Gulshan Bawra on R.D. Burman

here's a compilation of Gulshan Bawra's memories about BOSS.....



Legendary lyricist Gulshan Bawra on R.D. Burman
By IndiaFM News Bureau, June 27, 2007 - 06:37 IST

Today is the 68th birthday anniversary of the legendary music composer R.D. Burman. On this special day, renowned lyricist Gulshan Bawra talks about his association with Burman and how they formed the famous lyricist-music composer pair, to create some of the famous tracks.

R.D. Burman and I entered the film industry in the same year. Like every other lyric writer, I too desired to work with R. D. Burman, but didn't get the opportunity until much later.

Randhir Kapoor (affectionately called Daboo) is accredited with offering me an opportunity to work with Panchamda. It was in the movie Khalifa, that Dabboo requested R. D. Burman that I be allowed to write the songs, and that's the story behind our coming together as a glorious team.

Pancham, Dabboo, Ramesh Behl (Rose Movies) and myself were like family. We believed in enjoying life, and this always reflected in the music we created together.

Pancham and I lived about 3 Km away (Pancham at Ondina in Santacruz on 7th floor, and my apartment was in Bandra, Cemced Apartments on the 10th floor). I could get a glimpse of his house from mine, and very often, I would see the lights in his flat on till late in the night. Usually at that hour, Pancham would either be watching a movie or working on a composition. Music was life to R. D. Burman and having inherited a royal musical legacy from Meera Burman and Sachin Dev Burman, music was 'literally' in his blood. It is believed that every creative man has at least one strong feminine attribute within him. With Pancham, it was cooking! He was an excellent cook and he used to have endless discussions on cooking with my wife Anju.

One evening, Pancham was experimenting with a new dish in my kitchen. While doing so, he was playing with a 'chamach' (spoon) and humming a tune. He said "Anju, see I am playing chamcha - tarang" and in doing so, spontaneously a tune was created 'Kitne bhi tu karle sitam' for the film Sanam Teri Kasam. This song became a big hit and secured Pancham his first Filmfare Award. Dabboo, Chintu, Ramesh Behl, Pancham, Asha Bhosle and myself were a happy united family and it is just impossible for us to believe that Pancham is no more with us.

Pancham, its not only this family of close friends who are aggrieved, the world of Indian Cinema music has forever become poorer with your parting. Pancham, we all Love you and miss you! May Your Soul Rest in Peace!?

Pancham did not keep his Words: Naushad

Came across an article written by Naushad ji on Pancham on his birthday carried out by noted Bengali film Magazine. Anandalok in their June 2003 issue. Very emotional in content & has very interesting views.

Remembering Pancham: Pancham did not keep his Words
(Excerpts) by Naushad-ji

Pancham is one of the most gifted music director Hindi film has ever seen & he has presented us with array of compositions representing different moods for us to savour……..SD initially was quite worried about RD but I reassured him that that it’s difficult to stop him from achieving superstardom b’cos of the rare talent he possess. From the very first film he showed his class. His ability to fuse Indian melody with western base & his terrific knowledge on Indian Classical & folk was unparalleled which inspired a whole generation then & MD’s even today……Sometimes I fail to comprehend when I think what made the genius, who composed such innumerable lyrical compositions like ‘Mere Naina Sawan’ both in Hindi & Bengali, compose few cheap songs like “Monica my Darling”, “Mehbooba Mehbooba” & “Duniya Main Logo Ka” …..I feel it’s just a waste of his huge talent…….

A stage came in his career when he got caught in vicious cycle of failures & when I thought that with the kind of potential he has, would make a huge turnaround, he simply wilted under pressure… In my life also I have seen dark clouds of failure & rejection, life seem to be endless tunnel with no light at sight but I fought back & that’s the reason I have reached the position I’m in now. But despite such great talent Pancham simply gave away…...

In 1989 he had undergone Bypass surgery & I thought that after such a major scare he would stay clear of all such things which took him to such a state. Even he promised to me that he will not touch wine after the operation. But he did not keep his words & again hit bottle to fight loneliness during that time…..A genius who ideally should have sailed in the Ocean of music & presented us with rare pearls of sur& taal instead immersed himself in the sea of wine....gradually pushing himself to the doorsteps of death. What a waste of potential & talent! Why Pancham, why did u do this?

