My Tribute to Versatile Composer Rahul Dev Burman
                                          By Sablu Mukesh

 I am dedicating this Blog to my Sulekha friend as well as my Flute's Guru, Dear Dr Narasinha Kamath, I am very much inspired and encouraged by going through his all Blogs and comments specially on the musical aspects.





  
  Introduction: Rahul Dev Burman was also popularly known as Pancham Da. Son of one of the brilliant composers Sachin Dev Burman, was native from Tripura state, North East region. He belonged from the royal prince family of Tripura state. Ashok Kumar one of the legendary personalities in the film industry was very close friend of his father, Sachin Dev Burman who observed Rahul at very young age had immense passion for the music.  He frequently observed Rahul crying and sounding in the Indian classical Scale "Pa note" and producing Pa Pa sound, looking to this event, Ashok Kumar very interestingly kept the nick name of this emerging musical personality as Pancham which is actually known as the fifth note (key) of Sargam in Hindustani Classical Music. Born on 27 June, 1939 in Calcutta, died on January 4,1994. He was the leading personality in the music industry of Hindi Cinema during 70's, a renowned one of the genius Music Directors onwards from the period of  Golden Music Era 1960's to the Modern Music Era of 1990's. He had given his wide compositions in more than 331 films, out of which 292 films were in Hindi, the remaining were in Bangla, Oriya, Telgu, Marathi, Tamil and other languages too. His first film as a Music Director was "Chote Nawab" produced by Mehmood, released in the year 1961, in which, he gave his outstanding compositions: a melodious and classical number by Lata Mangeshkar "Ghar Aaja Ghir Aayi Badra Sawariya" based on Raga Malgunji, lyrics by Sailendra and this awesome classical song became the threshold in his music career which also ended the break between SD Burman and Lata Mangeshkar to come once again in their musical association who stopped recording for the long time. 

In fact, RD was the most versatile music's composer in the film industry and my one of the most favourite Music Directors who used his own creativeness and best use of the technology in the field of music from the early period of Golden Music Era to the modern period of Musical Era. Looking towards the standards and taste of the public in the field of music, demand of the younger generation's taste, from time to time, he went on composing numerous brilliant songs which are still evergreen and melodious to listen all the times. Whenever I listen to his compositions on any media be it Radio, Television, Films, CD Player or Tape etc., I always salute to this legendary with my soulful appreciation for his immortal music's compositions.

R D Burman at Young Age: He was very creative in the music's field both in learning as well as playing various musical instruments since his childhood. After all, he inherited these talents from his family's musical backgrounds. SD Burman inspired him a lot to learn the various musical instruments. At very young age, he started learning Tabla, Drum etc. and was expert on Mouth Organ. He learnt Sarod from (Ustaad Ali Akbar Khan). Started his musical career at beginning working as an assistant to his father SD Burman. At age of 9 years, he composed the very first song (Aye Meri Topi Palat ke Aa) and this tune was used in the noted film (Funtoosh in 1956) by Sachin Dev Burman and also he composed the tune of the famous song (Sar Jo Tera Chakraye) in  film (Pyaasa of Guru Dutt) which was very much appreciated by SD Burman. It was child Pancham who played the melodious number (Hai Apna Dil to Aawara) as a playback tune on Mouth Organ in film (Solva Saal) in the year 1958 and apart from this tune, he also played many songs's tune on Mouth Organ in various films during 50's-60's golden era. Also Mouth Organ music's backgrounds in the noted film Sholay in year1975 had been played by him which became very popular and mesmerizing tunes. He was the leading composer at that time. 

RD as a Singer: He was also a very good singer apart from being an eminent Music Composer.  He used his very soft and sweet vocal in singing pattern up to the range of very high scale and thick vocal. His singing style was quite unique as per his compositions which had much fluctuation like a wave in music, some songs from low, medium to very high octave scale. Those songs became quite popular like( Mehbooba Mehbooba in Sholay), (Dil Lena Khel Hai DildarKa in film Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai), (Tu Maike Mat Jaiyoo in film Pukar), (Samunder Mein Naha Ke in film Pukar), ( Yamma Yamma at very high scale in film Shaan,) (JaneJigar Duniya Mein Tu Sab Se Hasin Hai with Kishore Kumar in film Pukar),  (Dhanno Ki Aankhon Mein Raat Ka Surma in film Kitaab) etc.

RD as an Actor: He also acted in some noted films like (Pyar Ka Mausam) produced by (Nasir Hussain) in the year 1969, Bhoot Bungla produced by Mehmood in the year 1965.

