Rahul Dev Burman or R.D. or Pancham was one of the most talented and prolific music directors in Hindi cinema. Its been more than 30 years since he passed away on 4th January 1994. Arguably, he is the most well known of the composers of a bygone era for today’s generation. He is widely known for his musical “experiments” and attempts to create the desired sounds and effects in his songs.
Coming to the theme based on R.D. songs. We find there are different versions of one song used in the same movie. Sometimes, one version is happy and the other one is sung in sadder times. Both versions may be solos, sung by the same or different singer(s). Or can be a solo and later a duet. There are multiple variations to the theme itself! In today’s post, we will be visiting some multiple version or tandem songs, all composed by R.D. Burman. Which similar songs do you remember?
1) Song: Wadiyaan Mera Daaman
Film: Abhilasha (1968)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | R.D. Burman | Mohammed Rafi | Lata Mangeshkar
Abhilasha is probably remembered only for its two famous songs. The catchy Pyar hua hai jabse and this multiple version song. The first version is a Mohammed Rafi solo. Sanjay Khan is romancing Nanda and crooning the song. Later, Nanda is remembering him and singing this song. But this time she is accompanied by his brother (played by Kashinath Ghanekar). He misinterprets her thoughts for him, leading to misunderstandings.
2) Song: Tum Bin Jaoon Kahaan
Film: Pyar Ka Mausam (1969)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | R.D. Burman | Kishore Kumar | Mohammed Rafi
Another memorable song and R.D. excels. The song first appears as a Kishore Kumar solo when Bharat Bhushan is singing for his wife (Nirupa Roy) and young son. Then tragedy strikes and they get separated. The song appears again with an older and impoverished Bharat Bhushan singing on the roadside (Kishore Kumar again). Coincidentally, his long lost son, grown up as Shashi Kapoor is (conveniently) sitting nearby to hear, like and memorize the song. Shashi Kapoor later sings it for Asha Parekh as a romantic solo (this time voiced by Mohammed Rafi). While both the versions are famous, it sounds odd to think of Kishore Kumar as Bharat Bhushan’s voice in place of Mohammed Rafi who has sung so many hit songs for him in films like Baiju Bawra, Barsaat Ki Raat, Phagun etc.
3) Song: Chanda O Chanda
Film: Lakhon Mein Ek (1971)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | R. D. Burman | Lata Mangeshkar | Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar
Lakhin Mein Ek is a remake of a Tamil movie “Edhir Neechal” (1968). The movie is centered around an orphan, played by Mehmood. The first version is a female solo. A sad Radha Saluja is unable to sleep. She addresses the moon and compares their plight. Later, in a filmy contrived situation, Mehmood is forced to take care of a neighbour’s child and make him sleep. He sings the same song as a lullaby. The song is melodious and R.D. manages to impart a sorrowful layer to it, suitable for the situation.
4) Song: Phoolon Ka Taaron Ka
Film: Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1972)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | R. D. Burman | Lata Mangeshkar | Kishore Kumar
This is one of the famous brother-sister songs in Hindi movies. The first version is a childhood song. The brother is singing for his sister in happier times (featuring Master Satyajeet and Baby Guddi). But their life changes when the parents separate and so do the children. A grown up Dev Anand searches for his sister Zeenat Aman who has joined a band of hippies in Nepal. He sings the song in an attempt to remind her of the younger days. The song appears at a crucial point in the movie. A simple but impactful composition.
5) Song: Yaadon Ki Baaraat
Film: Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | R.D. Burman | Lata Mangeshkar , Padmini Kolhapure & Shivangi Kolhapure | Kishore Kumar & Mohammed Rafi
Another song where the two versions are set years apart. The first version is sung together by a family comprising of 3 sons. Their parents get killed. Circumstances lead the brothers to get separated and meet after 15 years. By coincidence, all 3 of them are in the same location, a hotel. The youngest brother (Tariq), sings the song and is soon joined by Vijay Arora. The eldest brother Dharmendra is unable to join the singing but is happy to see his brothers reunite after so many years.
