A soiree to toast a Bollywood legend

He is the most loved film score composer of the golden era of Bollywood and hence it was unimaginablethat the music industry would forget to pay him rich tributes on his 75th birth anniversary.

You guessed right! It is none other than the inimitable Pancham Da, the composer of the biggest sensational hits that still continue to top the charts. RD Burman was named Pancham by his father S D Burman because according to him Pancham, as a child used to wail in ‘five different notes of his voice’.

The musical evening which was held at Delhi’s Talkatora Indoor Stadium, saw an impressive line-up of some of the big names of the Bollywood music industry performing to pay tribute to Pancham Da. The show organised by the PHD Chambers of Commerce also honoured the best from the media and TV for their exemplary work in the field.

The performers at the star-studded night not only included the modern day singers rendering the popular peppy numbers composed by the legend, but also some of the singers of the golden era for whom the RD Burman had composed songs. From Mohd. Aziz to Mehak Malhotra, the galaxy of stars included Vinod Rathore, Harshdeep Kaur, Hema Sardesai, Babul Supriyo and Mamta Sharma among many others.

“It has been 20 years since our favourite and beloved Pancham Da passed away, but the industry still believes that till the time this industry has music, he will have that special place in all our hearts,” says Mohd. Aziz, who has sung various chorales for Pancham Da.

Piya tu ab toh aa jaa, Gulabi aakhein jo teri dekhi and Musafir hoon yaron were among the many numbers which kept the stadium housefull throughout and saw audience hooting, whistling, humming along and waving their hands in the air.

It was not only RD Burman who stole the show but also some other industry veterans such as Shammi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna and Mohd. Rafi, on whose numbers the spectators danced and sang along. Harshdeep Kaur, Mamta Sharma and Hema Sardesai not only sang the numbers composed by Pancham Da, but also dedicated their personal favourites to the legend.

“Only seldom do you get a chance to rejoice at such amazingly organised shows. The experience is breathtaking, energising and peaceful at the same time,” says Pratima Singh who came all the way from Gurgaon to enjoy the golden era evening.