Music legend RD Burman passed away at the age of 54 due to cardiac arrest on January 4.

Burman`s full name was Rahul Dev Burman and he was born on June 27, 1939, in Calcutta to singer and composer Sachin Dev Burman. 

Popularly known as Pancham Da, he composed music for 331 films and did most of the work with his wife Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar.

Burman was initially married to a woman named Rita Patel from whom he separated in 1971. After that, he collaborated with Asha Bhosle on several occasions on the professional front.

Both the artists were trendsetters at that time and their love for music brought them closer. He was six years younger than Asha and fell head over heels in love with her. 

He proposed to her, but she initially rejected his proposal, reportedly because of the haunting memories of her past marriage. 

However, after a lot of persuasion, Asha agreed to marry him and they tied the knot in 1980. 

The couple was happy together but went through a rough patch in the late 1980s because of Burman`s alcoholism. 

Asha and Burman`s best collaborations include `Piya tu ab to aaja` (`Caravan`, 1971), the evergreen hedonistic youth anthem `Dum maro dum` (`Hare Rama Hare Krishna`, 1971), the uninhibited `Duniya mein`, with Burman himself singing (`Apna Desh`, 1972), `Bhali bhali si ek soorat` (`Buddha Mil Gaya`, 1971), that eternal romantic ballad `Chura liya hai tumne` (`Yaadon Ki Baaraat`, 1973) and the bold qawwali `Hai agar dushman` (`Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin`, 1977).

Despite being the foundation for numerous budding Bollywood music directors, he only received three Filmfare Awards, one of which was awarded posthumously for `1942: A Love Story`.