R.D. Burman: The Man, The Music 1st Edition

I had bought this book casually from Family Book Shop on Park Street, Calcutta, for my daughter who likes to listen to Hindi film music. Personally I do not know much about hindi film music, and I also belong to the era when Sachin Deb Burman was hailed as the master musician. Next day, I was on a trip to Vizag, and had to take a train. In my handbag I found that this book was there, perhaps I had forgotten to give it to my daughter. Nevertheless, thinking of this book as my companion for the journey, I started reading the same. I am not a very fast reader, but I was surprised that the book was finished in 6 hours flat. This book made me go back in time, identify the Calcutta of Louis Banks and Pam Crain, the Calcutta of Ajit Singh, the 65 war.. so many memories. By the time I finished the book, I was a converted fan of R D Burman. The authors have made this book, which could have been a big bore with its technical jargon, a pleasure to read. It is fast paced, energetic, and almost shocking unbiased. I read biographies where people deify the protagonists. This book is an exception, where the authors never tread into overt sentimentalism, and provide a clean, sophisticated account of the man who is supposedly the most successful music composer of hindi cinema. As I said, I am no hindi music buff, but I shall surely go back in time and listen to the CDs my daughter used to buy as a teenager in the 1980s. Great effort.

If you are an RD Burman fan - this book is a must have. If you are not - you will become one before you hit the last page.....

The authors have managed to recreate the era , the times in which RD lived and have delved deep into the influences that shaped his music. From the tentative beginning in Chote Nawab to the seemingly effortless flamboyance displayed in iconic movies like Yaadon Ki Baraat & Hare Rama Hare Krishna to the ever-fresh music of 1942 - A love stroy, RD's journey has been beautifully captured.

The authors have not deviated from what they set out to do and that is to tell an honest story about a man who almost single-handedly elevated Hindi film music to a different level and who continues to influence & inspire music lovers long after he's gone.

This book also captures in-depth technical analysis (musically) of some of Pancham's most complex and revered compositions. The detailed descriptions of the notes, ragas and various instruments provide insights into the vastness of RD's musical repertoire and leaves the reader mesmerised by his genius.

This book could well be standard reference material for any student of music looking to decode the golden period of Hindi film music.

Heartfelt congratulation to the authors, Balaji Vittal & A Bhattacharjee, for a splendid effort. You guys are now going to be on the ' to watch out for ' list.

I bought this book a little reluctantly - not sure about the manner in which the authors would have approached RD Burman - the person as also his music.

However, the book was sheer delight - the way it is presented it captures lovingly the various times in the life of Pancham (as RD Burman was fondly called by his near and dear ones) or Boss (as his close-knit team of musicians and arrangers used to address him).

Some anecdotes are well-known while the behind-the-scenes action is warmly documented providing insights into the creative elements of the movie-makers in general and zany aspects of composing music (specially relating to Pancham - who seemingly was very open to imbibing creative influences from nature as well as mundane happenstance of daily life into unique sounds that in a way became his hallmark).

The main focus of the book is about sharing events and happenings that led to the creation of some of the classics from the baton of RD Burman - his relationship with his father, mother and his contemporaries (the entire ambit of actors, producers, directors, lyricists, music composers & singers). The musical aspects relating to the technicalities did go over my head, but could be of great relevance to the readers who have deeper sensibilities and awareness.

There is fortunately not much of gossip - as they've steered clear of controversies, and the reader is left free to draw his/her own conclusions based on the interviews held by the author-duo with various persons who share their own experiences and remembrances with a lot of warmth and affection, occasionally also without mincing their words.

There are lessons to be drawn about creativity, team-work, people management as also about dealing with success and failure.

It also includes details of some of the on-line forums and groups which are engaged in taking an intensive re-look at RD Burman's legacy and repertoire acknowledging his unique contribution to the world of music (going much beyond just filmy music).

Summing up, the book provided me with a different way of looking at the behind-the-scenes take on some of my favourite melodies from the stable of RD Burman and I relished the nostalgia of the days when one first saw these songs on-screen and subsequently have also enriched my enjoyment of Pancham songs to a higher and different level.

Needless to mention that being a fan of his great legend and his mindboggling music itself make me excited manifold times and as an icing on the cake , this book serves as a perfect write up about the legend himself and more so about his music. I ‘d confess to know both the writers personally and too well and had an inkling what to come from them through this magnificent book about all our common passion , the phenomenon – R D Burman still I was more then surprised to read the contents and the way of expressive writings that made me salute to both the geniuses for the way they have conceived the entire story. This book bears a total license to speak, write and voice an opinion about R D Burman and can easily be regarded as the bible of sorts wrt to the legend. The meticulously arranged details about every minute aspect of music, the various stories of inspiration that made R D Burman so special and dear and perhaps ever-energetic over ages and time , the kind of knowledge this man has about sound engineering and how he harnessed sounds of varying degree and incorporated them into his music that even today in many songs of his it becomes extremely difficult to predict the type and kind of sound used in his sound arrangement through his orchestra , how he managed them , what devices he used, his taste for global songs that infact had no limits including how he was inspired from Jazz, Blues, Latin songs and equally from the Indian classical music and Folk songs and music are all too well written in a very precise and well organized manner. The pains they have taken in getting all the interviews from all those people surrounding R D Burman in his lives and proved to be his assets like his musicians, his singers and his some very close friends in the Industry is really commend worthy.

Mr. Anirudha Bhattacharjee is a die hard fan of the legend and is a music maniac and an able musician himself that I think has helped him understand the various nuances of R D Burman’s music that complimented to his writing this book and bringing such facets of his music that we were never exposed to earlier. Mr. Balaji Vittal is a person who is too endearing and his love for RD’s music was like falling in love with a young girl in the teens – the feeling never ebbs, a prolific writer and a journalist and this combination of both has helped bring more such finer aspects of RD – the man and his music through this pristine 300 pages of sheer magic.

I ‘l recommend every one of you to have a piece of this great effort because this does not come everyday. A wonderful effort - hats off – Thanks for giving us such pious offering.

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Shankh Banerjee

My nephew wanted this book, so he asked me to get it for him. I bought the book and thought, before I give it to him, why not flip through its pages. I started, and I must say, could not stop until I was done with this. My nephew, as usual, was angry with me, but later when I explained to him he simply said, "so uncle you see, us, the new generation do know how to pay respect...."

Indeed they know that, and this book is a fantastic example of it. This book is must read if you are a music buff. If you are not, then also you can read it, without feeling bored. Personally, I have no musical training, but after reading this book, I started noticing and discovering fantastic sounds and effects that was created by "BOSS" . My musical ear is seasoned like that of a master now, thanks to this book.

I have asked my nephew, to get a new copy of this book. this one is for me ..... TAN TANA !!!!!