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RD Burman was a musician with the difference, a trendsetter, an iconic, eclectic, composer, who was born with music and rhythm in his genes. A wizard, he could combine the Indian tunes with western instruments, funky sounds, and psychedelic vibes. Samina profiles the maverick musical genius, in the weekly column, exclusively in Different Truths.
Music is not what you hear but what you feel, music is not what exists but what is created, and music does not follow norms but breaks norms and cuts across to reach heart and soul of music lovers.
RD Burman or Panchamda as he is fondly and popularly called by his colleagues and friends was a musician with the difference, a trendsetter, an iconic, eclectic, composer, who was born with music and rhythm in his genes.
A wizard who could combine the Indian tunes with western instruments, funky sounds, and psychedelic vibes and create a peppy foot tapping number which was a genre of music introduced in Bollywood.
Only son of the great S D Burman, a man known for being a stickler for details, Panchamda inherited the same passion but aspired to be better than his father. Though he spent his childhood with his grandmother, his father identified his natural flair for music at a very early age and the song in Pyaasa, Sar Jo Tera Chakraye was composed by very young RD Burman, who then composed music only on a mouth organ.
RD trained under Ustad Ali Akbar Khan (Sarod) and Sampta Prasad (Tabla). He stepped into his shoes during the making of Aradhana and then there was no looking back. Though the first independent credit he enjoyed as a music director was Chhote Nawab.
The creativity and the wide range of composition ranged from a soul stirring, heart piercing, a melodious number from Tum aa Gaye ho Noor aa Gaya Hai from Aandhi to the Piya Tu Ab To Aaja from Caravan and the Mehbooba song from Sholay. At the same time, he has composed some melodious Bengali tracks on traditional music.
He created music for a generation which was besotted by peppy tracks and dance numbers. In his plethora of compositions, he had Jazz, Rock, Mexican Mariachi, and Brazilian Bossa-Nova.
In fact, so inspired was he with western songs that Mehbooba is a copy of the song, Say You Love Me, by Demis Roussos.
He could easily use spoon and glass to give a special effect to his composition only to make his songs part of the narrative of the film, Chura liya hai.
Gulzar was a dear friend and both enjoyed a bond of sensitivity and compassion, which beautifully shows in the music of Ijazat, Aandhi, and Masoom.
His music found more love when he met Asha Bhonsle and one legend fell in love with another. There was a sensuality with which Asha Bhonsle just matched Panchamda’s notes, her voice, and his music was magical together and they created melodies which stay in our heart even today. In fact, they shared their common love for food which passion for music and lips smacking cuisine brought them together and their love story is remembered even today.
RD dreamt music and could just create music while having a conversation or giving an interview. He had music for all moods and though many have been inspired by him, not many have been able to carry his legacy forward. He continues to remain an icon on whom films are made and festivals organised.
©Samina Naqvi
Photos from the Internet.
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