Remembering Pancham da

To mark the legendary musician's death anniversary, e+ lists some of his best compositions.

On January 4, 1994, R. D. Burman aka Pancham bade goodbye to this world. Fourteen years later his music lives on. His musical repertoire retains public appeal due to its verve, variety and versatility. The ingenious fusion of traditions and trends in his melodies and rhythms have turned many tunes into evergreen classics. Here's a round-up of top tracks from 10 movies. Of course, in his vast repertoire there are many more great and popular soundtracks begging to be chosen but we have to stop at 10!

1. Teesri Manzil (1966)
With Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle's sizzling
songs Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera, O Haseena Zulfonwali and Tumne Mujhe Dekha, this film announced the arrival of a special musician who could fuse rock n' roll in a perfectly Indian garb.

2. Padosan (1968)
A brilliant album showing the fun-side of Pancham's music, where comedy classics like Ek Chatur Naar, Mere Saamnewali Khidki Mein, O Mere Bhole Balam and Waango Waango rubbed shoulders with romantic gems like Bhai Battur, Sharm Aati Hai Magar and Main Chal Main Chali.

3. Kati Patang (1970)
Despite Lata's superb title-song, Asha's exotic cabaret-track Mera Naam Hai Shabnam and Mukesh's sentimental Jis Gali Mein, this album noted the chemistry between Burman and his favouite singer Kishore Kumar in Yeh Shaam Mastani and Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai.

4. Caravan (1971)
Asha Bhosle's sensuous Piya Tu Aaja won the Filmfare award but the rest – Asha's Ab Jo Mile Hain and Daiya Re Daiya; Asha-Rafi's Kitna Pyaara Vaada; Lata's Dilbar Dilse Pyaare and Lata-Rafi's Chadhti Jawani and Kitna Pyara Vaada were equally appealing.

5. Amar Prem (1972)
Just when everyone was classifying him as a westernised trendsetter, Pancham decided to show that he could do justice to traditional mellow melodies. Sachinda's Doli Mein Bithai Ke Kahar; Kishore's Kucchh To Log Kahenge, Yeh Kya Hua and Chingaari; and Lata's Raina Beeti Jaaye were true-blue tender classics.

6. Sholay (1975)
The soundtrack for this blockbuster makes the list on account of its tremendous background music and Pancham's own rasping rendition of Mehbooba O Mehbooba and not for its other ordinary situational songs like Yeh Dosti, Holi Ke Din, Koi Haseena and Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

7. Hum Kisise Kam Nahi (1977)
This Nasir Hussain film owed its success almost entirely to Pancham's lively tracks – Bachna Aye Haseeno, Chaand Mera Dil, Humko To Yaara Teri Yaari and the incredible 15-minute medley.

8. Saagar (1985)
This was Pancham's last big musical success with his favourite singers Lata-Asha-Kishore. Lata's Saagar Kinare Dil Yeh Pukare; Asha's O Maaria and Jaane Do Na; and Kishore's Chehra Hai Ya Chaand Khila Hai were truly memorable.

9. Ijaazat (1987)
Pancham created the National Award-winning soundtrack for Ijaazat, which showcased Asha Bhosle's vocal brilliance through Mera Kuchh Saaman, Katra Katra and Chhotisi Kahani Hai.

10. 1942 – A Love Story
In a film that was released after his death, Pancham proved that his musical genius was still very much intact with songs Ek Ladki Ko Dekha, Rimjhim Rimjhim and Kuchh Na Kaho. It was one perfect swansong from this immensely talented composer.