Versatility of RD Burman: In fact, in my music's dictionary, I considered him the most versatile Music Director who availed the best opportunity of the Sound, Lyrics, Musical Instruments and all the technologies pertaining to the field of music by his own creative procedures, style and techniques. He was the only composer so far,  who had associated himself and used the best talents of the all legendary personalities of film industry in his music compositions. No doubt, he was a versatile musician. His compositions define his dedication to the various  musical aspects: [Hindustani Classical Style and Semi-Classical Tunes based on various Ragas; Folk Songs, Bhajans; Quawali; Rocks; Pops; Disco; Western Style; Ghazal; Thumri; Khayal; Dadra] etc. 

He also introduced the Brazilian Rhythem Pattern Bosa Nova. A specific melody could be found in his music. He used  the best combination of Guitar's Chords in many romantic and emotional numbers. The chords combination as per scale were (Am, G, F); (Dm, C, Bb); (E, A, D, Bm); (Dm, Am, E, A, F, G,); (Dm, C, G, F) etc chords. In classical numbers, he mainly used the musical instruments like [Sitar, Flute, Tabla, Violin, Guitar]. Combination of  [Bass and Lead Guitar, Drum] in pop and rock songs. In some songs, he used very creative and traditional style like producing tunes from filled water bottle in song like (O Manjhi Re in film Khusboo) where each beating and rhythm has a specific sounds. In song like (Chura Liya Hai Tum Ne Jo Dil Ko , film Yaddon Ki Baraat), he used the combination of spoon beating rhythms on filled cups. So these were the specialties in RD's music. 


RD Association with Singers: He gave opportunities and preference to the all Singers, Mohd Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Suresh Wadekar, and even new coming singers like Shabir Kumar, Abhijit, Kumar Sanu.  Kishore Kumar was the soulful vocal of Pancham's composition.
 
RD Association with Lyricists: He had very good association with the noted lyricists of that time like Anand Bakshi, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Gulzar, Gulsan Babra, Javed Aaktar, Sahir Ludhiyanbi, Sailendra who wrote numerous hit songs for composing in which maximum numbers were super hit. RD associated excellently with the noted lyricists, and other co-artists and had very good co-ordination among them in team. 



     Dear readers in the following statements, I am going to list all my favourite compositions of Rahul Dev Burman as per the different aspects of his music compositions.

 Classical Songs Based on Various Ragas: RD Burman gave many hit numbers of classical songs in many films which reflect his outstanding talent with respect to his compositions.              

Raga Malgunji: Ghar Aaja Ghir Aayi Badra Sawariya, film Chote Nawab, 1961, Lyrics Sailendra
Raga Shivranjani: Mere Naina Sawan Bhadoon, film Mehbooba, 1976, Lyrics Anand Bakshi
Raga Shivranjani: Do Naino Mein Aanso, film Khusboo, 1975, Lyrics Gulzar
Raga Shivranjani: Ab ke Na Sawan, Film Kinara, 1977, Lyrics Gulzar
Raga Darbari Kanhara: Gouri Tori Paijaniya from the same film
Raga Chhaya Nat: Tu Meri Zindagi Mein film Bombay to Goa, 1971
Raga Khamaj: Kuch To Log Kahenge film Amar Prem, Lyrics Anand Bakshi
Raga Khamaj: Aayo Kahan Se Ghanshyam film Buddha Mil Gaya, 1971, Lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri
Raga Khamaj: Bada Natkhat Hai Re Krishna film Amar Prem
Raga Kedar: Aap Ki Aankhon Mein Kuch, film Ghar, 1978, Lyrics Gulzar
Raga Kirwani: Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si, film Anamika, 1973, Lyrics Majrooh
Raga Kirwani: Aanewala Pal Janewala Hai, Film Golmaal
Raga Yaman: Is Mod Se Jate  film Aandhi, 1975, Lyrics Gulzar
Raga Yaman Kalyan: Bitina Bitayee Raina film Parichay, 1972, Lyrics Gulzar
Raga  Bilawal: Sare Ke Sare Gama Ko Lekar film Parichay, 1972, Lyrics Gulzar
Raga Pelu: Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko film Yadoon ki Baarat, 1973, Lyrics Majrooh 
Raga Kalawati: Hai Gar Dushman Zamana film Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin, 1977, Lyrics Majrooh
Raga Maru Bihag: Jamuna Kinare Aaja film Mehbooba,1976, Lyrics Anand Bakshi
Raga Desh: Kyun Naye Lag Rahe film 1942: a Love story, 1994, Lyrics Javed Akhtar
Raga Pahari: Karwatein badalte rahen sari raat, film Aapki  Kasam,1974, Lyrics Anand Bakshi
Raga Pahari: Deewana Mujsha Nahin film Teesri Manzil, 1966, Lyrics Majrooh
Raga Pahari: Kancha re Kanchi re, film Hare Krishna Hare Rama,1972, Lyrics Anand Bakshi
Raga Pahari: Sawan ke Jhoole Pare, film Jurmana, 1979, Lyrics Anand Bakshi
Raga Bihag:  Zindagi Ke Safar Mein, film Aap ki Kasam, 1974, Lyrics Annad Bakshi
Raga Bageshwari: Tune o rangeele kaisa jadu film Kudrat, 1981, Lyrics Majrooh
Raga Bhairvi: Hamein Tumse Pyar Kitna, film Kudrat
Raga Madhumati Sarang:  Hum dono Do Premi, film Ajnabee, 1974, Lyrics Anand Bakshi
Raga Todi: Sawan ka Mahina aa Gaya, film Nahle pe Dahla, 1974
Raga Lalit:  Raina Beet Jayee, film Amar Prem
Some More Classical Hits:
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke film Aap ki Kasam
Mithe Bol Bol film Kinara
Jiya Na Laage Mora Jiya film Budha Mil Gaya
Jane Kya Baat Hai film Sunny
Aaj Kal Paon Zamin Per film Ghar
O Mere Pyaar Aaja film Bhut Bungla


