{{Short description|Indian musician (1939–1994)}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} {{Infobox person | name = R. D. Burman | image = Rahul Dev Burman.jpg | caption = Burman in 1981 | birth_name = Rahul Dev Burman | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1939|06|27}} | birth_place = Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India<br />(now Kolkata, West Bengal, India) | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1994|01|04|1939|06|27}} | death_place = Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India | occupation = {{hlist|Music director|Score composer|Singer|Actor|Music Arranger|Music Producer|Musician}} | years_active = 1961–1994 | parents = {{Plainlist| * S. D. Burman * Meera Dev Burman }} | spouse = {{ublist|{{marriage|Rita Patel|1966|1971|end=div.}}|{{marriage|Asha Bhosle|1980}}}} }}
'''Rahul Dev Burman''' ({{audio|Hi-RDBurman.ogg|pronunciation}}; 27 June 1939 – 4 January 1994) was an Indian music director and singer, who is considered to be one of the greatest and most successful music directors of the Hindi film music industry. From the 1960s to the 1990s, Burman composed musical scores for 331 films, bringing a new level of music ensemble with his compositions.<ref name="Douglas_Spin_1999">{{cite journal | title = SoundFiles: MP3s and other bytes worth your memory | author = Douglas Wolk | author-link = Douglas Wolk | journal = Spin | volume = 15 | issue = 12 |date=December 1999 | page = 169 | issn = 0886-3032 }}</ref> Burman did his major work with legendary singers Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi.<ref name= "IELataRD">{{cite news |title=Lata Mangeshkar on R D Burman: Pancham Died Too Young, Unhappy |work=The Indian Express |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/music/he-died-too-young-unhappy-lata-mangeshkar-on-rd-burman/}}</ref> He also worked extensively with lyricists like Majrooh Sultanpuri, Anand Bakshi and Gulzar, with whom he created some of the most memorable numbers in his career. Nicknamed '''Pancham''', he was the only son of the composer Sachin Dev Burman and his Bengali lyricist wife Meera Dev Burman.
He was mainly active in the Hindi film industry as a composer, and also provided vocals for a few compositions.<ref name="Tejaswini2004"/> He influenced the next generation of Indian music directors,<ref name="Tejaswini2004">{{cite book | author=Tejaswini Ganti | title=Bollywood: a guidebook to popular Hindi cinema | year=2004 | publisher=Psychology Press | isbn=978-0-415-28854-5 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bollywoodguidebo0000gant/page/111 111–112] | url=https://archive.org/details/bollywoodguidebo0000gant/page/111 }}</ref> and his songs remain popular in India and overseas. Many years after his death, his songs continued to inspire new singers and composers.<ref name="Nelly Furtado">{{cite news|title=Nelly Furtado's 'Say it Right' samples Asha Bhonsle and RD Burman's Duniya Mein Logon Ko|url=https://www.whosampled.com/sample/768408/Nelly-Furtado-Say-It-Right-Asha-Bhosle-R.D.-Burman-Duniya-Mein-Logon-Ko/}}</ref>
== Early life and career beginnings == Burman was born to the Hindi film composer and singer, Sachin Dev Burman, and his lyricist wife Meera Dev Burman (née Dasgupta), in Calcutta. Initially, he was nicknamed Tublu by his maternal grandmother, although he later became known by the nickname Pancham. According to some stories, he was nicknamed ''Pancham'' because, as a child, whenever he cried, it sounded in the fifth note (''Pa''), G note on c major scale, of music notation; in Hindustani Classical Music, ''Pancham'' is the name of the fifth scale degree: (IAST: Ṣaḍja, Ṛṣabha, Gandhāra, Madhyama, '''Pañcama''', Dhaivata, Niṣāda). Another theory says that the baby was nicknamed Pancham because he could cry in five different notes. Yet another version is that when the veteran Indian actor Ashok Kumar saw a newborn Rahul uttering the syllable ''Pa'' repeatedly, he nicknamed the boy ''Pancham''.<ref name="TheHindu_203_Beat">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/01/stories/2003070100260100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022073447/http://hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/01/stories/2003070100260100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 October 2010|title=Beat poet|author=Mini Anthikad-Chhibber|date=1 July 2003|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref>
Burman received his early education in West Bengal from Ballygunge Government High School in Kolkata. His father S. D. Burman was a noted music director in Hindi-language films, the Mumbai-based Hindi film industry. When he was seventeen years old, R. D. Burman composed his first song, "Aye Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa", which his father used in the film ''Funtoosh'' (1956). The tune of the song "Sar Jo Tera Chakraaye" was also composed by him as a child and his father included it in the soundtrack of Guru Dutt's ''Pyaasa'' (1957).<ref name="DineshJitendra1996">{{cite book|title=The hundred luminaries of Hindi cinema|publisher=India Book House Publishers|year=1996|isbn=978-81-7508-007-2|page=119|author1=Dinesh Raheja|author-link=Dinesh Raheja|author2=Jitendra Kothari}}</ref>
In Mumbai, Burman was trained by Ustad Ali Akbar Khan (sarod) and Samta Prasad (tabla).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/08/18/stories/2010081850140400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905064855/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/08/18/stories/2010081850140400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 September 2010|title=Backbones take centre stage|author=Deepa Ganesh|date=18 August 2010|work=The Hindu|access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> He also considered Salil Chowdhury his guru.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article2771739.ece?homepage=true|title=Dad's the spirit!|author=Rajan Das Gupta|work=The Hindu|date=3 January 2012|access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> He served as an assistant to his father and often played harmonica in his orchestras.<ref name="Tejaswini2004"/>
