Continuing the series of tributes to RD Burman remembering him on his 86th Birth Anniversary (27 June 1939 – 4 January 1994) with my favourite songs sung by him
RD Burman was renowned as a music director. He is credited with changing the way music was made. He was fascinated by different streams of music: Latino, Caribbean, African, Jazz, and he experimented with different types of sound and tried to assimilate these in his music. This aspect of his music comes out clearly in the opening article of the series, on 4.1.2025. He was not rated much as a singer, unlike his father SD Burman, or other Bengali singers like Hemant Kumar or Kishore Kumar. But there was something unique in his voice which was a reflection of his personality. Some songs were very apt for his voice and those songs achieved a great deal of popularity. In some songs, he added his voice for special effect, and in many songs RD Burman’s voice created a magical impact. I have not selected the songs chronologically, but in order of my preference.
1. Mehbooba mehbooba by RD Burman from Sholay (1975), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music RD Burman
This curry Western turned out to be one of the biggest movies of Indian cinema. It takes elements from different classic Westerns, and serves an enjoyable Indian masala movie. This was also a high point of Salim-Javed with dialogues like ‘Kitne aadami the?’. Among many high points was this song by RD Burman, lip-synched by Jalal Aga who had come to sell arms to the gangster. Helen danced to the song, to which the unalloyed villain Amjad Khan pursed his lips as only he could.
2. Piya tu ab tu aa ja shola sa man dahke by Asha Bhosle and RD Burman from Caravan (1971), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri. Music RD Burman
Helen dances this raunchy song with exaggerated gestures. RD Burman’s only three words “Monica! O my darling” provide a perfect counterpoise to the song. Remove these words, and you take away a lot from the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46GGxF_Bwhg
3. Duniya mein logon ko dhokha kabhi ho jata hai by RD Burman and Asha Bhosle from Apna Desh (1971), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music RD Burman
RD Burman starts with some strange sounds which is very different from Kishore Kumar’s yodelling. The orchestration of this song is equally funky. Asha Bhosle gives him excellent company. This was the period when anything Rajesh Khanna touched turned gold.
4. Tum kya jaano mohabbat kya hai by RD Burman from Hum Kis Se Kam Nahin (1977), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music RD Burman
This was a superhit film of its time. Tariq is a rock-band singer. We can see Rishi Kapoor in the frame dancing, and a whole gang of young boys and girls rocking to RD Burman’s crooning. I believe his voice was so unusual that this song is only half length of a normal song.
5. O meri jaan maine kaha O meri jaan tumne suna by RD Burman and Asha Bhosle from The Train (1970), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music RD Burman
Club dance song, comes out as an atmospheric song until the camera lets you in the dance club and you see an unknown man dancing and lip-synching RD Burman’s voice, and Helen dancing to and singing Asha Bhosle’s song, as she has done in numerous songs.
6. Sapna mera toot gaya by Asha Bhosle and RD Burman from Khel Khel Mein (1975), lyrics Gulshan Bawra, music RD Burman
Aruna Irani lip-synching Asha Bhosle comes with soft pitch, even though she is on a dance floor. But RD Burman’s booming voice creates a special impact for Rakesh Roshan.
7. Jaana o meri jaana by RD Burman from Sanam Teri Kasam (1982), lyrics Gulshan Bawra, music RD Burman
It seems Kamal Haasan is of too low a status for this dance club. The song starts with a humming prelude by girls, but when Kamal Haasan jumps in with RD Burman’s song, Reena Roy is angry and shocked at this impudence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFA0NnB0UXU
8. Dhanno ki aankhon mein hai raat ka surma ho aur chaand ka chumma by RD Burman from Kitab (1977), lyrics Gulzar, music RD Burman
What is the meaning of the lyrics? Gulzar wrote some very funky lyrics in his movies, and RD Burman was his dear friend who gave music, and came up trumps in such songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwuk-C39H6k
9. Samundar mein nahakar aur bhi namkeen ho gayi ho by RD Burman from Pukar (1983), lyrics Gulshan Bawra, music RD Burman
You can’t be judgmental about this song just because it is addressed by Amitabh Bachchan to Zeenat Aman. He was a disciplined actor who obeyed the instructions of the director without demur. One of the commenters has tried to cover for him by suggesting he is blushing seeing Zeenat Aman dressed skimpily.
