S D Burman

Birth: October 10th, 1906
Birthplace: Tripura
Profession: Music Director, Bollywood.
Death: October 31st 1975

Sachin Dev Burman was born October 10, 1906 to Nabadwip Chandra Dev Burman in Tripura. His father himself was a sitarist and Dhrupad singer.He was trained by his father and later on by Ustad Badal Khan and Bhishmadev Chattopadhyay. Sachin left home after he came to know about his brother's evil interests against him.He wandered for years in the forests of Assam and Tripura from where he gained his formidable knowledge and rich repertoire of the rich folk of that region and Bengal.

Later SD became a disciple of Ustad Aftabuddin Khan, becoming an ace flautist, and started his own music school, ‘Sur Mandir’ in Calcutta in the 1930’s. He made a reputation in Bengal as a folk singer and light classical music and learnt more under the illustrious K. C. Dey (Manna Dey’s uncle) .

His first film as a singer was Panjak Mullick Atorthy's Yahudi Ki Ladki (1933) but the songs were scrapped and re-sung by Pahadi Sanyal. But then he got another break in Tinkari Chakravarty's Sanjher Pidim (1935). SD sang in the Calcutta - made Hindi film Seeta (1934). He also scored music for Rajkumar Nirshoney, a Bengali film, in 1940.Very few are aware of his acting skills.He also acted in Dhiren Gangoly's Bidrohi released in 1935.In year 1939 he started working as an music Director in Calcutta.

His compositions are highly influenced by folk-tunes from the Bengali Bhatiali, Sari and Dhamail traditions of the North East. As a singer.His thin but powerful voice was often used as a bardic commentary in Wahan Kaun Hai Tera Musafir number from Guide, Safal Hogi Teri Aradhana in the hit movie Aradhana.


He moved to Mumbai in 1940 – 41, sang in Taj Mahal (1941) and assisted Dey till his independent debut as composer with Eight Days and Shikari in 1946. SD has worked with Filmistan (Eight Days, Shabnam), Navketan (Afsar, Taxi Driver, Funtoosh, Guide) and for Guru Dutt (Baazi, Jaal, Pyaasa, Kagaz Ke Phool). He also scored music for films like Dil Ki Rani, Pyar and Do Bhai in the 1940’s and with Do Bhai he bagged his first hit ‘Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya’. SD remained the key composer for Dev Anand for several years (Paying Guest, Tere Ghar Ke Saamne, Jewel Thief, Prem Pujari). Also worked on films for Bimal Roy (Devdas, Sujata, Bandini).

Disliking the sheer commercial nature of the Mumbai film industry Dada (as lovingly called ) decided to quit mid – way through Mashaal (1950) and return to Calcutta. From the same film ‘Upar Gagan Vishal’ song established Manna Dey as a singer.Dev Anand built a good rapport with SD and launched his own banner Navketan. Followed Baazi(1951) that was a hit, Jaal (1952) ,Bahar and Ladki that clinched Dada’s success story.

S D Burman continued to enthrall audiences with Indian music in films. He had an astounding string of hits in the early 1970s like Sharmilee, Anuraag, Naya Zamana, Abhimaan, Jugnu and Prem Nagar.His career never flagged till 1974 when he quit signing films from ill – health. He died on 31st October 1975 not before writing an auto-biography named Sargamer Nikhaad.

Awards And Honors:
Award Song-Movie
Filmfare Award - 1954 Taxi Driver
Filmfare Award - 1973 Abhimaan
Best Of S D Burman:
Song Movie
Teri bindiya re Abhimaan
Meet Na Mila Re Manka Abhimaan
Tere Mere Milan Ki Ye Raina Abhimaan
Mere Sapnon Ki Rani Aradhana
Roop Tera Mastana Aradhana
Chanda Hai Tu Aradhana
Gunguna Rahe Hain Bhanvre Aradhana
Kora Kagaz Tha Aradhana
Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni Jaal
Gaata Rahe Mera Dil Guide
Piya tose naina lage re Guide
Kaanto se kheench ke ye aanchal Guide
Piya tose naina lage re Guide
Din Dhal Jaaye Guide
Ek Ladki Bhighi Bhagi Si Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
Haal Kaisa Hai Janab Ka Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi