Panchamda has been and will continue to be an inspiration for
many a inspiring musicians. Why just them? There are a lot of
contemporary music directors who still ape his style.
And why not? Panchamdas music was quite futuristic - actually
not all his music.
To his credit he also has some great Rajesh Khanna film music
which were quite traditional. For instance Amar Prem and Kati Patang
to name a few.
Panchamda started working while still as an assistant to his legendary
father S D Burman. In his quest to make a mark of his own, he made a
conscious effort to experiment with various different instruments.
It is not an easy task to just pick up 20 of his best numbers. But here
are some of my personal favourites.
- Ek chatur naar - Padosan
This song picturised on Sunil Dutt, Kishore Kumar, Mehmood and
Saira Bano is hillarious to no end.
- Kati Patang - title song
Soulful lyrics make this song all the more memorable.
- Kitna pyaara vaada hai - Caravan
A film that made Jeetendra into the jumping jack - that he
is known as till date.
- Dum maro dum - Hare Rama Hare Krishna
This film was first offered to S D Burman who refused saying
that he wouldn’t be able to do justice to the kind of music
Dev Anand wanted.
- Main kahan - Jawani Diwani
Probably the only song featuring Randhir Kapoor that
comes to mind.
- Dekha na hai re - Bombay to Goa
Who can forget this Amitabh Bachchan song? The Mr Bachchan
dressed in a pink shirt singing hanging half out of a bus!
- Mehbooba - Sholay
This song was sung by the master himself and was picturized
on Helen and Jalal Agha.
- Mil gaya - Hum Kisise Kum Nahin
This film would have been a pain to watch(given the stars in it)
if not for the music.
- Golmaal - title song
Again cool lyrics make this song really cool.
- 1942 A Love Story
Panchamdas last Hindi film score. And what a score! There
is no one song to be chosen - they are all great.
- Aaja aaja - Teesri Manzil
This apparently was Panchamdas first independent film as a music
composer. And Shammi Kapoor added the extra life to the numbers.
- Raina beeti jaye - Amar prem
Lata Mangeshkar at her best.
- Tere bina zindagi se koi shikwa to nahin - Aandhi
Gulzar and Panchamda made some melodious music together
and this is one of the master pieces.
- Dil lena khel hai dildar ka - Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai
One of the innumerable Panchamda songs that have recreated
magic even with the remixed versions.
- Agar Tum Na Hote - title song
One of the sad songs that really touch you.
- Sagar - title song
Soulful to no end.
- Dilbar mere kab tak mujhe - Satte Pe Satta
A romantic song with a difference. Also the only song in
the entire film where Amitabh looks decent and presentable.
- Tujhse naaraz nahin - Masoom
Do I need say anything about this one?
- Parichay - saare ke saare
Although it is not a Do Re Me …. It ain’t bad either.
- Tumse milke aisa laga - Parinda
One of my all-time favourite romantic songs.