Remembering S D BURMAN on his 110th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

Sachin Dev Burman(1 October 1906 – 31 October 1975) was one of the greatest Bollywood music directors in the early days of India's film industry.  He was a much sought after composer from the 1940's up until his death in 1975.

S D Burman as a child 

SD Burman started working as a radio singer on Calcutta Radio Station in the late '20s, when his work as a singer composer was based on Bengali folk and light Hindustani classical music. Consequently, his compositions were mainly influenced by his huge repertoire of folk-tunes from present Bangladesh and later other parts of India and around the world. His first record was also released in 1932

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 music in Bengali films like, Protishodh (1941), Abhoyer Biye (1942), and Chaddobeshi (1944) and only one Bengali film in 1969/70 after he permanently moved to Mumbai in 1946. He composed for over 20 Bengali films and 89 Hindi films in all.^[6]

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).It was during this period this his personal life was developing as well.  He constructed a residence in Calcutta.  Probably the most significant event of his personal life was when he started teaching a young music student by the name of Meera Dasgupta.  In the course of events they became romantically involved.  However there was the problem; although she was well educated and from a very respectable family, she did not represent nobility.  This created quite a stir in the family, and when S.D. Burman refused to leave her, he was forced to sever his ties with his family and forfeit his inheritance.  They married and from their union RD Burman was born in 1939.

In 1944, Burman moved to Mumbai, at the request of Sasadhar Mukherjee of Filmistan, who asked him to give score for two Ashok Kumar starrers, Shikari (1946) and Aath Din,^[13] 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 was his breakthrough song into the film industry. In 1949, came Shabnam, his biggest hit yet 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, Burman teamed up with Dev Anand's Nav Ketan Productions to create musical hits like Taxi Driver, Nau do Gyarah (1957) and Kala Paani(1958). In addition, he gave music for Munimji (1955) and Paying Guest (1957). The songs sung by Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar became popular. 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. "Baazi"'s jazzy musical score revealed a new facet of singer Geeta Dutt, who was mainly known for melancholy songs and bhajans. While every song in the film was a hit, one stood out for special appeal – "Tadbir se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer", a ghazal that was occidentalised into a seductive song.The 'jaal' song 'Yeh raat Yeh chandni' by Hemant Kumar is an all-time great classic

The Dev Anand-S. D. Burman partnership, under Navketan banner, continued to churn out musical hits like Bombai Ka Baboo (1960), Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963), Teen Devian (1965), Guide (1965) , Jewel Thief (1967).and Prem Pujari(1970).

S D Burman was the backbone of Hindi Film Music of Golden Era.Some of the greatest hits were from the films Pyasa, Sujata, Kaagaj Ke Phool, Bandini, Meri Surat Teri Ankhen,Ziddi, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi,Talash and Sharmilee other than Dev Anand's films.

Aradhana (1969) is considered another landmark score in the Bollywood history. The music of the movie shaped the careers of singer Kishore Kumar, lyricist Anand Bakshiand filmmaker Shakti Samanta. For the song "Mere Sapno ki raani", Sachin Dev made R.D play the mouth organ.

Sachin Da was the only composer who had used both Kishore and Rafi in almost equal number of songs. He regarded Kishore as his second son. Kishore confessed that it was Sachin Da, who had given him the first chance. Even after the rehearsal of Badi Sooni Sooni from Milli, when Sachin Da had a stroke, Kishore went up to the hospital and said to him "Dada, Please don't worry, your recording is after three days, you just see how well it goes." The song is considered one of the best of Kishore Kumar. Sachin Da also used to telephone Kishore in the dead of night and on the telephone, he would start to sing the new tunes which he composed and ask Kishore to sing with him.

S D Burman was a very good singer,early on in his career, Burman refused to allow his voice be lip-synced on film by actors, as a result, even later on, in Hindi cinema, his thin yet powerful voice was often used as bardic commentary to haunting results, as in Ore Majhi Mere Sajan Hai Us Paar Bandini (1963), Wahaan Kaun hai Tera from "Guide" (1965) and finally Safal Hogi Teri Aradhana from Aradhana (1969),for which he received the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the year, 1970 and in 1974 he was given  National Film Award for Best Music Direction: Zindagi Zindagi

S D Burman went into a coma soon after rehearsing the song Badi sooni sooni (sung by Kishore Kumar) for the film Mili. Sadly, He died on 31 October 1975 in Mumbai. 