Some of the notable films in which Burman is credited as the music assistant include ''Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi'' (1958), ''Kaagaz Ke Phool'' (1959), ''Tere Ghar Ke Samne'' (1963), ''Bandini'' (1963), ''Ziddi'' (1964), ''Guide'' (1965) and ''Teen Devian'' (1965). Burman also played mouth organ for his father's hit composition "Hai Apna Dil To Aawara", which was featured in the film ''Solva Saal'', and sung by Hemanta Mukhopadhyay.<ref name="TOI_2010_RDX">{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/music/news-and-interviews/RDX-unplugged/articleshow/5756770.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103064853/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-04-03/news-and-interviews/28114192_1_documentary-music-film|url-status=live|archive-date=3 January 2013|title=RDX unplugged|author=Avijit Ghosh|date=3 April 2010|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref>
In 1959, Burman signed up as a music director for the film ''Raaz'', directed by Guru Dutt's assistant Niranjan. However, the film was never completed. The lyrics of this Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman-starrer film were written by Shailendra. Burman recorded two songs for the film before it was shelved. The first song was sung by Geeta Dutt and Asha Bhosle, and the second one had vocals by Shamshad Begum.<ref name="Hanif2005">{{cite book|author=Hanif Zaveri|title=Mehmood, a man of many moods|year=2005|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=978-81-7991-213-3|pages=72–74}}</ref>
Burman's first released film as an independent music director was ''Chhote Nawab'' (1961). When the noted Hindi film comedian Mehmood decided to produce ''Chhote Nawab'', he first approached Burman's father Sachin Dev Burman for the music. However, S. D. Burman declined the offer, advising he was unavailable. At this meeting, Mehmood noticed Rahul playing tabla, and signed him as the music director for ''Chhote Nawab''.<ref name="Hanif2005"/> Burman later developed a close association with Mehmood, and made a cameo appearance in Mehmood's film ''Bhoot Bungla'' (1965).<ref name="Hanif2005"/>
== Music career ==
=== 1961–1975: Early career and rise to prominence ===
R. D. Burman began his career as a music director with the 1961 film ''Chhote Nawab'', which proved to be a lukewarm success and so were his next three ventures, ''Bhoot Bungla'' (1965), ''Teesra Kaun'' (1965) and ''Pati Patni'' (1966).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ghosh |first=Avijit |title=A tribute: Five rare gems from the early RD Burman |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/Addictions/a-tribute-five-rare-gems-from-the-early-rd-burman/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> He established himself with Vijay Anand's musical mystery film ''Teesri Manzil'' (1966), which starred Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh in the lead.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/when-dev-anand-came-to-blows-with-nasir-hussain-116102300206_1.html|title=When Dev Anand came to blows with Nasir Hussain|agency=Press Trust of India|date=23 October 2016|via=Business Standard}}</ref> It went on to become a huge success at the box office which was attributed to its superhit songs, "O Haseena Zulfonwali Jane Jahan", "O Mere Sona Re Sona", "Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar Tera", "Deewana Mujhsa Nahin" and "Tumne Mujhe Dekha Hokar Meherban", all of which were featured in the year-end annual list of Binaca Geetmala.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.panchamonline.com/articles/thatsmytune.pdf |title=R D Burman – My God, That's My Tune<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=23 October 2006 |archive-date=21 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421231829/http://www.panchamonline.com/articles/thatsmytune.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>''Back on air with Geetmala''. Bella Jaisinghani. ''The Financial Express (India)'', Sunday, 11 March 2001. Transcript available online at {{cite web |url=http://www.ameensayani.com/reviews/review_1.htm |title=Ameen Sayani/Press Reviews |access-date=2006-07-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060426173952/http://www.ameensayani.com/reviews/review_1.htm |archive-date=26 April 2006 |df=dmy }}, accessed online on 29 July 2006</ref> In addition, the soundtrack of ''Teesri Manzil'' proved to be the seventh best-selling Hindi film album of the 1960s.<ref name="BOIMusicHits">{{Cite web|title=Music Hits 1960–1969|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=281&catName=MTk2MC0xOTY5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080215081535/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=281&catName=MTk2MC0xOTY5&PHPSESSID=108b9056cd4ca14236f9c6119d34dcce|archive-date=15 February 2008|access-date=2 September 2013|website=Box Office India}}</ref>
Burman's other notable work of the decade was the soundtrack of the musical comedy ''Padosan'' (1968), whose songs like "Ek Chatur Naar", "Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein", "Mere Bhole Balam" and "Kehna Hai Kehna Hai" remain popular to date and played a major part in making the film a commercial success.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bhattacharya |first1=Roshmila |date=9 August 2019 |title=This week, that year: 'Padosan' Saira Banu on her 'guru' Kishore Kumar |language=en |work=Mumbai Mirror |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/this-week-that-year-padosan-saira-banu-on-her-guru-kishore-kumar/articleshow/70595081.cms |access-date=20 June 2022 |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212123710/https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/this-week-that-year-padosan-saira-banu-on-her-guru-kishore-kumar/articleshow/70595081.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1969, he composed music for two hit films, ''Waris'' and ''Pyar Ka Mausam'' and, while working as an assistant to his father in Shakti Samanta's ''Aradhana'', he played an instrumental role in making Kishore Kumar the playback voice of Rajesh Khanna, who became a superstar with the film's blockbuster success. Even Kumar's singing career was boosted, and he became the leading playback singer of Hindi cinema and remained at that position till his death in 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/oct/31burman.htm|title=The Aradhana syndrome and S D Burman|date=31 October 2000|work=Rediff|access-date=24 July 2013|archive-date=5 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005192311/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/oct/31burman.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=RKR>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/the-unforgettable-music-rajesh-khanna-kishore-kumar-and-rd-burman-created-together-606178|title=The unforgettable music Rajesh Khanna, Kishore Kumar and RD Burman created together|date=19 July 2012}}</ref>