10. Doli mein sawar sajni ka pyar by RD Burman from Balika Badhu (1976), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music RD Burman
Some sites mention Sapan Chakravarty as the singer, and many RD Burman. I don’t know, but the style is very much like RD Burman singing. If it is not him, just treat that the song should not have been here. But it is a beautiful song. RD Burman creates Bengal countryside and the scene is of the Bidaai of the bride, with Asrani dancing all the way to the natural sound of the palanquin-bearers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnPk7wPZE0o
11. Daddy tum auntie se pyar karte ho by RD Burman and Vanita Mishra from Aamne Saamne (1982), lyrics Anjan, Music RD Burman
From the picturisation of the song, it seems Mithun Chakraborty is a single parent. And as we have seen in many films, the precocious child realises the love between his father and the heroine (in this case Bindiya Goswami). The child sings in the voice of a lady Vanita Mishra whose name I heard for the first time. A shy Mithun replies in prose in RD Burman’s voice which seems to have a good fit with his thick voice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3p1o8b5vYI
Acknowledgment and Disclaimer
The song links have been embedded only for the listening pleasure of music lovers. This blog has no commercial interest, and it does not suggest or claim, whether directly or indirectly, any copyright over these songs which vest with the respective owners of right.
{ 72 comments… read them below or add one }
Akji,
As expected, you have posted an article on R D Burman on his birthday. Thanks for the same.
Leisurely going through the post; found two of the videos (#6 & #9)are not available. You may provide alternative link available
I too join you in paying my tributes to RDB.
Will be back soon.
AKji,
Glad to see a nice tribute to RD Burman on his birth anniversary!!
He had a unique voice, which worked well in some genre of songs.
You have posted some of his best and most well-known songs here.
Adding a couple, which may not be the best but were (and are) quite popular, more so the first one:
Yamma Yamma – Shaan 1980 (his only duet with Rafi)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeCzyMgNJXs&list=RDYeCzyMgNJXs&start_radio=1
Ye din to aata hai ek din – Mahaan 1983 (with Asha)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaOf6LHhXiE&list=RDAaOf6LHhXiE&start_radio=1
AK ji
Very nice tribute to Pancham on his birth anniversary.
For a Pancham fan it is very heartening to find that he gets his due place on SOY through you and Ashok ji.
Most of the songs in your list (and posted by Dr. Rajesh ji) are in the voice which can be called as trademark of RD but he also sang a few in what was his natural voice. One such hindi film song is
Ye jindagi kuch bhi – Romance – Anand Bakshi
https://youtu.be/VMdpoJoaJ9o?si=XuRLlSQ6lK-UoJMu
Maybe he used this voice more in Bengali songs
Mone pore rubi roy ( more famous hindi version by KK – Meri bhigi bhigi si)
https://youtu.be/KNVCJt4FkhU?si=umxhugZI1zjCGLFl
Bolo ki ache go – ( hindi version by Lata and Manna Dey – ae sakhi radhike)
https://youtu.be/FCWkg2x1TgE?si=6GmgJDQSG3h926Gt
And though I do not know Bengali, I enjoy these songs, especially the second one.
Regarding song #11 from Aamne Samne, Vanita Mishra was a child singer that time who also sang for RDB in Masoom – Lakdi ki kathi.
And yes, Mithun in the film is a single father. But the Mithun in the song is not the father, he is the humshakal.
Its a double role, The film had two Mithuns facing each other Aamne Samne.
Kal kya hoga kisko pata – Kasme Vade 1978
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH59S-R_3MI&list=RDvH59S-R_3MI&start_radio=1
Dil lena khel hai dildar ka – Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai 1981
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnaHJZdtlDM&list=RDxnaHJZdtlDM&start_radio=1
Na jaa jaane ja – Joshilaay 1989
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M1G0UgFINo&list=RD7M1G0UgFINo&start_radio=1
Naram garam raat mein – Naram Garam 1981 (with Sapan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWE-B-bb6DU&list=RDMWE-B-bb6DU&start_radio=1
A great tribute to a popular HFM MD RDB. His most popular songs have been covered here. His singing was different . He tried something unconventional even in his music . His composing music for over 300 movies shows his popularity .