Romantic Numbers of RD Burman: 
Raat kali ek khwab mein film (Budha Mil Gaya)
O mere dil ki chain film (Mere Jeevan Saathi)
Suno kaho kuch huwa kya film (Aap ki Kasam)
Kasme vade nibhayeinge hum film (Kasme Vaade)
Ek ajnaabe hasina se film (Ajnabee)
Hawa ke sang sang film (Sita aur Geeta)
Deewana leke aaya hai film (Mere Jeevan Saathi)
Ye shaam mastani film (Kati Patang)
Ye jo mohhabat hai film (Kati Patang)
Tere bina jiya jayena film (Ghar)
Aaja piya tohe pyar duun film (Baharoon ke Sapne)
Pyar deewana hota hai mastana film (Kati Patang)
Bahoon Mein chale aa film (Anamika)
Tum aagaye ho noor aagaya film (Aandhi)
Do lafzo ki hai film (Great Gambler)
Mera man tera pyasa film (Gambler)
Maine poocha chand se film (Abdullah)
Koyee aur duniya mein tumsa hasin hai film (Pyar ki Kahani)
Mujhe chu rahi hai  teri garm saanse film (Sywamber)
Rut hai milan ki saathi mere aare film (Mela)
Rhimjhim gire sawan sulag sulag jaye man film (Manzil)
Main Tasvir Utarta hoon film (Heera Panna)
Tum ne Mujhe dekha film (Teesri Manzil)
O mere sona re film (Teesri manzil)

Emotional Numbers of RD Burman:
Kiska Rasta Dekhein film (Joshila)
Hum bewafa hargiz na the film (Shalimar)
Tum Bin jaaon Kahan film (Pyar ka Mausam)
Na ja O Mere Humdum film (Pyar ka Mausam)
Hamein Aur Jeene Ki Chahat Na Hothi film (Agar Tum na Hote)
Mein Shayar badnaam film film (Namak Haram)
Bahut duur Mujhe Chale jana Hai film (Heera Panna)
Tere Bina zindagi se shikba film (Aandhi)

Comedy Numbers of RD Burman:
Mere shamne wali khirki mein film (Padosan)
Ek chaturnar Karke shingaar film (Padosan)
Jago sone waalon suno meri kahani film (Bhoot Bungla)
Rampur ka basi hoon mein film (Rampur ka Laxman)

Devotional Numbers of RD Burman:
Dekho O Deewano tum ye Kaam na Karo film (Hare Rama Hare Krishna)
Apno ko Kab Hai Shyam film (Mere Jeevan Saathi)
Aayoo Kahan se Ghanshyam film (Budha Mil Gaya)

Pop and Rock Numbers of RD Burman:
Duniya Mein Logon Ko film (Apna Desh)
Laila O Meri Laila film (Sanam Teri Kasam)
Yamma Yaama film (Shaan)
Mehbooba Mehbooba film (Sholay)

Dear Readers, you can enjoy my singing from the following link in which I have sung a song Ye Shaam Mastaani along with BGM guitar chords played by me. I am dedicating this awesome song to my most favorite Music Director Rahul Dev Burman who very brilliantly composed this music in Film Kati Patang and very brilliantly it was sung by Kishoreda. 
So listen song from the link

http://sablumukesh.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/06/ye-shaam-mastani-sung-by-sablu-mukesh.htm


Dear Readers, I am concluding my blog on my tribute to a versatile composer RD Burman here. Your sincere  comments will be highly appreciated.

Courtesy to www.panchamonline.com for Rahul Dev Photo

Regards,
Sablu Mukesh