He was mad(e) for music, i suppose. And what a great control over and finesse in it he enjoyed, whatever be the version of music he tried his hand at. Why, he could make a prosaic verse in to a unique song! Remember "Mera kuch saman"? By now you must have guessed who i am referring to. Yes, he is the one and only R.D., as most Bollywood music buffs would prefer to call him.
Oh, yes, he deserves such intimacy of-n-by his fans. Why, you would ask, right? Well, i would like to say, he is the Shammi Kapoor of Bollywood music. Just as Shamni Kapoor adorned the typical Bollywood hero with a youthful, boisterous feel, R.D's music gave the Bollywood music a peppy, zingy feel.
I could provide an endless list of such songs. Why try that impossible feat though because each of us would have a unique favourite, right? Remember the vicious threat in the "ya Madhu?" in "Mera nam hai Shabbo" from the film "Kati Patang"? The lilt despite the hysterical, subtle revenge is real musical which adds menace to the danger of the fearful exposure. In other words, his great music adds a speech like normal rhythm even to a gyrating cabaret song.
Though well known for using the western instruments, though famous for adding the Western symphonic effect to the Bollywood genre, he was great at the Indian classical music as well. Some of his gems in this version of Hindi film music are indeed some of the greatest examples of the use of the classical base in filmy songs.
He tried his hand at, or rather wielded his music director's baton, at most all types, from a soulful ghazal, an emotional romantic song, a prayer, a lullaby to a groovy dance number. Yet he was branded with a rhythm strong, rather than the melody master, kind of musical identity.
Recognition and appreciation reached him quite late, almost posthumously with the great music of "1942: A Love Story". In fact, he was regularly accused of plagiarism, despite his tremendous originality. Why, he was, and probably continues to be, the best fusion artist in the Bollywood music genre.
Well, not only his fans but the cognoscenti as well know the power and the glory, the real worth of his superb contribution to the film and non-filmy music. Let me hence conclude this small little appreciation piece with minor meaningful changes to one of his own great creations, namely, "nam gum ho jayega/chehra bhi badal hi jayega/uski dhun ki awaz hi pechan hai/ Jo bilkul bhi yad hi rahe", right?
Pratima@ It is indeed difficult to thank such artists who have enormously enriched our lives.
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