Guest article by Dr Rajesh Deshpande, bringing the curtain down on the series of tributes to RD Burman with his songs for ‘other’ singers
(Dr Deshpande had a big role in anchoring the series of tributes to RD Burman. We have seen in his articles a comprehensive coverage of the theme. That is evident in the concluding article too. In spite of the constraints of total number of songs, Dr Deshpande has been able to cover about 20 singers, and made a passing reference to above half a dozen more singers. Covering over 25 singers in the concluding article is no mean achievement.
I must acknowledge that for some old-timers it was becoming too much of a good thing. Therefore, though Dr Deshpande could have done a couple of more articles, we discussed that let this be the last one. I must thank Dr Deshpande for another excellent article.
Dr Deshpande is a pathologist with blood transfusion as his speciality. He is currently in-charge of Medical Affairs for Asia Pacific and International Region in Fresenius Kabi, a healthcare MNC. Dr Deshpande is based out of Mumbai. – AK)
The musical journey of RD Burman is being celebrated this year on SoY. I am thankful to AKji for giving me an opportunity to pen a few articles on the maverick composer. Today, in my fourth and possibly, the last article in this series, let us discuss the “other” singers that sang for him. So, whom do we consider as his “other” singers? Certainly, all those who sang for him, besides the Big Four – Mohamad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar!
Kishore Kumar was his favourite and preferred male singer from the 1970 onwards, singing over 550 songs for him. And Asha Bhosle, his dominant female singer, lending her voice to about 840 songs. Elder sister Lata comes second with 360+ songs, RDB’s singer of choice for his special compositions. Rafi was the sole male singer in his first film as a composer and as well as of his first super hit score Teesri Manzil. Had the singing legend survived longer, we would have heard more from the Rafi-RDB combo. Yet, the fact remains that Rafi was his third most prolific singer with around 120 songs.
RDB songs for these four legends have been covered in various previous posts.
Let’s review his songs sung by other singers in this article.
RDB appears to have utilized other singers to a limited extent – mainly for songs requiring multiple singers or meriting a different voice or when he had no option, like the non-availability of his chosen singers. Apart from the Big Four and himself, he used 91 male and 67 female singers.
He has, however, used a wide range of singers with different styles, range and calibre. Besides the regular singers and child singers, he gave an opportunity to many actors, actresses, lyricists etc. to sing full-fledged songs or mouth/speak few lines. Members of his musical team also became his singers.
There are many popular and memorable songs by these singers which merit a mention and recognition, however, it’s not possible to cover all singers and songs. Given the constraints of the post and blog, only a select few are mentioned here. Readers may add missing singers and songs of their choice.
Let’s begin with the male singers:
Manna Dey:
RDB chose Manna Dey for two songs in his second film Bhoot Bangla (1965). Of these, Aao twist karein, is more known and popular. I also like the second one – Pyar karta ja, which I am posting here. Both are distinct in style from each other.
1. Pyar karta ja dil kehta hai – Manna Dey, Film: Bhoot Bangla (1965) Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc2EAR3W4xU&list=RDhc2EAR3W4xU&start_radio=1
RDB’s second successful movie Padosan (1968) had Manna Dey in full form, giving playback to Mehmood. He sang two songs showcasing his versatility, one being the classic jugalbandi song Ek chatur naar with KK and Mehmood. This is the other one, which comes in the film earlier. Essentially, a solo with a line or two by Mehmood. Manna Dey’s association with RDB includes two evergreen duets – Chunari sambhal gori from Baharon Ke Sapne (1967) and Ye dosti hum nahin todenge from Sholay (1975)
2. Aao aao suni re sajariya sanwariya – Manna Dey, Film: Padosan (1968) Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePHAnHuSOxg&list=RDePHAnHuSOxg
Mukesh:
RDB gave 19 songs to Mukesh, of which 9 were solos. Their first collaboration together was a nice Lata-Mukesh duet Pyar ka fasana in RDB’s third film Teesra Kaun (1965). One of my favourite Mukesh-RDB songs is from Kati Patang. Jis gali mein tera ghar is a classic song which created its own place despite the three most popular KK solos. Another favourite is Ek din bik jayega from Dharam Karam (1975).
