Post by suwag11I finally got my hands on this book, and thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
The authors make it clear at the outset that this is not a biography of RD;
however, they seem to have taken a biographical approach (consciously or
unconsciously) to telling the story of RD's music. The best approach in my
view: the story unfolds for the reader, not as a march of abstractions and
technical discussions of RD's composition (which may have proven too
abstruse for me) but as a series of events in his life with the attendant
hopes, aspirations, disappointments, success, failure, and ultimately
tragedy. It is a gripping story, told extremely well.
The book has a kind of anecdotal (at times gossipy) feel to it. The picture
of RD that emerges from these sketches, recounted by his various associates,
is eminently believable. I never met RD in life, even though I lived in the
same city and was in my mid-twenties when he died. At the time of his death
I had been a die-hard fan for over a decade. I spent the most of the 1980s
searching for and collecting his film tracks, but it never occurred to me to
try and meet my idol. However, I used to collect every article about him or
interviews he gave. And from all the colelcted material I had formed an idea
of what he must have been as a person in my mind. The RD that comes forth
from 'R.D. Burman: the Man the Music' (I did not get the impression from
reading the book that either of the authors had met RD in life) is the same
I have 'constructed' in my mind over the years.
The authors are self-confessed admirers of RD's music, but not even once in
the book does the narrative descend to fawning schmaltz. Behind the
deceptively simple prose that sucks the reader in (my speed of reading
English is not great, but I finished the book within two days), are
operating cool analytical minds. Probably aware that the book is for the
likes of me who are not knowledgeable of the intricacies of music, the
authors seem to have taken care not to make the analyses too technical; yet
they have successfully conveyed that which is so special in many of RD's
songs. Not easy, this, explaining the leavening of RD's music via byte size
information for the consumption of hoi polloi.
I was particularly interested in reading about the 1980s, for no other
reason than that I became an RD fan in the 1980s. My love affair with RD's
music began with 'Love Story' and 'Rocky' ('Rocky' more than 'Love Story');
'Sanam Teri Kasam', 'Shakti', and 'Satte Pe Satta' confirmed (for me) that
he was head and shoulders ahead of his contemporaries; and by the time
'Masoom' was released in 1983, I had become a dyed-in-the-wool RD fan. I
genuinely love almost all of RD's tracks in the 1980s except a few that came
out towards the end of the decade. The authors have not only given a fairly
detailed account of the vicissitudes of RD's career in that decade (starting
as the head of the pack, losing his grip midway through, and ending it on a
career-threatening low, they have also vividly depicted the HFM scene of
those times. As one reads it, it's impossible not to rejoice with RD's
success, feel disappointed when his quality albums flop, and feel angry when
he is stabbed in the back. It's a gripping narration.True, the authors have
been a tad harsh on the score of 'Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai' (the film was
lousy, but the music was superb, IMO, and it was a big hit, at least in
Mumbai. Years later, Sandeep Chowtha reworked the Raf-Asha duet in one of
his films, citing the original as one of his favourites); true they could
have said a bit more on RD's underrated scores such as 'Amir Aadmi GAreeb
Aadmi', 'Bindiya Chamkegi' etc., but I guess, the problem here is: RD was a
very prolific composer (he actually scored for more films in the 1980s and
the 1970s) and it is impossible to do cover all of the albums, especially
the unsuccessful ones.
'RD Burman: the Man the Music' manages the twin feat of making RD's story
fascinating both to his fans as well as those who may not share an obsessive
fan's interest in his music. I was also pleased to see this group and some
its long-standing members getting a mention.
A few nitpickings: the book says at one point that the singer Hariharan
débuted under RD's baton in the film 'Boxer'. That can't be correct;
Hariharan sang for RD in 'Dard Ka Rishta' which came out a couple of years
earlier.
Javed Akhtar writes in the forewored that he and RD first worked together
for 'Saagar'. 'Saagar' was released in 1985. A year earlier was released a
film entitled 'Duniya' with RD's music and Javed's lyrics. Perhaps the work
on 'Saagar' started earlier.
Finally, in the photo section I noticed the absence of Sapan Chakravarti.
He does not feature even in the group photographs. While one can understand
his name not being mentioned in the dedication at the beginning (Basu,
MAnohari and Maruti Keer are mentioned) seeing as he and RD most probably
did not part on good terms, his absence in the photo-section is strange. I
hope it was an oversight. Sapan C, all said and done, was an important
member of RD's group for almost two decades, and, according to the book,
also scattered his ashes.
But these are quibbles. This is a superb book, a must read not just for RD
fans but also for lovers of HFM.