Though this song from APNA DESH (1971) has been coverd at #3 here , I post a one minute video clip of his live performance of this song . The date and place of performance is not known.
https://youtube.com/shorts/7WKjPR-njcU?si=sQVC_0yfJBk5P-sX
Venkataamanji @1,
Thanks a lot for your comments. Thanks also for pointing out that YT as yanked off two videos #6 and #9. This time they have been fast. I have posted their replacements.
Dr Deshpande @2,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. One song which is identified as a quintessential RD Burman song is Yamma, yamma which you have added. Tanks a lot.
4,
Thanks for the excellent explanation of the movie Aamne Saamne.
@5,
I have to admit, most of the songs were unknown to me. Moore than my ignorance, I would put it to RD Burman’s singing stature as a playback singer. He was very good for his ‘type’ of songs.
Mr Muli @3,
Thanks a lot for posting songs in his natural voice, and his Bangla songs. His Bangla version of MMeri bhigi bhigi si palkon mein was said to be issued in 1969. In that case, its Hindi adaptation later in the voice of Kishore Kumar is better knwon and quite superior. If you compare it with his father SD Burman, or Hemant Kumar’s Bangla songs were no less than their Hindi counterparts.
Mr S Joseph @6,
Thanks a lot for giving the live performance of RDB and Asha BHosle of Duniya mein logon ko. Thoroughly enjoyed it. THat was RD Burman, a performer par excellence.
C. Ramchandra once famously quipped, “The ‘M’ in music is for melody.” He further added that if you remove that melody—the “M”—all you’re left with is “u-sic,” essentially sounding “you sick.” Regrettably, a significant number of songs sung by R.D. Burman seem to fall into this “u-sic” category, prioritizing loudness over true melody.
On the flip side, for those moments when you want to let loose on the dance floor with a few drinks in you, tracks like “Yamm Yamma”, “Dil Lena Khel Hai Dildaar Ka” etc. absolutely hit the spot. Ultimately, every musical creation possesses inherent worth.
Kapil,
Very well said. There is a music which makes you shake your legs on the dance floor, and there is a music which elevates your soul, and you want stillness of the night. It seems there are for the first type of music.
If I am not mistaken, BHOOT BANGLA, 1965 , must be the first movie to have RDB sing ( and also act ) . Mehmood ‘s first time singing, too?
Title song.
The popular TV series
SUBAH
had the title song composed and sung by RDB.
It may not be out of place to mention the songs the father and son sang for each other.
SDB for RDB is a good song.
Doli mein bitayke kahar…
AMAR PREM.
RDB for SDB is a big disappointment.
Raina soyi soyi….
Probably crafted to be another Honton pe aisi baat… with SDB, Lata and RDB as singers, it is a highly forgettable song.
Good selection of songs with much variety. RD like his father and few other composers like Ravi and C Ramachandra has rendered quite a few songs filmed in the movies. Please consider a blog on the songs rendered by C Ramachandra in movies .
Further to # 6 , I think father and son (SD& RD ) with Lata Mangeshkar sang in YE GULISTAN HAMARA (1971) if I remember correctly.
One wouldn’t expect a film like
JURMANA, 1979
with it’ s beautiful Lata solos and a Lata _ Manna Dey duet to have a RDB_ Asha song.
But, the almost forgotten song does exist, played during the credits.
Nachoon main
Gao tum…
I missed to add the name of the movie for
Raina soyi soyi.
YE GULISTAN HAMARA
AKJi,
R D Burman – how do you describe him, a flighty or whimsical person or a phosphorescent light seen hovering or floating at night on the sky, slowly releasing that energy over time. To many he is a genius, a trend breaker, a trend setter, to others a burnt out talent, bloated by propaganda etc. He is an enigma too. You may define him in any way, but cannot ignore him. Primarily, he was not a singer, but he did render some catchy good songs. He created an impact and left his fans amazed & impressed.
Listened to the 11 songs posted here;
#11 was completely new to me. And song #6 and #9, though I have heard (seems so) it didn’t last the distance. And the other 8 songs I could instantly recollect. and they were truly representative of his genre, capturing the essence and typical traits of Pancham’s singing.
