"Somewhere along the way I developed a taste for jazz. I used to accompany friends to their sessions. The musicians just take a sign line and improvise. This brings out your creativ-ity. If a music director doesn't know jazz, he knows nothing. That's how I feel. Spontaneous improvisation is the hallmark of a good musician". How does he react to allegations that he has stolen western tunes? "In the past two years I haven't copied any. 'Betaab', 'Masoom' have both been totally Indian". But he used to 'borrow' tunes from Abba, for instance. "If I like a particular line I take it but after that I improvise. I only borrowed eight bars from Abba's Mama Mia". Any copyright problems? "Not really. If you copy in toto you may have trouble. Again, there are common phrases in music too and two people using the same may just be a coincidence". What should be the equipment of a good composer? "He should be wellversed in classical music. This is an absolute must. Some knowledge of jazz and orchestration also helps. He must also have the instinct of picking up cues—say from a car horn or the ringing of a bell".
Adi, I have only one thing to say in response. Granted he copied. We all know that. Have you ever listened to any of the original songs whose tunes he has lifted? I suggest you check out the originals. Each of Pancham's versions shame the originals. And if that isn't a tribute to his genius, then I don't know what is!
Re: Response to Adi Piran
by up on Nov 27, 2009 10:17 AM
What if you spit on the Sun,same aplier here too.Criticizing and exepriencing his music are two diferrent things.Those who say so called 'inspiration' not even know what he has left to us.I don't care what people say, he 'is' genious and 'will' be forever.
Re: Response to Adi Piran
by Shivaji Ghosh on Nov 26, 2009 08:42 PM
I agree,it gives me great pain to see someone throwing muck at this personality, who hardly got his due when he was alive.
Re: Response to Adi Piran
by obelix on Nov 26, 2009 08:24 PM
And mind you! I haven't even spoken about Pancham's own compositions, which are magical. The man was far ahead of his time and a master innovator. His very name has spawned an industry of its own and every Tom, Dick, and Harry in the Bollywood music scene has milked him dry and continue to do so unashamedly.
Re: Re: Re: Response to Adi Piran
by obelix on Nov 26, 2009 09:28 PM
Who's complaining, buddy? I was just making a point. Some of the Tom, Dick, and Harrys are the ones who have spoken in the article above. And you obviously have not checked out the originals as suggested. Anyway, I don't really want to join debate with someone who lives in a utopian world and does not understand what improvisation is all about. Peace!
Re: Re: Re: Re: Response to Adi Piran
by Shivaji Ghosh on Nov 26, 2009 09:27 PM
if everyone avoided him, why did Filmfare started an award in his name ?
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Response to Adi Piran
by xx xx on Nov 27, 2009 04:36 PM
fimlfare realized much later their mistake; hence, they started filfare award named after RD as an act of rectification!
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Response to Adi Piran
by Sexy Sam on Nov 27, 2009 11:24 AM
that was not RD's fault, it was bunch of jokers in filmfare who could not even fathom his depth. If you don't know Victoria Okampo then it is not her fault, it is your ignorance!
I dont wish to contradict what you said.But in indian film music, every composer had their own quirks and negatives.Show me a composer who created completely original music all his life? A set of 3 notes, when played together can become Beethoven.Does that mean we cannot use those 3 notes anymore.I am not saying RDB used only 3 notes or whatever.He might have copied some songs.But The kind of original work he did, dwarfs out the copies you are talking about.Come on man,when the whole music scene of India was heading in one direction, he came and gave a stunning turn to the existing structures,sounds,ideas.Give him some credit for that. The so called innovation in Hindi film music saw a lot of change because of this man.And its not that people doesnt know that he copied. Are we more knowledgeable than Pt.Hari Prasad Chaurasia or Pt.Shivkumar Sharma or Pt.Samta prasad or Ustad Sultan Khan or Trilok Gurthu or Louis Banks,who belong to RD's generation or even before his.Dont you think they know his worth, having worked with him for years.Dont you think they know that he copied some.Still,why do they respect him so much?You yourself said, that he was talented.Clap for his talent dude!He was a genius.Whats the point in nitpicking negative traits now,when there is a plethora of positive stuff to talk about, regarding this man's work?Thats what this film does. Watch it.Its an amazing film, trust me!
Re: RD Burman was a great plagiarist
by Guest on Nov 26, 2009 07:59 PM
Adi, I have only one thing to say in response. Granted he copied. We all know that. Have you ever listened to any of the original songs whose tunes he has lifted? I suggest you check out the originals. Each of Pancham's versions shame the originals. And if that isn't a tribute to his genius, then I don't know what is!
Re: RD Burman was a great plagiarist
by Devasish Banerjee on Nov 26, 2009 06:30 PM
How many innovative things you've done in your life? I think you must GOD incarnate!!!!!
Re: RD Burman was a great plagiarist
by vishnubhotla aakarsh on Nov 26, 2009 06:56 PM
Adi Piran,
I dont wish to contradict what you said.But in indian film music, every composer had their own quirks and negatives.Show me a composer who created completely original music all his life? A set of 3 notes, when played together can become Beethoven.Does that mean we cannot use those 3 notes anymore.I am not saying RDB used only 3 notes or whatever.He might have copied some songs.But The kind of original work he did, dwarfs out the copies you are talking about.Come on man,when the whole music scene of India was heading in one direction, he came and gave a stunning turn to the existing structures,sounds,ideas.Give him some credit for that. The so called innovation in Hindi film music saw a lot of change because of this man.And its not that people doesnt know that he copied. Are we more knowledgeable than Pt.Hari Prasad Chaurasia or Pt.Shivkumar Sharma or Pt.Samta prasad or Ustad Sultan Khan or Trilok Gurthu or Louis Banks,who belong to RD's generation or even before his.Dont you think they know his worth, having worked with him for years.Dont you think they know that he copied some.Still,why do they respect him so much?You yourself said, that he was talented.Clap for his talent dude!He was a genius.Whats the point in nitpicking negative traits now,when there is a plethora of positive stuff to talk about, regarding this man's work?Thats what this film does. Watch it.Its an amazing film, trust me!
Re: RD Burman was a great plagiarist
by Jai Shah on Nov 26, 2009 06:31 PM
Totally false. There is nothing wrong in getting inspired from somewhere and then adapting it to create something new and innovative. With respect to the above comment, even a song based on a 'Raga' will be termed plagiarism.
It is high time we release ourselves from the shackles of conservative thinking and learn to accept the unconventional.
R.D.Burman was and will always be a genius, an unparalleled Music Maestro.
Re: RD Burman was a great plagiarist
by Shivaji Ghosh on Nov 26, 2009 08:38 PM
i think you are confusing improvisation with plain plagiarism. Please listen to the "copied" tracks. Then listen to the original inspirations. Unless you have something personal, please don't insult creativity. I hope you don't have anything personal against RD.
