Ahead of his time. Review on Twenty Best Songs of R.D. Burman

Rahul Dev Burman(nick name-Pancham) [1939-1994] was the illustrious son of the ace composer Sachin Dev Burman. Before getting his first break as independent music director by his bosom friend Mehmood for ‘ Chhote Nawab’ [1961], he was assisting his father S D Burman in his teen years. Later he also acted as friend of Mehmood in ‘Bhoot Bangla’ for which he also composed music. He composed music for more than 300 films out of which many are huge hits. He received film-fare awards for Sanam teri Kasam [1982], Masoom[1983] and posthumously for 1942- A Love Story [1994]. Later acknowledging his contribution to Hindi film music Film-fare instituted R D Burman award for best upcoming talent  in music [singer / music director/ lyricist]. He was much ahead of his time in composing as is proved now by the enormous remixes of his songs for audio and video.

His team work with lyricists Majrooh, Anand Bakshi, Gulzar, Gulshan Bawra produced mega hits.  For a few films his team work with Rajendra Krishna [Padosan], Javed Akthar [ 1942- A Love Story, Saagar], Sahir [ Joshila, Deewar, Aa Gale lag jaa] also  produced hit albums.

To select 20 best from hundreds of hits is an enormous task. However, I have selected 10 classical based and 10 romantic and melodius songs as my choice [listed arbitrarily and not in order of merit].

Classical based:

1. Aapki akhon mein kuch mehke huae se raz hain- based on raga Kedar-[ Ghar], Lyrics:Gulzar, Singer: Kishore-Lata

   
   




2. Sawan Ke Jhoole Pade, tum chale aao-based on raga Pahadi- [Jurmana] Lyrics: Anand Bakshi, singer: Lata

   
   




3. Ghar Aja Ghir aye badra sawanriya –based on raga malagunji-[ Chhote Nawab] Lyrics: Shailendra, Singer-Lata

   
   




4. Mitava bole mithe bain – based on raga Rageshri [Parichay] Lyrics: Gulzar, singer- Bhupendra

   
   




5. Kyun Naye Lag Rahe – based on raga Desh-[1942, A Love Story] Lyrics: Javed Akthar singer: Kavita Krisna Murthy

   
   




6. Kuchto log kahenge, Logo ka kaam hai kehna–based on raga Khamaj  [Amar Prem] Lyrics:Anand Bakshi, singer: Kishore

   
   




7. Hame tumse pyar kitana –based on raga Bhairavi-[ Kudarat] Lyrics: Majrooh, Singer: Kishore

   
   




8. Is modse jate hai – based on raga Kalyan [Aandhi] Lyrics: Gulzar Singers: Lata-Kishore

   
   




9. Anevala pal janevala hai based on raga-Kirwani [ Gol Maal] Lyrics: Gulzar, singer: Kishore

   
   




10. Chura liya hai tumne jo dil ko - based on raga- Pilu [Yaadon Ki Baraat] Lyrics: Majrooh,  singers: Asha- Rafi

    
    

Romantic/ Melodious, Fast numbers etc.:

1. O mere dil ke chain chain aye mere dil ko dua kijiye. [Mere Jeevan Saathi] Lyrics: Majrooh, Singer: Kishore

   
   




2. Tum bin Jaun Kahan ke duniyan mein ake kuchh na phir chaha sanam, tumko chah ke. [ Pyar ka Mausam] Lyrics: Majrooh, Singer: Rafi/ Kishore

   
   




3. Jis gali mein tera ghar na ho balama. [ Kati Patang], Lyrics: Anand Bakshi, singer: Mukesh

   
   




4. Hum to hain chhui mui ib ka kariyo, bhanwara ban ke aye gaye ho… [ Agar Tum na hote] Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra, singer: Lata

   
   




5. O hasina zulfon wali jane jahan …. [Teesri Manzil] Lyrics: Majrooh, singer: Rafi-Asha

   
   




6. Gulabi aankhen jo teri dekhi, sharabi ye dil ho gaya. [The Train] Lyrics:Anand Bakshi, Singer: Rafi

   
   




7. Mere Samne wali khidki mein ek chand ka tukda rehta hai [Padosan] Lyrics: Rajendra Krishna, singer: Kishore

   
   




8. Chehra hai ya chand khila, zulf ghaneri sham hai kya, sagar jaisi aankhowali ye to bata tera naam hai kya. [Saagar] Lyrics: Javed Akhtar, singer: Kishore

   
   




9. Piya tu ab to aja, shola daman behke ake bujha jaa …[Caravan] Lyrics: Majrooh, singers: Asha-R D Burman

   
   




10. Keh doon tumhe ya chup rahun, Dil mein mere aaj kya hai. [Deewar] Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi Singers: Kishore-Asha