Burman emerged as the leading music director of Hindi cinema in the year 1970 with Shakti Samanta's musical romantic drama ''Kati Patang,'' starring Rajesh Khanna and Asha Parekh. At the box office, it went on to become a blockbuster, while almost all of its songs, such as "Yeh Shaam Mastani", "Pyaar Deewana Hota Hai", "Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai", and "Jis Gali Mein Tera Ghar", proving to be chartbusters and playing an important role in the box office success of the film. Its soundtrack became one of the highest-selling Bollywood soundtracks of the 1970s.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/blast-from-the-past-kati-patang-1971/article6506448.ece | title=Blast from the Past: Kati Patang (1971)| newspaper=The Hindu| date=16 October 2014| last1=Lokpally| first1=Vijay}}</ref><ref name="boi70s">{{cite web|title=Music Hits 1970–1979|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=282&catName=MTk3MC0xOTc5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205042855/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=282&catName=MTk3MC0xOTc5|url-status=dead|archive-date=2010-02-05|publisher=Box Office India|date=5 February 2010}}</ref> The same year, he also delivered music in another Rajesh Khanna hit ''The Train'', which had the popular songs "Gulabi Aankhen", a solo by Mohammed Rafi and "Kis Liye Maine Pyar Kiya", a solo by Lata Mangeshkar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vijayakar |first=R. M. |date=27 July 2012 |title=Rajesh Khanna: A Look Back at a Legend |url=http://www.indiawest.com/news/5733-rajesh-khanna-a-look-back-at-a-legend.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730064952/http://www.indiawest.com/news/5733-rajesh-khanna-a-look-back-at-a-legend.html |archive-date=30 July 2012 |access-date=30 July 2012 |website=India-West}}</ref>
For the next three years, he worked in top-grossing films, such as ''Haré Rama Haré Krishna'' (1971), ''Caravan'' (1971), ''Mela'' (1971), ''Amar Prem'' (1972), ''Mere Jeevan Saathi'' (1972), ''Apna Desh'' (1972), ''Jawani Diwani'' (1972), ''Raampur Ka Lakshman'' (1972), ''Parichay'' (1972), ''Seeta Aur Geeta'' (1972), ''Samadhi'' (1972), ''Anamika'' (1973), ''Aa Gale Lag Jaa'' (1973), ''Yaadon Ki Baaraat'' (1973) and ''Namak Haraam'' (1973), all of which had superhit songs like "Chadti Jawani Meri Chaal Mastani", "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja" and "Kitna Pyara Wada Hai" (''Caravan''), "Dum Maro Dum", "Phoolon Ka Taron Ka" and "Kanchi Re Kanchi" (''Hare Rama Hare Krishna''), "Rut Hai Milan Ki Sathi Mera Aa Re" and "Gori Ke Haath Mein Jaise Ye Challa" (''Mela''), "Raina Beeti Jaye", "Chingari Koi Bhadke", "Kuchh Toh Log Kahenge" and "Yeh Kya Hua" (''Amar Prem''), "O Mere Dil Ke Chain", "Chala Jaata Hoon" and "Aao Na, Gale Laga Lo Na" (''Mere Jeevan Saathi''), "Duniya Mein Logon Ko", "Kajra Lagake Gajra Sajake" and "Ro Na Kabhi Nahin Rona" (''Apna Desh''), "Samne Yeh Kaun Aaya", "Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani" and "Jaan-E-Jaan Dhoondta Phir Raha Hoon Tumhe Raat Din" (''Jawani Diwani''), "Gum Hai Kisi Ke Pyar Mein Dil Subah Sham" and "Rampur Ka Vasi Hoon" (''Raampur Ka Lakshman''), "Musafir Hoon Yaaron" and "Sa Re Ke Sa Re" (''Parichay''), "O Saathi Chal" and "Koi Ladki Mujhe Kal Raat" (''Seeta Aur Geeta''), "Kaanta Laga", "Jab Tak Rahe" and "Jaan-E-Jaana Jao" (''Samadhi''), "Panna Ki Tamanna" (''Heera Panna''), "Meri Bheegi Bheegi Si" and "Bahon Mein Chale Aao" (''Anamika''), "Vaada Karo" and "Tera Mujhse Hain Pehle Ka Nata Koi" (''Aa Gale Lag Jaa''), "Yaadon Ki Baaraat Nikli Hai Aaj Dil Ke Dwaare", "Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko, Nazar Nahin Churana Sanam", "Lekar Hum Deewana Dil, Phirte Hai Manzil Manzil" and "Meri Soni, Meri Tamanna, Jhuth Nahin Hai Mera Pyar" (''Yaadon Ki Baaraat''), "Diye Jalte Hain Phool Khilte Hain" and "Main Shair Badnaam" (''Namak Haraam'').<ref name="RD">{{cite web|title=Remembering RD Burman: The Man, the Musician, the Legend|url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/remembering-rd-burman-the-man-the-musician-the-legend-775907|date=27 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/revisiting-rd-burman-the-last-music-emperor-70644.html|title=Revisiting RD Burman, the last music emperor|date=4 January 2025}}</ref> The soundtrack of ''Caravan'' proved to be one of the best-selling Hindi film albums of the 1970s while that of ''Yaadon Ki Baaraat'' emerged as the second best-selling Hindi film album of the decade.<ref name="boi70s"/> For ''Caravan'', ''Amar Prem'' and ''Yaadon Ki Baaraat'', Burman received three consecutive nominations at Filmfare for Best Music Direction.<ref name="WN">{{Cite web |url=http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf |title=Filmfare Awards (1953–2005)|access-date=5 November 2007 |archive-date=12 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612065210/http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1974, his notable ventures, included ''Aap Ki Kasam'', ''Khote Sikkay'', ''Ajanabee'' and ''Phir Kab Milogi'', all of which had evergreen songs like "Karvatein Badalte Rahe", "Jai Jai Shiv Shankar", "Suno Kaho Kaha Suna", "Zindagi Ke Safar Mein, "Jeevan Mein Tu Darna Nahin", "Ek Ajanabee Haseena Se", "Hum Dono Do Premi", "Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein" and "Kahin Karti Hogi".<ref name="RKR"/> Burman's peak came in 1975 when he scored music for ''Sholay'', ''Deewaar'', ''Khel Khel Mein'', ''Warrant'', ''Aandhi'', ''Khushboo'' and ''Dharam Karam'', all of which were hugely successful at the box office, especially ''Sholay'' which emerged as an ''All Time Blockbuster'' and remains the biggest hit in the history of Indian cinema.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rewind – Greatest Indian Film Sholay Is 43 Years Old |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4183|publisher=Box Office India}}</ref> Its songs "Mehbooba Mehbooba", "Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin", "Haa Jab Tak Hai Jaan", "Koi Haseena" topped the year-end annual list of Binaca Geetmala and made its soundtrack one of the best-selling Hindi film albums of the 1970s along with winning Burman another nomination in the Best Music Director category at Filmfare.