‘R D Burman definitely deserves a Padma Vibhushan honour’ : celeb-singer Suresh Wadkar on the iconic composer-singer’s 81st birth anniversary

Chaitanya  Padukone

Versatile maverick genius Bollywood composer-singer R D Burman (Pancham-Da) whose 81st birth anniversary is being celebrated today, ( due to lockdown constraints)  by way of on-line digital-video-conferencing apps and social media (FaceBook) tributes  by his legion of die-hard loyal global unfortunately mostly got  a ‘raw deal’ and was “bypassed”  when it came to being honoured with prestigious Film Awards ( after 22 years of composing, he had won his first Filmfare Award) or even National Awards .

Although he was a sensitive Cancerian,  he would humbly reconcile to being ‘overlooked’ by the Awards Jury,  in his modest stride.  As a journalist-I shared a warm personal rapport for ten years with  R D Burman and he would react. “ Yes, awards do matter. But for me, the love and adulation my ardent Fans are my biggest rewards and that’s what keeps me going, “ he would often share with me, which I have also incorporated as RDB’s quotes in my authored memoirs popular book R D  BurMania. Asked to share his sentiments, the outspoken senior celeb-singer ‘Padma Shri’ Suresh Wadkar  (who has sung over 55 playback songs composed by Pancham-Da)  emphatically says ,” Rather unfortunate that despite his phenomenal contribution  has not yet got his  formal recognition from the Government.

If you ask me, super-talented, yet modest maestro R D  Burman who attained the pinnacle of glory,  definitely deserves the Padma Vibhushan honour , Because  melodious film songs composed by him or even those sung by him  are evergreen even after 50 years. It’s amazing, that every other song in the current play-list of almost all FM Radios turns out to be an RDB composition.   What a vast variety range of genres –classical raga-based songs, romantic duets, mujra, ghazal, qawwali, disco, cabaret, fusion  or westernized fast numbers, he had a passionate mastery over all. 

What was  impressive about jovial, witty, down-to-earth RDB’s knack was that he knew exactly how to bring out the best in terms of khaasiyat-aur-khoobi of playback singers voices.. Like he gave me such  brilliant timeless playback songs like ‘Aur Kya Aehde Wafaa or Tumse Milke. There is an innovative experimental streak in most of RDB’s chartbusting trend-setting songs,” insists Suresh, who recalls that the ever-courteous ,caring RDB  with his ‘divine charisma’ was always fully-supportive and respectful towards his singer-artistes, if ever, there was any ‘lobbying-politics’ from vested interests.   

Suresh Wadkar's super-seven RDB-composed retro film songs : Tumse Millke (Parinda) ; Aur Kya Aehde Wafaa (Sunny) ; Huzoor Iss Kadar Bhi ( Masoom); Nigaahon Ne Chheda Hai (Ghaatak) , Andar Baahar  (title song), Naa Main Jaanu Peechla (Ghungroo Ki Aawaz),  and Bin Paayal Ke Chham ( Saveray Waali Gadi).