3. Jis gali mein tera ghar – Mukesh, film: Kati Patang (1970) Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCbErvTrZJg&list=RDcCbErvTrZJg
Bhupinder Singh:
Bhupinder Singh was an integral part of RDB’s musical team for many years, best known for playing the guitar. His first song for RDB as a singer was in an all-male song in Abhilasha (1968), Yaaro! Hamara kya, chal de jidhar chaahein. His big success as a singer came with Parichay (1972). His duet with Lata, Beeti na bitayi raina is an eternal classic. Posting here his second song from the film, a soulful solo.
4. Mitwa bole meethe bain – Bhupinder Singh, Film: Parichay (1972) Lyrics: Gulzar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-2Td47Ievw&list=RDj-2Td47Ievw
Post-Parichay, Bhupinder sang about 39 songs for RDB. His songs in Kinara (1977) are memorable, especially Naam gum jayega has achieved a cult status over the years.
5. Naam gum jayega – Lata Mangeshkar & Bhupinder Singh, Film: Kinara (1977) Lyrics: Gulzar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hziy9jXQ8VQ&list=RDHziy9jXQ8VQ
Mahendra Kapoor:
RDB used Mahendra Kapoor for about 14 songs, but none of them scaled the popularity charts. He used MK’s voice for Dilip Kumar in Shakti, Mazdoor and Duniya. I like this song from Shakti.
6. Maangi thi ek dua jo kabool ho gayi – Mahendra Kapoor, Film: Shakti (1982) Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqoRMeWTFf0&list=RDeqoRMeWTFf0
Amit Kumar:
Amit Kumar has been like an RD Burman protégé. Like his father, Amit shared a close bond to the composer and sang about 150 songs for him, second most by a male singer after KK. He became RDB’s preferred singer after his father’s demise. Even today, Amit is more known for this beautiful RDB composition Bade achhe lagte hain, his first successful song.
7. Bade achhe lagte hain – Amit Kumar (with RD Burman), Film: Balika Badhu (1977) Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lplaAZBWiqY&list=RDlplaAZBWiqY
Love Story (1981) was their most successful collaboration with Amit Kumar becoming the voice of debutant Kumar Gaurav. Amit continued to sing for the actor for few more films, but his later films failed and Kumar Gaurav’s career tapered off. More than Love Story, I like their songs from Teri Kasam (1982) and Romance (1983). Ye zameen ga rahi hai is an all-time favourite.
8. Ye zameen ga rahi hai – Amit Kumar, Film: Teri Kasam (1982) Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91QI3Ce-pv4&list=RD91QI3Ce-pv4
Shailendra Singh:
Shailendra Singh sang for RDB for first time in Zahreela Insan (1974). He got two songs though the most popular song O hansini went to KK. He sang about 57 songs under RDB, continuing right upto Gurudev (1993), mostly as Rishi Kapoor’s voice. Some of his popular songs include Hoga tumse pyara kaun from Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981), Jaane do na from Saagar (1985) and Mamaiya kero kero mama from Arjun (1985). Here’s their first hit song, picturized on a very young Rishi Kapoor
9. Humne tumko dekha – Shailendra Singh Film: Khel Khel Mein (1975) Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXt0VagrdJg&list=RDKXt0VagrdJg
Suresh Wadkar:
Suresh Wadkar started singing for RDB in the 80s. Though their association of 58 songs gave us many melodious songs, many of the films did not do well and the songs failed to become popular. Huzoor is kadar bhi from Masoom (1982), Dekho ye kaun aaya from Saveray Wali Gaadi (1985) and Tumse milke aisa laga from Parinda (1989) are some of his nice and popular duets. One of my favourites is his song from Sunny (1984), with a twin version by Asha
10. Aur kya ahde wafa hote hain – Suresh Wadkar Film: Sunny (1984) Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3CpXhSopUw&list=RDM3CpXhSopUw
Sapan Chakraborty:
Sapan Chakraborty came into prominence as an assistant MD to RD Burman and was considered to be very close to the composer. He was a music arranger, singer and also an independent composer. It is said that his interference and behaviour adversely affected RDB’s career and also created discord in his musical team. Sapan sang about 24 songs under RDB, being part of some popular songs from Golmaal, Satte Pe Satta, Naram Garam, Khubsoorat etc. He also sang a version of Preetam aan milo for ANgoor (1981). Here’s another nice solo by him for Kitaab (1977)
11. Mere saath chale na saaya – Sapan Chakraborty, Film: Kitaab (1977) Lyrics: Gulzar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CDa81kalzM&list=RD3CDa81kalzM
S P Balasubramaniam:
SPB sang about 44 songs including both Hindi and Regional (South). All his 3 songs from Saagar (1985) became well-known and are still poular – O Maria (with Asha Bhosle) and Yun hi gaate raho (with KK) are fun-filled enjoyable duets while Sach mere yaar hai is an excellent soulful number. Hum na samjhe the from Gardish (1993) is another poignant song by the combo.
