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R.D. Burman

1939-1994

by David Courtney

R.D. Burman

Rahul Dev Burman, better known as R.D. Burman, was a famous Bollywood music director during the 60’s through the early 90’s.  He was known for introducing an upbeat, Western copied music that defined much of the music of the 1970’s.  This style has influenced generations of music directors even to today.

R.D. Burman was born in Calcutta on June 27th, 1939, in Calcutta.  His father was the legendary music director S.D. Burman and his mother was named Meera.  As a child he was nicknamed “Pancham”.  There seems to be some disagreement as to how he acquired this nickname.  One story has it that as an infant, his crying reminded his parents of the fifth note of the Indian scale; this is known as Pancham.  Another story has it that once when Ashok Kumar was visiting, the he kept saying “Pa Pa, Pa, Pa” and whereupon Ashok Kumar named him “Pancham”.

His music education began very early on.  Naturally there was the influence of growing up in his father’s home, with constant music surrounding him.  Furthermore after the family moved from Calcutta to Bombay, he started to learn sarod from the famous Ali Akbar Khan.  He also learned to play the harmonica.  With such a musical environment, it is not surprising that he started to compose music very quickly.  He was only nine years old when he composed his first song; this was Aye Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa and his father used it in the film “Funtoosh” 1956).

His professional career began in 1958.  He began assisting his father on films such as “Solva Saal” (1958), “Chalti Ka Naaam Gaadi” (1958), and “Kaagaz ka Phool” (1957).  His first film as music director was Guru Dutt’s film “Raaz” (1959); unfortunately, this film was shelved in the middle of the project.  His first released film as a music director was Mehmood’s “Chote Nawaab” (1961).  From there his career was firmly launched.

RD. Burman and Mehmood in scene from Bhoot Bangla

RD. Burman and Mehmood in scene from “Bhoot Bangla”

The 1960s saw RD. Burman working in various capacities.  Sometimes he worked as an assistant music director to his father; he assisted his father on such films as “Bandini” (1963), “Teen Deviyaan” (1965), “Guide” (1965), “Jewel Thief” (1967) and “Talash” (1969).  He also tried his hand at acting; he acted in such films as “Bhoot Bangla” (1965) and “Pyaar Ka Mausam” (1967).  But more significantly he started working as a music director in his own right.  For instance, there was “Bhoot Bangla” (1965), and his first hit film “Teesri Manzil” (1966).

Poster for Teesri Manzil

Poster for “Teesri Manzil”

“Tesri Manzil” marked a major milestone in his career.  From this point on, he was well establish, and was able to be the music director for a number of major films.  This brought him a number of successful films such as “Padosan” (1968) and “Waris” (1969).  The dawn of the 70s saw, RD Burman become Bollywood’s most sought after music director.  This was represented by such immortal hits as “Amar Prem” (1971), “Hare Rama Hare Krishna” (1971), “Seetha Aur Geeta” (1972), and “Sholay” (1975).

This period of his life was marked by both personal success and hardships.  He married Rita Patel in 1966, but the marriage did not last; they were divorced in 1971.  In 1975 his father passed away.

The death of his father may be seen as a punctuation in his career.  It did not stop him, but marked the start of another decade of successful films in Bollywood.  It is pointless to try and name them all, but a few which particularly stand out are “Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin” (1977), “Golmal” (1979), “Kudrat” (1980), and “Burning Train” (1980)

His personal life was also good in this period.  In 1980 he married Asha Bhosle in 1980.  They remained happily married until his death.

RD Burman and wife Asha Bhosle

R.D. Burman and wife Asha Bhosle

At the height of his career, there were repeated questions concerning his “borrowing” of themes from other songs.  We must remember India is generally known for its rather pragmatic and liberal approach to intellectual property laws; and all of the Indian genres of music, be they classical, folk, or popular, find themes freely passing from one artist to another.  However, the extent to which RD Burman “borrowed” material is generally considered to have exceeded even what was normal for Bollywood.  For example Aao Twist Karein (“Bhoot Bhangla” – 1965) is a ripoff of Let’s Twist Again by Chubby Checker; Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Naata Koi (“Aaa Gale Lag Ja” – 1973) is lifted from The Yellow Rose of Texas (Traditional Texas folksong), or Tumse Milke (“Parinda” – 1989) was lifted from When I Need You (Hammond & Sager).  This list of R.D. Burman songs that contained material that was “borrowed” from pre-existing sources, is so long that many say that the majority of his career was actually based upon plagiarism.  I think that it is an interesting reflection upon both Indian business as well as Indian society, that such activities failed to arouse any significant reproach.

