It is said that if son gets more success than father, the father is always proud of him. Rahul Dev Burman learnt music and worked under his father S. D. Burman and created his own style and image. S. D. was successful to maintain the quality and melody of his music till last day. R. D. worked best in the initial period but with time, number of movies in his hand increased and quality of music decreased. 

When R. D. came in the industry, old people had been on back foot. C. Ramchandra could create magic only during 1950 to 60. Anil Biswas, Khayyam and other renowned music directors had very less engagements. S. D. was getting much work. He was selective and successful. R.D. got an independent project with film ‘Chhote Nawab’ featuring Mahmood and Amita. Producer M. Mumtaz gave break to son of S.D.

Director of movie ‘Teesari Manzil’, Vijay Anand, suggested name of R.D. for music. Producer Nasir Hussain put a condition to make compositions based on western music. R.D. worked accordingly. We can remember the sound of hammer on glass in beginning of song ‘O Hasina Zulfonwali Jaane Jahaan‘ picturized on Shammi Kapoor and Helan. R.D. started showing difference in his music.  

Rafi – Asha sang ‘Aaja Aaja Mai Hu Pyaar Tera‘ with best style and it became too much popular. ‘Teesari Manzil’ was a suspense, musical, action story and it earned great success with music by R.D. Voice of Rafi was appropriate for Shammi Kapoor and songs like ‘Deewana Mujhsa Nahi‘ and ‘O Mere Sona re‘ created historical success.

All songs of ‘Teesari Manzil’ were fast however songs of ‘Bahaaro Ke Sapne’ produced by Nasir Hussain himself were slow. The song ‘Aaja Piya Tohe Pyar Doon’ by Lata and stylish song ‘Chunari Sambhal Gori Udi Chale Jaaye re‘ by Manna Dey were very popular. So, in 1967 R.D. was given two movies to work on independently.  

Shailendra wrote songs for ‘Chhote Nawab’. As it was a Muslim social film, there was much scope for group songs. ‘Chura Ke Dil Ban Rahe Hai Bhole‘ by Lata was accepted in chorus. R.D. came in limelight due to ‘Chhote Nawab’ and this movie was quite successful. Then ‘Bhoot Bangla’ was successful. However, ‘Teesara Kaun’ with Feroz Khan and Kalpna was failed. 

It was very important to sustain in industry against competition with Lakshmikant Pyarelal, Shankar Jaikishan, Kalyanji Anandji, Roshan; but R.D. was on right track. When during 1960 to 70 Shammi Kapoor was in his full form, R. D. was waiting to give music to any of his films and Nasir Hussain gave the opportunity in the form of ‘Teesari Manzil’, the suspense movie. In 1966 Nasir Hussain was at speed with film production and he had appointed Vijay Anand as director of ‘Teesari Manzil’. This movie was different in reference to music also.

‘Chandan Ka Palana’ was the second movie of R. D. in that year. It was a family movie. R. D. had recorded ‘Sharabi Sharabi Mera Naam Ho Gaya Mera Naam Kaahe Ko Badnam Ho Gaya‘ for Meena Kumari on screen in the voice of Lata but with the style of Asha.

Then ‘Waadiyan Mera Daman, Rasate Meri Baahe Jaao Mere Siva Tum Kaha Jaaoge‘ in ‘Abhilasha’ was double blast as it was also in the voice of Rafi. This song shows the skilled and unparalleled ups and downs in the voices of Lata and Rafi.  

The movie ‘Padosan’ created history in industry while featuring Kishore Kumar, Mehmood, Sunil Dutta and Saira Bano. The role of South Indian music teacher played by Mehmood is unforgettable. The song ‘Mere Saamane Wali Khidki Me Ek Chand Ka Tukda Rahata Hai‘ had created sensation in college youth. The Jugalbandi of Kishore Kumar and Mehmood, ‘Ek Chatur Naar, Badi Hoshiyar’ became too much famous. ‘Padosan’ was a musical hit.

Marathi movie, ‘Patali Re Patali’ is based on this. From 1969 it was the golden period for Kishore Kumar. Father of R. D. namely S. D. Burman has once again created the feel of melody by his movie ‘Aaradhana’. Kishore became famous all over with ‘Aaradhana’ and Rafi Mukesh went on back foot. As voice of Kishore Kumar was fit for Rajesh Khanna, new heroes started asking for Kishore for their songs. Rafi, Mukesh, Manna Dey, Mahendra Kapoor were losing the race. Some music directors used to call Rafi for some songs using their rights.

In 1969, ‘Aaradhana’ was released and it was a big hit, at the same time ‘Pyar Ka Mausam’ by Nasir Hussain was released with music by R. D. As Sachin da used the voice of Lata with all varieties skillfully, R. D. also did the same.  