12. Sach mere yaar hai – S P Balasubramaniam, Film: Saagar (1985) Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqfXqUcQG1E&list=RDBqfXqUcQG1E
Kumar Sanu:
The 90s top singers, Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan and Abhijeet, first sang for RDB in the early 80s when they were trying to establish themselves. Abhijeet debuted under him as a singer in Anand Aur Anand (1984) while Udit Narayan sang one version of Jeevan ke din chhote sahi from Bade Dilwala (1983). Kumar Sanu sang a song in Yeh Desh (1984) as Sanu Bhattacharya. But his collaboration with RDB has become memorable due to the brilliant music of 1942 A Love Story (1994). Ek ladki ko dekha is an eternal classic romantic song, though I also like Rooth na jana tumse
13. Ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga – Kumar Sanu. Film: 1942 A Love Story (1994) Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTauOK8J-U8&list=RDfTauOK8J-U8
Anup Ghoshal:
Often some singers sing only one song for a music director and the song becomes a memorable one. Narendra Chanchal sang the popular Main benaam ho gaya in the film Benaam (1974), his only song for RDB. Similarly, Anup Ghoshal sang Tujhse naraaz nahin zindagi for Masoom (1982) his only song for RDB, with a twin version by Lata. This is one of my top favourites and I feel his version is way ahead of the female version.
14. Tujhse naraaz nahin zindagi – Anup Ghoshal Film: Masoom (1982) Lyrics: Gulzar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ_YUOr-tYw&list=RDLZ_YUOr-tYw
Amitabh Bachchan:
And to end the list of male singers is a song sung by Big B. Amitabh Bachchan sang two full-fledged songs under RDB’s baton. One was Jidhar dekhoon teri tasveer from Mahaan (1983) while the other one from Pukar (1983) is the more enjoyable and popular one. He has also spoken a few lines in Do lafzon ki hai from The Great Gambler (1979).
15. Tu maike mat jaiyo – Amitabh Bachchan, RD Burman Film: Pukar (1983) Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R2xjf5AHTQ&list=RD5R2xjf5AHTQ
Like Amitabh, there have been many actors who have sung either full-fledged songs or recited spoken a few lines as part of the song, – Ashok Kumar, Danny Denzongpa, Mehmood, Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna, Shatrughan Sinha, Prem Chopra etc. His father SD Burman sang Doli main bithai ke for Amar Prem (1971), though it is said that the song was composed by SD himself. Legendary composer-singer Hemant Kumar was part of two songs. Among the Rafi clones, Muhammad Aziz sang about 26 songs for him, while he utilized Shabbir Kumar to sing for Sunny Deol in the latter’s launch pad Betaab (1983), but overall gave him only 8 songs. Koi pardesi aaya pardes mein from Hum Hain Lajawab (1984) by Anwar enjoyed brief popularity. Renowned classical singer Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande sang one duet for him in Rang Birangi (1983) with Faiyaz – Mriganayani chandramukhi
And now the female singers:
The other female singers sang around 285 songs as against 1200+ songs by the Mangeshkar sisters.
