RD Burman’s singers besides the Big Four

Guest article by Dr Rajesh Deshpande, bringing the curtain down on the series of tributes to RD Burman with his songs for ‘other’ singers

(Dr Deshpande had a big role in anchoring the series of tributes to RD Burman. We have seen in his articles a comprehensive coverage of the theme. That is evident in the concluding article too. In spite of the constraints of total number of songs, Dr Deshpande has been able to cover about 20 singers, and made a passing reference to above half a dozen more singers. Covering over 25 singers in the concluding article is no mean achievement.

I must acknowledge that for some old-timers it was becoming too much of a good thing. Therefore, though Dr Deshpande could have done a couple of more articles, we discussed that let this be the last one. I must thank Dr Deshpande for another excellent article.

Dr Deshpande is a pathologist with blood transfusion as his speciality. He is currently in-charge of Medical Affairs for Asia Pacific and International Region in Fresenius Kabi, a healthcare MNC. Dr Deshpande is based out of Mumbai. – AK)

The musical journey of RD Burman is being celebrated this year on SoY. I am thankful to AKji for giving me an opportunity to pen a few articles on the maverick composer. Today, in my fourth and possibly, the last article in this series, let us discuss the “other” singers that sang for him. So, whom do we consider as his “other” singers? Certainly, all those who sang for him, besides the Big Four – Mohamad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar!

Kishore Kumar was his favourite and preferred male singer from the 1970 onwards, singing over 550 songs for him. And Asha Bhosle, his dominant female singer, lending her voice to about 840 songs. Elder sister Lata comes second with 360+ songs, RDB’s singer of choice for his special compositions. Rafi was the sole male singer in his first film as a composer and as well as of his first super hit score Teesri Manzil. Had the singing legend survived longer, we would have heard more from the Rafi-RDB combo. Yet, the fact remains that Rafi was his third most prolific singer with around 120 songs.

RDB songs for these four legends have been covered in various previous posts.

Let’s review his songs sung by other singers in this article.

RDB appears to have utilized other singers to a limited extent – mainly for songs requiring multiple singers or meriting a different voice or when he had no option, like the non-availability of his chosen singers. Apart from the Big Four and himself, he used 91 male and 67 female singers.

He has, however, used a wide range of singers with different styles, range and calibre. Besides the regular singers and child singers, he gave an opportunity to many actors, actresses, lyricists etc. to sing full-fledged songs or mouth/speak few lines. Members of his musical team also became his singers.

There are many popular and memorable songs by these singers which merit a mention and recognition, however, it’s not possible to cover all singers and songs. Given the constraints of the post and blog, only a select few are mentioned here. Readers may add missing singers and songs of their choice.

Let’s begin with the male singers:

Manna Dey:

RDB chose Manna Dey for two songs in his second film Bhoot Bangla (1965). Of these, Aao twist karein, is more known and popular. I also like the second one – Pyar karta ja, which I am posting here. Both are distinct in style from each other.

1. Pyar karta ja dil kehta hai – Manna Dey, Film: Bhoot Bangla (1965) Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc2EAR3W4xU&list=RDhc2EAR3W4xU&start_radio=1

RDB’s second successful movie Padosan (1968) had Manna Dey in full form, giving playback to Mehmood. He sang two songs showcasing his versatility, one being the classic jugalbandi song Ek chatur naar with KK and Mehmood. This is the other one, which comes in the film earlier. Essentially, a solo with a line or two by Mehmood. Manna Dey’s association with RDB includes two evergreen duets – Chunari sambhal gori from Baharon Ke Sapne (1967) and Ye dosti hum nahin todenge from Sholay (1975)

2. Aao aao suni re sajariya sanwariya – Manna Dey, Film: Padosan (1968) Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePHAnHuSOxg&list=RDePHAnHuSOxg

Mukesh:

RDB gave 19 songs to Mukesh, of which 9 were solos. Their first collaboration together was a nice Lata-Mukesh duet Pyar ka fasana in RDB’s third film Teesra Kaun (1965). One of my favourite Mukesh-RDB songs is from Kati Patang. Jis gali mein tera ghar is a classic song which created its own place despite the three most popular KK solos. Another favourite is Ek din bik jayega from Dharam Karam (1975).