The mid 1980’s were a very hard time for R.D. Burman, both personally as well as professionally.  The general perception was that he had lost his touch.  The songs that he did, generally failed to make a major impact on the public.  Where R.D. Burman had made a career from Western “inspired” songs, he found that he was repeatedly being outdone by Bappi Lahiri’s Western “inspired” disco.  In 1988 at the age of 49, he suffered a heart attack.  He underwent surgery and continued to make music.  But his career limped into the 1990’s with very lacklustre commercial success.  There were a few exceptions to the publics rejection of his music, most notably “1942: A Love Story”.  But by and large he was considered finished in the Bollywood film industry.  At the age of 54 he suffered another heart attack.  With his wife Asha at his side, he died on January 4, 1994.

His death may have brought an end to his musical output, but he is fondly remembered today.  Where the public, and business rejected him the last years of his life, today the public tends to focus on the high spots in his career.  He has been remembered and honoured by numerous, remixes, documentaries, and the naming of the “Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent” after him.

Filmography

YearFilmLanguage / Comments
1961Chhote NawabHindi
1965Bhoot BunglaHindi
1965Bhoot BunglaHindi
1966Pati PatniHindi
1966Teesri ManzilHindi
1967Chandan Ka PainaHindi
1967Baharon Ke SapneHindi
1968PadosanHindi
1969Pyar Ka MausamHindi
1969WarisHindi
1970RajkumariBengali (same as “Barsaat Ki Ek Raat”)
1970Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu ThiHindi
1970Raaton Ka RajaHindi
1970PuraskarHindi
1970Kati PatangHindi
1970The TrainHindi
1971Paraya DhanHindi
1971MelaHindi
1971Lakhon Mein EkHindi
1971HulchulHindi
1971CaravanHindi
1971Buddha Mil GayaHindi
1971AdhikarHindi
1971Pyar Ki KahaniHindi
1971HungamaHindi
1971Hare Rama Hare KrishnaHindi
1971SanjogHindi
1971Amar PremHindi
1972ShehzadaHindi
1972Seeta Aur GeetaHindi
1972SaveraHindi
1972SamadhiHindi
1972Rakhi Aur HathkadiHindi
1972ParchhaiyanHindi
1972Mere Jeevan SaathiHindi
1972Garam MasalaHindi
1972Double CrossHindi
1972Rani Mera NaamHindi
1972Do ChorHindi
1972Dil Ka RajaHindi
1972Apna DeshHindi
1972Bombay To GoaHindi
1972Jawani DiwaniHindi
1972Raampur Ka LakshmanHindi
1972ParichayHindi
1972Gomti Ke KinareHindi
1973Yaadon Ki BaaraatHindi
1973Shareef BudmaashHindi
1973Bada KabutarHindi
1973Heera PannaHindi
1973Bandhe HaathHindi
1973AnamikaHindi
1973Raja RaniHindi
1973Jheel Ke Us PaarHindi
1973JoshilaHindi
1973Aa Gale Lag JaaHindi
1973Namak HaraamHindi
1973RickshawalaHindi
1973Jaise Ko TaisaHindi
1973Do PhoolHindi
1974Khote SikkayHindi
1974Zehreela InsaanHindi
1974Ishq Ishq IshqHindi
1974ImaanHindi
1974HumshakalHindi
1974GoonjHindi
1974CharitraheenHindi
1974ManoranjanHindi
1974Aap Ki KasamHindi
1974Doosri SitaHindi
1974Dil DiwanaHindi
1974AjnabeeHindi
1974BenaamHindi
1974ShaitaanHindi
1974Phir Kab MilogiHindi
1975RaajaHindi
1975MazaaqHindi
1975Khel Khel MeinHindi
1975Kahte Hain Mujhko RajaHindi
1975DeewaarHindi
1975WarrantHindi
1975AandhiHindi
1975KhushbooHindi
1975Kala SonaHindi
1975SholayHindi
1975Dharam KaramHindi
1976Nehle Peh DehlaaHindi
1976Maha ChorHindi
1976BundalbaazHindi
1976Balika BadhuHindi
1976MehboobaHindi
