Venkat Raman
Music lovers with a proclivity towards the late Rahul Dev Burman could expect an evening of lilting music composed by the maestro with a majority of them rendered by the inimitable Kishore Kumar and picturised on the heart-throb of the 1970s, Rajesh Khanna.
Shivan Padayachi of Shivan Arts, an Auckland based organisation, is putting together singing talent from New Zealand in presenting the programme due to be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at the Dorothy Winstone Centre of the Auckland Girls Grammar School.
The programme is called, ‘Tribute to the Trio: R D Burman, Kishore Kumar and Rajesh Khanna,’ second in a series paying homage to the famous music composer.
‘Lethal Combination’
“This was a ‘lethal combination of that era. Some evergreen songs such as ‘Pyar Diwana Hota Hai’ (Kati Patang), ‘Mere Sapno Ki Rani,’ ‘Roop Tera Mastana’ and ‘Kora Kagaz Tha Ye Man Mera’ (Aradhana) to mention a few,” Shivan said.
These songs will be rendered by Amisha Kumar, Arpita Chanda, Bhavna Kadam, Hemant Shirsat, Joseph Jose, Kevin Kumar, Sasi Dharan and Vidya Teke.
They will be supported by Antony Yempee (Lead Guitar), Diya Yempee (Rhythm Guitar), Hemant Thakar (Keyboard), Kevin Kumar (Keyboard), Kristifer Kumar (Octapad), Navneel Prasad (Tabla), Nigal Kishore (Drums), Pranesh Nath (Dholak), Sai Sharma (Percussions) and
Shivan Padayachi (Bass Guitar).
About Rahul Dev Burman
The great maestro (June 27, 1939 – January 4, 1994) was a seminal music director of the Indian film industry. Also known as ‘Pancham,’ he was the only son of the noted composer the late Sachin Dev Burman.
From the 1960s to the 1990s, R D Burman composed songs for 331 movies. He was active as a composer and as a vocalist for a few compositions. His major work partners were Asha Bhosle (his wife) and Kishore Kumar. He served as an influence to the next generation of Indian music directors, and his songs continue to be popular in India even after his death.
He popularised many actors, among the most famous of who was Rajesh Khanna, who passed away in Mumbai on July 18, 2012.
Innovative approach
The Indian film music enjoyed the presence and contributions of a number of artistes who brought to the fore their innate talent. While composers like R D Burman refreshed music with their innovative approach, a number of films became blockbusters because of the melodious song sequences they carried.
The film industry also captured the tumultuous political climate of the country of which ‘Aandhi,’ a 1975 film which had Gulzar and R D Burman as music composers, was prime example. The 1970s also saw the emergence of many other actors who owed their popularity to lilting music of Pancham.
Singing Sensation
When ‘Padosan’ was under production, controversy arose over a song-sequence.
Veteran singer Manna Dey refused to ‘lose a musical fight’ to Kishore Kumar saying it would be an insult (Kishore did not learn music but mastered it, mostly in the confines of the bath room). He was persuaded by Pancham and film star Mehmood and the song, ‘Ek Chaturnar Karke Singaar’ became a hit.
Kishore began his career in 1948 but the incident, which occurred in 1965, did not bother him; the man was a mountain of talent.
Enter Rajesh Khanna
About a year or so later, when Jatin, an aspiring actor came to Mumbai in search of roles, he was told to change his name and look for a ‘voice.’ Jatin became Rajesh Khanna and Kishore became his voice.
There are innumerable incidents to narrate the great prowess of Kishore as a singer and his rich potential to be a source of pain and anxiety to his music directors.
It was perhaps his idiosyncrasy that sent his career on a rollercoaster.
But none has questioned his inimitable quality as a singer, especially his ability to yodel, which somewhat changed the course of his mentor S D Burman’s music in ‘Jewel Thief’ and thereafter. Pancham developed a unique rapport with otherwise difficult artiste but together the duo created history.
A part of that history, with those of other legends would come alive on September 8, 2018, as the curtain lifts for Tribute to the Trio R D Burman, Kishore Kumar and Rajesh Khanna at Dorothy Winstone Centre, Auckland Girls Grammar School.
