Happy Birthday RD Burman: The lesser-known fact about the legendary music director RD Burman, or Pancham da, who would have turned 85 today had he not died 30 years ago, is that he debuted as a Bollywood composer and a 'Puja song' composer in the same year, and some of those Bengali compositions became runaway hits in Hindi films.
The RD Burman composition that was sung by both Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar, Tum bin jaaun kahan, ke duniya mein aake/Kuchh na phir chaha sanam tumko chaahke from Nasir Hussain’s Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), starring Shashi Kapoor and Asha Parekh, with lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri, was first born in Bengali and released in a pujo album, during Durga Puja, in 1967, as Ek Din Paakhi Ure Jaabe (translated as: one day, the bird will fly away), sung by Kishore Kumar, written by Mukul Datta. While the Hindi song appears five times in the film, mostly as Rafi croons for Shashi Kapoor, it was on music director RD Burman’s insistence that Kishore’s version in Hindi was used in the film, too, and so it appears, twice but not in its entirety, for actor Bharat Bhushan. Somehow, it is Kishore’s version that has remained stuck in listener’s aural memory, and a major contributor for that has to be the singer’s many live-show iterations of the song during Durga Pujo functions.
Rahul Dev Burman was one of the most influential and beloved musicians in the history of the Indian music industry. Born on June 27, 1939, in Kolkata, he was the only son of composer Sachin Dev Burman. From an early age, RD Burman mastered various instruments and immersed himself in both Eastern and Western musical traditions. His career spanned over three decades, during which he redefined the sound of Bollywood music and composed musical scores for 331 films.
RD Burman’s journey began in the 1960s when he started as an assistant to his father and quickly rose to prominence as an independent composer with the film Chhote Nawab (1961).
After that, he worked continuously for 33 years and showcased his versatility and ability to create some of the most poignant and memorable songs in Hindi cinema that resonated deeply with the audience.
What set RD Burman apart was not just his mastery of melody but also his ability to push the boundaries of traditional film music. His collaborations with singers like Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, and Lata Mangeshkar resulted in some of the most iconic and enduring songs in Indian cinema.
Tragically, the great music maestro passed away on January 4, 1994, leaving behind a rich musical legacy that continues to inspire generations of musicians and listeners alike.
His legacy as a maestro and a musical pioneer is etched forever in the annals of Hindi cinema, and his contributions to Bollywood music are immeasurable.
Remembering the legend of all time on his birth anniversary, let’s revisit some of his best music that will continue to enchant and enthral audiences for years to come.