A creative & a versatile genius who had lots of music left in him to again transform moribund music scenario of today’s & I believe only he could given a new direction to hindi film music died suddenly.... and a flower wilted before its full blossom.

(Pancham u did not keep your words.)
Copied and posted by Indranil Bhattacharya

Missing Pancham...

Missing Pancham...

Pancham's untimely demise, snatched charm and brightness away from our musical lives. He left us to cherish forever, treasures that are more valuable than DIAMOND and PLATINUM. We are so rich with Pancham's music...Let's enjoy life more joyfully and musically...

Missing you BOSS very very much each and every day...

JAI PANCHAM

DVD of Remembering Pancham held at Kolkata - July 2007

Dear Pancham-fans,
I am happy to inform you all that the eagerly waited DVD of the Show "Remembering Pancham" held at Kalamandir, Kolkata on 16th July 2007 is now available and ready to be shipped to all over the world. It is a fantastic 2-DVD set and I'm sure all fans will cherish this for years to come.

In this show we had the priviledge of having Usha Uthup, Bhanu Gupta,Ramesh Iyer & Homi Mullan (all Panchamda musicians) sharing their vast experience and knowledge working with Panchamda; host of the event was by our own Ankush Chinchankar.

Interested members for any queries please mail us at bookdvd.euphony@gmail.com
or Contact at +919836927479 / +919903394405

Few video Clips of the event has been uploaded in Youtube which can be accessed by following the link below, where further details are also available.

http://www.ourhfm.com/index.php?showtopic=6632&st=0

One can directly click on the Youtube link to view the video, after clicking the above link.

If one runs into problem please contact respective forum admin and do refrain from posting anything here.

My sole intention of this posting is to inform all fans/interested members here.

If one has any queries related to the DVD or the programme or shipment then please contact via email address provided above.

Pancham as a Qawwali master

let's discuss Pancham's magical Qawwali creations. Many people do not consider Him as a good qawwali composer, but I strongly believe BoSS can be considered as the best modern-day qawwali composer.

My favourites are:
1. Hai Agar Dushman - Hum Kissise Kum...
2. Pari Ho Aasmani tum ..Zamane Ko Dikha Hai
3. Pal Do Pal Ka Saath Hamara - The Burning Train

One can not ignore musical genius when Guru composed "Pal Do Pal Ka Saath Hamara (The Burning Train)" where in the interlude the pace and music takes a Western turn and later turns back seamlessly into the qawwali mode, WoW! Only LoRD can compose such beautiful fusion!

I think there are many qawwali creations, this is a partial list....
1. Hum Aashik hai mit jayenge ..Sunny
2. Kya Taqalluf Hai Wallah - Jail Yatra.
3. Yaar Mil Gaya to Khuda Mil Gaya - Ganga Meri Maa
4. Is Ishq Main Har Ashiq ko - Mr Romeo

Can we consider this as a pseudo qawwali? Kabhi beqasi me maara - Alag Alag.

Please feel free to add your comments or songs....

Pancham: an excellent Craftsman::and what beauties he created with "Madal"

Dear Panchamites,
as we all do everyday, listen to LoRD's song, I was listening to his wonderful creation last night,
Gori Ke Haath Mein from Mela --> couldn't help it appreciate more on his midas touch with a Nepali instrument, Madal
Nobody exploited "madal" the way HE did. If I'm not mistaken, what we call "Pancham Beat" is
actually madal-based rythm - it produced a sound which was very uncoventional. I read that Kanchabhai introduced this instrument to him and used to play the same in his team. Pancham crafted "Madal-Taranga, a set of 7-9 madals normally tuned at a higher pitch --> that was the Genius of Pancham
I can think of the following songs right away,

1. Musafir Hoon Yaaron
2. Yeh Ladka Hai Aalha
3. Hum Dono Do Premi
4. Karvate badalte rahe
5. even in Mehebooba Mehebooba
6. a master piece of madal-tarang is TERE BINA JIYA JAYE NA (Ghar)....four sets of madal was used in this song....(I think )
7. Achchhi nahin sanam dillagi dile
8. Bangle ke peechhe
9. Majhi Re Majhi in Dil Padosi Hai
10. Dhanno Ki Aankho Mein....the cascading waterfall could be tabla or madal
11. "Dil Pukarey Arey..." - although SD's composition, but I strongly think that musical arrangements/use of Madal was done by our BoSS.

Let's discuss the fabulous songs in which "Madal" was used in a very creative, but marvelous way and one can't think of the songs without madal.

