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R. D. Burman | |
|---|---|
 Burman in 1981 | |
| Born | Rahul Dev Burman (1939-06-27)27 June 1939 Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Kolkata, West Bengal, India) |
| Died | 4 January 1994(1994-01-04) (aged 54) Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1961–1994 |
| Spouses | |
| Parents | |
Rahul Dev Burman (pronunciationⓘ; 27 June 1939 – 4 January 1994) was an Indian music director and singer, who is considered to be one of the greatest and most successful music directors of theHindi film music industry. From the 1960s to the 1990s, Burman composed musical scores for 331 films, bringing a new level of music ensemble with his compositions.[1] Burman did his major work with legendary singersKishore Kumar,Lata Mangeshkar,Asha Bhosle andMohammed Rafi.[2] He also worked extensively with lyricists likeMajrooh Sultanpuri,Anand Bakshi andGulzar, with whom he created some of the most memorable numbers in his career. NicknamedPancham, he was the only son of the composerSachin Dev Burman and his Bengali lyricist wife Meera Dev Burman.
He was mainly active in the Hindi film industry as a composer, and also provided vocals for a few compositions.[3] He influenced the next generation of Indian music directors,[3] and his songs remain popular in India and overseas. Many years after his death, his songs continued to inspire new singers and composers.[4]
Burman was born to the Hindi film composer and singer,Sachin Dev Burman, and his lyricist wifeMeera Dev Burman (née Dasgupta), in Calcutta. Initially, he was nicknamed Tublu by his maternal grandmother, although he later became known by the nickname Pancham. According to some stories, he was nicknamedPancham because, as a child, whenever he cried, it sounded in the fifth note (Pa), G note on c major scale, of music notation; in Hindustani Classical Music,Pancham is the name of the fifth scale degree: (IAST: Ṣaḍja, Ṛṣabha, Gandhāra, Madhyama,Pañcama, Dhaivata, Niṣāda). Another theory says that the baby was nicknamed Pancham because he could cry in five different notes. Yet another version is that when the veteran Indian actorAshok Kumar saw a newborn Rahul uttering the syllablePa repeatedly, he nicknamed the boyPancham.[5]
Burman received his early education in West Bengal fromBallygunge Government High School in Kolkata. His father S. D. Burman was a noted music director inHindi-language films, the Mumbai-based Hindi film industry. When he was seventeen years old, R. D. Burman composed his first song,Aye meri topi palat ke aa, which his father used in the filmFuntoosh (1956). The tune of the songSar jo tera chakraaye was also composed by him as a child; his father included it in the soundtrack ofGuru Dutt'sPyaasa (1957).[6]
In Mumbai, Burman was trained by UstadAli Akbar Khan (sarod) andSamta Prasad (tabla).[7] He also consideredSalil Chowdhury his guru.[8] He served as an assistant to his father and often played harmonica in his orchestras.[3]
Some of the notable films in which Burman is credited as the music assistant includeChalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958),Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959),Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963),Bandini (1963),Ziddi (1964),Guide (1965) andTeen Devian (1965). Burman also played mouth organ for his father's hit composition "Hai Apna Dil To Aawara", which was featured in the filmSolva Saal, and sung byHemanta Mukhopadhyay.[9]
In 1959, Burman signed up as a music director for the filmRaaz, directed byGuru Dutt's assistant Niranjan. However, the film was never completed. The lyrics of this Guru Dutt andWaheeda Rehman-starrer film were written byShailendra. Burman recorded two songs for the film before it was shelved. The first song was sung byGeeta Dutt andAsha Bhosle, and the second one had vocals byShamshad Begum.[10]
Burman's first released film as an independent music director wasChhote Nawab (1961). When the noted Hindi film comedianMehmood decided to produceChhote Nawab, he first approached Burman's father Sachin Dev Burman for the music. However, S. D. Burman declined the offer, advising he was unavailable. At this meeting, Mehmood noticed Rahul playingtabla, and signed him as the music director forChhote Nawab.[10] Burman later developed a close association with Mehmood, and made acameo appearance in Mehmood's filmBhoot Bungla (1965).[10]
