« Jhoom Barabar Jhoom - Guilty Pleasure? | HomePage | No Smoking - Arrogance isn't such a bad thing »
27 June 2007
Boss's Best - My Personal Pancham Favourites
Today is Rahul Dev Burman’s 68th birthday. I wouldn’t say that RDB is my favourite Hindi film composer, for no one can displace Madan Mohan from that exalted position in my mind. However, I have always found myself drawn towards his compositions. There is something about RDB’s compositions that is distinctly unique – deceptively simple tunes embellished with truly innovative arrangements. I can’t think of any other music composer who would have experimented as much with a wide variety of sounds and genres, a composer for whom pushing the envelope became second nature.
On his 10th death anniversary 4 years back, I had tried to put together a list of my top 25 RDB compositions. This seems to be a good time to reproduce that list.
For a composer who produced musical gems with alarming regularity, picking 25 top compositions is quite an arduous task. Yet I tried to put together a list of some of my personal favourites (in no particular order). They might not be the most popular RD songs, but to me they represent RD’s amazing range as a composer. I must add that my personal bias in favour of Lata Mangeshkar (12 songs) and Gulzar (9 songs) may be evident in this list.
Ghar Aaja Ghir Aaye (Chhote Nawab): RD’s first film as an independent composer had this gem by Lata Mangeshkar. Based on Raag Malgunji, this song clearly exemplifies RD’s mastery over classical music.
Thodi Si Zameen (Sitara): A beautiful duet with amusing lyrics by Gulzar . The way Lata Mangeshkar sings the line baajre ke kheton mein kauve uraenge, especially the child-like amusement she expresses while saying the word Kauve, makes me want to listen to this song again and again.
Aapki Aankhon Mein (Ghar): RD adapted Raag Kedar to come up with one of the most evocative romantic duets by Lata and Kishore. With her trademark expression, Lata Mangeshkar adds coquettish charm to the word badmaashiyon.
Is Mod Se Jate Hain (Aandhi): Songs from Aandhi have to figure in my list of RD favourites. This was clearly the best to come from the RD-Gulzar combination.
Roz Roz Aankhon Tale (Jeeva): A great song utterly wasted in an eminently forgettable film.
Chura Liya Hai (Yaadon Ki Baraat): A classic in its own right. Innovative orchestration and great vocals make this song so popular even today.
Do Lafzon Ki Hai (The Great Gambler): Romance at its best. The visuals of Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman romancing on a gondola in Venice still remain fresh in my memory
Mera Kuchh Saamaan (Ijaazat): Undoubtedly Asha’s best song with RD. The fact that RD could compose such a beautiful melody around free verse is a clear indication of his mastery.
Khaamosh Sa Afsana (Libaas): Sad that this film never got a proper theatrical release. The soundtrack boasts of four Lata gems, each better than the other
Pal Do Pal Ka Saath Hamara (The Burning Train): RD composed many qawwalis which were more popular than this one, but this one is my favourite for its unique orchestration and Sahir’s wonderful words.
Humein Tumse Pyar Kitna (Kudrat): I prefer the semi-classical version by Parveen Sultana than the more popular one by Kishore.
Bheeni Bheeni Bhor Aayi (Dil Padosi Hai): Just listen to this wonderful composition in Mian Ki Todi, and visuals of dawn break come up instantly. The visuals you associate with most film songs are the director’s vision, but being a non-film song it is RD’s music that paints the visuals in this song.
Saawan ke Jhoole Pade (Jurmana): Set to the melodic strains of Raag Pahadi, this is one of my favourite Lata songs.
Chingari Koi Bhadke (Amar Prem): All the songs from Amar Prem were masterpieces, but the evocative visuals and smple yet profound lyrics of this one stand out.
Kuchh Na Kaho (1942 A Love Story): RD did not live to savour the resurgence of success, but this soundtrack will always figure among his best scores.
Chaandni Re Jhoom (Naukar): A delightfully melodious Lori by Lata and Kishore, did not get its due.
Huzoor Is Qadar (Masoom): One of the best male duets ever.
Duniya Mein Logon Ko (Apna Desh): How can this list not have a song sung by RD himself.
Suraj Ka Jo Kiran Se Nata (Hungama): A rare Lata-Mukesh melody, which never got its due. Few people have heard it even today.
Tumne Mujhe Dekha (Teesri Manzil): Although RD’s association with Kishore Kumar was more fruitful, this song saw the RD-Rafi combination at its best.
Main Shaayar Badnaam (Namak Haram): The pathos in this song is unrivalled. It moistens my eyes each time I hear it.
Kya Jaanoon Sajan (Baharon Ke Sapne): RD made innovative use of the multi-track singing in this song, giving an impression of two voices overlapping. This effect was used again in Qatra Qatra in Ijaazat.
Kahin Karti Hogi (Phir Kab Milogi): Anamika’s horrific version of this song might have been more popular, but just listen to the original for its simple yet timeless melody.
Jaane Kya Baat Hai (Sunny): I’ve always felt that RD gave his best melodies to Lata than Asha. Check this one out.
22:15 Posted in Music | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email this | Tags: Film Music
Comments
Too Good....ur choice is simply awesome....I come from a fairly knowledgeable music family...when everyone listens to Ek Chatur Naar(Padosan),I prefer to listen to Bhai Battur from the same film...I'm sure you also like Oh Mera Pyar Aaja from Bhoot Bangla and Aaj hua mera dil matwala from Chote Nawab
Very rare to find someone who listens to something other than Yamma Yamma and Mehbooba Mehbooba
Posted by: Samir | 01 August 2008