On the anniversary of Rahul Dev Burman death — January 4th, 1994 — also known as the beloved composer of most of our lives’ soundtracks, I wanted to share a special film which is now available to all on a collector’s DVD from Shemaroo.  I have been fortunate enough to have caught ‘Pancham Unmixed’ on the big screen a couple of times, first at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles in 2008, and then again here in NYC at the Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council Film Festival last year. But unlike an overblown Bollywood production or a contrite arthouse film, this is one gem that can just as easily be enjoyed in the warmth of our own homes, sipping a cup of chai while sharing it with close friends and family.

For those who may not be familiar, the title of the film refers to R.D. Burman’s nickname — Pancham Da or more simply Pancham  – and the man is as much of a legend as his music is unforgettable. He revolutionized the way the Bollywood film industry added music to films and was the first to sample and add ‘mixes’ to songs, which are now so common in everyone from Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to Vishal-Shekhar and even A.R. Rahman. In his short film ‘Pramod Bhai 23′ — part of the cinematic compilation ‘Mumbai Cutting’ — Anurag Kashyap scored it entirely by using bits of R.D. Burman songs that had reference to rain… Indeed, the master Pancham was so prolific that such a thing is even possible.

The filmmaker behind this wonderfully insightful gem of a movie is Brahmanand S. Singh, who is currently working on several interesting future projects about which I have simply been sworn to secrecy. Lets just say there will be a father/son pairing in his next that will leave everyone speechless, and a bit breathless too.

But back to ‘Pancham Unmixed’. It is a film that can be watched by the most die-hard R.D. Burman aficionados, down to those new to his story and music, leaving either satisfied yet wanting more. I went into the first screening knowing little more about the man behind the music than the fact he was a Bengali. I came out informed, invigorated and in awe of the extent of the music he composed, as well as how many lives he touched in the process. In the film, celebrities such as his life companion vocalist Asha Bhosle, lyricist Javed Akhtar, the golden Gulzar and even current bad-boy Vidhu Vinod Chopra give their most candid opinions and personal tales of this musical genius. And the music, well, it will simply make you dance in your heart, as well as in your seat!

The DVD is available now through Shemaroo, and comes in a two-disc collectors edition, which includes a lovely and informative coffee table book. Check out their website, linked above, for more info. But for the moment when you will be good and hooked on R.D. Burman’s beautiful melodies — and it’s just a question of one viewing of this film for that to happen! — make sure to check out the Saregama website and create your own LEGALLY downloaded collection of some of the Master greatest hymns to life.