Burman's first wife wasRita Patel, whom he had met inDarjeeling. Rita, a fan, had bet her friends that she would be able to get a film-date with Burman. They two married in 1966, and divorced in 1971.[11] The songMusafir Hoon Yaaron ("I'm a Traveller") fromParichay (1972) was composed while he was at a hotel after the separation.[12]
Burman marriedAsha Bhosle in 1980 after a protracted romance despite his mother's vehement opposition to their relationship. Together, the couple recorded many hit songs and also staged many live performances. However, towards the end of his life, they did not live together.[13] Burman had financial difficulties, particularly later in his life. His mother Meera died in 2007, thirteen years after his death.[14] She had been suffering from Alzheimer's even before her son's death. Just before her death she had been moved to an old age home, and moved back to her son's residence after the issue became a controversy.[15]
R.D. Burman died on 4 January 1994 due to a heart attack. Burman had been suffering fromCardiovascular disease for around six years before his death and even underwent a surgery because of an earlier heart attack in 1988.[16]
R. D. Burman began his career as a music director with the 1961 filmChhote Nawab, which proved to be a lukewarm success and so his next three ventures,Bhoot Bungla (1965),Teesra Kaun (1965) andPati Patni (1966).[17] He established himself withVijay Anand'smusical mystery filmTeesri Manzil (1966), which hadShammi Kapoor andAsha Parekh in the lead.[18] It went on to become a huge success at the box office which was attributed to its superhit songs, "O Haseena Zulfonwali Jane Jahan", "O Mere Sona Re Sona", "Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera", "Deewana Mujhsa Nahin" and "Tumne Mujhe Dekha Hokar Meherban", all of which were featured in the year-end annual list ofBinaca Geetmala.[19][20] Also the soundtrack ofTeesri Manzil proved to be the seventh best-selling Hindi film album of the 1960s.[21]
Burman's other notable work of the decade was themusical comedyPadosan (1968), whose songs like "Ek Chatur Naar", "Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein", "Mere Bhole Balam" and "Kehna Hai Kehna Hai" remain popular to date and played a major part in making the film a commercial success.[22] In 1969, he delivered music for two hit films,Waris andPyar Ka Mausam and also while working as an assistant to his father inShakti Samanta'sAradhana, he played an instrumental role in makingKishore Kumar the playback voice ofRajesh Khanna, who became a superstar with the film's blockbuster success and same for Kumar whose singing career was boosted and he became the leading playback singer of Hindi cinema and remained at that position till his death in 1987.[23][24]
Burman emerged as the leading music director of Hindi cinema in the year 1970 with Shakti Samanta'smusical romantic dramaKati Patang starring Rajesh Khanna and Asha Parekh. At the box office, it went on to become a blockbuster with almost all of its songs, such as "Yeh Shaam Mastani", "Pyaar Deewana Hota Hai", "Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai", all three solos by Kishore Kumar and "Jis Gali Mein Tera Ghar", a solo byMukesh proving to be chartbuster and playing an important role in the box office success of the film and making its soundtrack one of the highest-sellingBollywood album of the 1970s.[25][26] The same year, he also delivered music in another Rajesh Khanna hitThe Train, which had the popular songs "Gulabi Aankhen", a solo byMohammed Rafi and "Kis Liye Maine Pyar Kiya", a solo byLata Mangeshkar.[27]
For the next three years he worked in top-grossing films, such asHaré Rama Haré Krishna (1971),Caravan (1971),Mela (1971),Amar Prem (1972),Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972),Apna Desh (1972),Jawani Diwani (1972),Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972),Parichay (1972),Seeta Aur Geeta (1972),Samadhi (1972),Anamika (1973),Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973),Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973) andNamak Haraam (1973), all of which had superhit songs like "Chadti Jawani Meri Chaal Mastani", "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja" and "Kitna Pyara Wada Hai" (Caravan), "Dum Maro Dum", "Phoolon Ka Taron Ka" and "Kanchi Re Kanchi" (Hare Rama Hare Krishna), "Rut Hai Milan Ki Sathi Mera Aa Re" and "Gori Ke Haath Mein