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Morcom |first=Anna |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kfVdxiSm-aYC |title=Hindi film songs and the cinema |publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-7546-5198-7 |access-date=15 July 2016 |archive-date=17 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517041801/https://books.google.com/books?id=kfVdxiSm-aYC&pg=PA212 |url-status=live | page = 209 }}</ref><ref name="boi70s"/> Other notable songs composed by him that year were – "Kehdoon Tumhe Ya Chup Rahoon" (''Deewaar''), "Humne Tumko Dekha", "Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, Dono Mile Is Tarah", "Khullam Khulla Pyar Karenge Hum Dono" (''Khel Khel Mein''), "Sun Bhai Baarati", "Ruk Jana O Jana Humse" (''Warrant''), "Tere Bina Zindagi Se", "Tum Aa Gaye Ho Noor Aa Gaya", "Is Mod Se Jate Hain" (''Aandhi''), "O Majhi Re Apna Kinara" (''Khushboo''), "Ek Din Bik Jayega Mati Ke Mol", "Tere Humsafar Geet Hain Tere" (''Dharam Karam'').<ref name="Vittal2012">{{cite book|author=Anirudha Bhattacharjee Balaji Vittal|title=R. D. Burman: The Man, The Music|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tg49WV0j0IAC&pg=PT87|date=2012|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers|isbn=978-93-5029-236-5|pages=85–87}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2013 |title=Khel Khel Mein (1975) |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/khel-khel-mein-1975/article5325782.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170313130932/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/khel-khel-mein-1975/article5325782.ece |archive-date=13 March 2017 |work=The Hindu |access-date=27 June 2021}}</ref>
===1976–1983: Setback and return to success===
With Rajesh Khanna losing superstardom and change of box office equation from romantic musicals to action oriented multi-starrers, Burman saw a career slump in the latter-half of the 1970s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://zeenews.india.com/people/rajesh-khanna-death-anniversary-how-the-amitabh-bachchan-wave-of-1970s-ruined-bollywoods-first-superstar-rise-and-fall-of-kaka-2636966.html |title=How The Bachchan Wave Of 1970s Ruined Bollywood's First Superstar – Rise And Fall Of 'Kaka' |date=18 July 2023 |access-date=17 January 2024 |archive-date=17 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117103932/https://zeenews.india.com/people/rajesh-khanna-death-anniversary-how-the-amitabh-bachchan-wave-of-1970s-ruined-bollywoods-first-superstar-rise-and-fall-of-kaka-2636966.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
In 1976, most of his releases did not do well commercially, with notable exceptions being ''Nehle Pe Dehla'', ''Balika Badhu'' and ''Mehbooba'', all three of which were moderately successful with hit songs, such as "Sawan Ka Mahina Aa Gaya", "Bade Achhe Lagte Hain" and "Mere Naina Sawan Bhadon", respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.screenindia.com/old/fullstory.php?content_id=9854 |title=Great Gambler<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=1 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215152817/http://www.screenindia.com/old/fullstory.php?content_id=9854 |archive-date=15 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> His prospects improved, the following year, with Nasir Hussain's musical blockbuster ''Hum Kisise Kum Naheen'', which had a number of runaway hits, including "Bachna Ae Haseeno", "Mil Gaya, Hum Ko Saathi Mil Gaya", "Hai Agar Dushman Zamana, Gham Nahin", "Yeh Ladka Haay Allah Kaisa Hai Deewana", "Kya Hua Tera Vaada, Woh Kasam, Woh Iraada", "Chand Mera Dil, Chandni Ho Tum" and "Tum Kya Jaano Mohabbat Kya Hai".<ref name="auto">{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/hum-kisise-kum-naheen-1977/article4484547.ece |title=BLAST FROM THE PAST: Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977) |newspaper=The Hindu |date=7 March 2013}}</ref> Also its soundtrack proved to be the fourth-best selling Hindi film album of the decade.<ref name="boi70s"/> His only other notable film that year was Gulzar's directional venture ''Kinara'', which had memorable songs like "Naam Hum Jayega" and "Ek Hi Khwab".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/column/gulzars-madhur-dosti-with-r-d-burman/20230818.htm|title=Gulzar's Madhur Dosti With R D Burman|date=18 August 2023}}</ref> In 1978, Burman composed for Amitabh Bachchan starrer ''Kasme Vaade'' and Dharmendra starrer ''Azaad'', both of which were major box office successes with their songs "Kasme Vaade Nibhayenge Hum", "Aati Rahengi Baharen" in the former and "Raju Chal Raju", "Jaan Ki Kasam" in the latter proving to be very popular, though his other big-budget ventures, such as ''Shalimar'' and ''Bhola Bhala'' were commercial failures.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/kasme-vaade-1978/article6938158.ece |title=Kasme Vaade (1978) |last=Lokapally |first=Vijay |date=27 February 2015 |work=The Hindu |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-date=19 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219000819/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/kasme-vaade-1978/article6938158.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://m.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/azaad-1978/article9193550.ece|title = Azaad (1978)|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 6 October 2016}}</ref> He concluded the decade with a hit in ''Gol Maal'' and a number of moderately successful films, ''Jhoota Kahin Ka'', ''Jurmana'' and ''Nauker''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Trade-Guide-1979-Classificaiton.jpg|title=Trade Guide Classification - 1979|access-date=28 August 2024|archive-date=27 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827205309/https://www.bobbytalkscinema.com/bobbytalk/adminpanel/imagetemp/Trade-Guide-1979-Classificaiton.jpg|url-status=dead}}</ref> The songs from these films, such as "Aanewala Pal" (''Gol Maal''), "Jeevan Ke Har Mod" (''Jhoota Kahin Ka''), "Sawan Ke Jhoole Pade Hai" (''Jurmana''), "Pallo Latke Re Mharo Pallo Latke (''Nauker'') found a spot in the year-end annual list of Binaca Geetmala.<ref>{{cite book|last=Mitra|first=Ananda|title=Television and popular culture in India: a study of the Mahabharat|year=1993|publisher=Sage Publications|isbn=0803991347|pages=[https://archive.org/details/televisionpopula00mitr_0/page/83 83]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/televisionpopula00mitr_0/page/83}}</ref>
