Remembering R D Burman on his 72nd birth anniversary

Music director R D Burman, one of the most beloved composers of Bollywood, would have turned 72 if he was alive on Monday. Burman died on January 4, 1994 at the age of 54.

Son of the legendary music director Sachin Dev Burman, Rahul was fondly referred to as Pancham and started his journey with Chhote Nawab (1961). After that, he brought a refreshing change with his extraordinary compositions like Raat kali (Buddha Mil Gaya), the sensual cabaret number Piya tu ab toh aaja (Caravan), the ultimate hippie anthem Dum maro dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna) and the classical Raina beeti jaaye (Amar Prem).

Pancham married Rita Patel in 1966 but divorced her in 1971. He then married singer Asha Bhosle in 1980. Together, they recorded many memorable tunes and staged many live performances. After his father died in 1975, he took care of his mother, who died in 2007.