Jaise Ye Challa" (Mela), "Raina Beeti Jaye", "Chingari Koi Bhadke", "Kuchh Toh Log Kahenge" and "Yeh Kya Hua" (Amar Prem), "O Mere Dil Ke Chain", "Chala Jaata Hoon" and "Aao Na, Gale Laga Lo Na" (Mere Jeevan Saathi), "Duniya Mein Logon Ko", "Kajra Lagake Gajra Sajake" and "Ro Na Kabhi Nahin Rona" (Apna Desh), "Samne Yeh Kaun Aaya", "Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani" and "Jaan-E-Jaan Dhoondta Phir Raha Hoon Tumhe Raat Din" (Jawani Diwani), "Gum Hai Kisi Ke Pyar Mein Dil Subah Sham" and "Rampur Ka Vasi Hoon" (Raampur Ka Lakshman), "Musafir Hoon Yaaron" and "Sa Re Ke Sa Re" (Parichay), "O Saathi Chal" and "Koi Ladki Mujhe Kal Raat" (Seeta Aur Geeta), "Kaanta Laga", "Jab Tak Rahe" and "Jaan-E-Jaana Jao" (Samadhi), "Panna Ki Tamanna" (Heera Panna), "Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si" and "Bahon Mein Chale Aao" (Anamika), "Vaada Karo" and "Tera Mujhse Hain Pehle Ka Nata Koi" (Aa Gale Lag Jaa), "Yaadon Ki Baaraat Nikli Hai Aaj Dil Ke Dwaare", "Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko, Nazar Nahin Churana Sanam", "Lekar Hum Deewana Dil, Phirte Hai Manzil Manzil" and "Meri Soni, Meri Tamanna, Jhuth Nahin Hai Mera Pyar" (Yaadon Ki Baaraat), "Diye Jalte Hain Phool Khilte Hain" and "Main Shair Badnaam" (Namak Haraam).[28][29] The soundtrack ofCaravan proved to be one of the best-selling Hindi film albums of the 1970s while that ofYaadon Ki Baaraat emerged as the second best-selling Hindi film album of the decade.[26] ForCaravan,Amar Prem andYaadon Ki Baaraat, Burman received three consecutive nominations atFilmfare forBest Music Direction.[30] In 1974, his notable ventures, includedAap Ki Kasam,Khote Sikkay,Ajanabee andPhir Kab Milogi, all of which had evergreen songs like "Karvatein Badalte Rahe", "Jai Jai Shiv Shankar", "Suno Kaho Kaha Suna", "Zindagi Ke Safar Mein, "Jeevan Mein Tu Darna Nahin", "Ek Ajanabee Haseena Se", "Hum Dono Do Premi", "Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein" and "Kahin Karti Hogi".[24] Burman's peak came in 1975 when he scored music forSholay,Deewaar,Khel Khel Mein,Warrant,Aandhi,Khushboo andDharam Karam, all of which were hugely successful at the box office, especiallySholay which emerged as anAll Time Blockbuster and remains the biggest hit in the history ofIndian cinema.[31] Its songs "Mehbooba Mehbooba", "Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin", "Haa Jab Tak Hai Jaan", "Koi Haseena" topped the year-end annual list of Binaca Geetmala and made its soundtrack one of the best-selling Hindi film albums of the 1970s along with winning Burman another nomination in the Best Music Director category at Filmfare.[32][26] Other notable songs composed by him that year were – "Kehdoon Tumhe Ya Chup Rahoon" (Deewaar), "Humne Tumko Dekha", "Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, Dono Mile Is Tarah", "Khullam Khulla Pyar Karenge Hum Dono" (Khel Khel Mein), "Sun Bhai Baarati", "Ruk Jana O Jana Humse" (Warrant), "Tere Bina Zindagi Se", "Tum Aa Gaye Ho Noor Aa Gaya", "Is Mod Se Jate Hain" (Aandhi), "O Majhi Re Apna Kinara" (Khushboo), "Ek Din Bik Jayega Mati Ke Mol", "Tere Humsafar Geet Hain Tere" (Dharam Karam).[33][34]
With Rajesh Khanna losing superstardom and change of box office equation from romantic musicals to action oriented multi-starrers, Burman suffered a setback in 1976 as most of his releases that year did not do well commercially, with notable exceptions beingNehle Pe Dehla,Balika Badhu andMehbooba, all three of which were moderately successful with hit songs, such as "Sawan Ka Mahina Aa Gaya", "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain" and "Mere Naina Sawan Bhadon" respectively.[35] He made a comeback, the following year, with Nasir Hussain's musical blockbusterHum Kisise Kum Naheen, which had a number of chartbusters, including "Bachna Ae Haseeno", "Mil Gaya, Hum Ko Saathi Mil Gaya", "Hai Agar Dushman Zamana, Gham Nahin", "Yeh Ladka Haay Allah Kaisa Hai Deewana", "Kya Hua Tera Vaada, Woh Kasam, Woh Iraada", "Chand Mera Dil, Chandni Ho Tum" and "Tum Kya Jaano Mohabbat Kya Hai".[36] Also its soundtrack proved to be the fourth-best selling Hindi film album of the decade.[26] His other notable venture that year was another of Gulzar's directionalKinara, which had memorable songs like "Naam Hum Jayega", "Ek Hi Khwab" and "Abke Na Sawan Barse".[37] In 1978, he composed forAmitabh Bachchan starrerKasme Vaade andDharmendra starrerAzaad, both of which were major commercial successes with their songs "Kasme Vaade Nibhayenge Hum", "Aati Rahengi Baharen" in the former and "Raju Chal Raju", "Jaan Ki Kasam" in the latter proving to be very popular.[38][39]
