Songs of S D Burman

Seniors Today

A Music composer who kept in tune with changing times from 1940s to mid-1970s and consistently came up with something new and refreshing for the listeners was none other than Sachin Dev Burman. He combined Indian old style music with society music to create songs that lastingly affected the audience.

Be it Sunder Sapna Beet Gaya (Do Bhai, 1947), Hai Apna Dil To Awara (Solva Saal, 1958), Tere Naina (Talash, 1969), Badi Sooni Hai Zindagi (Mili, 1975), he knew how to strike a harmony with the audience. Dada, as he was addressed by his friends, redefined the musical scene in Hindi film industry.

Burman belonged to the illustrious group of Tripura and might have lived a comfortable life had he decided to remain back in Calcutta (presently Kolkata) after completing his Master's degree, however music was an enthusiasm he was unable to ignore. His father Nabadwip Chandra Dev Burman, was his first music teacher from whom he learnt sitar. He got his proper preparing from musician KC Dey and Bhismadev Chattopadhyay, later from Khalifa Badal Khan, sarangi maestro, and Ustad Allauddin Khan, sarod maestro. He began his musical career as a singer on radio.

His first recording as a vocalist was a creation by Bengal's revolutionary poet-musician Kazi Nazrul Islam. After that he worked as a music director and composed Bengali songs until 1944 in Calcutta. In 1944, he shifted to Bombay on the request of Sashadhar Mukherjee to give music for two of Ashok Kumar starrer films. He got his first break with Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya in 1947 and it required some investment to establish himself.

It was a coincidence that brought SD Burman and Dev Anand together, and that changed the music scenario of Bollywood. One day, Dev Anand alongside Guru Dutt was visiting a friend, when Dev Anand told the friend that he was searching for a composer, and the friend stated: "There is one person who lives nearby and can possibly go far, why not meet him?" Dev went directly to Burman's house, spoke to him, and finalized him on the spot for the movie Asfar.

Their partnership lasted long and Burman crafted some supernatural songs for Navketan Films. Truth be told, Dev Anand once said that SD was his musical perfect partner. Both wanted to attempt novel ideas and were open to criticism and change. Dev Anand had given him full freedom and Burman would openly criticize Dev Anand on the off chance that he didn't like anything about the presentation of a melody in the movie.

Burman would compose the tune first and would generally sing utilizing a couple of Bengali words coordinating with the tune, and, then decide which lyricist could fill in the lyrics. It provided space for conversational style of music for songs like Haal Kaisa Hai Janab Ka (Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, 1958).

He would call playback singers and make them rehearse the lyrics, and whoever matched the circumstance in the film was finalized for the melody. He never fell prey to pressure of either producer or director to hire famous singers. His creations have been sung by Geeta Dutt, Hemant Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohd Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, and Shamshad Begum, among others.

He himself sang several Hindi and Bengali songs. Two songs which he sang for the movie Guide in the year 1965 – Allah Megh De Paani De and Wahan Kaun Hai Tera are as yet a rage among music lovers. He used to do just a limited number of songs as he wanted each tune to be different from the previous ones and have its own identity. Some of SD Burman Songs were for Navketan Films — Taxi Driver, Funtoosh, Guide, Paying Guest, Jewel Thief, and Prem Pujari; Guru Dutt's films Baazi, Jaal, Kaagaz Ke Phool, and Bimal Roy's productions Devdas, Sujata, and Bandini.

Burman consistently kept as a primary concern the average person while forming his tunes, he would state in the event that I need to display my old style music prowess I would give stage performances… for the average person I need to weave songs which they can murmur easily. "Shastriya sangeet mere ko bhi aata hai, standard mein kiyo dikhaoon chaar anna wale aadmi ko," Dada said once. Be that as it may, when films needed the use of traditional music, he proved his mettle with Nache Mora Manwa, Kisne Chilman Se Maara, Saiyan Beiman, Jhan Payal Baaje and numerous others.

With music, he never compromised. On the off chance that he needed anything special, it was an unquestionable requirement. The recording of a tune for Jewel Thief was held up until the appearance of drums from Sikkim. In the tune Hai Apna Dil To Awara (Solva Saal, 1958) picturised on Dev Anand, SD played the harmonica. Dada was a hard taskmaster however he likewise expressed his delight if a singer, lyricist or an instrumentalist performed exceptionally well and would reward the person in some structure or the other.

Burman received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1958 and Padma Shri in 1969 for his commitment to music. He died on October 31, 1975, yet his music will remain alive in the hearts and psyches of music lovers for generations to come.

List of 10 must-listen-to SD Burman Songs that define the illustrative career of the legend.

Check it out.

1. Jaane Woh Kaise Log Thhe Jin Ke - Pyaasa

When you combine the music of SD Burman, the expressions of Sahir Ludhianvi and the voice of Hemanta Mukherjee, this is what you get.

2. Chhod Do Aanchal - Paying Guest

Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhonsle creating enchantment with the tunes of SD Burman and the expressions of Majrooh Sultanpuri.

3. Mana Janaab Ne Pukara Nahin - Paying Guest

Yes, 'Paying Guest' had more than one great melody.

4. Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui - Baazi

Some may state this is an irregular tune on this list. Well, that's because it is. SD Burman used a ghazal written by Sahir Ludhianvi and turned it into a sensual club melody. Ludhianvi wasn't excessively glad, however the gamble paid off. The melody was a hit.

5. Sar Jo Tera Chakraye - Pyaasa

The melancholy of this Guru Dutt film desperately needed a light melody the audience could murmur along to even after the film. Once more, SD Burman delivered.

6. Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si - Chalti ka Naam Gaadi

This was inspired by Tennesse Ernie Ford's 'Sixteen Tons', however SD Burman managed to add his own touch to it.

7. Hai Apna Dil Toh Awara - Solva Saal

Hemanta Mukherjee collaborated again with SD Burman, this time immeasurably different from anything you'd hear in Pyaasa.

8. Puchho Na Kaise Maine Rain Bitai - Meri Surat Teri Aankhen

One of Manna Dey's best songs ever was composed by SD Burman.

9. Gaata Rahe Mera Dil - Guide

I could write an entire article on the music in 'Guide'. So yes, picking one melody from it was difficult.

10. Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara - Jewel Thief

It is said that SD Burman needed to endeavor to master the specialty of creating tunes that could be easily murmur by the standard man, yet clearly, it paid off.

Also visit- 10 feel-good, frothy Songs of S D Burman mention at Seniors Today