Shamshad Begum:
Shamshad Begum sang one duet for his first film Chhote Nawab (1961) with Rafi, while the rest of the songs were sung by Lata. Later on, she sang another duet, a parody song with Mahendra Kapoor for Raaton Ka Raja (1970).
16. Yak bayak rang e mahfil…koi aane ko hai – Shamshad Begum, Mohammad. Rafi Film: Chhote Nawab (1961) Lyrics: Shailendra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZXH6pJMFA&list=RDJsZXH6pJMFA
Usha Uthup:
Usha Uthup (Iyer) was originally supposed to sing Dum maaro dum with Lata for Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), however, it was changed to a solo by Asha. She still got to sing another duet with Asha for the film, her only duet for RDB. The remaining 20 songs are solos. Some notable songs include Doston se pyar kiya from Shaan (1980), and the English songs – Listen to the pouring rain from Bombay to Goa (1972), Pain is a many splendoured thing from Dard Ka Rishta (1982). Her most popular song with RDB is this foot-tapping enjoyable number from Shalimar (1978).
17. One two cha cha cha – Usha Uthup, Film: Shalimar (1978) Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxL6Du2wv-Y&list=RDzxL6Du2wv-Y
Aarti Mukherjee:
Aarti Mukherjee sang 6 songs for RDB. Her best remembered song is the one from Masoom (1982), a beautifully sung emotional number, which won the well-deserved Filmfare award.
18. Do naina aur ek kahani – Aarti Mukherjee, Film: Masoom (1982) Lyrics: Gulzar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1NtFQHEZhQ&list=RDT1NtFQHEZhQ
Anuradha Paudwal:
He gave 22 songs to Anuradha Paudwal in the 80s and early 90s but the songs did not become popular. This song from Namumkin (1988) is a twin song, with KK singing the male version. I like Anuradha’s soulful rendition.
19. Aye zindagi hui kahan bhool – Anuradha Paudwal, Film: Namumkin (1988) Lyrics: Anjaan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEzlvX1Sw80&list=RDOEzlvX1Sw80
Rekha:
Many actresses like Hema Malini, Rekha, Simi, Parveen Babi, Nanda etc. were part of his songs. Rekha was heard in 2 songs from Khubsoorat (1980), She has done a reasonably good job in this duet
20. Kayda todke socho ek din – Rekha & Sapan Chakraborty, Film: Khubsoorat (1980) Lyrics: Gulzar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYfgmEEua_o&list=RDAYfgmEEua_o
Kavita Krishnamurthy:
Interestingly, Kavita Krishnamurthy is the third most prolific female singer for RDB, with 35 songs. She began singing for him in the early 80s and continued till the end
I like her song with Hariharan and Vanita Mishra – Hai mubarak aaj ka din from Boxer (1983).
Kavita managed to sing some beautiful numbers for his last musical masterpiece. This solo from 1942 A Love Story (1994) is excellent
21. Pyar hua chupke se – Kavita Krishnamurthy, Film: 1942 A Love Story (1994) Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf0UnjkeH8g&list=RDSf0UnjkeH8g
Sushma Shreshtha:
RDB used many female child singers, who sang for both boys and girls in the film. Lakdi ki kathi from Masoom (1982) by Gurpreet Kaur (Preeti Uttam), Vanita Mishra and Gauri Bapat is one of his most popular and lovable children’s songs, followed by Masterji ki aayi chitthi from Kitaab (1977) by the Kolhapure sisters – Padmini and Shivangi. The most prolific child singer was Sushma Shrestha, who is remembered for the iconic Kya hua tera wada from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977). Overall, she sang 14 songs for RDB including this duet where she sings as a grown-up for Kiran Vairale, joined by Shatrughan Sinha.
22. Ek baat suni hai chachaji – Sushma Shreshtha & Shatrughan Sinha, Film: Naram Garam (1981) Lyrics: Gulzar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvLY7Xjdc30&list=RDcvLY7Xjdc30
Suman Kalyanpur sang two songs for him in the 60s, Meri saheliyan byahi gayi saari (solo from Teesra Kaun) and Suno ji tum to bade wo (a duet with KK from Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi).