In 1979 and 1980, Burman was the music director for critically and commercially successful films likeGol Maal (1979),Khubsoorat (1980),Aanchal (1980) andShaan (1980). The songs from these films, such as "Aanewala Pal", "Gol Maal Hai Bhai Sab Gol Maal Hai", "Piya Bawri, Piya Bawri", "Sun Sun Sun Didi" "Bhor Bhaye Panchi", "Aisa Rangeen Sama", "Yamma Yamma", "Aate Jaate Hue Main" and "Jaanu Meri Jaan", found a spot in the year-end annual list of Binaca Geetmala.[40] His other hit songs in these years were - "Rimjhim Gire Sawan" (Manzil), "Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahani" (The Great Gambler), "Saawan Ke Jhoole Pade Hai" (Jurmana), "Maine Poochha Chand Se" (Abdullah), "Khatouba" (Alibaba Aur 40 Chor) and "Teri Hai Zameen Tera Aasman" (The Burning Train).[28]
In 1981, Burman composed music for six notable ventures which were –Love Story,Kaalia,Barsaat Ki Ek Raat,Rocky,Kudrat andZamane Ko Dikhana Hai. The first four proved to be huge money spinners, especiallyLove Story which turned out to be a blockbuster with its music proving to be the second best-selling Hindi film album of the 1980s.[41][42] Its songs "Kaisa Tera Pyar, Kaisa Gussa Hai Tera", "Dekho Maine Dekha Hai Yeh Ek Sapna" and "Teri Yaad Aa Rahi Hai" remain popular till date.[43] Contrary to this,Kudrat andZamane Ko Dikhana Hai were financial failures, but their songs like "Tune O Rangeele" and "Hume Tumse Pyaar Kitna" in the former and "Hoga Tumse Pyaara Kaun" and "Dil Lena Khel Hai Dildar Ka" in the latter were huge hits and made them two of the best-sellingBollywood albums of the decade.[42] In 1982, Burman's successful ventures were –Angoor,Sanam Teri Kasam andSatte Pe Satta, however his contemporaries, includingLaxmikant–Pyarelal andBappi Lahiri had bigger hits in their kitty, such asPrem Rog andNamak Halaal, respectively.[44] ForSanam Teri Kasam, Burman won his firstFilmfare Best Music Director Award and also the film's music proved to be one of the best-selling Hindi film albums of the 1980s.[45][42][46] The following year, Burman again had five major releases –Pukar,Mahaan,Betaab,Masoom andAgar Tum Na Hote, all of which had songs that dominated the year-end annual list of Binaca Geetmala, such as "Jab Hum Jawan Honge", "Teri Tasveer Mil Gayee", "Lakdi Ki Kaathi Kaathi Pe Ghoda", "Do Naina Aur Ek Kahani", "Tujhse Naraz Nahin Zindagi", "Agar Tum Na Hote", "Bachke Rehna Re Baba", "Pyar Mein Dil Pe Maar De Goli" and "Jidhar Dekhoon Teri Tasveer Nazar Aati Hai". The soundtrack ofBetaab emerged as the ninth best-selling Hindi film album of the 1980s and forMasoom, Burman won his second and consecutiveFilmfare Best Music Director Award.[42][47]
From 1984 onwards, Burman's career as a composer began to decline as almost all the films he composed music for in 1984 and 1985 sank without a trace with two exceptions beingRamesh Sippy's romantic musicalSaagar (1985) andRahul Rawail's actionerArjun (1985), both of which had lyrics written byJaved Akhtar and had memorable songs like "Chehra Hai Ya Chand Khila Hai" and "Saagar Kinare" (Saagar), "Mammaiya Kero Mamma" and "Dhadkan Pal Pal Badhti Jaaye" (Arjun). Also the music ofSaagar proved to be one of the highest-sellingBollywood albums of the decade and got him a nomination in theBest Music Director category at33rd Filmfare Awards.[48][42]
In the latter-half of the 1980s, Burman's notable ventures, included Gulzar's romantic dramaIjaazat (1987) andVidhu Vinod Chopra'scrime thrillerParinda (1989). Both the films opened to widespread acclaim for their direction, story and songs, such as "Mera Kuchh Saamaan", "Qatra Qatra Milti Hai" in the former and "Tumse Milke Aisa Laga Tumse Milke", "Kitni Hai Pyari Pyari" in the latter.[49][50]
After a dull beginning to the new decade with flops likeJeene Do (1990),Dushman (1990) andIndrajeet (1991), Burman delivered music inPriyadarshan'sGardish (1993), which proved to be a box office success with hit songs like "Hum Na Samjhe The", sung byS. P. Balasubrahmanyam and "Yeh Mera Dil To Pagal Hai", a duet by Balasubrahmanyam andAsha Bhosle.[51] In 1994, he once again collaborated with Vidhu Vinod Chopra for his magnum opus1942: A Love Story. Although the film did not succeed commercially, its music was a huge hit and the third best-selling Hindi film album of 1994 with songs that remained popular such as "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha", "Kuchh Na Kaho", both solos byKumar Sanu and "Pyar Hua Chupke Se", sung byKavita Krishnamurthy.[52][53] Burman died a few days before the release of the film,[54] and was posthumously awarded his thirdBest Music Director at the40th Filmfare Awards.[55]
