddler.
R.D. Burman’s education began in Calcutta, first at Ballygunge Government High School, before going to Tirthopoti Institution. but it was in Mumbai that his musical training took a professional turn. He was trained by Ustad Ali Akbar Khan in sarod and Samta Prasad in tabla, which laid the foundation for his diverse musical abilities. Reportedly, he composed the song “Aye Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa,” which his father used in the 1956 film “Funtoosh,” when he was only 17.
Pancham started his career as an assistant to his father and used to play harmonica in the orchestras. He assisted his father in iconic films like Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963), Bandini (1963), Ziddi (1964), Guide (1965), and Teen Devian (1965). He famously played the mouth organ in “Hai Apna Dil To Aawara—Solvan Saal,” sung by Hemant Kumar.
R.D. was signed as the music director for the Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman starrer “Raaz,” but the film was shelved. Comedian Mehmood, fondly called Bhai Jaan, gave him his first break after his father declined to give music in Bhai Jaan’s “Chhote Nawab (1961).” The music of the film was highly appreciated, which started a close relationship between Mehmood and R.D. They worked together in films like Bhoot Bungla (1965), Padosan (1968), and Bombay to Goa (1972).
R.D. gave music to only four films from 1961 to 1965; his breakthrough came with Nasir Hussain’s “Teesri Manzil,” a musical thriller, which has blockbuster songs like “O Mere Sona Re Sona,” “O Haseena Zulfonwale Jane Jahan,” “Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera,” “Deewana Mujhsa Nahin,” and “Tumne Mujhe Dekha Hokar Meherban.” The music of Teesli Manzil was revolutionary in many ways; it was fresh and new. He used musical instruments in a whole new way, making new sounds with techno beats and a western style.
The super success of the film and its music made the team of Nasir Hussain and R.D. go on to give some of Hindi cinema’s greatest hits in films like “Baharon Ke Sapne (1967), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), Caravan (1971), Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977), Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981), Manzil Manzil (1984), and Zabardast (1985).
Some of the famous songs from these films include “Aaja Piya Tohe Pyar Doon,” “Chunri Sambhaal Gori Udi Chali Jaye Re,” “Kya Janoon Sajan Hoti Hai Kya Gham Ki Sham,” “Zamane Ne Maare Jawan Kaise Kaise,” (Baharon Ke Sapne), “Ni Sultana Re,” “Tum Bin Jaon Kahan,” (Pyar Ka Mausam), “Chadhti Jawaani Meri Chaal Mastaani,” “Kitna Pyara Wada,” “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja” (Carvaan), “Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko (Yadon Ki Baraat),” Bachna Ae Haseeno Chand Mera Dil Chandni Ho Tum, Kya Hua Tera Wada (Hum Kisise Kum Naheen), and many more.
Other films of R.D. in the 1960s were Chandan Ka Palna (1967), Abhilasha (1968), and Waris (1969). R.D. Burman quickly became famous for his innovative approach to music. He brought a new level of musical ensemble with his compositions, blending Indian classical music with international music trends.
Some of his famous songs in the early period include “Aaj Hua Mera Dil Matwala (Chhote Nawab),” “Aao Twist Karein (Bhoot Bangla),” “Wadiyan Mera Daaman (Abhilasha),” “Ek Chatur Naar Karke Singaar,” “Mere Samne Wali Khidki Me,” Main Chali Main Chali,” “Meri Pyari Bindu,” (Padosan), “Jis Gali Mein Tera Ghar,” “Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai,” “Yeh Sham Mastani,” (kati Patang), “Gulabi Aankhen Jo Teri Dekhi (The Train),” “Bada Natkhat Hai Re,” “Chingari Koi Bhadke,” “Doli Mein Bithaayi Ke Kahaar,” “Kuchh Toh Log Kahenge,” “Raina Beeti Jaye,” (Amar Prem), “Aayo Kahaan Se Ghanshyam,” “Raat Kali Ek Khwab Mein Aayi (Buddha Mil Gya), among others.
Throughout the 1970s, R.D. continued to give us super hit music in iconic films like Kati Patang (1970), The Train (1970), Mela (1970), Buddha Mil Gaya (1970), Hungama (1971), Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), Amar Prem (1971), Samadhi (1971), Jawani Diwani (1972), Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972), Heera Panna (1973), Anamika (1973), Raja Rani (1973), Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973), Joshila (1973), Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973), Namak Haraam (1973), Khel Khel Mein (1975), Deewaar (1975), Sholay (1975), Dharam Karam (1975), Balika Badhu (1975), Mehbooba (1975), Heeralaal Pannalaal (1978), Kasme Vaade (1978), Shalimar (1978), Gol Maal (1979), The Great Gambler (1979).
Some of his famous songs in this period are “Dum Maaro Dum,” “Phoolon Ka Taaron Ka,” (Hare Rama Hare Krishna), “Rut Hai Milan Ki (Mela),” “Aaj Unse Pehli Mulaqat Hogi,” “Dekha Na Haye Re (Bonbay To Goa),” “Kaali Palak Teri Gori (Do Chor),” “Jaane Jaan Dhoondhta Phir Raha (Jawani deewani),” “Chala Jaata Hoon Kisi (Mere Jeevan Saathi), “Gum Hai Kisi Ke Pyar Mein (Rampur Ka Laxman),” “Kaanta Laga (Samadhi),” “Jai Jai Shiv Shankar,” “Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Guzar” (Aap Ki Kasam), Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si Palkon (Anamika), “Panna Ki Tamanna Hai Ke Heera (Heera Panna),” “Do Ghoont Mujhe Bhi Pila De Sharabi (Jheel ke Us Paar), “Kiska Rasta Dekhe Ae Dil Ae Saudai (Joshila),” “Diye Jalte Hain Phool Khilte Hain” “Main Shayar Badnaam” (Namak Haram),” “Kahin Karti Hogi Woh Mera Intezaar (Phir kab Milogi),” “O Hansini Meri Hansini (Zahreela Insan),” “Ek Din Bik Jayega Maati Ke Mol (Dharam Karam),” “Bade Achhe Lagte Hain (Valika Vadhu),” “Mere Naina Sawan Bhadon (Mahbooba),” “Rimjhim Gire Sawan (Manzil),” “Hum Bewafa Hargiz Na The (Shalimar),” and “Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani (The Great Gambler).”