He brought in folk in film songs, and simplified classical to fit in films.  He changed with times so that his music didn’t become outdated. Dada’s music was so refreshing, if you have listened to it once, you have listened to it always.Here I am presenting some of his Immortal Songs 

First Hindi Song Of S D BURMAN from Aath Din 1946

Audio  from Aath Din

A RARE SONG by S D Burman in Classical

Jhan Jhan Manjira Baje

A Non Filmy Song by S D Burman of 40s

Kaun Aaya Sapnon Me

A Rare collection ONE TUNE with Two Voices

,Hindi Version by Mohammad Rafi and Bengali verion by Burman Da

Original Song by SD Burman .Dheere Se Jaana Bagiyan Me

  The First Super Hit Song from S D Burman

 Mera Sundar Sapna Beet Gaya from DO Bhai 1947

Yeh Duniya Roop ki Chor from Shabnam 1949

Tum Na Jane Kis Jahan Me from Sazaa 1951

Song from Baazi 1951

Song from jaal 1952

Song from jaal 1952

Song from Munimji 1952

Song from Paying Guest 1957

Song from Pyasaa 1957

Song from Solva Saal 1958

Song from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi 1958

Song from Kala Pani 1958

Song from Sujata 1959

Song from Kala Bazar 1960

Song from Baat Ek Raat Ki 1962

Song from Bandini1963

Song from Meri Surat Teri Ankhen1963

Song from Tere Ghar ke Samne1963

Song from Ziddi1964

Song from Teen Deviyan 1965

Song from Teen Deviyan 1965

Song from Jewl Thief 1967

Song from Aradhana 1969

Song from Prem Pujari 1970

Song from Sharmilee 1971

Song from Zindagi Zindagi 1973

Songs from Prem Nagar 1974

Song from Mili 1975

10 Navratri Songs

Happy Navratra to all.

 Navaratri is celebrated in different ways throughout India. In North India, all three Navaratris are celebrated with much fervor by fasting on all nine days and worshiping the Mother Goddess in her different forms.In East India this is the time for Durga Puja,it is the biggest festival of that region,The last four days of Sharad Navaratri take on a particularly dramatic form in the state of West Bengal in East India where they are celebrated as Durga Puja.

In Western India, particularly in the state of Gujarat and Mumbai, Navratri is celebrated with the famous Garba and Dandiya-Raas dance.

In South India, people set up steps and place idols on them. This is known as golu.In Karnataka, Ayudha Puja, the ninth day of Mysore Dasara, is celebrated with the worship of implements used in daily life such as computers, books, vehicles, or kitchen tools.In Kerala and in some parts of Karnataka three days: Ashtami, Navami, and Vijaya Dashami of Sharad Navarathri are celebrated as Sarasvati Puja in which books are worshiped. 

Festivals have always fascinated Bollywood, adding colour, charm, vibrancy and drama to plots and stories.The first song comes in my mind is Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kaali from 1955 movie Navratri.Here I have selected 9 Navratri Songs. 

 Ambe Tu Hai Jagdambe Kaali

Song from Navratri 1955

Song from Saraswati Chandra 1968

Song from Suhag 1979

Dholi Taaro Dhol Baaje from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

Ayo Re Maaro Dholna by Subha Mugdal

Aarti from Jai Santoshi ma 1975

 Aa Maa Aa Tujhe Dil Ne Pukara from Mamta Ka Mandir

Song from Goliyon ki Rasleela Ramlila

 Chalo Bulawa Aaya Hain - Avtaar 1983

A Tribute to HRISHIKESH MUKHARJI on his 94th Birth Anniversary

Poularly Known as Hrishi Da,born on 30 September 1922 at Calcutta.He was  a Bollywood well known Director known for a number of films, 

He started his film career as a cameraman, and then film editor, in B. N. Sircar's New Theatres Calcutta in the late 1940s, where he learned his skills from Subodh Mitter ('Kenchida'), a well known editor of his times.He then worked with Bimal Roy in Mumbai as film editor and assistant director from 1951, participating in the landmark Roy films Do Bigha Zamin and Devdas.