Usha Mangeshkar sang about 17 songs, which included duets and trios, but no solos. Most of her songs had got posted in the comments section of my first RDB article.
RDB gave a solo song to vintage era singer Rajkumari in her later years – Hari din to beeta for Kitaab (1977).
Parveen Sultana’s unique rendition of Humein tumse pyar kitna in Kudrat (1981), a total contrast to the romantic version by KK, is still remembered.
90s leading female singers Alka Yagnik and Sadhana Sargam also sang few songs for him, but none of them were outstanding.
References:
1. Pancham: An Anthology of R. D. Burman’s Musical Works by Vishwas Nerurkar
2. R.D. Burman: The Man The Music by Anirudha Bhattacharjee and Balaji Vittal
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Danny sings with Kishore Kumar.
Pani ke badle pee kar sharab
Kanton mein hum tum doonde Gulab.
NAYA DAUR, 1978.
Chandrasekhar Gadgil.
Dukh dukh ki har ek mala
Kudrat hi phiroti hai…
KUDRAT.
Hemant Kumar sang a mediocre
Aa jaa mere pyar aa jaa..
HEERALAL PANNALAL
Annette, Dilraj Kaur sang in
SATTE PE SATTA
Time and again, RDB used several child artistes .
Padmini and Shivangi Kolhapure .
A aa e ee… Master ji ki aayi chitti ..
KITAAB
Gauri Bapat, Gurpreet Kaur, Vanita Mishra.
Lakdi ki kaathi…
MASOOM
Dr Shetty @1, 2, 3, 4,
Very prompt recall befitting the theme. Of these I find Masterji aayi chithi and Lakdi ki kathi have been mentioned by Dr Deshpande.
From the above information one thing is clear that apart from the big four singers , RD has used other singers mentioned for some songs and few of them are hits. He also sang quite a few songs in films including the heroes like Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan and Rakesh Roshan. If I am not mistaken even his father SDB has sung his compositions and incidentally SD also used few singers and produced hits with these four ! Hemant Kumar also has sung one or two songs under RD.
Shibaji Chatterjee.
Ye safar bahut hai katin magar…
1942. A LOVE STORY.
Hariharan sang for RDB in
MAZDOOR
BOXER
( I like the song…
Hai mubarak aaj ke din raat aayee hai suhani. )
M G Sreekumar, the Malayalam movie singer sang a good duet with Asha Bhosle in
GARDISH.
Tum jo mile humko…
Not used in the movie.
KB,
This post shows RDB used the “other” singers quite generously and some songs became famous.
SD Burman was more diversified. Take himself, Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, Talat Mahmood, Hemant Kumar, Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Geeta Dutt – at least 10 singers, and for each of them he composed some songs which would figure in their all-time great songs.
Dr Shetty,
Dr Deshpande has not claimed that his list is exhaustive. There must be several more singers than those covered.
AK ji,
Of course, yes. And, he has mentioned many more singers giving a brief account of their association with RDB.
Manhar, Yesudas also sang for RDB, but the songs are not very popular.
Dr. Shetty @1
Thanks a lot for your prompt comment and great recall of songs, as always!! We can always count on you to add more songs and singers!
Danny sang 3 songs for RDB, the most famous being Sun sun kasam se (with Asha for Kala Sona 1975).
Here’s the link to the KK-Danny duet mentioned by you:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHNn5V7N7rM&list=RDlHNn5V7N7rM
Danny sang one more song in Naya Daur (1978), a trio with Rafi and Asha – Mujhe doston tum gale se lagaa lo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFlMHaWpqP8&list=RDWFlMHaWpqP8
@2
Thanks for adding Chandrashekhar Gadgil, who sang about 10 songs, mostly devotional/philosophical
Here’s the Kudrat song, though in the film mostly Rafi’s version was used:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kXAkHpqsKk&list=RD4kXAkHpqsKk
Dr. Shetty @3
Agree, Aaja mere pyar aaja is average.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LusS6dvtQ90&list=RDLusS6dvtQ90
@4
Here is the Mausam mastana song from Satte Pe Satta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3jWuZVJ8W4&list=RDm3jWuZVJ8W4
I have mentioned the Masoom and Kitaab songs in my write-up. Posting the links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSs2n5abdmg&list=RDwSs2n5abdmg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6iLjbkxBZo&list=RDt6iLjbkxBZo
Dr Rajesh Ji
A fitting finale with extensive coverage of the singers used by RDB.