The early-1980s saw Burman rise to top once again with two major blockbusters ''Love Story'' (1981) and ''Betaab'' (1983), both of which emerged two of the best selling soundtrack albums of the decade with songs that remain evergreen, such as "Kaisa Tera Pyaar", "Dekho Maine Dekha Hai Ek Sapna" in the former and "Jab Hum Jawan Honge", "Teri Tasveer Milgayi" in the latter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=9247|title=Saiyaara Among The Biggest Newcomer Films Of All Time|date=24 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="boi80s">{{cite web |title=Music Hits 1980–1989 |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=283&catName=MTk4MC0xOTg5 |publisher=Box Office India |date=5 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100205042958/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=283&catName=MTk4MC0xOTg5|archive-date=5 February 2010}}</ref> This phase also saw him getting consecutive Best Music Director awards at Filmfare for ''Sanam Teri Kasam'' (1982), which had melodies like "Kitne Bhi Tu Karle Sitam" and "Dekhta Hoon Koi Ladki" was again one of the best-selling albums of the 1980s and ''Masoom'' (1983), whose songs "Tujhse Naraz Nahin Zindagi", "Lakdi Ki Kathi", "Do Naina Aur Ek Kahaani" received immense critical acclaim.<ref name="Filmfare">{{Cite web |url=http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf |title=Filmfare Awards (1953–2005)|access-date=5 November 2007 |archive-date=12 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612065210/http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
His other popular numbers during this period were in - "Piya Bawri, Piya Bawri" and "Sun Sun Sun Didi" (''Khubsoorat''), "Yamma Yamma" and "Jaanu Meri Jaan" (''Shaan''), "Apne Pyar Ke" and "Manchali O Manchali" (''Barsaat Ki Ek Raat''), "Jahan Teri Yeh Nazar Hai" and "Tum Saath Ho Jab Apne" (''Kaalia''), "Kya Yehi Pyar Hai" and "Aa Dekhen Zara" (''Rocky''), "Preetam Aan Milo" and "Hothon Pe Beeti Baat" (''Angoor''), "Dilbar Mere" and "Dukki Pe Dukki Ho" (''Satte Pe Satta''), "Yeh Zameen Gaa Rahi Hai" and "Kya Hua Ek Baat Par" (''Teri Kasam''), "Jane Kaise Kab Kahan" and "Hamne Sanam Ko Khat Likha" (''Shakti''), "Agar Tum Na Hote" and "Dheere Dheere Zara Zara" (''Agar Tum Na Hote''), "Bachke Rehna Re Baba and "Samandar Mein Nahake" (''Pukar''), all of which were box office successes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/2002/jun/03dinesh.htm|title=The Unchained Melody of R.D. Burman}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/music/remembering-r-d-burman-the-composers-evergreen-hits/|title=Remembering Rahul Dev Burman: The composer’s evergreen hits|date=22 June 2017}}</ref>
===1984–1994: Later career===
From 1984 onwards, Burman's career as a composer began to decline as almost all the films he composed music for in 1984 and 1985 sank without a trace with two exceptions being Ramesh Sippy's romantic musical ''Saagar'' (1985) and Rahul Rawail's actioner ''Arjun'' (1985), both of which had lyrics written by Javed Akhtar and had memorable songs like "Chehra Hai Ya Chand Khila Hai" and "Saagar Kinare" (''Saagar''), "Mammaiya Kero Mamma" and "Dhadkan Pal Pal Badhti Jaaye" (''Arjun''). Also the music of ''Saagar'' proved to be one of the highest-selling Bollywood albums of the decade and got him a nomination in the Best Music Director category at 33rd Filmfare Awards.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1 May 2020 |title=Ramesh Sippy: One Didn't Need To Direct Rishi Kapoor! |url=https://www.mid-day.com/articles/ramesh-sippy-one-didnt-need-to-direct-rishi-kapoor/22759224 |access-date=22 September 2020 |website=Mid-Day}}</ref><ref name="boi80s"/>
In the latter-half of the 1980s, Burman's notable ventures, included Gulzar's romantic drama ''Ijaazat'' (1987) and Vidhu Vinod Chopra's crime thriller ''Parinda'' (1989). Both the films opened to widespread acclaim for their direction, story and songs, such as "Mera Kuchh Saamaan", "Qatra Qatra Milti Hai" in the former and "Tumse Milke Aisa Laga Tumse Milke", "Kitni Hai Pyari Pyari" in the latter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/the-master-at-his-best/411439/|title=The Master at His Best|access-date=14 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 July 2014 |title=100 Filmfare Days: 69- Parinda |work=Filmfare |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/100-filmfare-days-69-parinda-6583-1.html |url-status=live |access-date=12 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112132235/https://www.filmfare.com/features/100-filmfare-days-69-parinda-6583-1.html |archive-date=12 November 2017}}</ref>
After a dull beginning to the new decade with flops like ''Jeene Do'' (1990), ''Dushman'' (1990) and ''Indrajeet'' (1991), Burman delivered music in Priyadarshan's ''Gardish'' (1993), which proved to be a box office success with hit songs like "Hum Na Samjhe The", sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and "Yeh Mera Dil To Pagal Hai", a duet by Balasubrahmanyam and Asha Bhosle.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kesavan |first=Mukul |author-link=Mukul Kesavan |date=September–October 1993 |title=Gardish |page=36 |work=Manushi |issue=78 |url=https://www.manushi.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/pdfs_issues/PDF%2078/Gardish.pdf |access-date=29 May 2020}}</ref> In 1994, he once again collaborated with Vidhu Vinod Chopra for his magnum opus ''1942: A Love Story''. Although the film did not succeed commercially, its music was a huge hit and the third best-selling Hindi film album of 1994 with songs that remained popular such as "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha", "Kuchh Na Kaho", both solos by Kumar Sanu and "Pyar Hua Chupke Se", sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy.<ref name="box">{{cite web|title=1942: A Love Story (1994)| url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3095| url-status=live |website=Box office India|access-date=9 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223104310/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3095|archive-date=23 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-01-02 |title=BoxOffice India.com |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5 |access-date=2024-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102010439/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5 |archive-date=2 January 2010 }}</ref> Burman died a few days before the release of the film,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/bollywood/how-rd-burman-reclaimed-his-musical-legacy-with-his-swan-song-1942-a-love-story-3752859.html|title=How RD Burman reclaimed his musical legacy with his swan song, 1942: A Love Story|date=28 June 2017}}</ref> and was posthumously awarded his third Best Music Director at the 40th Filmfare Awards.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/368622.cms |title=40th Filmfare Awards 1995 Nominations |work=Indian Times |access-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070708210420/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/368622.cms |archive-date=8 July 2007 |agency=The Times Group}}</ref>