His work with legendary singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, and Kishore Kumar produced some of the most memorable songs in Hindi cinema. His collaboration with the lyricist Gulzar is particularly noted for creating songs that are cherished to this day. He collaborated with Gulzar in films like Parichay (1972), Aandhi (1975), Khushboo (1975), Kitaab (1975), Kinara (1975), Ghar (1978), Namkeen (1980), Angoor (1980), Ijaazat (1987), and many more.
Some of the iconic songs from his collaboration with Gulzar include “Beeti Naa Bitaayi Raina,’ “Musafir Hoon Yaaron” (Parichay), “Is Mod Se Jaate Hain,” “Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi Shiqwa” (Aandhi), “Aaj Kal Paon Zamin Par,” “Aap Ki Ankhon Mein Kuchh,” “Phir Wohi Raat Hai Khwab Ki” (Ghar), “Ab Ke Na Sawan Barse,” “Naam Gum Jaayega” (kinara), “Dhanno Ki Aankhon Mein,” “Masterji Ki Aa Gayi Chitthi” (Kitab), “Aanewala Pal Janewala Hai,” “Golmaal Hai Bhai Sab Golmaal Hai” (Golmal), “Pritam Aan Milo,” “Roz Roz Daali Daali” (Angoor), “Raah Pe Rahte Hain (Namkeen),” “Huzur Is Kadar Bhi Na Itra Ke Chaliy,” “Lakdi Ki Kaathi Kaathi Pe Ghoda,” “Tujhse Naraaz Nahin Zindagi” (Masoom), “Khamosh Sa Afsana,” “Seeli Hawa Chhoo Gai” (Libaas),” “Katra Katra Milti Hai,” “Mera Kuchh Saamaan,” “Chhoti Si Kahaani Se,” “Khaali Haath Shaam Aayi Hai” (Ijaazat), among others.
Some of his famous films in the 1980s and 1990s include Khubsoorat (1980), Abdullah (1980), The Burning Train (1980), Love Story (1980), Kudrat (1980), Rocky (1980), Kaalia (1980), Satte Pe Satta (1982), Sanam Teri Kasam (1982), Shakti (1982), Masoom (1983), Rang Birangi (1983), Mahaan (1983), Betaab (1983), Sunny (1984), Saagar (1985), Alag Alag (1985), Samundar (1986), Saveraywali Gaadi (1986), Joshilaay (1989), Parinda (1989), Indrajeet (1991), Drohi (1992), Gardish (1993), 1942: A Love Story (1994), and Ghatak (1996).
These are a few songs from his films in the 1980s. “Maine Poochha Chaand (Abdullah),” “Pallu Latke (Naukar),” “JYamma Yamma (Shaan),” “Jahan Teri Ye Nazar Hai (kalia),” “Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna (Kudrat),” “Dekho Maine Dekha Hai Yeh Ek Sapna,” “Teri Yaad Aa Rahi Hai” (love story), “Kya Yahi Pyar Hai (Rocky),” “Dil Lena Khel Hai Dildaar Ka (Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai),” “Kitne Bhi Tu Karle Sitam (Sanam Teri Kasam),” “Pyar Hamen Kis Mod Pe Le Aaya (Satte pe Satta), “Hamne Sanam Ko Khat Likha (Shakti),” “Jab Hum Jawan Honge (Betab),” “Bachke Rehna Re Baba (Pukar),” “Aur Kya Ahde Wafa (Sunny),” “Sagar Jaisee Ankhon (Sagar),” “O Dhola Dhol Manjira Baaje (Joshiley),” “Tumse Milke Aisa Laga (Parinda),” “Hum Na Samjhe The (Gardish),” and many more.
The late 80s and early 90s were the lean phase of his career, and most of his music was not successful. He also faced health issues at this time. It was a very difficult time when almost everyone abandoned him due to his failure, but Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who worked with him in “Parinda,” decided to sign him for “1942: A Love Story,” a period drama. R.D. collaborated with Javed Akhtar for the film and gave one of cinema history’s most beautiful albums, which will be remembered forever.
1942: A Love Story has songs like “Pyar Hua Chupke Se,” “Rimjhim Rimjhim Rumjhum Rumjhum,” “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha,” “Rooth Na Jana,” and “Kuch Na Kaho,” which became modern classics. The film earned him the Filmfare Best Music Director Award, but Pancham was not there to receive it. R.D. Burman passed away on January 4, 1994, before the release of the film.
RD Burman was nominated 18 times at the Filmfare Awards in the Best Music Director category. Of these, he won three: Sanam Teri Kasam (1983), Masoom (1984), and 1942: A Love Story (1995) (posthumously).
His personal life saw its share of ups and downs. He married Rita Patel in 1966, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1971. He found love again with the legendary Asha Bhosle, whom he married in 1980.
R.D. Burman’s songs have a special place in the hearts of music lovers, and they will continue to be celebrated, sung, and remembered for many more years to come.