The first song “Mehbooba Mehbooba” will be on the top of his bests’ list. The song took his audience by storm. I believe the song was supposed to be sung by Asha Bhosle. But Pancham decided to take up the challenge and thus it became a Pancham – JalalAgha – Helen song.
As pointed out by Pradeepji “Main bhookha hoon tujhe khaaoonga, from Bhoot Bangla (1965) is his first crooning experience. As your title suggests, that was the only song R D Burman ‘literally’ sang for himself.
The songs #5 (The Train-1970), #2 (Caravan-1971) & #3 (Apna Desh-1972) were RDB’s third, fourth and seventh song respectively. “Duniya mein logon ko dhokha kabhi ho jata hai” must be first full-fledged song rendered by him, that too for the first time for the lead actor. The song drove his fans crazy. RDB also lent his voice for the title music in this film.
Prior to this, he employed his heavy rhythmic breathing sounds for the song “Mera naam hai Shabnam” in the film Kati Patang (1970), rendered a couple of lines for Kishore Sahoo, “Daddy ka mummy ka sab ka kahna hai, ek hazaron mein teri behana hai” in the film Hare Ram Hare Krishna (1971) and lent his voice along with Asha Bhosle for the title song for the film Hulchul (1971).
And Pancham was indeed the singer of this wonderful song “Doli mein sawar sajni ka pyar” (#10). Pancham singing in his own voice! There was another Holi song “Aao re aao Khelo holi Biraj mein, khele holi Nandalal’ in this film and that was rendered by Sapan Chakrabarty.
Thank You Akji for the post and songs
Let me sign with this song from the 1985 film Aar Paar, lyrics Anand Bakshi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1BEBRJ9dgs
BHANWAR, 1976.
My school year.
Rang le aayenge
….
&
Ankhen milayenge
…
&
To a lesser extent,
Pehle har mehbooba
…
were frequently heard on the radio.
The movie has an enjoyable comic song:
Baraat mein log kum aaye hain
….
Kishore, RDB ( for Asrani ), Asha Bhosale.
N Venkatraman ji,
RDB has sung the title track of
MERE JEEVAN SATHI.
YADON KI BARAAT.
Dil mil gaye…
With KK, AB.
Is it the continuation of
Aap ke kamre mein koi rehta hai?
Dr Shetty @13,
Bhoot Bangla has to be the first movie in which he sang (and perhaps the only movie in which he acted).
Subah TV series title song. Wow, you are really an RDB fan. Here is the song.
Subah ko kar salaam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6g0egugUNI&list=RDk6g0egugUNI&start_radio=1
@14,
Doli mein bithaike sawaar: A great song. Sudesh Bhosle earned fame mimicking SD Burman’s song. That made his stage career, and an entry to playback singing.
Raina soyi soyi: The song you are referring to, I have not heard it.
@17,
Naachoon main gaao tum: RDB-Asha Bhosle.He had no dearth of enthusiasm. RDB got a weird man to dance on the stage floor.
@20,
I was right in admitting that many on SOY know more about RD Burman than I know.
KB @15,
C Ramchandra songs rendered by him were really very good, and became extremely popular. I will thorouly check up whether I have covered CR as a singer. RD Burman has sung sparingly, though some of them became popular because of his unique voice. I put SD Burman far far above him as a singer. As they say it is like comparing chalk and cheese.
@16,
Yes, absolutely. Dr Shetty too had added the movie’s name @18.
GOLMAAL
Title song with Sapan Chakraborty.
SATTE PE SATTA.
In several songs.
HEERA LAL PANNA LAL.
Kisne dekha hai kal…
With Asha.
The harsh RDB lines are a contrast to Asha’s melodious lines
Aa jaa mere pyar aa jaa.
GUNAHGAAR.
Na toh ab main raha nikamma
Na tu rahi nikammi
Kuch din baad ban jayenge
Hum tum Daddy Mummy..
What profound lyrics!!!!
Venkataramanji @19,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation and detailed comments. Doli mein bithai ke kahar: I was surprised by your assertion that Pancham sang this song in his own voice. I heard this song again. SD Burman’s voice was clear. I would attribute it to your fast fingers.
