I have been a avid fan of Pancham's music for many years and like many other RD fans, know a lot his songs by heart. But recently I came upon a RD composition, that I had not heard before only because it is not from any movie and it somehow never got it's due.
This tune RD originally composed for a Bengali song, used it as a theme tune for movie 'Sagar'.
The original Bengali song is an absolute treat, and even though I don't understand the language, the brilliance of this composition took my breath away. The arrangement of the instruments, where synthesizer starts the music with chords, saxophone joins in crooning longingly and the Guitar kicks in to build the bridge from low notes to the highest where Pancham's voice picks up the song. The delivery of his words vibrates with such high emotions, you can hear the words as if floating on the waves. Just amazing... Asha's voice synchs in to compliment his, as antara and you'll identify the tune from Sagar. The language is no barrier when it comes to appreciate good music.
Original Bengali song: Tumi koto Je Dure
Anuradha Paudwal had requested RD to compose for music album titles 'Aaja Meri Jaan'. There were some 8 songs composed for this album and RD used the same composition for the title track of this album.
SP Balasubramanyam, loved the original Bengali song and copied it in Tamil. When RD wanted to record this song for the Aaja Meri Jaan album, he call SPB to sing it. On recording when SPB realized that the song does not have a beat in the starting and the lyrics start with guitar chords as queue, he thought it was difficult to catch the beginning beat (the drums or beat doesn't start in the song till after the actual lyrics start) . RD replied ," Bloody fellow! that why I called you . you can do it." The song in hindi is also very nice to hear and SPB did a great job with it.
Hindi Song By SPB: Aaja Meri Jaan
The music company scrapped this album, but used one of the songs from album as title track for the movie by same name. (Aaja Meri jaan , starring Kishan Kumar). The other songs in the movie were done by Amar-Utpal and the credit for music went to the duo. RD who had seen high with his hits could not come to terms with such humiliation at the hands of industry in his later life.
Come again to read more about the songs that have been forgotten and lost...with Bhule Bisare Geet.
Very nice article.. The original Bengali song is amazing.. I don't understand Bengali that much myself.. But you can't escape the passion in the music.. It shows RD's music genius...
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful description - it is amazing...with the millions of songs out there, each song has taken it efforts, has its history or an anecdote that makes it special, whether the song was famous or not. Almost like every song has something that lead to its birth - its becoming...
ReplyDeleteStill remember the drive in California, when you told me the history of the Roja song... To this date, whenever I hear the song, i wait to hear the breaking glasses.
Hey, why don't you compile all this history into a book - i am sure, it will be a great seller...
...Humming until your next post
Great find Rekha ! I still remember the picturization in 'Sagar' when this tune was playing in the background...the tune was amazing which plays in the beginning of 'Chehara hai ya chaand khila'..Loved the bengali song too...
ReplyDeleteYou've got a good handle in writing...keep up w/it...and keep posting about good songs...
cheers, Sandhya
Cool. Nice work, must have taken lots of effort to gather this interesting info.
ReplyDelete-Prashant
Hey Rekha , nice article . Shows not only yoyr avid interest in RD but your knowledge about music as well . The minute details you have described truly reflect your passion. Look foeward for more articles and classic pieces of music to treat my ears .
ReplyDelete