Jai Pancham

Top Actor/Actress: Pancham's magical touch, lucky guys & gals got the most rocking scores

many actors/actresses popularity depended at one time on Pancham's music...lets discuss the Top actors that were lucky to get most popularity from Boss...

My take,
top actors for Pancham's creations...
1. Rajesh Khanna
2. Rishi Kapooor
3. Dev Anand

and off course...
4. Kumar Gaurav
5. Sunny Deol
6. Randhir Kapoor
7. Big B
8. Shared by Jeetendra, Sunny Deol & Kumar Gaurav........

what's your opinion?

Pancham's tune that makes you emotional, heart-touching melody....

thought of starting a thread to discuss the very many tunes that move you from inside and touch your heart....

Pancham's music is full of life and have the ability to make one very emotional. Together with Rafi, Lata, Kishore, Asha and many other singers Pancham's songs literally shakes you from inside for good....

Let's discuss the ones that make you emotional. For me the following comes to my mind instantly,
Kya Hua Tera Wada - Mohd Rafi - Hum Kissise....
Chanda O Chanda - Lata - Lakho Mein Ek
Phoolon Ka Taron Ka - Kishore - Hare Rama Hare Krishna
Tere Bina Zindagi - Kishore/Lata - Andhi
O mere dil ke chain – Mere Jeevan Saathi

...everytime I listen to it.....it's an utterly enjoyable emotional journey....

What's Yours?

((::Barsaat-Ka-Mendak::)), Pancham's friendship

there's an interesting article published on the net, b4utv site, depicting Pancham's dosti with Gabbar...
where Amzad Khan says...

And when it came to his friends Amjad Khan always maintained that he had only one friend in the film industry and that was music director RD Burman. “I used to call him Punch or Chum. So unpredictable was he that at one moment he’d call and say, “Tell your wife to prepare dinner I am coming over and the next moment I would see his driver come over and say, “Burmanji is not coming he has asked me to take the parcel of food from your place. There have been also moments when he has come over to have dinner and after having it has just washed his hands and vanished without even informing us. That’s why I used to call him barsaat ka mendak. There were also times when’s he’d never meet me for six months and the rest six months he’d meet me everyday.”

Caravan - what a score? Tripple Chakka..., Pancham's true gems; melodious; rocking...

as part of my daily routine I almost always listen to Pancham and Mohd Rafi....today my random playlist played some songs from Caravan....Ohhh! what a beauty!!!! Can't express sheer happiness those songs brought today....

Can't resist....got to share some with Newbies.....the melody, arrangements, singing....a winning combination...

For all hard-core Panchamites....please pardon me for uploading such common and popular songs....but think younger souls should get a break from their current "nasal-tonic" (you know who I'm referring to...)

So, Jhumo...Nacho...Gao....

Chadti_Jawani Meri Chal....
Goriyan_Kahan_Tera Desh....
Kitna_Pyara_Wada....
Piya_Tu_Ab_To_Aaja.....

Amit Kumar on Pancham, brief insight on Amit's relations with LoRD

in 2003 Amit Kr. gave an interview on Bollyvista, here's an excerpt...

Amit Kumar on Pancham
By Taru Talwar ©2003 Bollyvista.com

What are your views on R.D. Burman? How were your relations with him?

Pancham da was the most fascinating music director of our times, the most complete music director. The energy his work reflects needs no words. He was the creator of trends, introducing western elements in Hindi film music. True fusion started with him. He was a family friend as was his father SDB. We shared a great family feeling between us. This was in 1971-72 when Pancham da came to know that I also could sing- hua yun ki during durga puja I had prepared to sing five songs for the entertainment function, (a function promoted by Uttam Kumars family in his locality), this was without my mothers knowledge. Five songs gave way to ten songs and well I sang my father's film songs. Later my mother came to know about this and was furious. She immediately called my father in Bombay and told him - look at your son he is singing baaje baaje (terrible!!) film songs in the lanes of Calcutta. My father was thrilled.

It so happened that I had a concert - my first - at Rabindra Sadan a little later. And my overjoyed father flew down for it. I had reserved the first row seats for him but he said if people know I am there no one will listen to you. So in the end arrangements were made for him to go to the sound and light booth high up behind the theatre. When I was singing, I could see him up there dancing away in his own inimitable style. This is one of my most unforgettable memories of him. After this he took me to Bombay with him and this is when Pancham da took my audition. I mucked up as I was nervous and my father was very angry with me as we left in the car. But I think Pancham da knew I was nervous and recognized my talent and to our amazement called me for a recording the next day. This is the kind of love and affection he had for me.

