R.D.Burman (1939-94)

Hindi composer aka Pancham. Entered films as assistant to his father S.D. Burman, often playing the mouth organ in his father’s orchestras. Trained under Ali Akbar Khan. Independent career coincided with the wave of early 70s Rajesh Khanna love stories (esp. Kati Patang, Amar Prem, Apna Desh) and the new lease of life they offered to singer Kishore Kumar. Informally assisted his father in composing the seminal Khanna-Kumar combination, Shakti Samanta’s Aradhana (1969). Breakthrough in Nasir Hussain musicals, starting with Baharon Ke Sapne and consolidated by the classic Zeenat Aman rock music teen-movie Yaadon Ki Baraat, having earlier scored her début Hare Rama Hare Krishna. Some of his best music is associated with Gulzar’s lyrics, e.g. Parichay and Aandhi. Brought Hindi film music into the era of electronic rock with a series of enormously popular youth movies, e.g. Narendra Bedi’s Jawani Diwani. Worked mostly with singers Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar, providing much of the music that defines their reputations. Also produced independent albums, including one based on the samba and one with British pop star Boy George. Occasionally sang his own songs in a unique, grunting bass (e.g. the Mehbooba mehbooba number in Sholay). 1942 : A Love Story, his last film released after his death, was a major musical success.