Thanks for the link of O majhi teri naiya. He looked as if he wanted to create the aura of his father’s boatman songs, but the elder Burman was a class apart.
GURU DEV.
Aa jaa sun le sada
Tu hai kahan?
….
Maria Maria
…
Probably wanted to recreate the magic of
Piya tu ab toh aa jaa
..
Monika Oh my darling..
But, a very poor imitation!
Not title track, but the theme song of
MERE JEEVAN SATHI.
ROCKY.
Aa dekhen zara
Kisme kitna hai dum
Was quite popular.
Correct me if I am wrong.
Kya bura hai
Kya bhala..
LIBAAS, 1988
is RDB’s only duet with Lata Mangeshkar?
RDB is no doubt a great music composer. However except for just literally a handful…doubtful if I can count even in two hands!!!…his songs as a singer …not my cup of tea.
The issue with RDB as I perceive is not with him as such but an entire army of media, most of the current artists, almost the entire lot of FM radio RJs and even a majority of ” so called music lovers having a very narrow perspective on music”…creating a hype as if no other music director ever existed in this world!!!
Pradeep ji @30
I was going to post Kya bura hai
It should be the only duet of RDB with Lata Mangeshkar.
However, RDB sang two lines in this song but technically it is not a duet.
Phoolon ka taaron ka -HRHK – AB
https://youtu.be/Xg0smoVruAM?feature=shared
Dr Shetty @22,
Yaadon Ki Baraat was a musical blockbuster. This song was also very good with RD Burman’s voice for Tariq.
@25,
There was a short period in which Sapan Chakraborty be came one of the regular singers, though mostly in a chorus. In Satte Pe Satta too he is one of the voices. Many songs which I found the most melodious is Pyar humein/tumhein kis mod pe le aya. Who does RD Burman sing for?
Kisne dekha hai kal?: RD Burman outdoes himself in singing a funky song in a funky film.
Na to ab main raha nikamma na tu rahi nikammi: Agree with you very profound lyrics celebrating Daddy-hood and Mummyhood as this activity involves some physical activity.
@27,
Aa ja sun le sada, tu hai kahan: Did RDB cut it as a NFS song, and later release in a movie.
@28,
Very characteristic song in RD Burman’s voice in Mere Jeevan Saathi, but he did not succeed always.
@29,
Aa dekhein zara from Rocky was a very popular song. Worthy of being included in my list. Thanks for adding it.
@30,
Kya bura hai kya bhala from Libaas: He is trying to sing a melodious song with Lata Mangeshkar, but that was not his metier. To my mind he does not succeed.
Mr Sivanandam @31,
I understand what you are saying. RD Burman was able to create a niche for himself as a singer. About 15 songs were quite popular.
Mr Muli @32,
I agree with you, I could not locate RD Burman’s voice in the song.
AK ji
He lip-syncs for Kishor Sahu at 2.48
BANDHE HAATH, 1973.
Dil toh lai gawa
Ab kya hoga re…?
With Asha Bhosale, Manna Dey and Mahendra Kapoor.
A few lines by RDB here and there. Not showing anyone mouthing them?
Only song where Manna Dey has given playback to AB?
Mr Muli @36,
I heard it again. Got it. Thanks a lot.
HUM HAIN LAJAWAB.
Dilbar diljani….
Asha and?
A lively song.
There is a Lata, Kishore, RDB song.
EK SE BHALE DO, 1985.
Lapa changa main nache…
On Shammi Kapoor.
Sa re ke sare gama ko le kar..
Of PARICHAY reused in the tune.
The lovely theme music for the famous Dimple bathing scene of SAAGAR, 1985.
RDB recreated it several times.
Tumi koto je dure…
Bengali Pujo song with AB.
Tune kiya kya jadoo..
APNE APNE, 1987.
RDB.
Aa jaa meri jaan…
AA JAA MERI JAAN.
SPB, KK.
O maji re
Jaiyo piya ka des….
In
Bade acche lagte hain…
BALIKA BADHU
is in the voice of RDB.
