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