S.D.Burman - The Timeless Maestro

S.D.Burman, the name is synonymous with music that was close to heart, melodious and that was identified by the layman. His tunes were once best described by eminent Radio announcer of yesteryear Ameen Sayani who said that Burman da’s tunes were a heady mix of the innocence of a child coupled with the intoxication of youth. True indeed because if on one hand he had the ability to make a classical folk tune Ore Majhi Mere Sajan Hai Us Paar… (BANDINI) to the Indian Classical number like Poocho Na Kaise Maine… (MERI SURAT TERI AANKHEN) to the naughty numbers like Raat Akeli Hai…(JEWEL THIEF). He had an unbelievable range.

Raaga.Com remembers the great music director on his death anniversary. 

Listen to SD. Burman Songs on Raaga.com

Born on 1 October 1906 Burmanda’s father was from the royal family of Tripura hence Burmanda could have lead a princely life. However for his passion for music Burmanda deserted the pleasure of royal hood and began wandering seeking training in music. He began his musical education learning under maestros like Ustad Badal Khan. He was also a disciple and follower of the legendary K C Dey (Manna Dey's uncle). He started his career composing and singing for the radio. He made his mark as a light classical and folk singer before taking up composing for Bengali films. 

He came to Bollywood in 1946 on the invitation of Bollywood superstar Ashok Kumar and composed music for Bombay Talkies’s film SHIKARI. Though the movie was a debacle he stuck fortune with MASHAAL(1950) the song Upar gagan Vishal… was a runaway hit. Soon with hit songs like 'Mera sundar sapna beet gaya… (DO BHAI), Tadbeer se bigdi hi tadbeer bana leBAAZI and Thandi Hawayein Lehra Ke Aaye… (Naujawan) S.D.Burman became a name to reckon. 

Listen to SD. Burman Songs on Raaga.com

In the 50’s he formed an incredible pair with Dev Anand's Nav Ketan Productions and the duo gave musical hits like TAXI DRIVER, NAU DO GYARAH, KALA PAANI, GUIDE, JEWEL THIEF etc.  

Burmanda worked with a wide variety of singers and brought out the best in each of their voices. Whether it was Suman Kalyanpur or Sudha Malhotra or Mubarak Begum he has given memorable songs to all. Singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Geeta Roy, Asha Bhosale, Manna Dey and Hemant Kumar came into prominence singing his tunes. To Kishore, Asha and Geeta he was akin to being a godfather.

He remained at the peak even in his last years. He gave super hit films like TERE MERE SAPNE (1971), SHARMEELEE (1971), ABHIMAAN (1973), PREM NAGAR (1974), SAGINA (1974), CHUPKE CHUPKE (1975), AND MILI (1975). He died on 31 October 1975 in Mumbai.

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