Pancham da was a loving person: Singers Anuradha Paudwal, Suresh Wadkar remember late composer on his 83rd birthday

Yesteryear composer, late RD Burman, fondly remembered as Pancham da, was loved by all musicians who worked with him. On his 83rd birthday yesterday (June 27), singers Anuradha Paudwal and Suresh Wadkar went down memory lane to remember one of their all-time favourite music directors.

Paudwal, 67, says, “He was a lovely person, a gifted musician and a great music composer. It was always a pleasure working with him. His always had a smile on his face, which made the atmosphere round really light and jovial. Paudwal worked with Burman on songs such as Kabhi Kuch Pal Jeevan Ke (Rang Birangi; 1983) And Holi Aayee Re (Zalzala; 1988).

Singer Suresh Wadkar, too, remembers him fondly. “Pancham da was the most jovial person, who was very friendly with his singers. The love and respect that he showered on me was unbelievable. He was the only music director who knew how to bring out the best results from his singers without making them nervous, and this was among his unparalleled qualities. He was a loving person, who gave us lots of beautiful songs. I will always be grateful to him,” the 66-year-old recalls, as he goes on to dedicate a line from his famous Parinda (1989) song for Burman: ‘Tumse mil ke aisa laga tumse mil ke armaan hue poore dil ke.’

Another aspect of the composer, who was also known as the King Of Bollywood Music, which is remembered fondly by his associates was his love for food. “He was a complete foodie,” recalls Paudwal, adding, “He loved sharing recipes and talking all things food. His personality of very childlike and effervescent in the food department. He loved cooking raan.”