His debut directorial venture, Musafir (1957), was not a success, but he persisted and received acclaim for his second film Anari in 1959.
Some of his most notable films include: Anuradha (1960), Asli-Naqli (1962), Anand (1971), Anupama (1966), Aashirwad(1968), Satyakam (1969), Guddi (1971), Bawarchi (1972), Abhimaan (1973), Namak Haraam (1973), Mili (1975), Chupke Chupke (1975), Gol Maal (1979), Khubsoorat(1980) and Bemisal (1982).His last film was Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate released in 1998.
Beside Directing he was also an Editor of many films.Some of the fims in which he was only the Editor were Parineeta,1953,Devdas1955, Garam Coat 1955,Madhumati 1958,Dastak 1970 and Coolie 1983.
Ill-health has increasingly curtailed his activities.  He was admitted to Leelavati Hospital in Mumbai early on Tuesday, 6 June 2006 after he complained of uneasiness. Mukherjee died ten weeks later on 27 August 2006.He has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award,

Hrishikesh Mukherjee was a brilliant director. The films he directed could make you cry, they could make you laugh, and they could make you laugh even while you cried.Here I have selected  Ten masterpieces from the treasure trove that Mukherjee left behind for his fans.
Anari 1959

Anari was a 1959 film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film stars Raj Kapoor, Nutan, Motilal and Lalita Pawar. The music was by Shankar Jaikishan and the lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri as well as Shailendra. Among the few movies that Lalita Pawar played a positive role and Motilal a role with shades of grey.

The film got 5 major Filmfare Awards.Best Hero to Raj Kapoor,Best Music to Shankar Jaikishan
,Best Lyrics to Shailendra,Best Male Playback Singer to Mukesh and Best Supporting Actress 
to Lalita Pawar.This film got the President's Silver Medal for Best Film.
Asli Naqli

Asli-Naqli  was a 1962 Hindi movie produced by L.B Lachman and L.B Thakur. The film is directed byHrishikesh Mukherjee and stars Dev Anand, Sadhana Shivdasani, Leela Chitnis, Anwar Hussain, Sandhya Roy and Keshto Mukherjee. The film's music is by Shankar Jaikishan and lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri. The film became a box office hit.The film is refreshing with brilliant acting by all the cast and is very competently directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.All the songs were well picturised and were very popular.

Anupama 1966

Anupama was a 1966 Hindi film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The movie stars Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Shashikala, Deven Verma and Durga Khote. 

The film was critically acclaimed and was nominated for several Filmfare Awards and did 'Above Average' business at the Indian Box Office.The music for the movie was composed by Hemant Kumar and the lyrics were written by Kaifi Azmi. The movie includes most popular song such as Dheere Dheere Machalpicturised on Surekha & Tarun Bose, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and composed by Hemant Kumar.

Satyakam 1969

Satyakam is a 1969 Indian Hindi film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, based on a Bengali novel of the same name byNarayan Sanyal. The film stars Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Sanjeev Kumar, and Ashok Kumar. The music for this film is given by Laxmikant Pyarelal.This is considered to be Dharmendra's finest acting performance of his career.

This film was made in 1969. By this time, disillusionment with post-independence expectations had begun to take root across India. Unemployment, continual poverty and rampant corruption were severely undermining institutions all around. In a way, the film underlines a gradual disappearance of the followers of absolutism.

It won 1971 Filmfare Best Dialogue Award for Rajinder Singh Bedi. The movie also won National Film Award For Best Feature Film in Hindi.

Anand 1971

Anand  was a 1971 Indian drama film co-written and directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. It stars Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan in lead roles, with Khanna playing the title role. The dialogues were written by Gulzar. The film won several awards including the Filmfare award for best film in 1972.Rajesh Khanna got Best Hero Award for this film.

Anand was originally supposed to star actors Kishore Kumar and Mehmood in lead roles.The character Babu Moshai was to be played by Mehmood. Mukherjee was asked to meet Kishore Kumar to discuss the project. However, when he went to Kishore Kumar's residence, he was driven away by the gatekeeper due to a misunderstanding.The incident hurt Mukherjee and he decided not to work with Kumar.

The film got National Award for Best Film.

Bawarchi 1972

Bawarchi was a 1972 Indian film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee starring Rajesh Khanna and Jaya Badhuri with Asrani, A.K. Hangal, Usha Kiran and Durga Khote in supporting roles.The movie was inspired by the Bengali film Galpa Holeo Satyi (1966) by Tapan Sinha.

