From Madan Mohan to Shankar Jaikishan and OP Nayyar to the latest heartthrob duo of Vishal-Shekhar, India have never failed to produce music directors of the highest level. There is one name, however, who doesn't fail to create a ripple among the old and young music lovers alike. And that is the one and only RD Burman.
On his 77th birth anniversary, it was definitely a welcome sign to see the "Boss" trend on Twitter. From amateur musicians to established musicians and general music lovers, nobody quite failed to give a mention to Pancham Da on his birthday.
From the 1960s to the early 1990s, Burman ruled the music scene in India. Pink Floyd and Beatles too started creating a storm in the Western music scene around that time, but India made sure it didn't lag behind. Burman and his maverick musicians were creating a new sound that not many had tried before.
From creating a surprisingly melodious sound while rubbing the comb on a rough surface to, believe it or not, making the singer gargle in the number, from using cups and saucers to create a tinkling sound to rubbing sand paper and knocking bamboo sticks, Burman gave a stunning inspiration to the young acapella singers of those times.
The irony is not many in this generation are aware of the legend's great works. However, Mumbai-based Indipop band 'Sanam' has been giving his covers a whole new dimension, keeping the melody and Burman's style of music intact.
"RD Burman's music is evergreen and lively. As an influence there is lots to be learnt," said 'Sanam' lead singer Sanam Puri of 'Ishq Bulaava' fame to International Business Times, India. "He had a knack of adding dramatic elements in his songs to bring alive its cinematic grandeur.
"Whether it's changing key mid-song, innovative chord patterns, or even rhythmic changes - his music was always exciting. He also knew how to make his singers emote or phrase with style and character," Puri added.
The RD Burman cover songs, performed by 'Sanam', have struck an instant chord with the younger audience of today, giving their videos million views in an instant. "Ek Ladki ko Dekha (toh aisa laga) was our first rendition of an RD Burman song," said the band's guitarist Samar Puri to IBTimes India. "['1942: A Love Story' director] Vidhu Vinod Chopra even tweeted about it when we released the song.
"While recreating the arrangement, I particularly enjoyed adding the guitar parts as well as working on the harmony layers in the song." Here are some of the RD Burman cover songs from 'Sanam':
Gulabi Aankhein
Original Singer: Mohammad Rafi
Music Director: RD Burman
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Film: The Train (1970)
Yeh Vaada Raha
Orignal Singer: Asha Bhonsle, Kishore Kumar
Music Director: RD Burman
Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra
Film: Yeh Vaada Raha
O mere dil ke chain
Original Singer: Kishore Kumar
Music Director: RD Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Film: Mere Jeevan Saathi
Kuch na Kaho
Original singer: Kumar Sanu
Music Director: RD Burman
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Film: 1942 A Love Story
Ek Ladki ko dekha
Singer: Kumar Sanu
Music Director: RD Burman
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Film: 1942: A Love Story