Gulzar and others on working with R.D.Burman

FILMOGRAPHY (* also act): 1961: Chhote Nawab; 1965: Bhoot Bangla*; Teesra Kaun; 1966: Pati Patni; Teesri Manzil; 1967: Baharon Ke Sapne; Chandan Ka Palna; 1968: Abhilasha; Padosan; 1969: Pyar Ka Mausam*; Waris; 1970: Rajkumari; Ehsan; Kati Patang; Puraskaar; Raaton Ka Raja; Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi; The Train; 1971: Adhikar; Amar Prem; Buddha Mil Gaya; Caravan; Hangama; Hare Rama Hare Krishna; Lakhon Mein Ek; Mela; Paraya Dhan; Pyar Ki Kahani; Hulchul; Sanjog; 1972: Apna Desh; Bombay To Goa; Dil Ka Raja; Do Chor; Garam Masala; Gomti Ke Kinare; Jawani Diwani; Mere Jeevan Saathi;Parichay; Parchaiyan; Raakhi Aur Hathkadi; Rampur Ka Lakshman; Rani Mera Naam; Samadhi; Savera; Seeta Aur Geeta; Shehzada; Double Cross; 1973: Aa Gale Lag Jaa; Anamika; Bada Kabutar; Bandhe Haath; Chhalia; Do Phool; Heera Panna; Hifazat; Jaise Ko Taisa; Jheel Ke Us Paar; Joshila; Nafrat; Namak Haram; Paanch Dushman; Raja Rani; Rickshawala; Shareef Badmash; Yaadon Ki Baraat; Mr Romeo; 1974: Aap Ki Kasam; Ajnabi; Benaam; Charitraheen; Dil Diwana; Doosri Seeta; Goonj; Humshakal; Imaan; Ishq Ishq Ishq; Khote Sikkay; Madhosh; Manoranjan; Phir Kab Milogi; Shaitan; Trimurti; Ujala Hi Ujala; Zehreela Insaan; 1975: Aandhi; Deewar; Dharam Karam; Kala Sona; Khel Khel Mein; Khushboo; Mazaaq; Raja; Sholay; Warrant; Kehte Hain Mujhko Raja; 1976: Balika Badhu; Bandalbaaz; Bhanwar; Bullet; Khalifa; Maha Chor; Mehbooba; Nehle Pe Dehla; Vishwasghaat; Dhongee; 1977: Chala Murari Hero Banne; Chalta Purza; Chandi Sona; Darling Darling; Hum Kisise Kum Nahin; Jeevanmukt; Karm; Kinara; Kitaab; Mukti; 1978: Azad; Bhola Bhala; Chor Ho To Aisa; Devata; Ghar; Heeralal Pannalal; Naukri; Kasme Vade; Naya Daur; Phandebaaz; Shalimar; 1979: Bhala Manus; Golmaal; The Great Gambler; Hamare Tumhare; Jhootha Kahin Ka; Jurmana; Manzil; Naukar; Ratnadeep; Salaam Memsaab; 1980: Aanchal; Abdullah; Alibaba Aur Chalis Chor; The Burning Train; Dhan Daulat; Jal Mahal; Khubsoorat; Phir Wohi Raat; Red Rose; Shaan; Sitara; Takkar; Bulandi; Gunehgaar; Qatil Kaun; 1981: Barsaat Ki Ek Raat/Anusandhan?; Basera; Biwi-o-Biwi; Dhuaan; Gehra Zakhm; Ghunghroo Ki Awaaz; Harjaai; Jail Yatra; Kaliya; Kudrat; Love Story; Mangalsutra; Naram Garam; Raksha; Shaukeen; Rocky; Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai; Satte Pe Satta; Kachche Heere; Daulat; Angoor; Kalankini Kankabati; 1982: Aamne Samne; Ashanti; Bemisal; Ganga Meri Maa; Namkeen; Sanam Teri Kasam; Shakti; Swami Dada; Teri Kasam; Yeh To Kamaal Ho Gaya; Yeh Vaada Raha; Dard Ka Rishta; Masoom; Trayi; Aparoopa; 1983: Namumkin; Agar Tum Na Hote; Betaab; Chor Police; Jaan-e-Jaan; Kaun? Kaise?; Lovers; Mahaan; Main Awara Hoon; Mazdoor; Pukar; Qayamat; Rang Birangi; Romance; Shubh Kaamna; Farishta; Boxer; Bindiya Chamkegi; Bade Dil Wala; Aan Aur Shaan; 1984: Anand Aur Anand; Andar Bahar; Awaaz; Bheema; Duniya; Hum Hain Lajawaab; Jagir/Teen? Murti; Jawani; Sunny; Jhootha Sach; Karishma; Mati Mange Khoon; Manzil Manzil; Yeh Desh; Zameen Aasmaan; Hum Dono; Musafir; 1985: Aar Paar/Anyay? Abichar; Alag Alag; Amir Admi Gareeb Admi; Arjun; Awara Baap; Ek Se Bhale Do; Lava; Oonche Log; Rahi Badal Gaye; Ram Tere Kitne Naam; Joshilay; Sagar; Shiva Ka Insaaf; Sitamgarh; Zabardast; Savere Wali Gadi; Hum Naujawan; Rusvai; 1986: Bond 303; Anokha Rishta; Ek Main Aur Ek Tu; Jeeva; Palay Khan; Samundar; Shatru; Zindagani; 1987: Apne Apne; Dacait; Hifazat; Inaam Dus Hazaar; Itihaas; Jallianwala Bagh; Ekanto Apon; Ijaazat; Belagaam; 1988: Agun; Mardon Wali Baat; Zalzala; Rama-o-Rama; Mil Gayi Manzil Mujhe; Chatran; Faisla; Libaas; 1989: Aag Se Khelenge; Dost; Parinda; Aakrosh; Jankar; Jurrat; Bahurani; Ladaai (B); Shatarupa; 1990: Ekhane Amar Swarga*; Jeene Do; Dushman; Chor Pe Mor; Apon Amar Apon; Debata; 1991: Gunehgaar Kaun; Indrajit; Bourani; Nawab; Ananda Niketan; 1992: Jhoothi Shaan; Sarphira; Siyasat; Drohi; Khule Aam; Shet Patharer Thala; Krodhi; Adhikar; Maa; Purshottam; 1993: Gurudev; Gardish; Tum Karo Vaada; Puraskaar; Kanyadaan (only act.); Bhranta Pathik (only act.); Shraddhanjali; 1994: 1942 : A Love Story; Sukhi Sansarachi Bara Sutre; Janam Se Pehle; Shesh Chitthi; Ajana Path.

Music