Twenty Best Songs of R.D. Burman

Pancham Da’is’ the epitome of music in general. Eras ahead of the time, he composed the most melodious songs in the most un-composable words, I am referring to Gulzar saab’s poetry.

Here’s my 2 cents worth of my top 20 songs(in no particular order) by Pancham Da

1. Katra Katra Milti Hai from Ijaazat

Asha just took life out of me everytime I heard this song, especially the part

where the voice overlap in the middle of an antra, true blend of poetic genius,

musical wizard and flawless rendering.

1. Diye Jalte Hain from Namak Haram

This song has an amazing effect of people that are fond of Pancham Da and

appreciate friendship, I dont get to hang out with my school friends anymore but

this song still takes me down to the memory lane, it’s such a  nostalgic feeling, all

due to the composition.

1. Bade Achhe Lagte Hain from Baalika Badhu

This song is superb not only because of it’s beautiful composition, but the way

Pancham Da used Amit Kumar’s voice. At a time when Kishore Kumar/ Mohd Rafi

and Mukesh were the top singers, Pancham Da had confidence to give a

chance to Amit and making it his best song till date(in my humble opinion)

1. Aati Rahengi Bahaaren from Kasme Vaade

This song introduced to us what it is like to hear Kishore, Asha and Amit in a

Pancham Da song and I must admit, true to it’s hype, it was perfect in every sense

of the word. The lyrics were an inspiration to people that are down in life and

need a reason to be optimistic,  truly wonderful.

1. Kuchh To Log Kahenge from Amar Prem

An instance classic song featuring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore. This song

is considered as one of the best of Kishore kumar’s. The highlight of the

composition is the way flute and violins were used, so soothing it’ll make you float

in air.

1. Raah Pe Rahte Hain from Namkeen

A not so famous song yet extremely versatile song from the Pancham Da / Gulzar

camp. Although this movie had another memorable song sung by Asha(Phir Se

Ayio), the backdrop of this song, Sanjeev kumar driving  a truck along the hillside

made it a classic.

1. Thodi Si Zameen from Sitara

This song featured one of Pancham Da’s favorite prodigy, Bhupinder who used to

be in Pancham Da’s music group as a guitarist. Lata and Bhupinder do ample

justice to this song about one’s ambitions in life.

1. Zindagi Milke Bitayenge from Satte Pe Satta

This is a classic group song featuring as many as 5 or 6 singers including

Pancham Da himself, Kishore, Bhupinder, Sapan Chakravarty and a few others. A

very optimistic song with very good usage of mouth-organ which is Pancham Da’s

expertise.

1. Aye Ri Pawan from Bemisaal

Perfect rendition of this very difficult song by Lata.This movie had a quite a lot of

good songs like other Pancham Da movies, but this song stands apart because of

it’s complex composition.

10.Title Music  from Sholay

This number haunts me till date and everytime I get to hear a glimpse of it, I

stand  still. A very arresting introduction to one of the most loved movie in Indian

cinema. Screenplay and Performances were a major factor for making Sholay a

classic but music(Yeh Dosti, Mehbooba) also played an integral role as well.

1. Mausam Pyaar Ka from Sitamgar

Beautiful song, meticulously sung by Kishore and Asha. This song also has the

change of pitch in the middle of the song, more popularized now by Humma

Humma song from the movie Bombay.

1. Kabhi Palkon Pe Aansoon Hai from Harjaee

As pointed by out by many fans here in this website, this is an underrated

classic song.

1. Tere Bina Jiya from Ghar

An instance classic song.Althought I personally feel Asha  would have done more

justice to this song, Lata was very good. In the movie version of the song,

there’s a small clip of Kishore kumar singing this song making it even special.

1. Tumne Mujhe Dekha from Teesri Manzil

Shammi Kapoor / R.D.Burman Gem from this movie which is a treasure house for

good songs. I personally like this song better because of the shift in the pace

and pitch throughout the song.

1. Mera Pyar from Shalimar

The only person who could have sung this song in this planet is Asha Bhonsle.

This song carries such mystery alongwith itself, the movie wasn’t very

successfully since it was ahead of it’s time, the music was immensly popular

because of the title song along with the classics such as  1-2 cha cha cha and

Hum Bewafa.

1. Tum Ho Meri Dil Ki Dhadkan from Manzil

Another great song overshadowed by a popular song from this movie’Rimjhim

Gire Saawan’. This song had a great romantic feel while maintaining the mystery

factor. You’ll have to hear it to believe it.

1. Is Mod Se Jaate Hain from Aandhi

I know what you are thinking, I am now starting to list the usual’gems’ from

Pancham Da’s’Khazaana’. It’s only inevitable.

1. Raat Kali Ek Khwab from Budhha Mil Gaya

Simple yet feel good romantic number. Naveen Nishchol should consider himself

lucky to be able to be associated with this song.

1. Aisa Ho To Kaisa Hoga from Ratnadeep

Again a not so’hyped’ song well sung by Asha.

1. Tum Jo Mile To Lagaa  from Drohi

I loved the combination of Pancham Da with Suresh Wadkar whom I consider

one of the most gifted singers.

Take care folks.