3. Jis gali mein tera ghar – Mukesh, film: Kati Patang (1970) Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCbErvTrZJg&list=RDcCbErvTrZJg

Bhupinder Singh:

Bhupinder Singh was an integral part of RDB’s musical team for many years, best known for playing the guitar. His first song for RDB as a singer was in an all-male song in Abhilasha (1968), Yaaro! Hamara kya, chal de jidhar chaahein. His big success as a singer came with Parichay (1972). His duet with Lata, Beeti na bitayi raina is an eternal classic. Posting here his second song from the film, a soulful solo.

4. Mitwa bole meethe bain – Bhupinder Singh, Film: Parichay (1972) Lyrics: Gulzar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-2Td47Ievw&list=RDj-2Td47Ievw

Post-Parichay, Bhupinder sang about 39 songs for RDB. His songs in Kinara (1977) are memorable, especially Naam gum jayega has achieved a cult status over the years.

5. Naam gum jayega – Lata Mangeshkar & Bhupinder Singh, Film: Kinara (1977) Lyrics: Gulzar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hziy9jXQ8VQ&list=RDHziy9jXQ8VQ

Mahendra Kapoor:

RDB used Mahendra Kapoor for about 14 songs, but none of them scaled the popularity charts. He used MK’s voice for Dilip Kumar in Shakti, Mazdoor and Duniya. I like this song from Shakti.

6. Maangi thi ek dua jo kabool ho gayi – Mahendra Kapoor, Film: Shakti (1982) Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqoRMeWTFf0&list=RDeqoRMeWTFf0

Amit Kumar:

Amit Kumar has been like an RD Burman protégé. Like his father, Amit shared a close bond to the composer and sang about 150 songs for him, second most by a male singer after KK. He became RDB’s preferred singer after his father’s demise. Even today, Amit is more known for this beautiful RDB composition Bade achhe lagte hain, his first successful song.

7. Bade achhe lagte hain – Amit Kumar (with RD Burman), Film: Balika Badhu (1977) Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lplaAZBWiqY&list=RDlplaAZBWiqY

Love Story (1981) was their most successful collaboration with Amit Kumar becoming the voice of debutant Kumar Gaurav. Amit continued to sing for the actor for few more films, but his later films failed and Kumar Gaurav’s career tapered off. More than Love Story, I like their songs from Teri Kasam (1982) and Romance (1983). Ye zameen ga rahi hai is an all-time favourite.

8. Ye zameen ga rahi hai – Amit Kumar, Film: Teri Kasam (1982) Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91QI3Ce-pv4&list=RD91QI3Ce-pv4

Shailendra Singh:

Shailendra Singh sang for RDB for first time in Zahreela Insan (1974). He got two songs though the most popular song O hansini went to KK. He sang about 57 songs under RDB, continuing right upto Gurudev (1993), mostly as Rishi Kapoor’s voice. Some of his popular songs include Hoga tumse pyara kaun from Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981), Jaane do na from Saagar (1985) and Mamaiya kero kero mama from Arjun (1985). Here’s their first hit song, picturized on a very young Rishi Kapoor

9. Humne tumko dekha – Shailendra Singh Film: Khel Khel Mein (1975) Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXt0VagrdJg&list=RDKXt0VagrdJg

Suresh Wadkar:

Suresh Wadkar started singing for RDB in the 80s. Though their association of 58 songs gave us many melodious songs, many of the films did not do well and the songs failed to become popular.  Huzoor is kadar bhi from Masoom (1982), Dekho ye kaun aaya from Saveray Wali Gaadi (1985) and Tumse milke aisa laga from Parinda (1989) are some of his nice and popular duets. One of my favourites is his song from Sunny (1984), with a twin version by Asha

10. Aur kya ahde wafa hote hain – Suresh Wadkar Film: Sunny (1984) Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3CpXhSopUw&list=RDM3CpXhSopUw

Sapan Chakraborty:

Sapan Chakraborty came into prominence as an assistant MD to RD Burman and was considered to be very close to the composer. He was a music arranger, singer and also an independent composer. It is said that his interference and behaviour adversely affected RDB’s career and also created discord in his musical team. Sapan sang about 24 songs under RDB, being part of some popular songs from Golmaal, Satte Pe Satta, Naram Garam, Khubsoorat etc. He also sang a version of Preetam aan milo for ANgoor (1981). Here’s another nice solo by him for Kitaab (1977)

11. Mere saath chale na saaya – Sapan Chakraborty, Film: Kitaab (1977) Lyrics: Gulzar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CDa81kalzM&list=RD3CDa81kalzM

S P Balasubramaniam:

SPB sang about 44 songs including both Hindi and Regional (South). All his 3 songs from Saagar (1985) became well-known and are still poular – O Maria (with Asha Bhosle) and Yun hi gaate raho (with KK) are fun-filled enjoyable duets while Sach mere yaar hai is an excellent soulful number. Hum na samjhe the from Gardish (1993) is another poignant song by the combo.

