RMIM Archive Article "39".

From the RMIM Article Archive maintained by Satish Subramanian
#
# RMIM Archives..
# Subject: SPARKLES: Pancham and his music
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# Posted by: Vandana Venkatesan (vandana@charlie.ece.scarolina.edu)
#
# Source: Indian Express,  Bombay Ed., Jan.16 1994.
# Author: Seema Sinha
#


                              SPARKLERS

                             Seema Sinha

                From the Indian Express, Jan.16, 1994.

Panchamda's favourites were the ones which he  enjoyed  composing
and recording.  Dum maro dum, Mere naina saawan bhadon, Mehbooba,
popular numbers from Mere Jeevan Saathi, Aandhi, Kinara and  Kati
Patang  were the creations he loved.  He liked Shankar Jaikishan-
Lata Mangeshkar combination, but found  it  difficult  to  choose
between Lata, Asha Bhonsle and the lyricists he worked with.  "If
Latabai is Don  Bradman  of  cricket,  Ashabai  is  Gary  Sobers.
Majrooh  in mood is at his best and Anand Bakshi when in his true
element is superb," said Pancham diplomatically.

Rated as one of the most original composers, Pancham started  his
career with his father S.D. Burman in 1955 with Guru Dutt's Pyaa-
sa and composed the famous song, Sar jo tera chakraye.  In  1963,
Pancham  helped  his  father compose various mukhdas for the film
Guide.  Finally Pancham made his debut with Chhote Nawab in 1961.

In this endeavour to be different from  his  father  Pancham  was
helped  by Kersi Lord and Manori Singh, India's leading saxophone
player. Pancham popularised the brass element  of  the  orchestra
along  with electric guitar resulting into some memorable numbers
like Aaja aaja from Teesri Manzil, which is still a rage.   Panc-
ham  wasn't  very  confident  about the song as it had an unusual
beat and approached Asha hesitantly.  He knew Asha could do  jus-
tice to it. "Pancham would be hesitant whenever he came up with a
truly inspiring tune.  He was  shy,  self-effacing  and  locked,"
Asha had observed.

When Asha heard it, especially the last portion O o aaaaja, oh oh
aaaja, aaaaha she knew the song was going to be a trend-setter.

Recently he had expressed his desire to make a comeback.  Ek  dao
aur  marna  hai  (I want to make one more effort), he had said in
his last interview. But unfortunately, by then it was too late.

-S.S.

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From the RMIM Article Archive maintained by Satish Subramanian