Well Pancham da belongs to that fast vanishing species called as genius. He was a true blue original, and after him the only two geniuses I could think of are Ilayaraja and A.R.Rehman. To get 20 of his best songs, is akin to picking 20 drops from a pot of honey. But still here are some songs which are my personal favorites of Pancham.
1) Oh Haseena Zulfo Wali(Teesri Manzil)- This movie had some great songs like “Aaja Aaja”, “Deewana Mujhse Nahin”, but this song simply knocks you off. The beat of the drums at the starting of the song builds up to a crescendo, and then the beats make you tap your feet. By the way do u know that Salim Khan was the drummer in the movie version.
2) Piya Tuu Ab Tu Aaja( Caravan): RD and Asha what a combo. And this song is the peak. The heavy breathing at the start of the song, the sighs of the lover and the yearning of a woman for her lover, make it an all time great song. And add the haunting music. As again Caravan contained other great songs like “Kitna Pyaara Waada” and “Dilbar”. Matter of fact RD always gave his best for Nasir Hussain.
3) Ek Chatur Naar( Padosan): What a great jugalbandi. None can again create such a magical song, which makes you laugh your hearts out. Kishore Da and Manna Dey, two great singers match each other raga for raga, taal for taal and rhythm for rhythm. In the movie, Mehmood might have lost out, but as far as the song is concerned both Kishore and Manna Dey were incomparable.The other great songs in this movie were “Mere Saamne Wali Khidki” and “Kehna Hai”.
4) Chura Liya Hain Tumne( Yaadon Ki Baraat): The soft guitar strains at the beginning of the song, Asha’s dulcet rendition and Rafi’s saab’s sweet voice, make this song unforgettable. This movie had other great songs like “Lekar Hum Diwana Dil” and “Oh Meri Soni”.
5) Jaane Jaa( Jawaani Diwani):Terrific song, with Asha and Kishore complimenting each other again. The fast rhythmic beats in the background, Asha’s intoning of Main Yahan and the tension as the hero and heroine play hide and seek with each other, make this a great song.
6) Tere Bina Zindagi Se( Aandhi): This movie proved that RD could compose even soft songs, and not just the fast stuff. While Aandhi had two other great numbers “Is Mod Pe Jaate” and “Tum Aa Gaye Ho”, this song is the best. It really melts even the most hardened person. And of course when you have Kishore and Lata as singers, it has to be the best.
7) Musafir Hoon Yaaron( Parichay): One of my fav Kishore da numbers. This song again has some excellent lyrics by Gulzar and a rhythmic feel to it. Kishore, Gulzar and RD again came up with those 2 excellent numbers “ O Maajhi re” and “Aane Waala Pal”.
8) Oh Mere Dil Ki Chain( Mere Jeevan Saathi): Again this movie had other great numbers like “ Chala Jaata Hoon” and “Diwana Leke Aaya Hain”. But this song is so romantic. The beats increase and again recede into the background.Great lyrics by Majrooh.
9) Raat Kali Ek Khwaab( Budda Mil Gaya): Guess not many would have even heard of this movie. But this song must have been on every one’s lips. So soft and romantic, and again the guitar strumming which is a trademark of every RD’s song. Kishore da proves that with RD he is the best.
10) Yeh Kya Hua( Amar Prem): While “Chingari Koi Bhadke” is clearly the outstanding song, my personal favorite is this song. Soft and melodious with some excellent lyrics, I feel its quite underrated. Great singing by Kishore da again.
11) Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai( Kati Patang): Seems Kishore da reserves his best for Rajesh Khanna. Listen to the piano beats at the beginning of the song. They continue throughout the song. Other great songs from this movie include “Jis Gali Mein Tera Ghar”, ”Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai”, “Yeh Shaam Mastani” and the title song.
12) Vaada Karo( Aa Gale Lag Jaa): Great song again from another of RD’s musical blockbuster. Pity this movie was a flop since it contained some real great songs. Lata and Kishore at their best.
13) Humein Tumse Pyaar Kitna(Kudrat): A piece of advice. If you want to make your girl fall for you, gift her this song. One of the best from RD-Kishore combo. The opening interlude and the haunting music, along with great lyrics by Majrooh and superb singing by Kishore, makes it one of my fav songs.
14) Tujhe Se Naaraz Nahin( Masoom) – Another great song from RD-Gulzar combo. Superb lyrics, and soulful music, makes this a real gem. Both the male and female versions are equally good.
15) Aise Na Mujhe Tum Dekho- Don’t remember the name of this Dev Anand starrer, but this song is great. Rythmic beats and lusty singing by Kishore make it an underrated gem.
16) Kuch Na Kaho(1942- A Love Story)-While every one went on and on about “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha”, this is my fav song from the movie.Slow and soulful, the waltzing tune in this makes you feel real romantic.
17) Katra Katra( Izzazat)- Great song from Asha-RD again. I haven’t seen the movie, but I could make out from this song, that it was picturized on 2 different heroines. So skilful is Asha’s voice modulation, that its as if two persons were singing.
18) Aap Ke Aankhon( Ghar)- Superb song again from Gulzar-RD-Kishore-Lata. Using strictly classical beats, this song is so soft and melodious.And of course again great https://lyrics.
19) Duniya Maane Bura( Arjun) – Cant make sense of the lyrics, but this song just stirs u up. Makes you feel all fired up and ready to take on the world.
20) Diye Jalte Hain( Namak Haraam) – Great song from Kishore-RD again. Superb lyrics by Anand Bakshi. Simple and sweet, this song about friendship touches your soul.
If there are songs of RD which are not there in this list, its not intentional. It was tough for me to remember all his good songs, there are so many. So I only put up those which came to my mind.