The second movie in which RDB acted ( no songs ) is
PYAR KA MAUSAM, 1969
as Popat Singh, assistant to Jhatpat Singh _ detective? _ ( Birbal, the real one; Rajendranath, the fake one ).
Billed as Pancham.
Shouldn’t we be speaking about RDB, the Harmonica player?
The movies in which he has played it for other composers:
SOLVA SAAL.
For Papa …SDB.
Hai apna dil toh awara…
DOSTI.
For LP.
What a fim! What a beautiful musical score!!
I am sure there are more.
Dr Shetty @37,
Dil to le gawa re, ab kya hoga aage: Quite a funky song.
@39,
Dilbar diljaani: From Hum Hain Laajwab, Quite a forgettable song. One can grant RDB that he didn’t lack enthusiasm.
@40,
Excellent song. Shammi Kapoor parodying Saare ke saare ga ma ko lekar gaate chale is superb.
@41,
These are the songs which gave a bad name for RD Burman.
@42,
RD Burman makes effort to be known as a singer of boatman songs like his father.
@43,
I am not getting curious about Pyar Ka Mausam
@44,
RD Burman as a harmonica player has been mentioned earlier too in the blog.
AKji @ 26,
@19, I was referring to the song “Doli mein sawar sajni ka pyar “ from Balika Badhu(1976) sung by R D Burman and not the song “Doli mein bithai ke kahar” from Amar Prem (1972) where R D Burman employed his father’s voice.
You posted the song Doli mein sawar sajni ka pyar “ from Balika Badhu(1976)(#10) and wrote,
“Some sites mention Sapan Chakravarty as the singer, and many RD Burman. I don’t know, but the style is very much like RD Burman singing. If it is not him, just treat that the song should not have been here. But it is a beautiful song. RD Burman creates Bengal countryside and the scene is of the Bidaai of the bride, with Asrani dancing all the way to the natural sound of the palanquin-bearers.”
My comment @19 was in response to this.
And I think you too were referring to the song “Doli mein sawar sajni ka pyar” @ 23.
And definitely the elder Burman was class apart. No comparison.
Venkataramanji,
I am utterly sorry. At two different points I was thinking of two unrelated Doli songs – one by SD Burman, and the other was by RD Burman.
Like his music, RDB seems to have consciously created a different style of singing as compared to SDB. Perhaps more so In Hindi.
His Bengali songs seem to be in more natural tone.
Be that as it may, no tribute to can be complete without talking about his own songs. SoY has very rightly chosen this as the subject of the RDB tribute post.
AK ji
There is no comparison between RD and his father as singers. If RD is to be compared as a singer it should be with Bappi and here I think RD wins hands down (that is, however, not a compliment)
Despite being a RD fan I also agree with Kapil ji about u-sic
In this song ( which may not have been posted so far) RD sounds funky but where is the melody.
Sharabi aankhe – Madhosh – Majrooh – RDB and Asha Bhosle
https://youtu.be/2_2HyLDr820?si=prvRTC1fwktUkRK8
There is one more song where RD tries to be a boatman for a fleeting moment
Main thak gaya hoon- Musafir- Guljar- KK
https://youtu.be/Ddhx5n51UFM?si=mvyPO7uYQsdrDySc
( You have to wait till 3.45 for RDs voice)
Ashokji @48,
RDB ‘s Bangla songs may be in his natural tone, but I don’t think he set Hooghly on fire. In Bangla too, the elder senior was an icon.
His own songs in Hindi films reflected his Bohemian personality.
Mr Muli @49,
Sharabi aankhein gulabi chehra: It is a futile exercise to look for melody in RD Burman’s songs. His attempt at being a boatman is not such a big flop. The countryside and waterbody are able to put check on him.
Just now I could listen to the Bengali version of Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si as mentioned by Rahul Muli ji in #3. Thanks a lot –I listened it to 4-5 times in a loop!! Couldn’t believ the voice was that of Pancham da! So soft ! Wish he sang some Hindi songs like this instead of that ” abrasive” tones Duniya Mein Logon ko…
Though the orchestration in the Bengali version was not as grand as in Kishore’s Meri Bheegi bheegi si , it has its own unique charm.
Thanks once again-my view on Pancham as a singer dramatically changed!!
