The boy who carried musical notes in his name ---
There was a little boy who started babbling the syllable "Pa" that motivated Ashok Kumar to christen him as "Pancham"! Or, was that like when he cried, the tone was identified with the "sol" of western solfèe scale? Whatever it is - the boy who carried the musical note in his name naturally fell in love with music!
Training -----
He was lucky enough to have a dad, who was a stalwart in music! Under his tutelage, he got the basic training. Sachinda always believed that the music composer should have in depth knowledge of the wide variety of musical instruments to get the best out of them. Pancham’s base in rhythm was set by Tabla Master Brajen Biswas. Finally when he was trained about the possibilities of strings by Ashish Khan (Sarod Master), Pancham was enriched by the knowledge base that should be possessed by any music composer.
In modern day slang - Pancham continued his on-the-job training with Sachinda. Sachinda used to compose the tune of Antara and leave the job of completing Mukhada to Pancham, Jaydev and many of his disciples. He always encouraged healthy competition between them and selected the best tune for completion of the song.
This gave Pancham the confidence to compose his own tunes and he used to play them before his dad. Once he identified the tune of the song "Ae meri topi palat ke aa" from the movie Funtoosh as the one he performed before his dad. Pancham felt bad but later he might have realised that his Dad need not flick any tunes from him. He was acknowledging the progress of his son. He always believed in giving support and protection under his wings for long. Afterwards, he encouraged him to explore on his own.
Career -----
Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa was the first movie where in Pancham got the chance to assist his dad. Pancham claimed to compose a song and played mouth organ for several songs. Mouth Organ was one instrument he was always comfortable in playing.
Guru Dutt, who is the master of identifying best talents gave him the first break by signing him for composing music for the movie "Raaz". Sachinda always objected him to associate him with big banners in the initial days of career with a noble intention for him not getting spoiled by success in the initial years. A trait, which is not found in any of the creative artists or politicians in contemporary world. But Pancham went ahead with the god given opportunity but alas ---- the film was shelved and Pancham was thoroughly dejected.
Afterwards - it was Mehmood who was impressed with the songs he composed for Raaz given him chance in "Chote Nawab" . Guru Dutt never wanted to use the recorded songs in Raaz and hence the song which was not recorded "Ghar aaja ghiraye" was used in Chote Nawab.
Again - he has to prove himself to successful producers! Sachinda never given him strong recommendation and he was contended with the learning he has imparted to his son. Pancham composed more than 100 songs ( a huge reserve to be used in forthcoming days) and sang many of them to Shammi Kapoor who strongly recommended him to Nasir Hussain. While Pancham sang the tunes of almost all the songs that was later taken for "Teesri Manzil", it was practically marking the end of the era of Shankar Jaikishen.
Pancham and Singers ----
Pancham and Kishoreda ----- this combination was like mixing Voila and Tequila together! The best of Kishore Kumar was delivered through the music composed by Pancham! The classical tunes of "Mere Naina Sawan Bhado" to mishcievous "Ek Chatur Naar" - Pancham could bring out the best of Kishore Kumar.
Also, he maintained very high regard for Mohammed Rafi. Once Pancham told to the media that in the Mandir of of his residence, he kept the photograph of Rafi! Pancham - Gulzar song "Kya Hua Tera Wada" almost revived Rafi’s career during late 70s.
PS - He recorded "Tum Bin Jaoon Kaha" with Kishoreda and Rafi separately which can be considered as the classic example of highlighting the versatality of two great singers!
Lata Mangeshkar was associated with him from very intial days. He always chose her to deliver the romantic and classical tunes. Who will forget the tunes he composed for "Aandhi" and Lataji giving life to the music!
Asha Bhonsle - who became his better half at a later stage, given her life and soul to all the songs composed by Pancham. It is not only the high tempo tunes that he ear marked for her but Pancham experimented a lot with Asha over a period of time.
Pancham himself was an amazing singer with a very peculiar voice. He could create magic at high pitch! I can’t help but noticing the similarity in the singing style of Pancham and Demis Roussoss (who composed the song Love Me, which is totally ripped off by Pancham in Sholay as Mehbooba Mehbooba). Without contemplating a lot on this - any music lover would fall in love with his peculiar style that suited for many tunes.
Those unforgettable tunes ---
I always consider Pancham as one of the best when it comes to composing tunes. He got a vast knowledge base on the classical song which might have helped him to experiment a lot with tunes.
Just to quote a few - Kedar Raga is a very serious and contemplating one which is not used commonly by many music composers. Pancham could give the shade of romance to this Raga through the famous tune he composed for "Aapki akhon mein kuch mehke huae se raz hain--" in the movie Ghar!
Again, Kirwani Raga is used at its best for the song "Ane wala pal" in the movie Golmal!
Kaherava Tal accompanying this raga gave a highly philosophical shade for the song. This is a classic example of blending of raga and tal with a very distinct tune.
--- Contd in comments