12. Sach mere yaar hai – S P Balasubramaniam, Film: Saagar (1985) Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqfXqUcQG1E&list=RDBqfXqUcQG1E

Kumar Sanu:

The 90s top singers, Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan and Abhijeet, first sang for RDB in the early 80s when they were trying to establish themselves. Abhijeet debuted under him as a singer in Anand Aur Anand (1984) while Udit Narayan sang one version of Jeevan ke din chhote sahi from Bade Dilwala (1983). Kumar Sanu sang a song in Yeh Desh (1984) as Sanu Bhattacharya. But his collaboration with RDB has become memorable due to the brilliant music of 1942 A Love Story (1994). Ek ladki ko dekha is an eternal classic romantic song, though I also like Rooth na jana tumse

13. Ek ladki ko dekha to aisa laga – Kumar Sanu. Film: 1942 A Love Story (1994) Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTauOK8J-U8&list=RDfTauOK8J-U8

Anup Ghoshal:

Often some singers sing only one song for a music director and the song becomes a memorable one. Narendra Chanchal sang the popular Main benaam ho gaya in the film Benaam (1974), his only song for RDB. Similarly, Anup Ghoshal sang Tujhse naraaz nahin zindagi for Masoom (1982) his only song for RDB, with a twin version by Lata. This is one of my top favourites and I feel his version is way ahead of the female version.

14. Tujhse naraaz nahin zindagi – Anup Ghoshal Film: Masoom (1982) Lyrics: Gulzar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ_YUOr-tYw&list=RDLZ_YUOr-tYw

Amitabh Bachchan:

And to end the list of male singers is a song sung by Big B. Amitabh Bachchan sang two full-fledged songs under RDB’s baton. One was Jidhar dekhoon teri tasveer from Mahaan (1983) while the other one from Pukar (1983) is the more enjoyable and popular one. He has also spoken a few lines in Do lafzon ki hai from The Great Gambler (1979).

15. Tu maike mat jaiyo – Amitabh Bachchan, RD Burman Film: Pukar (1983) Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R2xjf5AHTQ&list=RD5R2xjf5AHTQ

Like Amitabh, there have been many actors who have sung either full-fledged songs or recited spoken a few lines as part of the song, – Ashok Kumar, Danny Denzongpa, Mehmood, Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna, Shatrughan Sinha, Prem Chopra etc. His father SD Burman sang Doli main bithai ke for Amar Prem (1971), though it is said that the song was composed by SD himself. Legendary composer-singer Hemant Kumar was part of two songs. Among the Rafi clones, Muhammad Aziz sang about 26 songs for him, while he utilized Shabbir Kumar to sing for Sunny Deol in the latter’s launch pad Betaab (1983), but overall gave him only 8 songs. Koi pardesi aaya pardes mein from Hum Hain Lajawab (1984) by Anwar enjoyed brief popularity. Renowned classical singer Pt. Vasantrao Deshpande sang one duet for him in Rang Birangi (1983) with Faiyaz – Mriganayani chandramukhi

And now the female singers:

The other female singers sang around 285 songs as against 1200+ songs by the Mangeshkar sisters.

Shamshad Begum:

Shamshad Begum sang one duet for his first film Chhote Nawab (1961) with Rafi, while the rest of the songs were sung by Lata. Later on, she sang another duet, a parody song with Mahendra Kapoor for Raaton Ka Raja (1970).

