S.D. Burman

Music director born in Tripura. Classical training by his father, sitarist and Dhrupad singer Nabadwipchandra Dev Burman; later with Ustad Badal Khan and Bhishmadev Chattopadhyay. Early work for radio was based on East Bengali and North Eastern folk-music. In early 30s made a reputation in Bengal as singer of folk and light classical music, e.g. at the Allahabad Sangeet Sammelan (Music Conference) in 1935. First record was of a Nazrul Islam composition, leading to a long and productive relationship with the writer/ composer. Film début singing for Pankaj Mullick in Atorthy’s Yahudi Ki Ladki (1933) but the songs were scrapped and re-sung by Pahadi Sanyal. First film as singer: Tinkari Chakraborty’s Sanjher Pidim (1935); also acted in Dhiren Ganguli’s Bidrohi (1935). Music director from 1939 onwards in Calcutta. Moved to Bombay (1944) and worked at Filmistan (Eight Days, Shabnam), Navketan (Afsar, Taxi Driver, Funtoosh, Guide) and for Guru Dutt (Baazi, Jaal, Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool). Remained Dev Anand’s key composer for several years (Paying Guest, Tere Ghar Ke Saamne, Jewel Thief, Prem Pujari). Also worked on films for Bimal Roy (Devdas, Sujata, Bandini). Film compositions often influenced by his huge repertory of folk-tunes from the Bengali Bhatiali, Sari and Dhamail traditions of the North East. As a singer, his thin but powerful, accented voice was often used as a bardic commentary: e.g. the Wahan kaun hai tera musafir number in Guide, Safal hogi teri aradhana in the hit Rajesh Khanna movie Aradhana. Wrote an autobiography: Sargamer Nikhad.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1937: Rajgee; 1939: Jakher Dhan; 1940: Amar Geeti; Rajkumarer Nirbashan; 1941: Pratishodh; 1942: Mahakavi Kalidas; Avayer Biye; Milan; Jiban Sangini; Ashok; 1943: Jajsaheber Nathni; 1944: Chhadmabeshi; Matir Ghar; Pratikar; 1945: Kalankini; 1946: Matrihara; Shikari; Eight Days; 1947: Chittor Vijay; Dil Ki Rani; Do Bhai; 1948: Vidya; 1949: Kamal; Shabnam; 1950: Afsar; Mashaal/Samar?; Pyar; 1951: Baazi; Bahar; Buzdil; Ek Nazar; Naujawan; Sazaa; Babla; 1952: Jaal; Lal Kunwar; 1953: Armaan; Jeevan Jyoti; Shahenshah; 1954: Angarey; Chalis Baba Ek Chor; Radha Krishna; Taxi Driver; 1955: Devdas; House Number 44; Madh Bhare Nain; Munimji; Society; 1956: Funtoosh; 1957: Miss India; Nau Do Gyarah; Paying Guest; Pyaasa; 1958: Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi; Kala Pani; Lajwanti; Sitaron Se Aage; Solva Saal; 1959: Insaan Jaag Utha; Kaagaz Ke Phool; Sujata; 1960: Apna Haath Jagannath; Bambai Ka Babu; Bewaqoof; Ek Ke Baad Ek; Kala Bazaar; Manzil; Miya Bibi Razi; 1962: Baat Ek Raat Ki; Dr Vidya; Naughty Boy; 1963: Bandini; Meri Soorat Teri Aankhen; Tere Ghar Ke Saamne; 1964: Benazir; Kaise Kahun; Ziddi; 1965: Guide; Teen Deviyan; 1967: Jewel Thief; 1969: Aradhana; Jyoti; Talash; 1970: Ishq Par Zor Nahin; Prem Pujari; 1971: Gambler; Naya Zamana; Sharmilee; Tere Mere Sapne; 1972: Anuraag; Yeh Gulistan Hamara; Zindagi Zindagi; 1973: Abhimaan; Chhupa Rustom; Jugnu; Phagun; 1974: Prem Nagar; Sagina; Us Paar; 1975: Chupke Chupke; Mili; 1976: Arjun Pandit; Barood; Deewangee; Tyaag.

Music