Meet the Band: RDB

Pancham Da has gifted the Indian music industry several brilliant musicians. Three such graced the RD Night Concert in Mumbai recently and paid tribute to legendary rockstar Bollywood music composer RD Burman. The RDB Band comprises senior studio and live musicians from the golden era like Homi Mulla, Ranjit Gazmer and Amrutrao Katkar. Individually, they have been performing live with various Bollywood composers.Formed around six years ago, they have performed as the RDB Band across cities like Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Delhi and Chandigarh.
On their a-ha moment: Homi learnt duggi tarang and eventually switched to the percussion instrument reso reso. Pick up any RD Burman song and you’ll hear Homi playing the reso reso. Ranjit came to Mumbai from Nepal with only a mandal (his musical instrument of choice) for company. He was introduced to Burman by an acquaintance, Manohari Singh and during his first meeting Pancham Da asked him to play the mandal on the spot. From there began a musical journey and he created music with Burman for movies like Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Sholay, Ajnabee and many more. In 1982, he arranged for Asha Bhosle to sing her first Nepali song. Since then Ashaji has lent her voice to a number of Nepali hits. Listen to Burman’s evergreen hits like Mere Saamne Waali Khidki Mein, Chingari Koi Bhadke, and Jaane-Jaan again, and you will connect with the distinct sound of the reso reso played by Amrutrao. He was brilliant with his compositions, we used to be scared as to what’s running in his head for the next score and what is he going to ask us to play now! Pancham Da loved to cook and often invited us for dinner at his residence,” says Amrutrao. He was learning tabla from Marutirao Keer who was Burman’s rhythm assistant. He says, “In 1963, my guruji took me to Pancham Da’s place where various percussions like reso reso, Kabbas etc. were known to me. I developed passion for learning these instruments and once I succeeded, I joined Burman’s gang as a sitting member. Thereon, we accompanied Pancham Da for all his music till the end.”
On their brand of music: “RD Burman was a god-gifted music director. He has created melodies that will stay amongst for generations to come. He experimented with a lot of instruments in his music composition. The reso reso has been played in most of his songs,” says Amrutrao about why they chose to continue his legacy with this band. “He never treated us just as musicians, we were a huge family,” adds Homi.
On their musical influences: The lively threesome are influenced by Pancham Da and his legacy. “Today’s music compositions make no sense to me. I am highly inspired by Pancham Da because he brought sweetness and liveliness to his music,” says Amrutrao.
On their way forward: While the 70-something Homi has become honorary member of yesteryear composer Naushad’s academy, they continue to do shows and have more people listen to Burman’s magic. Says Amrutrao, “I have a show in Kolkata on April 17. We have completely dedicated our lives to music. We will continue performing till our hands work.”
On Homi’s iPod:
Deewana Leke Aaya Hai (Mere Jeevan Sathi) — Naushad
Roop Tera Mastana (Aradhana) — SD Burman
Aaj Main Upar (Khamoshi) — Jatin Lalit
Dil Deke Dekho – Usha Khanna
Mujhe Neend Na Aaye (Dil) — Anand Milind
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