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Rahul Dev Burman popularly known as RD Burman was born on June 27, 1939. His nick name was “Pancham” and his close friends and admirer used to call him PanchamDa. He  was the only son of noted music composer Sachin Dev Burman and lyricist Meera Dev Burman. He nicknamed Pancham, because, in his childhood, his cries sounded similar to the fifth note `Pa` of the Indian musical scale.

Burman received his early education at the St Xavier’s School in Kolkata. At the age of nine RD composed his first song “Aye meri topi palat kea a”, which his father used in the film Funtoosh (1956). He also composed the song “Sar jot era chakraaye” as a child and his SD Burman included it in the soundtrack of Guru Dutt’s Pyasa in 1957.

Pancham Da was trained by Ustad Ali Akbar Khan (sarod) and Samta Prasad (tabla). He also considered Salil Chowdhury as his guru. He served as an assistant to his father and often played harmonica in his orchestras.

Some of the notable movies in which Pancham Da was credited as the music assistant include Chalti Ka Naam Gadi (1958), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Tere Ghar ke Samne (1963), Bandini (1963), Guide (1965) and Teen Devian (1965).
Burman also earned applauds for playing mouth organ for his father’s hit composition “Hai Apna Dil To Awara” featured in the movie Solva Saal in 1958.

In 1959, Burman signed up as a music director for the film Raaz and recorded two songs but the film never completed. His first released film as an independent music director was Chote Nawab in 1961, produced by noted comedian Mehmood, who approached SD Burman for the music.

As a music director, Burman’s first hit was Teesri Manzil in 1966, produced and written by Nasir Hussain. Pancham Da was then signed by Hussain for Bahron Ke Sapne (1967), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969) and Yaadon Ki Baarat (1973).

Burman’s score for Padosan was appreciated by the music lovers. Meanwhile, he continued to work as his father’s assistant for movies like Jewel Thief and Prem Pujari.

The superhit Kishore Kumar song “Mere Sapnon Ki Raani” from Aradhana (1969), though credited to his father, is rumoured to have been RD Burman's composition. “Kora Kagaz tha Yeh Man Mera” from the same film was also his tune. It is believed that when SD Burman fell ill during the recording of the film's music, RD Burman took over and completed the music. He was credited as an associate composer for the film.

RD became popular in 1970 with Kishore Kumar songs in Kati Patang. Its songs “Yeh Shaam Mastani” and “Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai”, sung by Kishore Kumar, became instant hits.

Burman’s other hits songs are “Dum Maro Dum”, “Raat Kali Ek Khwab Mein”, and “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja from Caravan. He also received his first Filmfare Award nomination for this song.
RD composed the music for the song “Raina Beeti Jaaye” which is regarded as a classical music gem in Bollywood.

R D Burman composed hit music for several films including Seeta aur Geeta, Rampur ka Lakshman, Mere jeevan saathi, Bombay to Goa, Apna Desh and Parichay. His success continued with hits such as Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), Aap ki Kasam (1974), Sholay (1975) and Aandhi (1975).

After his father SD Burman went into coma, R D Burman also completed the music of Mili (1975).

Burman gave melodious music in the movie like Hum Kisise Kum Nahin, Ghar, Gol Maal, Khubsoorat. He received his first Filmfare Best Music Director Award for Sanam Teri Kasam in 1981. In the same year he composed hit tracks for Rocky, Satte Pe Satta and Love Story.

Legendary singer Asha Bhosle is the second wife of RD Burman. The two got married in 1980 after Pancham Da separated with his first wife Rita Patel.

Both Burman and Asha recorded hit songs and also staged many live performances.

Awards of R D Burman
He won 3 Filmfare Best Music Director Awards in his lifetime for, Sanam Teri Kasam (1982), Masoom (1983) and 1942: A Love Story (1994)

Some of the landmark works by RD Burman include the following films:-

Today is his 73^rd Birth Day and SocioTime is taking the opportunity to pay tribute to the legendary music composer. His evergreen compositions are very hard to forget. He will be on the heart of music lover ever.