Of the singers not mentioned so far, I recall the following
1 Archana
not much is known about her and perhaps only Hemant Kumar used her voice
And she gets to sing few lines with Manna De in
Aayo kaha se Ghanshyam – Buddha Mil gaya – Majrooh
https://youtu.be/qF5mNU_fEDU?si=v1SrnAgLphioGroT
2 Ravindra Sathe
Well known Marathi singer was used by RDB in Musafir maybe because of Jabbar Patel’s recommendation. The film did not receive proper release and hence all the songs were lost in anonymity. Incidentally the song is filmed on the singer himself
Aapse itni si gujarish hai
https://youtu.be/Z49542_DjX4?si=ZjnbxXW8jkKqcRMD
3 Ursula Vaz
I had mentioned this on Romancing with stranger and it is the only song(?) said to be penned by RDB himself.
I am falling in love – RDB
https://youtu.be/XEWebW4_seg?si=qN_vZSdE5QPMmfak
4 Abhijeet
He got a break in Anand aur Anand with 3 solos . But what was normal with Dev’s films those days, nobody noticed either the songs or the film
Main aawara hi sahi- Anjaan
https://youtu.be/1zDIgCisZKs?si=Vejmb4SaMeUJOVsB
KB @6
Thanks for your comment and observation.
Yes, RDB himself sang about 106 songs with some hit numbers. AKji has done a separate post on RDB as the singer.
Both the father and son used the top four singers, but while RDB relied more on KK, Asha and Lata, SDB used more main singers, and at different stages of his musical journey. as also commented by AKji @8
Dr Rajesh Deshapnde so magnificently drawn curtains to the series on RDB.
It aptly adds several shades to the spectrum of RDB’s work.
Thanks are due to AKji, as well. It must have required a great deal of thinking on his part to provide so much of space to RDB on SoY. For the puritans or even people like me who choose not to venture too far in the songs of 60s, RDB’s work may not perhaps stand on equal footing with the core scope of what we love to read on SoY.
Leaving that aspect aside, the present series has certainly widened, if not deepened, the scope of SoY’s content.
That was informative and enjoyable.
Liked the entire series by you Dr Rajesh.
Anup
🙂
Dr. Shetty @7
Glad you mentioned Ye safar bahut hai kathin magar. Nice song, sharing the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSWlGt9I2zI&list=RDWSWlGt9I2zI
I have mentioned the Boxer song in the write-up, I like the song too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvQbMlcpzGs&list=RDuvQbMlcpzGs
Here’s the link of Tum jo mile humko from Gardish. Thanks for adding MG Sreekumar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_ytd157JMM&list=RD-_ytd157JMM
Dr. Shetty @10
Manhar sang 3 songs while Yesudas sang 2 songs for RDB. As you have said, the songs did not become popular.
Though I like this Yesudas duet with Asha for Alag Alag (1985)
Ram rahim mein antar naahin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORxvgUFeK6I
Rahulji @13
Thanks a lot for your appreciation and for adding more singers and their songs.
I like Aayo kahan se Ghanshyam. The song is interestingly placed in the film, running through at crucial moments in the film.
Archana was also the heroine of the film.
Ravindra Sathe sang only one song for RDB. It is unfortunate that the film Musafir did not get proper release, despite starring Rekha and Nasiruddin Shah and being directed by renowned director Jabbar Patel.
Ursula also sang a duet with SP Balasubramaniam – Hum tum hum do rahi ( Ye To Kamaal Ho Gaya 1982).
Abhijeet had to wait till the 90s to make a mark, as Anand aur Anand flopped.
This has been a nice and informative series on one of the music directors that I like. 70s were my College going years and we all kept hear RD Burman songs.
I read all the articles on him and enjoyed them and the songs mentioned.
Dr. Deshpande has provided very elaborate articles on the music director and this one also is very exhaustive, including so many singers.