Burman has been credited with revolutionizing Hindi film music.[56] He incorporated a wide range of influences from several genres in his scores though his primary inspiration was Bengali folk. Burman's career coincided with the rise of Rajesh Khanna-starrer youth love stories. He madeelectronic rock popular in these popular love stories.[3] He often mixed disco and rock elements with Bengali folk music.[57] He also used jazz elements, which had been introduced to him by the studio pianist Kersi Lord.[58]
According toDouglas Wolk, Burman "wrapped sugary string swoops around as many ideas as he could squeeze in at once".[1] Biswarup Sen describes his popular music as one featuring multicultural influences, and characterized by "frenetic pacing, youthful exuberance and upbeat rhythms".[59]
Burman was influenced by Western, Latin, Oriental and Arabic music, and incorporated elements from these in his own music.[60] He also experimented with different musical sounds produced from methods such as rubbingsandpaper and knocking bamboo sticks together.[9] He blew into beer bottles to produce the opening beats of "Mehbooba, Mehbooba". Similarly, he used cups and saucers to create the tinkling sound for the song "Chura Liya Hai" from the filmYaadon Ki Baaraat (1973).[61] ForSatte Pe Satta (1982), he made the singer Annette Pinto gargle to produce a background sound.[9] He also rubbed a comb on a rough surface to produce a whooshing sound in the song "Meri Samne Wali Khidki Main" from the filmPadosan (1968)
On multiple occasions, Burman experimented with recording the same song with different singers. ForKudrat (1981), he recorded the light semi-classical version of the song "Hume tumse pyar kitna" in the voice of Kishore Kumar, while the classical version was recorded in the voice ofParveen Sultana.
Music critics and commentators have long discussed alleged instances of musical borrowing in Burman's work. Journalist Vivek Kaul wrote that "R.D. Burman was accused of plagiarising right through his career... this was probably one question that Pancham had to defend himself against in most of his interviews."[62] A retrospective article on classic Hindi film music similarly stated that "even revered composers such as R. D. Burman and S. D. Burman occasionally adapted foreign tunes."[63]
However researcher Vishaws Nerurkar commented in his book
"The late R.D. Burman has often been accused of lifting western tunes and of using them in their original format. This is somewhat true, but in my study of all his work, I cannot discover this piracy in more than 20 to 30 numbers. In a prolific output of over 1500 songs, this can be easily overlooked. And even in these so called 'lifted' tunes, one cannot help but notice how the composer with great dexterity and skill had changed the original "inspiration", only giving us a glimpse now and then of a western tune.All composers have their influences. Pancham had his. His uniqueness was the variations he created on inspired numbers. On the other hand his severe critics who have heard his other 1450 songs do attribute originality and great fountains of melody. That certainly makes him an original composer."[64]
Burman himself acknowledged using Western dance music "as a source of inspiration" for his compositions.[65] As was common in Hindi films, some of his songs featured the tunes of popular foreign songs. For example,Ramesh Sippy insisted that the tune of the traditional Cyprus song "Say You Love Me" (arranged and sung byDemis Roussos) be used for "Mehbooba Mehbooba" (Sholay, 1975), andNasir Hussain wanted to useABBA's "Mamma Mia" forMil gaya hum ko sathi. Other examples of Burman songs inspired by foreign songs including "Aao twist karein" fromBhoot Bangla (Chubby Checker's "Let's Twist Again"), "Tumse milke" (Leo Sayer's "When I Need You"), and "Zindagi milke bitaayenge" (Paul Anka's "The Longest Day") and "Jahan teri yeh nazar hai" (Persian artist Zia Atabi's "Heleh maali") and "Dilbar mere" (Alexandra's "Zigeunerjunge").
