Continuing the series of tributes to RD Burman remembering him on his 86th Birth Anniversary (27 June 1939 – 4 January 1994) with my favourite songs sung by him
RD Burman was renowned as a music director. He is credited with changing the way music was made. He was fascinated by different streams of music: Latino, Caribbean, African, Jazz, and he experimented with different types of sound and tried to assimilate these in his music. This aspect of his music comes out clearly in the opening article of the series, on 4.1.2025. He was not rated much as a singer, unlike his father SD Burman, or other Bengali singers like Hemant Kumar or Kishore Kumar. But there was something unique in his voice which was a reflection of his personality. Some songs were very apt for his voice and those songs achieved a great deal of popularity. In some songs, he added his voice for special effect, and in many songs RD Burman’s voice created a magical impact. I have not selected the songs chronologically, but in order of my preference.
1. Mehbooba mehbooba by RD Burman from Sholay (1975), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music RD Burman
This curry Western turned out to be one of the biggest movies of Indian cinema. It takes elements from different classic Westerns, and serves an enjoyable Indian masala movie. This was also a high point of Salim-Javed with dialogues like ‘Kitne aadami the?’. Among many high points was this song by RD Burman, lip-synched by Jalal Aga who had come to sell arms to the gangster. Helen danced to the song, to which the unalloyed villain Amjad Khan pursed his lips as only he could.
2. Piya tu ab tu aa ja shola sa man dahke by Asha Bhosle and RD Burman from Caravan (1971), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri. Music RD Burman
Helen dances this raunchy song with exaggerated gestures. RD Burman’s only three words “Monica! O my darling” provide a perfect counterpoise to the song. Remove these words, and you take away a lot from the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46GGxF_Bwhg
3. Duniya mein logon ko dhokha kabhi ho jata hai by RD Burman and Asha Bhosle from Apna Desh (1971), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music RD Burman
RD Burman starts with some strange sounds which is very different from Kishore Kumar’s yodelling. The orchestration of this song is equally funky. Asha Bhosle gives him excellent company. This was the period when anything Rajesh Khanna touched turned gold.
4. Tum kya jaano mohabbat kya hai by RD Burman from Hum Kis Se Kam Nahin (1977), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music RD Burman
This was a superhit film of its time. Tariq is a rock-band singer. We can see Rishi Kapoor in the frame dancing, and a whole gang of young boys and girls rocking to RD Burman’s crooning. I believe his voice was so unusual that this song is only half length of a normal song.
5. O meri jaan maine kaha O meri jaan tumne suna by RD Burman and Asha Bhosle from The Train (1970), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music RD Burman
Club dance song, comes out as an atmospheric song until the camera lets you in the dance club and you see an unknown man dancing and lip-synching RD Burman’s voice, and Helen dancing to and singing Asha Bhosle’s song, as she has done in numerous songs.
6. Sapna mera toot gaya by Asha Bhosle and RD Burman from Khel Khel Mein (1975), lyrics Gulshan Bawra, music RD Burman
Aruna Irani lip-synching Asha Bhosle comes with soft pitch, even though she is on a dance floor. But RD Burman’s booming voice creates a special impact for Rakesh Roshan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGvnsU_9ihA
7. Jaana o meri jaana by RD Burman from Sanam Teri Kasam (1982), lyrics Gulshan Bawra, music RD Burman
It seems Kamal Haasan is of too low a status for this dance club. The song starts with a humming prelude by girls, but when Kamal Haasan jumps in with RD Burman’s song, Reena Roy is angry and shocked at this impudence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFA0NnB0UXU
8. Dhanno ki aankhon mein hai raat ka surma ho aur chaand ka chumma by RD Burman from Kitab (1977), lyrics Gulzar, music RD Burman
What is the meaning of the lyrics? Gulzar wrote some very funky lyrics in his movies, and RD Burman was his dear friend who gave music, and came up trumps in such songs.
9. Samundar mein nahakar aur bhi namkeen ho gayi ho by RD Burman from Pukar (1983), lyrics Gulshan Bawra, music RD Burman
You can’t be judgmental about this song just because it is addressed by Amitabh Bachchan to Zeenat Aman. He was a disciplined actor who obeyed the instructions of the director without demur. One of the commenters has tried to cover for him by suggesting he is blushing seeing Zeenat Aman dressed skimpily.
10. Doli mein sawar sajni ka pyar by RD Burman from Balika Badhu (1976), lyrics Anand Bakhshi, music RD Burman
Some sites mention Sapan Chakravarty as the singer, and many RD Burman. I don’t know, but the style is very much like RD Burman singing. If it is not him, just treat that the song should not have been here. But it is a beautiful song. RD Burman creates Bengal countryside and the scene is of the Bidaai of the bride, with Asrani dancing all the way to the natural sound of the palanquin-bearers.
11. Daddy tum auntie se pyar karte ho by RD Burman and Vanita Mishra from Aamne Saamne (1982), lyrics Anjan, Music RD Burman
From the picturisation of the song, it seems Mithun Chakraborty is a single parent. And as we have seen in many films, the precocious child realises the love between his father and the heroine (in this case Bindiya Goswami). The child sings in the voice of a lady Vanita Mishra whose name I heard for the first time. A shy Mithun replies in prose in RD Burman’s voice which seems to have a good fit with his thick voice.
Acknowledgment and Disclaimer
The song links have been embedded only for the listening pleasure of music lovers. This blog has no commercial interest, and it does not suggest or claim, whether directly or indirectly, any copyright over these songs which vest with the respective owners of right.