1976BulletHindi
1976KhalifaHindi
1977KarmHindi
1977Darling DarlingHindi
1977Chandi SonaHindi
1977Chalta PurzaHindi
1977MuktiHindi
1977Hum Kisise Kum NaheenHindi
1977Chala Murari Hero BanneHindi
1977KitaabHindi
1977Jallianwala BaghHindi
1977KinaraHindi
1978Heeralaal PannalaalHindi
1978GharHindi
1978Kasme VaadeHindi
1978Bhola BhalaHindi
1978NaukriHindi
1978AzaadHindi
1978PhandebaazHindi
1978DevataHindi
1978ShalimarHindi
1979Bhala MaanusHindi
1979Salaam MemsaabHindi
1979Hamare TumhareHindi
1979Jhoota Kahin KaHindi
1979Gol MaalHindi
1979JurmanaHindi
1979DhongeeHindi
1979ManzilHindi
1979NaukerHindi
1979The Great GamblerHindi
1980KhubsooratHindi
1980AbdullahHindi
1980Alibaba Aur 40 ChorHindi
1980The Burning TrainHindi
1980Dhan DaulatHindi
1980Red RoseHindi
1980Phir Wahi RaatHindi
1980SitaraHindi
1980AanchalHindi
1980ShaanHindi
1981TroyeeBengali
1981BulundiHindi
1981Love StoryHindi
1981Barsaat Ki Ek RaatHindi
1981Naram GaramHindi
1981KudratHindi
1981RockyHindi
1981HarjaeeHindi
1981BaseraaHindi
1981Jail YatraHindi
1981Ghungroo Ki AwaazHindi
1981KaaliaHindi
1981Zamaane Ko Dikhana HaiHindi
1982NamkeenHindi
1982AngoorHindi
1982Satte Pe SattaHindi
1982BemisalHindi
1982Yeh Vaada RahaHindi
1982DaulatHindi
1982Teri KasamHindi
1982Aamne SamneHindi
1982Sanam Teri KasamHindi
1982AshantiHindi
1982ShaktiHindi
1982Swami DadaHindi
1983LoversHindi
1983PukarHindi
1983MasoomHindi
1983Rang BirangiHindi
1983MahaanHindi
1983BetaabHindi
1983Bade DilwalaHindi
1983MazdoorHindi
1983QayamatHindi
1983RomanceHindi
1983Jaane JaanHindi
1983Agar Tum Na HoteHindi
1984TinmurtiBengali (same as Jagir)
1984Anand Aur AnandHindi
1984BoxerHindi
1984SunnyHindi
1984Andar BaaharHindi
1984Yeh DeshHindi
1984Maati Maangey KhoonHindi
1984DuniyaHindi
1984Manzil ManzilHindi
1984AwaazHindi
1984JawaaniHindi
1984FarishtaHindi
1984Jhutha SachHindi
1984KarishmaaHindi
1984JagirHindi
1984Zameen AasmaanHindi
1985Rahi Badal GayeHindi
1985Ram Tere Kitne NamHindi
1985Hum DonoHindi
1985Ek Se Bhale DoHindi
1985LavaHindi
1985ZabardastHindi
1985SitamgarHindi
1985SaagarHindi
1985Alag AlagHindi
1985Oonche LogHindi
1985Awara BaapHindi
1985ArjunHindi
1985Hum NaujawanHindi
1985Shiva Ka InsaafHindi
1986Ek Main Aur Ek TuHindi
1986JeevaHindi
1986ShatruHindi
1986Anokha RishtaHindi
1986Palay KhanHindi
1986SamundarHindi
1986Saveraywali GaadiHindi
1987Ekanta ApanBengali
1987Poo Mazhai PozhiyuthuTamil
1987Inaam Dus HazaarHindi
1987IjaazatHindi
1987DacaitHindi
1987Apne ApneHindi
1988Chutti PoonaiTamil
1988Chinni KrishnuduTelugu
1988Mardonwali BaatHindi
1988ZalzalaHindi
1988LibaasHindi
1988Rama O RamaHindi
1988NamumkinHindi
1989Mil Gayee Manzil MujheHindi
1989JoshilaayHindi
1989DostHindi
1989Aag Se KhelengeHindi
1989ParindaHindi
1989BahuraniHindi
1990Ulagam Pirandhadhu EnakkagaTamil
1990AnthamTelugu
1990Jai Shiv ShankarHindi
1990Jeene DoHindi
1990DushmanHindi
1991IndrajeetHindi
1991Jhoothi ShaanHindi
1992Swet Pathorer ThalaBengali
1992SiyasatHindi
1992SarphiraHindi
1992Khule-AamHindi
1992DrohiHindi
1992Aaja Meri JaanHindi
1993GardishHindi
1993GurudevHindi
1993Professor Ki PadosanHindi
1993Tum Karo VaadaHindi
1994Ajana PathBengali
1994Jaanam O Pehla PyaarHindi
19941942: A Love StoryHindi
1996Sautela BhaiHindi
1996GhatakHindi
1999ZulmiHindi (2 songs)
2000GangHindi (3 songs)
2008Yaar Meri ZindagiHindi

Selected Video