Magic of Pancham and His Music : Part 1 ( Songs in his own Voice , Solo)

MAGIC  OF PANCHAM AS  A  SINGER

RD Burman, more popular  as  Pancham , a  name supposed to have   given to him  when he was a  kid, by none  other  than Dada Moni, Ashok Kumar , has  given us  some memorable songs  in his  working span  of about three decades. While  his  fame and  talent as a  composer is beyond  any body's  doubt, I  will dwell  on  a slightly different  aspect of  him, Singing . Pancham was always a  reluctant singer. He  knew he  did  not have a great voice, but like  his  Father, he  had some uniqueness in his   voice  , so used it very  selectively , and  funny and  surprising  thing was, his  fans and  listeners , always  seemed  to like  his  voice  and  most of  songs  sung by him have  been super hits, heard  and  liked  by people  even today.  This Blog is to  look  at some of these  songs, the back ground  info, and  what are  the special  points  to look  in  these  songs  .. The  songs  listed are  in no  particular  order , it is  what I  remembered .  

Let  use  divide  his  Songs  into  three  Category , first  his  Solos, in his  deep, unique voice.

1)Mehbooba Mehbooba  from SHOLAY: This  was  supposed  to be  sung by Ashaji, since  it was picturised on Sexy Helen, but  since it was  shot in Gabbars  den, and  to add  novelty, Jalal Agha  was added  as  male  dancer  with  his  Instrument in his  hand. Than team of  Javed Akhtar, Anand Bakshi and  Ramesh Sippy, suggested , why not RD  himself  sing this  song,  and we have this  classic in front of us.  Pancham added his  own innovations, like  blowing into an empty beer  bottle to create  that unique  sound  at beginning of the  song,. Critics,  might say tune was  lifted , who cares, this  remains  even today , one of  his  best  as  a  composer-Singer .    

2)Tum Kya  Jaano Mohabat Kya  Hai : Hum Kisse Se  Kum Nahin, one of  best  musical compositions by Panacham for  his  favorite  film Maker, Nasir  Hussain. If u remember, this  song  was  part  of  competition , between, Rishi, Tariq and  Kajal Kiran. RD  again wanted  one  song to be different among the  four  songs  , part of  this  non stop dance and  music , and  he choose  himself  for singing this  for  Tariq  , with his  guitar in hand and  rendering  this fast  paced song.

3)Jaana O Meri Jaan,  Are Main Huin Khwaabon Ka  Raja: Sanam Teri Kasam, one of  Only three films which  got Pancham a  Film Fare award, no wonder . As per  lyricist and  close  friend, of Pancham, Gulshan Bawra  who has  written   this  song, this  tune  was  there in RDs mind, always, This is a    spin off  of  his old Bengali tune. But  again, he  wanted  Kishore  to  sing this  , but  he  put himself to the  job  and  this ended as  one of  high lights  of  this  album.

4)Kal Kya Hoga Kis Ko Bata  : From KASME VAADE, Another RD and  Gulshan collaboration, This  tune  again is  inspired  from a  Western original, . This  is  a  peppy, youthful song , if  you remember  picturised  on Randhir Kapoor  and  friends  on their bikes  in the Night . RD  had  used the fresh  voice  of Amit Kumar  for  Randhir , in other  song in this  film, Aathi Rahenge Bahare, and wanted  Amit to  sing this  one also. But after  a  discussion  between two friends , Pancham and Gulshan,  RD went  ahead to sing it himself, and  even today this is  a must sing song in fun situations and  all  Parties.      

5)Dhanno Ki Ankhon Mein Raat ka  Surma :  Not much  heard  song from equally less  known, film KITAAB. Pancham with his  other  close  friend Gulzaar, who directed  this  film and wrote the song. This  Song  is  shot in a  Moving train,with  engine  Driver  singing the song, so not a  typical  situation for a song, the  unusual lyrics and  words  used by  the poet, the Special  tune or  music which  Pancham  has used  right thro the  song and  way he  has  sung  this , makes  me  rate  this  as  my  best and  most  favorite  Pancham  Solo Song.

Now  some  songs ,  In which Pancham  has  just  sung a Few    lines or  words, but  are  so  important and  Effective  and  was  crucial  for  songs  to become  a  hit. In most of the  songs , he is  not even credited  as  a  singer, such was  the  simplicity of the man  

1)Balika Badhu , Bada Ache Laghta  Hai, how  can you forget  the  few lines  in between in this song, O Majhi  Re Jaiyo Piya  ke  ..  sung in his  Typical  style  by  Pancham. The softnees  of  Amit Kumars  voice and  uniqueness  of  RDB Singing those  lines, makes  it a  awe some  melody.

2)Ajanabee : Hum Dono Do Preme, remember  this  song , Zeenat  And  Rajesh on a  train and  a Man in between, asks,  O Babu  Kaha  Chal Rahe ..  Yes  this  was  by  our Genius  only .

3)Hare Rama Hare Krishna : The  female  version of  Pholoon Ka  Taaron Ka, sab ka  Kehena  hai, In between  RD comes  says  only few  lines,  Daddy  Ka  Mummy Ka  Sab Ka  Kehena Hai

4)Last one, but  who can  Forget  this,  From  Film CARAVAN, Piya Tu Ab Jo Aaja, Pancham  just shouts  the  word, MONICA  couple of  times,  but  that  adds  so much Zing to the  flow of  the  song  and  mind you , credits  of  song is given only  to  Asha, but can  You Imagine  this  song without the  word  ..  Monica,  Never I think.

Thanks  for  your  time,  please  read  and  feedback, in next  write up, will  concentrate on some thing which is  more  interesting , his  Duet  songs  with both Male and  Female Singers.