MUMBAI: To pay a tribute to the legendary musician R D Burman, fondly remembered as �Pancham', his fans in Mumbai would be naming a chowk after his on in 15th death anniversary.
On 4 Jan 2009, a chowk near North Avenue Road, Santacruz (adjacent to Panchamda's residence) will be named the "Music Composer Late Rahul Dev Burman Chowk" for his contribution to the music industry.
Legendary singer Asha Bhosale will unveil the nameplate and guests including Gulzar, Manohari Singh, Bhupinder Singh, Gulshan Bawra, Pyarelal ji, Amit Kumar, Shammi Kapoor and Harish Bhimani will grace the occassion.
The idea is an initiative by Pancham music lovers, a fan club named, �Forever Pancham' founded by five members, musician Nitin Shankar, Shekhar Dere, Mahesh Shinde, Saiprasad Raut and Sanjeev Langarkande. The group today has many music lovers who would be attending the event from Pune, Mumbai and Singapore.
Says Nitin Shankar, Panchamda has composed some great songs in Bollywood but nothing has been attributed to his name, so we thought of naming a chowk.... It was about a year back that the group approached the local corporator Ashish Shelar, who agreed to push the idea.
Music director Nitin Shankar has been associated with the music industry for over 30 years and had also worked with R D Burman. Nitin Shankar recently composed for Asha Bhosle's new album 'Precious Platinum', launched by Saregama on the occasion of the legendary singer's 75th birthday in Septmeber. Recollects Shankar, It was a pleasure working with Panchamda; he was like a father to me. He was very friendly and easily approachable and I have learnt a lot in the time I worked with him. Even today when I compose track, I get inspired from expressions in his songs....
R D Burman has delivered some immortal scores in films- Aandhi, Kati Patang, Amar Prem, Ghar, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Parichay, Teesri Manzil, Caravan, Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin, Mehbooba, Sholay, Shaan. His last score was for Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 1942 - A Love Story.