== Personal life == Burman's first wife was Rita Patel, whom he had met in Darjeeling. Rita, a fan, had bet her friends that she would be able to get a film-date with Burman. They two married in 1966, and divorced in 1971.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_an-ode-to-pancham_1142672 | title = An ode to Pancham | author = Chaitanya Padukone | newspaper = DNA | date = 1 January 2008 | access-date = 2 March 2012 }}</ref> The song ''Musafir Hoon Yaaron'' ("I'm a Traveller") from ''Parichay'' (1972) was composed while he was at a hotel after the separation.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-revealed-unknown-facts-about-rd-burman/20110512.htm?print=true | title = Revealed: Unknown facts about RD Burman! | work = rediff.com | date = 5 May 2011 | access-date = 2 March 2012 }}</ref>
Burman married Asha Bhosle in 1980 after a protracted romance despite his mother's vehement opposition to their relationship. Together, the couple recorded many hit songs and also staged many live performances. However, towards the end of his life, they did not live together.<ref>{{cite news |author=Ajitabh Menon |title=when the beats stopped |work=Panchamonline |url=http://www.panchamonline.com/articles/rddemise.htm |archive-date=7 October 2024 |access-date=27 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007091031/http://www.panchamonline.com/articles/rddemise.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> Burman had financial difficulties, particularly later in his life. His mother Meera died in 2007, thirteen years after his death.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/17/stories/2007101753250500.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017210403/http://hindu.com/2007/10/17/stories/2007101753250500.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=17 October 2007 | title = S.D. Burman's wife dead | date = 17 October 2007 | newspaper=The Hindu | access-date = 2 March 2012 }}</ref> She had been suffering from Alzheimer's even before her son's death. Just before her death she had been moved to an old age home, and moved back to her son's residence after the issue became a controversy.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.outlookindia.com/printarticle.aspx?235638 |title=A Bungalow, A Ma-In-Law |publisher=Outlookindia.com |access-date=26 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727013206/http://www.outlookindia.com/printarticle.aspx?235638 |archive-date=27 July 2014 }}</ref>
== Death == R.D. Burman died on 4 January 1994 due to a heart attack. Burman had been suffering from cardiovascular disease for around six years before his death and even underwent a surgery because of an earlier heart attack in 1988.<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2014-01-04 |title=4th January 1994: R.D. Burman, renowned music director, died – |url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/on-this-day/4th-january-1994-r-d-burman-renowned-music-director-died |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=What Happened On This Day in History – Maps of India}}</ref>
== Style == Burman has been credited with revolutionizing Hindi film music.<ref name="Outlook46">{{cite journal | title=RD Burman | journal = Outlook | volume = 46 | issue = 26–38 | year=2006 | publisher=Hathway Investments }}</ref> He incorporated a wide range of influences from several genres in his scores though his primary inspiration was Bengali folk. Burman's career coincided with the rise of Rajesh Khanna-starrer youth love stories. He made electronic rock popular in these popular love stories.<ref name="Tejaswini2004"/> He often mixed disco and rock elements with Bengali folk music.<ref name="Kathryn2010">{{cite book | author=Kathryn Marie Kalinak | title=Film music: a very short introduction | url=https://archive.org/details/filmmusicverysho00kali | url-access=limited | year = 2010 | publisher=Oxford University Press | isbn=978-0-19-537087-4 | page=[https://archive.org/details/filmmusicverysho00kali/page/n128 112] }}</ref> He also used jazz elements, which had been introduced to him by the studio pianist Kersi Lord.<ref name="ETaylor2003">{{cite book | author=E. Taylor Atkins | title=Jazz Planet | url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578066094 | url-access=registration | year = 2003| publisher=University Press of Mississippi | isbn=978-1-57806-609-4 | page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781578066094/page/67 67] }}</ref>
According to Douglas Wolk, Burman "wrapped sugary string swoops around as many ideas as he could squeeze in at once".<ref name="Douglas_Spin_1999"/> Biswarup Sen describes his popular music as one featuring multicultural influences, and characterized by "frenetic pacing, youthful exuberance and upbeat rhythms".<ref name="GopalMoorti2008">{{cite book | author = Biswarup Sen | editor = Sangita Gopal and Sujata Moorti | chapter = The Sounds of Modernity | title=Global Bollywood: travels of Hindi song and dance | url = https://archive.org/details/globalbollywoodt00gopa | url-access = limited | year = 2008| publisher=University of Minnesota Press | isbn=978-0-8166-4579-4 | page= [https://archive.org/details/globalbollywoodt00gopa/page/n103 97] }}</ref>
Burman was influenced by Western, Latin, Oriental and Arabic music, and incorporated elements from these in his own music.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/07/02/stories/2007070251210300.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130107082317/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/07/02/stories/2007070251210300.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 7 January 2013 | title = Pulsating Pancham | date = 2 July 2007 | work = The Hindu | access-date = 2 March 2012 }}</ref> He also experimented with different musical sounds produced from methods such as rubbing sandpaper and knocking bamboo sticks together.<ref name="TOI_2010_RDX"/> He blew into beer bottles to produce the opening beats of "Mehbooba, Mehbooba". Similarly, he used cups and saucers to create the tinkling sound for the song "Chura Liya Hai" from the film ''Yaadon Ki Baaraat'' (1973).<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.thehindu.com/arts/article113209.ece | title = Melodies and memories | author = Savitha Gautam | work = The Hindu | date = 26 February 2010 | access-date = 2 March 2011 }}</ref> For ''Satte Pe Satta'' (1982), he made the singer Annette Pinto gargle to produce a background sound.<ref name="TOI_2010_RDX"/> He also rubbed a comb on a rough surface to produce a whooshing sound in the song "Meri Samne Wali Khidki Main" from the film ''Padosan'' (1968).