Pancham not selected for Nasir Hussain production, how could it possibly happen?

We all know Pancham and Nasir Hussain go fairly long way. All songs crafted by BoSS for Nasir Sahab were super-duper hits. Not only that numerous were trend-setters during the time.

Still for some unknown reasons Nasir Hussain for the first time (I think) after Teesri Manzil did not entrusted BoSS with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak

Although we must agree, Nasir Hussain's music sense one more time paid-off, in a big-way, in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak...But BoSS could've given him that for sure....

What could be the reason/s?

My guess:
1. Pancham's health
2. trend in late 80's - Pancham's songs weren't hitting the right buttons
3. peer pressure...
4. wanted to try something new as the star-cast

:Harmonica: kya bajaya BoSS-ne, fantastic playing

Friends,
here's the song from 1958 that I think was created by Dada Burman just for
Pancham-da's mouthorgan..
simply brilliant....just close your eyes and enjoy the music that came out of Panchamda's instrument...
super-duper....

Hai Apna Dil.... by Hemant Kr, from film: Solva Saal

the Magic continues....in 1964 Pancham lended his helping and musical hand towards his buddies,
Laxmi-Pyare. Pancham's mouthorgan created this magnificent song...just listen and I bet you'll go for the repeat button...

from Dosti....Jaanewalo Zara........

Next one, also from Dosti...listen to the beginning of music prior to the second stanza....superb mothorgan by BoSS....

in Rahi Manwa Dukh Ki .....

let's Salute the Legend for playing such wonderful tunes outside his music direction...a true musician and a very humble soul can do such things.....

Baharon Ke Sapne

Baharon Ke Sapne is a very nice album in my opinion all of the songs are melodious, very sweet tunes plus beautiful orchestration/arrangements - considering 1966/67 timeframe. BoSS was only scratching the surface then, but Nasir Hussian understood that and gave Him the chance. Although not very popular with the crowd and not many people actually know about the songs.

I love Rafi Sahab's Zamane Ne Mare....ooof! what a tune and singing? I also like Lata-ji's Aja Piya Tohe Pyar Doon - begins with sweeet santoor....slowly starts with rolling bongo beat....flute with guitar chords.....Vah BoSS WoW!

Lata-ji's Kya Janoo Sajan and O Mere Sajna are super melodious.

How about Manna Dey's Chunri Sambhal Gori? Fantastic beginning with Harmonium and then beats pickup....nothing can comapre to that.

in my opinion all of the songs of Baharon Ke Sapne were superb, very sweet melody plus beautiful arrangements. But not very popular with the crowd and not many people actually know about them.

Let's discuss the songs and our fondness....

==> Which one is the best song in your opinion?

Mine is, Lata's Aja Piya Tohe Pyar Doon - begins with sweeet santoor....slowly starts with rolling bongo beat....flute with guitar chords.....Vah BoSS WoW!

I also love, Manna Dey's Chunri Sambhal Gori - fantastic beginning with Harmonium and then the rythm starts....nothing can comapre to that.

Gulshan Bawra on R.D. Burman

Legendary lyricist Gulshan Bawra on R.D. Burman
By IndiaFM News Bureau, June 27, 2007 - 06:37 IST
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today is the 68th birthday anniversary of the legendary music composer R.D. Burman. On this special day, renowned lyricist Gulshan Bawra talks about his association with Burman and how they formed the famous lyricist-music composer pair, to create some of the famous tracks.

R.D. Burman and I entered the film industry in the same year. Like every other lyric writer, I too desired to work with R. D. Burman, but didn't get the opportunity until much later.

Randhir Kapoor (affectionately called Daboo) is accredited with offering me an opportunity to work with Panchamda. It was in the movie Khalifa, that Dabboo requested R. D. Burman that I be allowed to write the songs, and that's the story behind our coming together as a glorious team.

Pancham, Dabboo, Ramesh Behl (Rose Movies) and myself were like family. We believed in enjoying life, and this always reflected in the music we created together.