Sivanandamji,
I found RDB’s Bangla version quite tepid compared to Kishore Kumar’s Hindi version. But I agree with you, RDB is much more melodious than his trademark loud songs. Many would be happy that now you have a more charitable view of RD Burman.
As a blogger I have become very flexible in appreciating music by a variety of artists. Rigidity in one’s likes and dislikes deprives the pleasure of appreciating good music.
As I said in my earlier post, the extreme fixation towards RDB in popular media was something I do not digest. The same thing happens with the Tamil audience-extreme devotion to Ilayaraja and A R Rehman!
Sivanandam ji @52
I am glad that you liked mone pore Rubi roy.
And despite being a Pancham fan I am also annoyed by Pancham mania to the extent it holds Pancham as the only composer worth the salt.
Some of the best works of R D Burman was in collaboration with Gulzar. I also recall a beautiful non film song ‘Bheeni Bheeni Bhor Aai ‘ by Asha Bhosle with lyrics by Gulzar and composed by RDBurman ( available on YouTube)
Mr Verma,
You are absolutely right. In the series of tributes for RD Burman, one can’t miss his combination with Gulzar.
AK,
I thought there would not be much to comment on except the songs, but the RDB song from Romance posted by Rahul Muli made me think. That song is sung beautifully by RDB handling some of twists admirably. I think he did not have time for practising singing due to his awfully busy schedule as MD. His obsession with bringing out weird voices also contributed. Otherwise he might have been a good singer.
Kapil has said it all and you also agree that RDB was far from melody in majority of the songs. He had a lot of talent and also a lot of training from his father but he did not apply himself properly.
About the songs posted by you. ‘Mehbooba mehbooba’ we skip when we watch Sholay. Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin song was part of competition between Rishi Kapoor and Tariq and there were small clips of the songs in the film. Tariq as a challenger started with Rafi’s ‘chand mera dil’ followed by Rishi singing KK’s ‘aa dil kya mehfil hai tere kadmon mein’, then RDB inexplicably uses his voice for Tariq in this song which is followed by the Asha-KK duet ‘mil gaya humko sathi mil gaya’ in which Tariq’s childhood girlfriend Kaajal Kiran sings with Rishi and Tariq leaves the stage in disgust. His Balika Badhu song is good.
You wrote “He was a disciplined actor who obeyed the instructions of the director without demur.” about Amitabh in the song description of ‘samandar mein nahakar’. I agree with you with a rider that Amitabh followed faithfully the Director’s directions after he had directed the Director in private about which directions to give.
I will post an old Talat song ‘tumko fursat ho meri jaan to idhar dekh to lo’ from Bewafa to show Raj Kapoor’s sober reaction to Nargis swimming in a pool. Just five years later she did the role of a national mother in Mother India.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh2dkCBqo8Q
And here is an RDB song ‘o majhi teri naiyya se chhota kinara’ from Aar Paar-1985.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQcLqDJSWi8
Hans @58,
Thanks a lot. I think I and you are on the same page on RD Burman, but I am more accepting of his funky songs like Mehbooba mehbooba, because that remains with me. Whenever he tried to sing melody, his limitations were apparent, it appeared as if he was trying to make efforts. For example, in RDB’s boatman songs, one’s memory went to SD Burman.
Bewafa: I vaguely remember both her lovers, Raj Kapoor and Ashok Kumar, were exploitative in their love. Raj Kapoor was not beyond emotional manipulation; Ashok Kumar for charity and giving her shelter. I remember it ended in an unnecessary and unpleasant tragedy. But Talat Mahmood’s songs were superb. I would not describe Tumko fursat ho as Raj Kapoor’s शालीनता. Those were the days of low-key expressions, unlike the AB’s over-the-top gestures on namkeen. Someone noticed him blushing. I was saying tongue-in-cheek because when asked he always said he just obeyed what director told him to do.
On the topic of Mehboob Mehbooba song, I am sure almost everyone is aware this is the original song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF5MwDwzOzU&list=RDkF5MwDwzOzU&start_radio=1
Demis Roussos was an Egyptian-Greek musician and I understand this song was made in 1974.