Songs of ‘Pyar Ka Mausam’ became popular. (1) Aap Se Miliye Pyar Tha Inako (2) Aap Chahe Muzko Aarzoo Hai Kis Ki (3) Mai Na Milungi Nazar Hataao (4) Na Ja Na Ja O Mere Hamdam (5) Yah Jindagi Hamari Kya Jindagi Hai; these all 5 songs by Lata became famous. ‘Ni Sultana Re Pyar Ka Mausam Aaya’ was the very popular duet song by Lata – Rafi. ‘Tum Bin Jaau Kahaa‘ by Rafi and Kishore recorded independently was tremendous popular. Movie featuring Shashi Kapoor, Asha Parekh did not get much success but songs by R. D. were successful.

After 1968, Jitendra came who was able to dance like Shammi Kapoor. His first bond like movie Farz crossed all income records. Hema Malini was seen in ‘Sapano Ka Saudagar’. Jitendra Hema Malini pair was featured in movie Waris by Madrasi film production Wasu Films. Hema looked very beautiful. Jitendra was very handsome. Nitu sing was the child artist. The song by Lata, ‘Dil Ki Lagi Ko Chhupau Kaise, Shola Jo Bhadke Dabau Kaise’ picturized on Hema to play with Jitendra, Prem Chopra and Mehmood was happening one. ‘Waris’ was hit musical family love story. The songs ‘Lahara Ke Aaya Hai Mausam Bahar Ka‘ and ‘Kabhi Kabhi Aisa Bhi Hota Hai Zindagi Me‘ by Lata – Rafi were very popular.

Teesari Manzil, Baharo Ke Sapane, Padosan, Pyar Ka Mausam, Waris were successful for R. D. and he settled down as an independent music director.

After 1970 R. D. became too much busy. He received all the success with his films Kati Patang, The Train, Amar Prem, Kaarwa, Mela, Paraya Dhan, Pyar Ki Kahani, Sanjog, Hulchul etc. R. D. had started using versatile and stylish voice of Asha Bhosle in his songs.

The song by Asha, ‘Mera Naam Hai Shabnam, Pyar Se Log Muze Shabbo Kahate Hai’ picturized on Bindu was innovative. All the songs of Kaarwa became hit. However, Monika O My darling and Piya Tu Ab to Aa Ja staring with voice of R. D. are still superhit. Career of R. D. was accelerated at the time of Kaarwa.

Dev Anand always wanted S.D. for his movies, but for Hare Ram Hare Krishna he called R. D. The song Dam Maro Dam, Mit Jaye Gam was on the top of Binaca Geetmala and uniqueness in music by R. D. was coming in limelight.

In 1971 total 12 movies were released with music by R. D. with much variety. In 1972 the number was 20, but quality started decreasing. Only Mere Jivan Sathi, Jawani Diwani, Parichay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Apna Desh and Bombay to Goa were hit.    

To avoid monotonous nature, S. D. advised him to make changes and revise work. But R. D. could not do that. After 1970 Hindi film music came under black shadow. He could have accepted selective movies like his father, but the situation was not in his control.

Number of films was increasing with decreasing quality of music. R. D. who once gave music to melodious song Raina Biti Jaaye, Sham Na Aaye in voice of Lata was now helpless. He was getting work of around 20 movies in a year but the songs that can be appreciated by people were very less. After 1973, R. D. was good till Anamika, Namak Haram, Yado Ki Barat, Aap Ki Kasam, Aandhi, Sholey, Mehbooba.

R. D. changed his music when he met Gulzar. In Parichay, Kinara, Khushboo, Ghar, Aandhi, Kitab, Ijazat Gulzar gave very soft emotional songs. The song, ‘Mera Kuchh Saman Tumhare Paas Pada Hai’ from Ijazat received National Award.

R. D. Burman used voice of Lata very nicely in (1) Na Koi Umang Hai – Kati Patang, (2) Kis Liye Maine Pyar Kiya – The Train (3) Raina Biti Jaaye – Amar Prem (4) Chanda O Chanda – Laakho Me Ek (5) Kya Soch Raha Hai – Mela (6) Baaho Me Chale Aao – (Anamika) (7) Bangale Ke Niche (Samadhi) and so on. Asha who came out of group of O. P. Nayyar got settled with R. D. and her voice flourished in his company.  

R. D. Burman died of a heart attack. Before his death quality of his music was decreased but how we can forget his best creations? He has given immortal songs like Raina Biti Jaaye (Amar Prem) and all the songs in Aandhi were best.

Before his death his movie 1942 A Love Story was a great popular hit. It was successful due to music by R. D. The songs in voice of Lata and Kavita Krishnamurthy are still remembered.

It feels like R. D. would have left this world by saying, ‘Musafir Hu Yaaro, Na Ghar Hai Na Thikana, Muze Chalate Jaana Hai, Bas Chalate Jaana.’