Kal, aaj aur kal

Over two decades have passed since the charismatic music director R.D. Burman ascended from the realm of the mortals to heavens, but his legacy continues to live on.

He was a “futuristic genius”, who knew the “pulse of the masses”, says ace film journalist Chaitanya Padukone, who has authored a book R.D. BurMania — Panchamemoirs which attempts to unravel the mystique behind Burman.

Padukone, started his journalistic career by interviewing Burman — who is affectionately called Pancham Da — and says even after 22 years of his death, people are still crazy about his music.

“Twenty-two years after he passed away, there are so many (tribute) concerts still happening and most of them are sold out. People are crazy about his music and his signature sounds,” said Padukone, a Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award winner.

“He was the futuristic genius, who would anticipate what would be popular... This came to him naturally. He would offer four to five options to the producer or director. If the producer didn’t have the music sense, it would be a negative situation. At the same time, he would suggest a better tune,” he added.

Padukoke, who shared a warm rapport with Burman for a decade, said that he was “very humble and modest”. “As a person, he was very modest. He used to always undermine his ability. He was very casual and he would never gloat and never blew his trumpet,” Padukone said.

He revealed that Burman was very affectionate towards the common people and would even seek feedback from liftmen and watchmen. “He would sit with a sweeper and chat with a watchman, or ask the liftman, Humara gaana kaisa laga? (How did you like my song?), ” Padukone said. Padukone, who was also privy to Burman’s recording sessions, revealed that that he would always encourage his musicians to perform better.

“Musicians used to be charged up, they were all like a family to him. He gave them creative freedom to improvise,” he said. Interestingly, Burman even had a knack for chillies and he grew hybrid varieties of chillies in his nursery garden, revealed Padukone. “He would love pungent, very spicy food, which he would make us eat too,” he quipped. He passed away at the age of 54 in 1994, leaving behind a vast body of work, which continues to inspire every generation of music lovers. —IANS