My favourite Mukesh song for RD is Suhani chandni raatein from the film Mukti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd83j10bItU&list=RDXd83j10bItU&start_radio=1
Mohan Desai,
Welcome to Songs Of Yore and thanks a lot for your appreciation of the series on RDB. This blog was primarily meant for the Golden Era of film music. I later realised that there arevmany RDB fans even among the seniors, and a lot more who relate more to 70s and later music.
Also Salma Agha in Mazdoor and Oonche Log with K Kumar
Hamed,
Welcome to SOY and thanks for the addition.
Ashokji @15
Thanks a lot for your nice words of appreciation.
It has been gratifying to have your encouraging comments on all my articles, even though you are not much into the post-golden era music.
Yes, it was indeed a significant step on AKji’s part to broaden the horizon of SoY and cover a full series on a composer whose music dominated the 70s and 80s..
And I am thankful for the opportunity to pen few articles for this series.
Dr. Anup @16
Thanks a lot for your nice comment and words of appreciation.
I am glad that you liked the entire series.
Mohan Desaiji @20
Thanks a lot for your comment and nice words of appreciation.
Glad to know that you read all the articles and enjoyed the series.
Thanks for adding the song from Mukti. I also like the song.
You can even add some comments and songs in the previous articles.
One singer worth adding is the famous Ghazal singer Ghulam Ali.
He sang Ye dil ye pagal dil mera in Maati Maange Khoon
https://youtu.be/BitMSJTZ464?si=EwMTafaABb08ZkYr
This is an excellent article providing an extensive coverage and review of various singers singing for RD Burman. Many nice songs are covered here. I would like to add one of my favourite songs that i have grown up listening to. Its a female duet from Rang Birangi (1983), sung by Aarti Mukherjee and Anuradha-
https://youtu.be/azY3xrLiyh4?si=hvd3zkJLSlgcwIP5
Hamed @22
Thanks for your comment and mentioning Salma Agha.
She sang 3 songs for RDB – 2 solos and one duet.
Here are the songs and the links:
Pehla pehla pyar na bhule – Mazdoor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWhrGbl9xPQ&list=RDMWhrGbl9xPQ
Tu mera kya laage o sathiya – Oonche Log (with KK)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta98pYddTRY&list=RDta98pYddTRY
Mohan Desaiji @27
Thanks for adding the Ghulam Ali ghazal.
This is an original Ghulam Ali composed ghazal which was redone for the film, with some changes in the music.
Sanika Deshpande @28
Thanks s lot for your nice comment and words of appreciation.
Good to see you posting the Rang Birangi song. I am also fond of it.
Rang Birangi was a rare film from the early 80s where RDB did not use any of his main singers.
Rajesh Ji,
Compliments on the concluding article of the R. D. Burman Series—it is, as always, highly informative and exceptionally comprehensive. With the wealth of comments it has already attracted, there is little left to add. Yet, I would like to highlight a soulful melody sung by Shailendra Singh for the film Sitamgar (1985), “Kisi Gareeb Ke Dil Se”, which was unfortunately deleted during editing. Hearing Shailendra Singh reminisce about this song in a podcast inspired me to mention it here, as it further enriches the coverage of RDB’s music in your article. I look forward to many more of your valuable contributions to this blog in the future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkoRoPvdb5g
Dr.Deshpande,
This grand finale is really enjoyable! I came across a song from Pati Patni (1966) where Surendra sings for Om Prakash – Meri Patni Mujhe Satati hai.
Anita
Kamalnayanji @32
Thanks a lot for your nice comment and encouraging words of appreciation.
And specially for adding the information and the link of Shailendra Singh’s deleted song from Sitamgar. Indeed a well-sung number.
Looks like the song was not only edited out from the film but was also omitted from the film’s sound track. It was not part of the audio cassette or record of the film.
Anitaji @33
Glad you liked the final article.
Thanks a lot for your comment and adding Surendra to the list of RDB’s singers.
This should be the last song sung by him for a film and that too after a very long time.
Here is the link to the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LiM6e6IAKs&list=RD8LiM6e6IAKs