Pancham and I lived about 3 Km away (Pancham at Ondina in Santacruz on 7th floor, and my apartment was in Bandra, Cemced Apartments on the 10th floor). I could get a glimpse of his house from mine, and very often, I would see the lights in his flat on till late in the night. Usually at that hour, Pancham would either be watching a movie or working on a composition. Music was life to R. D. Burman and having inherited a royal musical legacy from Meera Burman and Sachin Dev Burman, music was 'literally' in his blood.

It is believed that every creative man has at least one strong feminine attribute within him. With Pancham, it was cooking! He was an excellent cook and he used to have endless discussions on cooking with my wife Anju.

One evening, Pancham was experimenting with a new dish in my kitchen. While doing so, he was playing with a 'chamach' (spoon) and humming a tune. He said "Anju, see I am playing chamcha - tarang" and in doing so, spontaneously a tune was created 'Kitne bhi tu karle sitam' for the film Sanam Teri Kasam. This song became a big hit and secured Pancham his first Filmfare Award.

Dabboo, Chintu, Ramesh Behl, Pancham, Asha Bhosle and myself were a happy united family and it is just impossible for us to believe that Pancham is no more with us.

Pancham, its not only this family of close friends who are aggrieved, the world of Indian Cinema music has forever become poorer with your parting. Pancham, we all Love you and miss you! May Your Soul Rest in Peace!

Original Pancham Show: Feb.2, 2007

Dear Friends,

We have arranged a special tribute to Panchamda in Calcutta on 2nd February 2007.The programme is organised by a group of Panchamda fans who are not only limited to Calcutta but hail from different parts of India & across the globe.This live event is to be held at Kala Mandir Auditorium which is a renowned theatre hall in Calcutta.

The programme titled "The Original Pancham" would be a tribute to the legend by his own team of musicians and singers who were associated with him for so many years.We would have his musical team of Manohari Singh, Bhanu Gupta, Ranjit Ghizmer (Kancha Bhai), Homi Mullah, Pradipto Sengupta, Kishore Sodha, Blasco Monsoret, Shamraj who would be performing live on stage demonstrating the different intricacies of R.D.Burman's creations & compositions. Eminent singer Usha Uthup who have sung many an RDB tunes are supposed to grace the occassion with their live performance on stage. She would be accompanied by Ms. Jojo, the female singer who would be singing Asha Bhosle's songs. The musical arranger is Rocket Mondal and his troupe.

This kind of programme would be the 1st of its kind in Calcutta where the original musicians of Panchamda would play live on stage.Purposely we have kept both vocals and musical together which would help the audience to get a better insight into the compositions.We thank Panchammagic Pune group for their great great support in helping us to arrange such a musical evening here in Calcutta.

Tickets would be available at all outlets of Music World in Calcutta, on and from 8th January'07.

We hereby request all members to kindly step forward and lend us their helping hands, which may be in the form of Advertisements, Banners, Sponsorships and/or Voluntary Donations, to make this Calcutta debut a truly unforgettable mega-hit event. However, everything should be within your limits and constraints.

EUPHONY Presents:: Remembering Pancham :: Untold Stories...July 16, 2007

Euphony is proud and happy to announce their upcoming Gala...Remembering Pancham...a special tribute to our beloved Pancham-da. It is a fête for all music lovers to hear from his own renowned musicians the untold stories with sensational Audio-Video spectacular...

When: July 16, 2007
Where: Kalamandir Auditorium, Kolkata
Time: 6 pm onwards

This kind of program would be the 1st of its kind ever held in Kolkata where Usha Uthup, Kersi Lord, Bhanu Gupta, Homi Mullan, Ramesh Iyer would discuss and showcase LoRD's musical ingenuity and craftsmanship along with display on various musical instruments to astound the audience. It would be quite a memorable trip Down Memory Lane...

So mark your calendar and enjoy the nostalgic journey!!!!

Tickets are available now at all Music World outlets.

Other outlets...
1)Bonanza - Salt Lake - 9830189975
2)Alaap,Hedua - 9903394405
3)Double Channel,Sealdah - 23605795 / 9433247161
4)Music World - 22164228 (Park Street)
5)Super Audio,Gariahat - 9830375132
6)Pal Audio,Ballygunge - 9433096322
7)Gupta Electronics,Bhawanipur - 24552579 / 9830162738
8)Swaralipi Music Stores,Garia - 9830684939

For any further querries you can contact Euphony at 9836927479
OR mail us at india.euphony@gmail.com