Sivanandam ji @60
Perhaps this is the original song (which is a traditional cypriot song)
https://youtu.be/bkYEAiOjxvU?si=gHHWmEifvfjAyEMP
Thanks Rahul ji..never heard this one before. Seems to be the inspiration for “Say you love me” which in turn inspired RDB!
There is one more example I could think of such multiple levels of inspirations..the theme music of Charlie Chaplin’ s City Lights film was inspired from La Violetra – a Spanish song and from Chaplin’ s theme song for City Lights, a Tamil song was made in 1954.
Sivanandamji @60,
Thanks a lot for adding Demis Roussos version said to be original. I can only say this thoroughly deserves to be the inspiration for Mehbooba mehbooba.
Mr Muli @61,
This may be the original song chronologically, but Demis Roussos’ may be the direct inspiration for Mehbooba mehbooba
AK ji,
Personally, I feel RDB the music director was far better than RDB the singer.
He was undoubtedly a multifaceted personality who carved a special place for himself by stepping out of his father’s shadow.
Anita
Anita,
“RDB was far better than RDB the singer”: That is obvious. The question is how much better or turning it the other way around, how less RDB the singer was to RDB the music director. He had no option but to create a niche for himself as the singer. I would say he sang some songs which became very famous in his niche.
As for RDB-SDB comparison as a music director, he stepped out of not only his father’s shadows, but also of the shadows of the past style of music. His place as a pioneer for his experiments with different kinds of sound, rhythm inspired from many kinds of music from outside is now well-recognised.
Thanks for your crisp comments.
May I submit for consideration the inclusion of Laxmikant-Pyarelal as well? They would be a worthy complement to the existing selections of R.D. Burman and Kalyanji-Anandji. The quality of L-P’s work from 1963 to 1973 was excellent. In fact, I am confident that many music enthusiasts in this audience appreciate the superb compositions they crafted during their first 10 years. To preempt any criticism, I acknowledge that their quality deteriorated significantly after 1973, save for a few isolated albums. However, the same can be said for Kalyanji-Anandji as well. Later, after 1980, RDB also went totally off the rails. Therefore, the inclusion of L-P is fully warranted, particularly since RDB and K-A have already been selected.
Kapil,
You might recall from my review of RD Burman’s biography that right after Kalyanji-Anandji, in my mind Laxmikant-Pyarelal came as the next great music director, who outdid them all in numbers. RD Burman was not even on my radar screen, but I realised chronologically he predated LP, and was the dominant composer of the 1970s and 1980s. So LP are next on the anvil.
AK, @ 59
My purpose in posting the Bewafa song was to show how even in 1952, Nargis -who later became Mother India – wore the swim suit and actually swam for quite a long time during the song. The song was just to show that even in such situations they gave good songs. It was never anything about ‘shaaleenta’ of RK. Even a most die-hard fan of RK would not accuse him of ‘shaaleenta’.
In fact ‘shaaleenta’ he never transmitted to his family. I remember when Vyjyanthimala got published her autobiography in 2007 or 2008 she claimed that there was no affair between her and RK during making of Sangam. I would not say anything about whether the affair was true or not except that RK most of the times indulged in false propaganda for promoting his films. RK’s sons Randhir and Rishi joined issue and said there is truth about the affair and their mother suffered a lot due to that. Was there any need to issue such statements. If at all Vyjyanti was purging the character of RK posthumously. If they had any concern for their mother that was misplaced because if such affairs had affected her so much she would have before long went into a mental asylum. And what about their own affairs published in the media which might have affected their wives.
AK, Rahul Muli and Sivanandam,
Regarding ‘mehbooba mehbooba’ it is stated in RD Burman biography (p. 193) that RDB was labelled a plagiarist for using the tune of Demiss Roussos’s song. As is usual, the authors shield RDB by saying that Ramesh Sippy – the Director of the film – suggested the tune after listening it in London. As in the interludes of ‘mehbooba mehbooba’ there are shades of the orchestra of that song, I would agree with AK and Sivanandam that the song was that by Roussos.
Sharabi ankhen gulabi chera with Ashaji in Madhosh another quintessential pancham number!
Milind Keskar,
Welcome to SOY, and thanks a lot for adding this song. Not heard it before. A nice song. RDB gives more space to Asha Bhosle, and limits himself to special effects.