6) Song: Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka
Film: Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973)
Credits: Sahir | R. D. Burman | Kishore Kumar | Kishore Kumar & Sushma Shreshtha
Aa Gale Lag Jaa was a rich heroine & poor hero story where the 2 lovers are separated by the cunning father of the heroine. They meet again a few years later.
The hero Shashi Kapoor sings this song for Sharmila Tagore initially as a romantic solo. Years later, his son sings this song in a party and is also joined by his father. The heroine is unaware of the bitter truth that the boy is actually her own son.
7) Song: Kahi Karti Hogi
Film: Phir Kab Milogi (1974)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | R.D. Burman | Mukesh | Mukesh & Lata Mangeshkar
A highly forgettable movie directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. And featuring the rare combination of Mukesh with R.D. Burman. Biswajeet sings the male version thinking of the girl who will be entering his life as his beloved. Later, the same song is sung as a duet with the heroine Mala Sinha.
8) Song: Mere Naina Saawan Bhado
Film: Mehbooba (1976)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | R.D. Burman | Lata Mangeshkar | Kishore Kumar
Mehbooba was a flop movie but its songs remain popular. The movie is based on the reincarnation theme where the lovers separate in one life and meet again in another life. Rajesh Khanna, a singer is reminded of his previous life through this song. A ghostly Hema Malini walks around the palace and its grounds. He follows her through the palace as she makes him recall his earlier life. And later he is destined to meet the present day Hema Malini. He sings the same song reminding her of the connection of their past lives. Set in raag Shivaranjani, this is a haunting composition by R.D. Burman.
9) Song: Rijhim Gire Saawan
Film: Manzil (1979)
Credits: Yogesh | R. D. Burman | Kishore Kumar | Lata Mangeshkar
This can be termed as an iconic song, and Kishore Kumar’s version is heard more often. The male version occurs at the beginning of the movie. Amitabh Bachchan is singing in his friend’s house. The singing is subdued but effective. The second version is slightly faster paced but musically rich in Lata Mangeshkar’s voice. Its a background song. The leads Amitabh and Moushumi are walking and running around Mumbai, in the rains. Highly enjoyable. Again, R.D. does a great job in both the versions!
10) Song: Hume Tumse Pyar Kitna
Film: Kudrat (1981)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | R.D. Burman | Parween Sultana | Kishore Kumar
And the last song from a movie based on reincarnation. The first version is a classical inclined composition picturised primarily on Aruna Irani with the main leads watching her performance. She meets Rajesh Khanna before the show and remembers this old song which she has not sung for 30 years. Parween Sultana won the Filmfare award for this song.
The second version occurs in a flashback. Rajesh Khanna sings for Hema Malini in their previous life. Kishore Kumar’s version is subtle and romantic. Both songs are equally impactful as per their situations, courtesy R.D. Burman.
Cine Gaurav 
Tum bin …jaoo kahan…my favourite version is Rafi’s , despite Kishore’s yadalling.
Yadon ki baraat …again a favourite song. Of course here, the male version is favourite ( though the female version has Aamir Khan as a kid ). And there’s a goosebump moment when Vijay Arora begins in Rafi’s voice….Badaley na apna ye…alam kabhi….
Mere naina sawan bhado is perhaps composed in shivranjani…the surprise factor here for me is that I didn’t know it was composed by RD. Always thought it to be a Laxmi Pyare song. 😞
Rimjhim girey sawan…Kishore’s version is my favourite.
But I don’t know why, despite being a Dev Anand fan for decades, I prefer foolo ka taaro ka in female voice , maybe because that young lad is cuter than Dev Anand and perfectly mimics Dev Anand once, while walking ..
Didn’t know chanda o chanda had 2 versions…why, I heard only one.
Nice 👍article as usual. Will add to these songs if I come across 2 versions. I remember 2 songs Jiya o jiya kucch bol do and jindagi ek safar hai suhana…but alas, they are not RD ‘s compositions. Excellent article Gaurav.
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