Drummer Francoâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Vaz at a tribute concert for RDâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Burman

Rahul Dev Burman, a gem of the Indian music industry, was born gifted with melody. Being the son of legendary composer Sachin Dev Burman, he got attuned to scales and chords from an early age. When Pancham (his nickname) became a star after Teesri Manzil (1966), people weren't surprised. The prolific composer ended up scoring music for over 300 films spanning three decades. His last innings (the beginning of the '90s) didn't serve him well - the films bombed and the music remained unnoticed, except his swansong 1942: A Love Story, released posthumously. However, he is still remembered for the revolution he caused in the film music genre. Ahead of his 78th birth anniversary on June 27, drummer Franco Vaz and composer Uttam Singh - two of his musicians - share the experience of rubbing shoulders with the genius.