A tribute to SD Burman

On 103rd birth anniversary of Sachin Dev Burman, one of the greatest music composers of his time, we remember his golden journey that he travelled along with people like Guru Dutt, Bimal Roy, Lata Mangeskhar et al.

Sachin Dev Burman, born on October 1, 1906, was one of the greatest music composers of his time. He is still remembered for his soulful compositions. Burmanda composed music for Dev Anand in his initial years in the industry. He also wrote music for Guru Dutt classics like Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool. He also weaved his musical magic in Bimal Roy's film Sujata.

The musical genius composed music for 100 movies, including Bengali films. He was also a singer. His son Rahul Dev Burman too achieved humungous success in his musical career.

S.D. Burman's compositions have been mainly sung to a large extent by the likes of Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi, Geeta Dutt, Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhonsle and Shamshad Begum. Mukesh and Talat Mahmood have also sung songs composed by him.

As a music composer, he started with Bengali plays, Sati Tirtha and Janani, and eventually gave his first score in film, Rajgee in 1937. His second film Rajkumarer Nirbashan (1940) became a hit.

He gave successful music in Bengali films like, Jevaan Sangini, Protishodh (1941), Abhoyer Biye (1942), and Chaddobeshi (1944).

He made his film debut singing in Yahudi ki Ladki (1933) but the songs were scrapped and re-sung by Pahari Sanyal. His first film as a singer was finally Sanjher Pidim (1935).

In 1949, came Shabnam, his biggest hit with Filmistan, especially noticeable for its multi-lingual hit song Yeh Duniya Roop ki Chor, by Shamshad Begum, which became a rage in those days.

In 1950s, S D Burman teamed up with Dev Anand's Nav Ketan Productions to create musical hits like Taxi Driver (1954), Munimji (1955), Paying Guest (1957), Nau Do Gyarah (1957) and Kalapani (1958).

Burman da composed the music for Dev Anand's production company Navketan's first film Afsar (1950). With the success of their second film, Baazi (1951) he made it to the top and a long association with Navketan and Dev Anand was on its way.

He also wrote music for the Guru Dutt classics - Pyaasa (1957) and Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959). The soundtrack of Devdas (1955) was also composed by him. House No. 44 (1955), Funtoosh (1956), and Solva Saal (1958) were other S D Burman hits.

In 1959 came Sujata, a masterpiece by Bimal Roy, and S D created magic again with Jalte hai jiske liye by Talat Mamood.

In 1958, S D Burman gave music for Kishore Kumar's house production Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, the same year he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Music direction, and remains the only music director to have won the prestigious award.