Ajay
Post by Anirudha BhattacharjeeIt is in Mumbai. All major stores. Or else try flipkart.
http://www.flipkart.com/burman-anirudha-bhattarcharjee-balaji-vittal-book-9350290491
Post by Anirudha Bhattacharjee________________________________
Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2011 1:33 AM
Subject: Re: [Pancham] R.D. burman, the man, the music
Â
Dear Anirudhji,
Where can i get this book. Please let me know. I stay in Mumbai.Is it
possible to get it here.
Post by Anirudha Bhattacharjeebineshpancham.
Subject: Re: [Pancham] R.D. burman, the man, the music
Date: Thursday, 12 May, 2011, 12:17 PM
Â
Dear Parvinder ji
Thank you so much for reading the book and the kind words. Now to clear
some confusion, -
Post by Anirudha Bhattacharjee<<1.    The music of âJoshilaâ has not been appreciated
calling it a let down as compared   to âAa gale lag jaâ. I think the
two songs âKiska
Post by Anirudha Bhattacharjeerasta dekheâ and âSharma na yoonâ were absolutely wonderful and two
Kishor â" Aasha- lata duets were also great. The movie bombed because of
half-hearted direction by Yash Chopra >>
- Please see I have clearly mentioned that it was thought as a let down
then, in 1973 / 74. The subsequent para talks about how this score has
resurfaced in the late 1980s and is considered a cult. I have also taken
this as an opportunity to talk about the songs in some detail
Post by Anirudha Bhattacharjee<<It has been written a few times in the book that such and such movie or
its music could become successful had its songs been sung by Kishor. Â I
donâtâ think Kishorâs voice could save a horrible movie from
meeting its fate, or Pancham could not give a great song without Kishor.>>
Post by Anirudha Bhattacharjee- But that was the magic of Kishore Kumar in those days. I cannot think
of Garam Masala , ZKDH or Manzil Manzil w/o Kishore Kumar.Â
Post by Anirudha BhattacharjeeRD, when using Kishore, took pains to make the tune complex and riveting
enough to plumb Kishore's potential to the best. For lesser singers, he
deliberately kept the compositions simple. All IMHO.
Post by Anirudha Bhattacharjee<<Though it is not possible to write above every movie, some lesser known
movies like âKaun Kaiseâ with great music have not been
Post by Anirudha Bhattacharjeenot mentioned.>>
- Correct. Also I have not mentioned films like Raaton ka raja,
Parchaaiyaan, even Nafrat or Madhosh. We were told to restrict the text to a
particular word limit, and in the process had to leave out many films. Many
of his off-beat stuff in the 1980s had to be left out primarily because the
1980s chapter talked more about heartbreaks and suffering.
Post by Anirudha Bhattacharjee________________________________
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 11:54 AM
Subject: Re: [Pancham] R.D. burman, the man, the music
Â
Just finished reading, âR.D. Burman, The Man, the Musicâ. I cried
while reading the death scenes in the beginning. The rest of the book is a
wonderful journey of Panchamâs Music. A am feeling as if I have  attended
many âSittingsâ, where gems were created and have went through the
 various phases of his life. The book deserves appreciation as it has been
undoubtly  written with passion and lot of research. Even then I have
somewhat different opinion in respect of some points:-
Post by Anirudha BhattacharjeeÂ
1.    The music of âJoshilaâ has not been appreciated calling
it a let down as compared   to âAa gale lag jaâ. I think the two songs
âKiska rasta dekheâ and âSharma na yoonâ were absolutely wonderful
and two Kishor â" Aasha- lata duets were also great. The movie bombed
because of half-hearted direction by Yash Chopra
Post by Anirudha Bhattacharjee2.    It has been written a few times in the book that such and such
movie or its music could become successful had its songs been sung by
Kishor. Â I donâtâ think Kishorâs voice could save a horrible movie
from meeting its fate, or Pancham could not give a great song without
Kishor.
Post by Anirudha BhattacharjeeÂ
             Though it is not possible to write above every
movie, some lesser known movies like âKaun Kaiseâ with great music have
not been not mentioned.
Post by Anirudha BhattacharjeeÂ
             No other MD has got so many flops in his
kitty. Even then Pancham has always been appreciated  for his music in
those movies. Every actor, director, music director goes through bad phase
in his/her life. So was the case with Pancham. We can safely say that the
person (or group) for whom the Pancham was favourite were not making good
(or successful) movies, whereas other MDs like L.P were getting noticed
because of some stupid hit movies like Amar Akbar Anthony with ordinary
music. Yes it can be said that Pancham deserves more than what he got.
Post by Anirudha Bhattacharjee   Â
         Letâs appreciate the spirit with which the book has
been written.
Post by Anirudha Bhattacharjee         Long live the âPanchamâ.  Â
   Â
Â
Â
                                                                 Â
Er. Parvinder singh
                                                                 Â
Dy. Director/PSEB
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