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Several Hindi films made after Burman's death contain his original songs or their remixed versions.Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (2002), which contains several re-arranged hit songs of Burman, was made as a tribute to him.[66]Jhankaar Beats (2003), which catapulted the music director duoVishal–Shekhar into the limelight, is also a tribute to him.[67] InKhwahish (2003),Mallika Sherawat's character is a Burman fan; the film features repeated references to him.[68] In 2010, Brahmanand Singh released a 113-minute documentary titledPancham Unmixed: Mujhe Chalte Jaana Hai, which received critical acclaim.[9] Pancham Unmixed won 2 National Awards and was premiered at IFFLA, Los Angeles. The film is considered a landmark in documentary biopics in India and set a trend. A coffee-table book, co-authored by Brahmanand Siingh and Gaurav Sharma titled "Strings of Eternity" was released with Pancham Unmixed by Shemaroo. Mobius films, the producers of Pancham Unmixed, then went on to release an extended 5 hours version titled "Knowing Pancham". The launch was at prestigious venue Blue Frog in Mumbai and was graced by Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Gowariker, Dolly Thakore, Sachin, Atul Tiwari, Ketan Mehta, Deepa Sahi amongst others. Brahmanand and Gaurav Sharma authored another coffee-table book with the extended version, titled "Diamonds and Rust". The music ofLootera (2013) is a tribute to Burman.[69] A number of Indian remix albums feature Burman's songs, which are also popular in the country's pubs and discos.[5] Several of his compositions were re-mixed by the South Asian DJs in the United Kingdom and North America, and feature in popular albums such asBally Sagoo'sBollywood Flashback.[3]Kronos Quartet'sYou've Stolen My Heart (2005) contains Burman's compositions sung by his wife Asha Bhosle.[70] In the 2012 filmKhiladi 786,Himesh Reshammiya-composed songBalma is also a tribute to R.D. Burman.[71]
In 1995,Filmfare Awards constituted theFilmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent in his memory. The award is given to upcoming music talent in Hindi cinema. In 2009, theBrihanmumbai Municipal Corporation named apublic square inSanta Cruz after Burman.[72] In 2019, the music of the title song "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga" from the 2019 filmEk Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga was originally written byR.D. Burman for the film1942: A Love Story, and the lyrics rewritten by Gurpreet Saini, re-composed byRochak Kohli.[73] The soundtrack album was released bySaregama on 8 January 2019.[74][75][76]
Burman inspired many later Hindi film music composers, such asVishal–Shekhar.Jatin–Lalit are considered to have carried on Burman's legacy through the 1990s.[77] Notable musical assistants to Burman includeManohari Singh and Sapan Chakraborty. His instrumentalists includedHari Prasad Chaurasia,Shiv Kumar Sharma,Louis Banks,Bhupinder Singh andKersi Lord.[9] He is also noted for his partnership with the lyricistGulzar, who wrote the words for several of his finest compositions.[9]
Pancham Unmixed, a winner of 2 National Awards, is a 113-minute biopic on Burman, directed byBrahmanand Singh. A postage stamp, bearing Burman's likeness was released byIndia Post to honour him on 3 May 2013.
In India,Pancham Magic from Pune and Euphony from Kolkata hosts shows most likely on 4 January and 27 June every year with musicians, artists or otherwise worked with Burman every year. Besides this many events are celebrated in various parts of India every now or then with new talents or people who worked with Burman.
tracks was invoked but never defined (see thehelp page).
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