P.Surendranath 
RD Burman was a terrific singer too!! A genius gone waste for 28 years from 1975 to 1993.
1971, Kati Patang
Rajesh Khanna, Asha Parekh...Kishore, Anand Baxi,Rd Burman.
RD Burman was a superb singer too. In Sholay the song ‘Mehbooba Mehbooba’ he let the world know about his unusual singing prowess.
His biography says his downfall started from Sholay onwards, that is from 1975 onwards itself. That means he was preactically in music making buisness for 10 years only - that is from Teesri Manzil in 1965 to 1975’s Sholay. But his work in 10 years was immense; Bhoot Bangla, The Train, Caravan, Amar Prem, Kati Patang, Mere Jeewan Sathi, Aap Ki Kasam, Apna Desh etc.
From 1976 onwards, he underwent Gulzar’s charisma and they produced great films like Parichay, Khushboo, Kinara etc.He tried to come back through Shaan, Sanam Teri Kasam, Masoom etc in early 80s but didn’t succeed.
He would beg for work before producers in the whole of 1980s but no one would give him work as his type of music was not popular anymore.
He became a pauper. Asha Bhonsle, his companion also left his house due to his liquor oriented company with his friends like Gulshan Bawra. His last swan song was ‘1942 A Love Story’ - a block buster and highly melodious musical film which was released unfortunately only after his death.
His locker was broken open after his death. It carried just 5 rupees !! Source - Raju Bharathan’s biography of Asha Bhonsle.
This is the life, when you are famous and successful; everyone enjoys your money and fame but when lean times come; no one wants to share your loneliness and grief !!
He died as a penniless man. His first car BMC-1139 can still be seen parked at Maryland Apartments in Mumbai.
He and Rajesh Khanna created magic on the screen, unforgettable.It was RD only who made Rajesh Khanna a superstar through his highly melodious songs like this one.
1972, Apna Desh, Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz ...
RD Burman - Asha Bhonsle,
Anand Bakshi, D Burman.
RD started singing from this film.
RD was a great harmonica player from the beginning and he played it in the film ‘Dosti‘ for his dear friends Laxmikant, Pyarelal without charging single pie.
RD Burman also played it in ‘mere sapno ki rani kab aayegi tu’ song in Aaradhana film too.
He was too good as a whistle blower. It was he who did all whistling in ‘ye shaam mastani’ in Kati Patang and in many other songs. He could play many musical instruments, it was his immense interest in music.But his music will never fade away from our minds.What a music director !! RD was a versatile artiste !!
Salute to Pancham da !!
(Collection by Pappula Surendranath, High Court Advocate, Hyderabad)
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