http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=38615
Tripura celebrates legendary playback singer Sachin Dev Burman’s centenary
By Pinaki Das, Agartala: Fans and followers of India’s legendry playback singer S.D.Burman recently held his centenary celebrations at the Rabindra Centenary Hall, his house in Agartala.
Born in the royal family of Tripura, Burman began his musical journey by learning classical music from his father, noted sitarist and Dhrupad singer Nabadwipchandra Dev Burman. He later continued his training under Ustad Badal Khan and Bhismadev Chattopadhaya.
Burman da or , elder brother as he was lovingly called by all, had a great fan following. It was his unforgettable stamp on their mind that fascinated his fans from Tripura and West Bengal and many from the neighbouring country Bangladesh to the three-day long celebration. They sang popular songs in Bengali and Hindi languages composed by the great maestro.
Burman’s fans said that he attempted to reach out to the common man through his songs. “He began his career from the grassroots level and then through his songs he reached the common man,” said Debajit Bhattacharjee, a fan of S D Burman.
In Mumbai, he began with Filmistan’s Eight Days (1946) but his first major breakthrough came the following year with the company’s Do Bhai (1947). The song Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya sung by Geeta Dutt is remembered till today. It was her breakthrough song into the film industry!
Shabnam (1949) was his biggest hit with Filmistan with the multi-lingual song Yeh Duniya Roop ki Chor sung by Shamshad Begum becoming the rage of the day.
S D Burman’s period, according to his fans is considered a ‘golden age’.
His songs has endeared him to his fans. They hope that the future generation who wants to make a career in music would follow his footsteps. “He resides in the heart of everyone. Even the modern generation remembers him. This shows his importance,” said Riddhi Bandopadhya, a singer and a fan.
Burman was born in ‘Comilla Rajbari’ at ‘Chortha (Thakurpukur)’ on October 2, 1906. The music maestro was popularly known as ‘Sachin Karta’- ‘Karta’ is the title of respect for the Tripura Royal family members. SD Burman spent most of his life in his Comilla house where he composed and sang many of his famous songs before moving to Kolkata in 1937 and then to Mumbai in 1942.
S.D. Burman proved that age is no impediment for creativity. He was a great composer who remained in high demand right till the end of his life. His grip on Indian folklore, his sound classical base, his capacity to absorb from the scene around him made him the greatest all-rounder in Indian film music.
His first album was released in 1938 in Kolkata. The album rocked the entire music world. With this, began his career in cine music. His son, Rahul Dev Burman also followed his footsteps. They set a new trend in the world of cine music giving it a new dimension.
S.D Burman’s compositions were beyond geographical boundary. He gave a melodious voice to the common man’s emotions and aspirations- love and agony, pain and dreams.
Burman’s first film as a singer was Sanjher Pidim (1935). He also composed music for Dev Anand’s production company, Navketan’s first film Afsar (1950) and films like ‘Baazi’ (1951), ‘Bandini’ (1963), ‘ Guide’ (1965) ‘Jewel Thief ‘ (1967) and ‘ Aradhana’ (1969).