16. Yak bayak rang e mahfil…koi aane ko hai – Shamshad Begum, Mohammad. Rafi Film: Chhote Nawab (1961) Lyrics: Shailendra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsZXH6pJMFA&list=RDJsZXH6pJMFA

Usha Uthup:

Usha Uthup (Iyer) was originally supposed to sing Dum maaro dum with Lata for Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), however, it was changed to a solo by Asha. She still got to sing another duet with Asha for the film, her only duet for RDB. The remaining 20 songs are solos. Some notable songs include Doston se pyar kiya from Shaan (1980), and the English songs – Listen to the pouring rain from Bombay to Goa (1972), Pain is a many splendoured thing from Dard Ka Rishta (1982).  Her most popular song with RDB is this foot-tapping enjoyable number from Shalimar (1978).

17. One two cha cha cha – Usha Uthup, Film: Shalimar (1978) Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxL6Du2wv-Y&list=RDzxL6Du2wv-Y

Aarti Mukherjee:

Aarti Mukherjee sang 6 songs for RDB. Her best remembered song is the one from Masoom (1982), a beautifully sung emotional number, which won the well-deserved Filmfare award.

18. Do naina aur ek kahani – Aarti Mukherjee, Film: Masoom (1982) Lyrics: Gulzar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1NtFQHEZhQ&list=RDT1NtFQHEZhQ

Anuradha Paudwal:

He gave 22 songs to Anuradha Paudwal in the 80s and early 90s but the songs did not become popular. This song from Namumkin (1988) is a twin song, with KK singing the male version. I like Anuradha’s soulful rendition.

19. Aye zindagi hui kahan bhool – Anuradha Paudwal, Film: Namumkin (1988) Lyrics: Anjaan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEzlvX1Sw80&list=RDOEzlvX1Sw80

Rekha:

Many actresses like Hema Malini, Rekha, Simi, Parveen Babi, Nanda etc. were part of his songs. Rekha was heard in 2 songs from Khubsoorat (1980), She has done a reasonably good job in this duet

20. Kayda todke socho ek din – Rekha & Sapan Chakraborty, Film: Khubsoorat (1980) Lyrics: Gulzar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYfgmEEua_o&list=RDAYfgmEEua_o

Kavita Krishnamurthy:

Interestingly, Kavita Krishnamurthy is the third most prolific female singer for RDB, with 35 songs. She began singing for him in the early 80s and continued till the end

I like her song with Hariharan and Vanita Mishra – Hai mubarak aaj ka din from Boxer (1983).

Kavita managed to sing some beautiful numbers for his last musical masterpiece. This solo from 1942 A Love Story (1994) is excellent

21. Pyar hua chupke se – Kavita Krishnamurthy, Film: 1942 A Love Story (1994) Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf0UnjkeH8g&list=RDSf0UnjkeH8g

Sushma Shreshtha:

RDB used many female child singers, who sang for both boys and girls in the film. Lakdi ki kathi from Masoom (1982) by Gurpreet Kaur (Preeti Uttam), Vanita Mishra and Gauri Bapat is one of his most popular and lovable children’s songs, followed by Masterji ki aayi chitthi from Kitaab (1977) by the Kolhapure sisters – Padmini and Shivangi. The most prolific child singer was Sushma Shrestha, who is remembered for the iconic Kya hua tera wada from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977). Overall, she sang 14 songs for RDB including this duet where she sings as a grown-up for Kiran Vairale, joined by Shatrughan Sinha.

22. Ek baat suni hai chachaji – Sushma Shreshtha & Shatrughan Sinha, Film: Naram Garam (1981) Lyrics: Gulzar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvLY7Xjdc30&list=RDcvLY7Xjdc30

Suman Kalyanpur sang two songs for him in the 60s, Meri saheliyan byahi gayi saari (solo from Teesra Kaun) and Suno ji tum to bade wo (a duet with KK from Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi).

Usha Mangeshkar sang about 17 songs, which included duets and trios, but no solos. Most of her songs had got posted in the comments section of my first RDB article.

RDB gave a solo song to vintage era singer Rajkumari in her later years – Hari din to beeta for Kitaab (1977).

Parveen Sultana’s unique rendition of Humein tumse pyar kitna in Kudrat (1981), a total contrast to the romantic version by KK, is still remembered.

90s leading female singers Alka Yagnik and Sadhana Sargam also sang few songs for him, but none of them were outstanding.

References:
1. Pancham: An Anthology of R. D. Burman’s Musical Works by Vishwas Nerurkar
2. R.D. Burman: The Man The Music by Anirudha Bhattacharjee and Balaji Vittal