On multiple occasions, Burman experimented with recording the same song with different singers. For ''Kudrat'' (1981), he recorded the light semi-classical version of the song "Hume Tumse Pyar Kitna" in the voice of Kishore Kumar, while the classical version was recorded in the voice of Parveen Sultana.
== Controversies == === Allegations of plagiarism === Music critics and commentators have long discussed alleged instances of musical borrowing in Burman's work. Journalist Vivek Kaul wrote that "R.D. Burman was accused of plagiarising right through his career... this was probably one question that Pancham had to defend himself against in most of his interviews."<ref>{{cite web |last=Kaul |first=Vivek |date=29 August 2012 |title=Where does inspiration end and plagiarism begin? |url=https://vivekkaul.com/2012/08/29/where-does-inspiration-end-and-plagiarism-begin/ |access-date=18 October 2025 |website=VivekKaul.com}}</ref> A retrospective article on classic Hindi film music similarly stated that "even revered composers such as R. D. Burman and S. D. Burman occasionally adapted foreign tunes."<ref>{{cite web |date=24 August 2012 |title=Plagiarism in Hindi Film Music: Is Imitation the Most Sincere Form of Flattery? |url=https://mrandmrs55.com/2012/08/24/plagiarism-in-hindi-film-music-is-imitation-the-most-sincere-form-of-flattery/ |access-date=18 October 2025 |website=Mr. and Mrs. 55}}</ref>
However researcher Vishwas Nerurkar commented in his book, {{cquote|"The late R.D. Burman has often been accused of lifting western tunes and of using them in their original format. This is somewhat true, but in my study of all his work, I cannot discover this piracy in more than 20 to 30 numbers. In a prolific output of over 1500 songs, this can be easily overlooked. And even in these so called 'lifted' tunes, one cannot help but notice how the composer with great dexterity and skill had changed the original "inspiration", only giving us a glimpse now and then of a western tune.
All composers have their influences. Pancham had his. His uniqueness was the variations he created on inspired numbers. On the other hand his severe critics who have heard his other 1450 songs do attribute originality and great fountains of melody. That certainly makes him an original composer."<ref>{{cite book|author=Vishwas Nerurkar|title=Pancham An Anthology of R.D. Burman's Musical Works |url=https://www.bookganga.com/Preview/BookPreview.aspx?BookId=150312111230&PreviewType=ebooks|date=1997|publisher=Gayatri Publication|isbn=81-903959-5-5|pages=10}}</ref>}}
Burman himself acknowledged using Western dance music "as a source of inspiration" for his compositions.<ref name="Ashoka2006">{{cite book | author = Ashok Da. Ranade | title=Hindi film song: music beyond boundaries | year = 2006 | publisher=Bibliophile South Asia | isbn=978-81-85002-64-4 | page=309 }}</ref> As was common in Hindi films, some of his songs featured the tunes of popular foreign songs. For example, Ramesh Sippy insisted that the tune of the traditional Cyprus song "Say You Love Me" (arranged and sung by Demis Roussos) be used for "Mehbooba Mehbooba" (''Sholay'', 1975), and Nasir Hussain wanted to use ABBA's "Mamma Mia" for "Mil Gaya Hum Ko Saathi". Other examples of Burman songs inspired by foreign songs include "Aao Twist Karen" from ''Bhoot Bungla'' (Chubby Checker's "Let's Twist Again"), "Tumse Milke" (Leo Sayer's "When I Need You"), and "Zindagi Milke Bitaayenge" (Paul Anka's "The Longest Day") and "Jahan Teri Yeh Nazar Hai" (Persian artist Zia Atabi's "Heleh Maali") and "Dilbar Mere" (Alexandra's "Zigeunerjunge").
== Legacy ==
Several Hindi films made after Burman's death contain his original songs or their remixed versions. ''Dil Vil Pyar Vyar'' (2002), which contains several re-arranged hit songs of Burman, was made as a tribute to him.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-19/news-and-interviews/30297326_1_manisha-koirala-music-films | title = Sur, saaz and rockstar: When music is Bollywood's muse | author = Radhika Bhirani | date = 19 October 2011 | newspaper = The Times of India | access-date = 2 March 2012 }}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ''Jhankaar Beats'' (2003), which catapulted the music director duo Vishal–Shekhar into the limelight, is also a tribute to him.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sujoy-ghosh-plans-jhankaar-beats-sequel/234838-8-66.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131009030724/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sujoy-ghosh-plans-jhankaar-beats-sequel/234838-8-66.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 9 October 2013 | title = Sujoy Ghosh plans 'Jhankaar Beats' sequel | publisher = IBNLive | date = 29 February 2012 | access-date = 2 March 2012 }}</ref> In ''Khwahish'' (2003), Mallika Sherawat's character is a Burman fan; the film features repeated references to him.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NM1/Khwahish/Article1-6402.aspx | title = Khwahish | author = Saibal Chatterjee | newspaper = Hindustan Times | date = 7 June 2003 | access-date = 2 March 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120121104534/http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/NM1/Khwahish/Article1-6402.aspx | archive-date = 21 January 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> In 2010, Brahmanand Singh released a 113-minute documentary titled ''Pancham Unmixed: Mujhe Chalte Jaana Hai'', which received critical acclaim.<ref name="TOI_2010_RDX"/> ''Pancham Unmixed'' won 2 National Awards and was premiered at IFFLA, Los Angeles. The film is considered a landmark in documentary biopics in India and set a trend. A coffee-table book, co-authored by Brahmanand Siingh and Gaurav Sharma titled ''Strings of Eternity'' was released with Pancham Unmixed by Shemaroo. Mobius films, the producers of Pancham Unmixed, then went on to release an extended 5 hours version titled ''Knowing Pancham.'' The launch was at prestigious venue Blue Frog in Mumbai and was graced by Manoj Bajpayee, Ashutosh Gowariker, Dolly Thakore, Sachin, Atul Tiwari, Ketan Mehta, Deepa Sahi amongst others. Brahmanand and Gaurav Sharma authored another coffee-table book with the extended version, titled "Diamonds and Rust". The music of ''Lootera'' (2013) is a tribute to Burman.