BRAHMANAND Siingh says veteran radio jockey Amin Sayaniu2019s comments on All India Radio about RD Burman were his introduction to the legendary composeru2019s work. u201c Every time he listed out the cast, it would be actors like Amitabh, or Rajesh Khanna, but the music was always by Pancham,u201d says the filmmaker, who has spent a large part of his life creating works around Burmanu2019s work and times.
In 2008, he released a two- hour film, Pancham Unmixed, which won the National Award, and followed it up with Knowing Pancham in 2015, which had extra five- hour material surrounding the film.
Burman is regarded as one of Bollywoodu2019s finest music directors, with almost 331 movies to his credit, including Saagar, Masoom, Sholay, Shaan, Teesri Manzil and 1942: A Love Story. u201c My granduncle and father once said in a conversation that it seemed like Amar Premu2019s music was made by SD [ Panchamu2019s father]. But that wasnu2019t the case.
Gradually, I got obsessed with Panchamu2019s music, and started discovering the layers in it,u201d says the 55- year- old, who was a fan of the Beatles when he was 15, but by the time he turned 20, realised that it was Hindi film music that encompassed it allu2014 classical, Western and pop.
This time too, he is looking at Burman for inspiration, but for a web series. u201c There is so much to say about him. In the movie, I had to edit content into small vignettes, but with a web series, I can address every detail across various episodes.u201d The Pancham Legacy, a six- part series, will deal with how Burman has influenced the music directors of today, including why his work ethics can be a lesson for corporates. u201c Pancham was an inspiration for the best human qualitiesu2014 creativity, man management, and emotional intelligence.
He was a master in life lessons.
His approach to work made him a great mentor. He never shouted at those he worked with. It was always about explaining in a genial way.u201d Siingh recalls meeting accordion player Jackie, who made his debut with the Ijaazat ( 1986) song, Choti si kahani se. u201c So, he was initially only supposed to play the portion in the beginning but after RD heard him, he increased his bits. Jackie got nervous. Pancham came up to him and asked why he was worried. u2018 I am here. I have your backu2019, he told him,u201d Siingh narrates. Along with being a worthy mentor, Pancham has inspired contemporary musicians with his time management and talent. u201c People like Salim Suleiman, Shankar Ehsaan Loy and Pritam are all fans. Shankar and I were recalling the years between 1971 and u2018 81, where he did almost 17 films, and Shankar exclaimed, u2018 we do four movies a year and find ourselves busyu2019. Pancham maintained quality despite the volume of work he put out. This was also because he treated people well.
Everyone was willing to go the extra mile to make sure Pancham got what he wanted. Now, celebrity culture has overtaken good work practices.u201d Siingh says each time he screens his work, viewers love Panchamu2019s music of course, but also admire his personality.u201d Out of the u201c 500 and more u201c anecdotes he has in his kitty about the legend, Siinghu2019s favourite is about one Diwali when Pancham was bursting crackers. A middle- aged woman from the neighbourhood shouted at him for wasting money when the poor were going hungry.
u201c It turns out that the lady used to feed beggars. Pancham apologised, went and bought biryani plates, and joined her at home to feed the poor. He then went back and continued bursting crackers. He didnu2019t give up what he liked, but he was sensitive to everyoneu2019s needs.u201d aastha. banan@ mid- day. com Aastha Atray Banan He was a master in life lessons. His approach to work made him a great mentor. He never shouted at those he worked with. It was always about explaining in a genial way RD Burman created the music score for over 331 films.
Siingh says this was because he was a genial task master and disciplined with time Brahamanand Siingh
