Kaka, RD's 'Amar Prem'

Dr Mukesh Hariawala on the special bond that Rajesh Khanna shared with R D Burman

Rajesh Khanna shared a very special bond with R D Burman. Apart from working together in several films, the star considered the composer to be one of his closest buddies.

US-based Dr Mukesh Hariawala who had done a heart bypass surgery on RD at Princess Grace Hospital in London in 1989 reminisces about the special bond between the superstar and composer….

“I firmly believe Rajesh Khanna and R D Burman were destined to be soulmates. I can imagine the trio - R D Burman, Rajesh Khanna and Kishore Kumar - making superhits in heaven.

Rajesh Khanna visited RD after the operation along with director Shakti Samanta. On entering the room, Rajesh told RD, ‘I was looking for you in the recording studio, but they told me you are in a London hospital. Toh pehli flight lee aur seedha yaha chala aiya... I am disappointed. Bataya bhi nahi.’

To which Burman replied, ‘These days I have no work in Mumbai, so decided to come to London and get my heart problem fixed,’ after which they laughed and embraced each other. RD boasted to Rajesh Khanna that during surgery I had observed that RD’s heart was larger than most people, Rajesh responded by saying, ‘Is mein koi shak nahin.

Bade dilwala hain aur hamesha rahega.’ Later Rajesh sought permission to take RD to the local pub near the hospital for a beer: I flatly refused permission.

Rajesh was disappointed but later apologised for breaking hospital rules. He also asked me if science and technology had come up with procedures that can fix an emotionally broken heart. I candidly replied, ‘If we did, people will stop watching your romantic movies!’”

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'Pancham drew inspiration from sounds made by beggars, shepherds'

Very few know that legendary music composer R.D. Burman, who is credited with revolutionising Indian film music by bledning classical and western scores, had even drawn inspiration from the sounds that beggars make while doing their rounds and shepherds make while grazing their cows, those who worked with him said.

A day after his 73rd birth anniversary Wednesday, musicians talked about innate qualities of the late musician, who was fondly called Pancham-da by his fans and close ones.

"He had a very big plus point. Even while going on the road, if any music or sound made by a pedestrian or even a beggar appealed to his ears, he would incorporate it into the scores he composed," said Nitin Shankar, a renowned percussionist and chief rhythm assistant of Pancham.

Shankar, who had spent nearly eight years with Pancham in the late eighties, felt that some notes in the song "Yeh Naiana Yaad Hai Piya" from the movie "Manzil Manzil" was influenced by the sound created by the Maharastrian shepherds while grazing their cows.

Pancham was a musical magician who ruled the Indian film industry with his innovations and unique fusions of Indian music with jazz, pop, blues and rock music for three decades.

Son of legendary composer S.D. Burman, Pancham kicked off his musical journey with "Chhote Nawab" (1961) and remained a loyal disciple of music till his last breath in 1994.

He is credited with infusing a fresh lease of life in Indian music with evergreen melodies like "Raat kali", the sensual cabaret number "Piya tu ab toh aaja", the ultimate hippie anthem "Dum maro dum", the nomad theme "Mehbooba Mehbooba" and the classical "Raina beeti jaaye" and "Mera kuchh saamaan".

According to his troupe members, Pancham's urge to better his performance with every musical score helped him in creating some of the immortal melodies of all time.

"I have worked with Panchamda since 1978. He was a perfectionist. And always wanted to better his last performance. He was never bothered abouthis last success. He used to become very angry if the music was not perfect," said trumpeteer Kishore Sodha, who was in the city for a live performance organised by Euphony.

Winner of three Filmfare awards and credited for giving breaks to renowned singers like Abhijeet and Kumar Sanu, Pancham. with his immortal creations still continues to rules millions of hearts across India.

Drummer Franco Vaz, who played with the musician for 17 years, reminisced about his humanitarian and leadership qualities.

"Once during the recording of a song, the producer of the movie was present. During lunch the producer ordered Chinese food for Panchamda and normal canteen food for other troupe members. Panchamda after hearing this refused to eat and told the producer that he will eat the same food that his other troupe members take."

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Singers miss Pancham Da, say industry needed him now

Singers Kumar Sanu, Sudesh Bhosle and Shailendra Singh remembered legendary composer R.D. Burman, whose 73rd birth anniversary falls on Wednesday, and said that the industry needs him the most now.

"We miss him a lot...the industry really needs him now, " Kumar Sanu said at 92.7Big FM's "Yaadon Mein Pancham" held Tuesday.

"He made all his singers and musicians very comfortable and was very friendly with them, enabling them to deliver their best, " he added.

The show, an ode to the phenomenal musician, invited singers and musicians, who had worked closely with the composer, who was fondly called Pancham Da. Singers Shailendra, Sudesh, Kersi Lord and film journalist Chaitanya Padukone attended the functon.

Lauding his music, Shailendra said the music industry survives on Pancham Da's songs.

"It used to be very nice. We used to really enjoy the recordings. We used to do a lot of good work. Whenever we used to think, we are singing for such a big composer, he used to make us feel very comfortable. His songs have everything which is making today's music survive."

The pioneer of rock and pop music, R.D. Burman was a musical genius whose experiments and innovativeness made him one of the most beloved musicians of his era.

Sudesh Bhosle considers himself "very fortunate" to have worked with pancham Da. "He gave me first break in the industry and made me comfortable in my zone. I really admire him, " he added.

Burman started his journey with "Chhote Nawab" (1961) and worked continuously for 33 years thereafter. He brought a refreshing change with his extraordinary musical work like "Raat kali", the sensual cabaret number "Piya tu ab toh aaja", the ultimate hippie anthem "Dum maro dum" and the classical "Raina beeti jaaye".

Burman's last work was seen in "1942: A Love Story", which was released after his unfortunate demise in 1994. Even 18 years after his death, he rules the hearts of millions as his hits continue to rule the Hindi chartbusters, the singers noted.

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