R.D. Burman aka Rahul Dev Burman, the legendary composer whose cabaret tunes still echo in pubs and discos, had a surprising view on the genre that brought him fame. Despite creating a string of iconic cabaret hits, he was not a fan of composing such songs. According to R.D. Burmania: Panchamemoirs, a book by veteran showbiz journalist Chaitanya Padukone, Burman considered cabaret music a "passing fad" and felt it lacked the soulful melodies and inspiring lyrics that truly satisfied him as a composer.R.D. Burman’s true passion was creating raga-based melodies, which gave him a deep sense of connection and creativity. However, he also composed catchy tunes for films focused more on rhythm than meaning. He admitted that disco or jazz music, like in Sanam Teri Kasam and Jawani Deewani, was more about fitting the film’s needs than his personal artistic style.ALSO READ: Chaitanya quotes Burman, "It's a fact that the masses get turned on, as the songs also have seductive glamour-repeat visual value. But, honestly, at times, I hate composing cabaret songs because there is no soulful melody or inspiring lyrics in it. Whenever I compose raga-based melodies, I derive total creative satisfaction. Classical music is my forte." Interestingly, Burman’s first Filmfare Award for Best Music Director in 1983 didn’t bring him the excitement he anticipated. Despite winning the prestigious honour after two decades of tireless work, he wasn’t thrilled because the award was for his jazz-heavy score for Sanam Teri Kasam, rather than a classical composition. Burman had expected accolades for more classical-driven works such as Parichay, Amar Prem, and Mehbooba—songs he felt were more aligned with his musical soul. However, his disappointment was short-lived. Burman’s second consecutive Filmfare Award, also in 1983, for the film Masoom truly delighted him. This time, it was for the soul-stirring classical numbers that showcased his mastery over raga-based compositions. His work on Masoom, especially the song Do Naina Aur Ek Kahani, earned him widespread recognition and a National Award.ALSO READ: Despite creating popular disco and cabaret hits, Burman believed these songs were fleeting. He famously remarked that such songs wouldn’t stand the test of time like his timeless melodies. In R.D. Burmania: Panchamemoirs, readers get a rare glimpse into the mind of a musical genius, with tributes from Bollywood greats, including Amitabh Bachchan, Asha Bhosle, and Rishi Kapoor, painting a vivid picture of the man behind the music.