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/musicindia/lootera-songs-amit-trivedi-s-tribute-to-rd-burman_136293.htm | title = 'Lootera' songs – Amit Trivedi's tribute to R. D. Burman | date = 8 June 2013 | publisher = Zee News }}</ref> A number of Indian remix albums feature Burman's songs, which are also popular in the country's pubs and discos.<ref name="TheHindu_203_Beat"/> Several of his compositions were re-mixed by the South Asian DJs in the United Kingdom and North America, and feature in popular albums such as Bally Sagoo's ''Bollywood Flashback''.<ref name="Tejaswini2004"/> Kronos Quartet's ''You've Stolen My Heart'' (2005) contains Burman's compositions sung by his wife Asha Bhosle.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/11/arts/music/11kron.html | title = Kronos Quartet and Asha Bhosle Make Not-So-Strange Bedfellows | author = Allan Kozinn | author-link = Allan Kozinn | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 11 April 2006 | access-date = 2 March 2012 }}</ref> In the 2012 film ''Khiladi 786'', Himesh Reshammiya-composed song "Balma" is also a tribute to R.D. Burman.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/KHILADI-786-RD-Burman-features-with-Akshay-in-new-song/Article1-946617.aspx | title = KHILADI 786: RD Burman features with Akshay in new song | newspaper = Hindustan Times | date = 18 October 2012 | access-date = 17 January 2013 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130320194757/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/KHILADI-786-RD-Burman-features-with-Akshay-in-new-song/Article1-946617.aspx | archive-date = 20 March 2013 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
In 1995, Filmfare Awards introduced the Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent in his memory. The award is given to upcoming music talent in Hindi cinema. In 2009, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation named a public square in Santa Cruz after Burman.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/R-D-Burman-gets-a-chowk-in-Mumbai/articleshow/3923581.cms | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120701135540/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-01-02/mumbai/28046192_1_r-d-burman-asha-bhosale-music-composer | url-status = live | archive-date = 1 July 2012 | title = R D Burman gets a chowk in Mumbai | author = Clara Lewis | date = 2 January 2009 | newspaper = The Times of India | access-date = 2 March 2012 }}</ref> On the anniversary of his 77th birthday on 27 June 2016, Google dedicated a Doodle of R.D Burman on its Indian home page.<ref>[http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/music/rd-burman-birthday-google-doodle-tribute-77th-birth-anniversary-2878577/ Google pays tribute to legendary composer R D Burman on his 77th birth anniversary]. The Indian Express (27 June 2016). Retrieved on 2018-11-08.</ref>
Burman inspired many later Hindi film music composers, such as Vishal–Shekhar. Jatin–Lalit are considered to have carried on Burman's legacy through the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2005/sep/08vs.htm | title = Chilling with Bollywood's new songsters | work = rediff.com | date = 8 September 2005 | access-date = 2 March 2012 }}</ref> Notable musical assistants to Burman include Manohari Singh and Sapan Chakraborty. His instrumentalists included Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Louis Banks, Bhupinder Singh and Kersi Lord.<ref name="TOI_2010_RDX"/> He is also noted for his partnership with the lyricist Gulzar, who wrote the words for several of his finest compositions.<ref name="TOI_2010_RDX"/>
== Discography == {{main|R. D. Burman filmography}}
== Awards and recognitions == thumb|upright=1.15|Burman on a 2013 stamp of India
;Filmfare Awards ;;Wins * 1983 – Best Music Director – ''Sanam Teri Kasam'' * 1984 – Best Music Director – ''Masoom'' * 1995 – Best Music Director – ''1942: A Love Story'' (Posthumous)
;;Nominations * 1972 – Best Music Director – ''Caravan'' * 1973 – Best Music Director – ''Amar Prem'' * 1974 – Best Music Director – ''Yaadon Ki Baaraat'' * 1975 – Best Music Director – ''Aap Ki Kasam'' * 1976 – Best Music Director – ''Khel Khel Mein'' * 1976 – Best Music Director – ''Sholay'' * 1976 – Best Male Playback Singer – "Mehbooba Mehbooba" from ''Sholay'' * 1977 – Best Music Director – ''Mehbooba'' * 1978 – Best Music Director – ''Hum Kisise Kum Naheen'' * 1978 – Best Music Director – ''Kinara'' * 1979 – Best Music Director – ''Shalimar'' * 1981 – Best Music Director – ''Shaan'' * 1982 – Best Music Director – ''Love Story'' * 1984 – Best Music Director – ''Betaab'' * 1985 – Best Music Director – ''Jawaani'' * 1986 – Best Music Director – ''Saagar''
;Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards: ;;Win * 1973 – Best Music Director – ''Hare Rama Hare Krishna''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/197235.htm?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C1328874186 |title=STL News | World News | Breaking News | Latest News | Today News |website=www.bfjaawards.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080422071853/http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/197235.htm?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C1328874186 |archive-date=22 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
== Further reading == {{refbegin}} * {{cite book | author1=Anirudha Bhattacharjee | author2=Balaji Vittal | title=R.D. Burman: the man, the music |year=2011 | publisher=Harper Collins India | isbn=978-93-5029-049-1 }} {{refend}}
== External links == {{Commons category|Rahul Dev Burman}} {{Subject bar |commons = yes |d = yes |q = yes |portal1 = Biography |portal2 = Bollywood |portal3 = Music }} * {{IMDb name | id=0005983 | name = R. D. Burman }} * [http://www.panchamonline.com/ Pancham – Rahul Dev Burman] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804214934/http://www.panchamonline.com/ |date=4 August 2011 }}
{{FilmfareAwardBestMusicDirector}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Burman, R.D.}} Category:1939 births Category:1994 deaths Category:Singers from Kolkata Category:Tripuri people Category:Bengali singers Category:Bengali musicians Category:Filmfare Awards winners Category:Indian male playback singers Category:Musicians from Mumbai Category:Performers of Hindu music Category:Hindi film score composers Category:20th-century Indian composers Category:Indian male film score composers Category:20th-century Indian male singers Category:Mangeshkar family