The story is centered around the squabbling Sharma family, headed by their eccentric Daduji (Harindranath Chattopadhyay), which has a dubious reputation of the inability to retain a cook for more than a few months due to their ill treatment of their servants. The family's disrepute spreads to such an extent that no person wants to be employed as a cook in their home, ironically named Shanti Niwas.

Then one day a young man named Raghu (Rajesh Khanna) offers to work as a cook, and is hired. Raghu, however, lives up to this challenge & becomes the apple in the eye of every inmate of Shanti Niwas. 

Abhiman 1973

Abhimaan was a 1973 Bollywood musical drama film starring Amitabh Bachchan; his real-life wife, Jaya Bachchan; Asrani; and Bindu. It was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.
The film is perhaps best remembered for its songs, composed and arranged by the late S. D. Burman, written by Majrooh Sultanpuri, and sung by playback singers Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, and Kishore Kumar. Film was declared Hit by Trade Guide,

The film was also a turning point for Bindu, who, for the first time, played a sympathetic character. Previously, she was known for playing vamps/cabaret dancers, such as in Amitabh's star-making hit Zanjeer (1973).This film was very popular in Sri Lanka more than in India and was screened continuously for 590 days in the same cinema, Empire, Colombo.
Chupke Chupke 1975

Chupke Chupke  was a 1975  comedy film starring Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Om Prakash, Usha Kiran, David Abraham Cheulkar, Asrani and Keshto Mukherjee. The movie, a remake of the Bengali movie Chhadmabeshi, was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee based on Upendranath Ganguly's Bengali story Chhadobeshi. with music composed by S.D. Burman. This film is highly remembered for Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan's comic act which came in the same year when all time blockbuster Sholay was released.

 “Chupke Chupke” is a classic example of a film where you smile almost all the way through. Nobody drops his pyjamas. Nobody slips over a banana peel. Nobody indulges in innuendos. It is that kind which has humour as its lifeline. Its Hindi-English contests are the stuff of a masterpiece, its one-liners have a timelessness written over them.

Gol Maal 1979

Gol Maal was a 1979 Bollywood comedy movie directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. It was produced by Mukherjee andN.C.Sippy with music by Rahul Dev Burman.Along with getting high accolades and praise from several critics, the film became a "Blockbuster" at the box office and gained huge popularity among the masses. Gol Maal, becoming a "Mega Hit" reached the top spot in 1979 in box office collections. It remains popular and is regarded a cult favorite among audiences and also regarded as one of the finest comedies of Indian cinema.

The film highlights the directorial excellence of Hrishikesh Mukherjee. He was a complete filmmaker, who gave tear-jerkers like “Anand” and “Mili” and also sterling comedies like “Chupke Chupke”, “Guddi”, “Khubsoorat” and “Bawarchi”. The background score by Rahul Dev Burman, and of course the four songs, stand out in ‘Gol Maal”, the best being “Aane Wala Pal Jaane Wala Hai”, a glowing tribute to Gulzar, who won the best lyricist award for this lingering Kishore Kumar number. It is an Amol Palekar movie all the way with Utpal Dutt brilliant as ever. It remains a film worth watching many a time!

Hrishikesh Mukherjee had first selected Rekha to enact the heroine's part but felt that he would be wasting a talented actress in film where the hero was the mainstay. He replaced her with Bindya Goswami. The very next year he made Khubsoorat, with Rekha in a pivotal role.

Khubsoorat 1980

Khubsoorat was a 1980  Hindi film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, whose direction together with dialogues by Gulzar.

In Khoobsurat, Rekha played Manju, who shows up at her elder sister Anju's home in Pune soon after Anju is married. Anju's mother-in-law is Nirmala Gupta (Pathak), a stern and no-nonsense lady who makes sure the house runs with clockwork precision. The Gupta household is made up of Nirmala, her husband Dwarka Prasad (Ashok Kumar) and their four sons, of whom two are married and two are unmarried. One of the bachelors is Inder (Rakesh Roshan) and the other is the rock music-loving Jagan (Ranjit Chowdhry).

The film won the 1981 Filmfare Best Movie Award. The lead actress, Rekha, won her first Filmfare Best Actress Award for her role as Manju Dayal .