S D Burman enjoyed a productive partnership with Dev Anand's production house Navketan for two decades, but their collaboration reached its apogee with Guide.
Nalini Gopalan sings Jete Dao Amay Deko Na... It was originally sung by Asha Bhosle in the album Sera Pujor Gaan, composed by Rahul Dev Burman.
S D Burman is that unique composer who remained successful right up to his death with his creative engines never running on empty.
Can anyone forget S D Burman's classic songs in Devdas, Sujata and Bandini?
Asha Bhosle has given us eight decades of songs to remember her by. She made many public appearances in India and abroad, taking music forward and showing audiences a side to her that they had never seen before. Here's a look at The Legend through the years from our archives.
Words can barely capture the depth and beauty of Asha Bhosle's voice, at once ethereal and ineffable. Her demise has created a void but the songs she sang will never die.
The voice of one of India's greatest playback singers may have fallen silent, but her music is anything but gone. It lives on in the airwaves, in our memories, in moments we return to without even realising.
'When you reach a good point in your life, you should never forget the struggle that got you there. I haven't. That is why I have not become swollen-headed.'
From sultry cabaret numbers to soul-stirring ghazals, Asha Bhosle crafted a sonic universe where boldness met beauty and mischief mingled with melancholy. Her voice didn't just soundtrack cinema, it liberated expression, challenged norms and gave generations permission to feel, flirt, ache and celebrate without restraint. Sukanya Verma salutes the legend.
It is impossible to discuss Asha Bhosle without mentioning the word 'versatility', notes Dinesh Raheja.
Much, much, much before Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani fussed over What Jhumka, Asha Bhosle trilled in her alluring voice and teased us with tantalising details about the events leading to her precious Jhumka's loss.
'She was the last of the diggaj kalakaars after Lataji, Kishoreda, Rafi saab and Mannada and with her demise, the golden era of Hindi film music has truly ended.'
None of R D Burman's collaborations was as rewarding and resplendent as with Gulzar, who turns 89 today, August 18, 2023, says Subhash K Jha.
Subhash K Jha doffs his hat to the musical genius R D Burman on his 30th death anniversary on January 4.
'Somewhere our society's collective morality is lost. There's a kind of moral confusion in our society which reflects in our films.' 'Filmmakers are hiding behind romance, ghost stories, murder mysteries and sex. No film is looking at social issues.'
'She is the gorgeous Lata, the love of my life.'
The song that best encapsulates Geeta Dutt's unfairly abbreviated life would probably be: Yaad Karoge, Yaad Karoge, Ek Din Humko Yaad Karoge. On her 95th birth anniversary on November 23, Dinesh Raheja pieces together the life of this talented singer.
Rahul Dev Burman's collaboration with Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar was unique, but he saved his best for Lata Mangeshkar.
Pancham, like his father, was besotted by Lata Mangeshkar's voice and his career's finest songs were reserved only for her.
'Everybody was scared, especially with Rajesh Khanna playing a double role and playing my lover and my son.' 'It was quite a risky thing to do. That's why they made me look so old.'
'Mr & Mrs 55 was breezy, romantic and so Hollywood.'
Gems you can enjoy from the time he was at his handsome and magnetic best.
'When Aamir Khan was being launched in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Director Mansoor Khan needed a young vibrant youth anthem, a song that described the uncertain adventures of the young, as they stepped into the real world.'
On the iconic musician's 19th death anniversary, Sukanya Verma shares her 30 favourite RD compositions.
'At a time when there was little awareness of world music, playing western tunes on eastern instruments like the flute and the dholak, blending vocal polyphony with Indian folk and contemporary styles, Salilkaku created a new musical genre in Bengal called Gana Sangeet.'
'Bappi Lahiri was looking for a break so he and his father would meet me.' 'I told Director Bhisham Kohli about this promising young boy from Kolkata, and Bappi came over with his harmonium.' 'Bappi played this composition and Bhisham liked it immediately.' 'As we were discussing, I said I would give the words, and that's how I wrote this song.'
It's the most romantic day of the year, and the best time to hum romantic songs!
As India mourns Lata Mangeshkar's passing, Namrata Thakker takes a look at the Legend's life through these amazing pictures.
'As soon as the plane touched down and we emerged, barricades came down and his fans rushed towards us.' 'Then, before my astonished eyes, they had lifted him up and he was being passed along over the heads of people.' 'It was an incredible sight!'
In these pandemic stricken, music bereft times, what can be more joyous than a playlist of golden melodies?
'His son had become a composer after all, and one now chased by producers. But while finding peace in one quarter, he had lost it in another. Jet was not a home any more. The room across his was empty, there were no sounds floating through the door.' The world, in the eyes of the Burmans.
'Pancham told me once, "It's very difficult to be taken seriously when there are stalwarts like Shankar-Jaikishan, S D Burman, Madan Mohan and Naushad... How do I make my mark?"' Amit Kumar salutes R D Burman on his 30th death anniversary on January 4.
Re-watching 1967's Jewel Thief evokes the joy of cinema, with its perfect blend of thrill, suspense, romance and music. A film like that can never be remade or be tampered with in any way, observes Deepa Gahlot.
If Kishore Kumar were alive today, he would have turned 90 on August 4.
Guru Dutt took an overdose of pills twice, once even swallowing opium, calling out for Geeta Dutt even when he was not fully conscious. One suicide attempt, according to sister Lalita Lajmi, was definitely deliberate with Guru Dutt leaving a letter for brother Atma Ram asking him to take care of the production company, his wife and the kids. But she always wondered if the third attempt was actually suicide since there were no calls and no letters.
Sukanya Verma remembers the Boss in 30 of his underrated, overlooked gems in Hindi film music.
Sourabhee crooned her way to win the finals defeating Kapil Thapa of Dehradun and Torsha Sarkar of West Bengal to realise the Indian Idol dream of north-eastern India in the land of legendary Sachin Dev Burman and his son Rahul Dev Burman.
Rememembering the lack of funds when making Meera, Gulzarsaab said, "I asked her to work in the film without taking any money and she said this is a film which she would like to watch with her children and their children."
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