RD’s X-Factor

The group will be led by music arranger Vivek Paranjpe,who has played on stage and in studio for more than 20 years with the biggest names in India’s playback history. Paranjpe recalls a Kishore Kumar concert where he was noticed by Burman for the first time. During a rendition of Chingari koi bhadke,Paranjpe was playing the flute part on his keyboard,which was originally played by Hari Prasad Chaurasia. “When Kishore da called Pancham da on stage,he asked about me and extended a gesture of appreciation,” recalls Paranjpe. Soon after this moment,Paranjpe had visited Burman’s studio for a recording session. “I was only 27 at that time,but Pancham da put his hand around my shoulders and asked me to witness the recording in the studio with him. I was elated,” says Paranjpe,as he sits with a melodica for the rehearsal.

Guitarist Ramesh Iyer,who will join the troupe on the day of the show,also has much he can look back on. Recording with Burman for 25 years,Iyer says he enjoyed working on the title track of Betaab the most. “The song,like his other songs,had interwoven layers of melody. That recording session was very enjoyable,” he says.

Hailing Burman as a visionary who was ahead of his times,Iyer adds,“He was an innovator and brought a new perspective to Indian music. He was a master blender of musical styles and used ingenious techniques to produce unheard sounds.” Iyer also recalls a time when he was made to use a ball pen to pluck the guitar strings for the “unique sound it produced’.

Trumpeter Baba Khan credits Burman for bringing the brass-section to Indian music. “I can’t name another music director who has used my instrument (trumpet) better,” says Khan,to whom Burman’s music defines the ambit of Indian music. Khan goes on to say,“Jab tak duniya hai unka music chalta rahega (His music will live till the end of time).”

The organisers manifest Khan’s prophecy by hosting tribute concerts twice a year. “This is the third time we will give away the Panchamratna awards,” says organiser Sameer Parasnis,adding that the aim of the awards is to acknowledge the contribution of veteran musicians who have played with Burman and contributed immensely to Hindi film music. The event,in its earlier avatars,has awarded music arranger Kesri Lord and lyricist Gulshan Bawra.