Known for his experimental approaches in Indian music industry Rahul Dev Burman or 'Pancham Da',as he was popularly known, now stands in the annals of Indian cinema as a 'living legend'.

Born in Calcutta on June 27,1939 the only son of yet another timeless music composer Sachin Dev Burman, R D inherited singing and music composition from his legendry father and learnt sarod from Ustad Akbar Ali Khan.

When he was only nine year old, R D composed his first song 'Aye meri topi palat ke aa'which his father used in the film Funtoos (1956). He also set the tune of the song 'Sar jo tera chakraaye' which his father, included in the soundtrack of Guru Dutt's masterpiece 'Pyaasa'.

Pancham began his music career as an assistant to his father. He assisted his father in 'Chalti ka Naam Gaadi'(1958)and 'Kaagaz ke Phool'(1959)-first cinemascope Hindi film.

R D Burman's first movie as a music director was Mehmood's 'Chhote Nawab'(1961), however, failed to make an impact on box office.Though abit disappointed he did not lose faith in himself and continued to work as his father's assistant in movies like 'Bandini'(1963) and 'Guide'(1965).

Mehmood gave him his second break as a music director in 1965 'Bhoot Bangla' which became a roraing succes in the box office. The soundtrack of the movie notably 'Aao twist karein', a Desi version of Chubby Checker's Let's twist was a runaway hit among the then youths.

--- UNI