Suno more bandhu re...

Sachin Dev Burman, popularly known as Burman Dada needs no introduction. A musician par excellence, with a style that was simplistic and without unnecessary exaggeration. His music is the music of nature, music of the river flooded with moonlight, music of boatmen, fishermen, and music of East Bengal. One can feel the strains of wind while listening to 'yeh raat yeh chaandni' from Jaal or the sounds of a flowing river in 'Suno more bandhu re'. He was born in the royal family of Tripura, the state where music is part of every facet of life. These early influences were instrumental in giving us the maestro who we know as SD Burman.

There is a funny incident about how Ustad Bundu Khan, one of the greatest Sarangi players in the subcontinent, forgot his journey towards the bathroom after listening to Dada Burman singing. At a musicians' gathering, while walking towards the bathroom, he heard Sachin Dev Burman singing in his tent. Ustad sahab forgot his destination and so mesmerised he was by Dada Burman's music, that he went back to get his sarangi and they performed for hours together.

His first super hit in Hindi cinema that also established Geeta Dutt was the fabulous 'Mera sundar sapna beet gaya'. Released in pre-partition India, it toppled all other songs of that time and listeners from all over the country went gaga over this melodious song. His Hindi film compositions like Devdas, Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Guide, Sujata, Bandini, Abhimaan have now achieved a cult status.

The songs he has sung himself overwhelm the listeners with a folksy quality whether it is 'mere saajan hain us paar' from the masterpiece soundtrack 'Bandini' or 'wahaan kaun hai tera' from another masterpiece 'Guide'. His music was such that it further highlighted the lyrics penned by some of the greatest lyricists of our golden era be it Sahir Ludhianvi, Kaifi Azmi, Shakeel Badayuni or Gulzar.

To me, his music is soulful, mesmerising and the music of mother earth. On his death anniversary (Oct 31st), I am sharing some of his masterpieces that continue to enchant me.

Ye Raat Ye Chaandni - Jaal, 1952 

Picturised on the very handsome Dev Anand and a lovely Geeta Bali, this Sahir Ludhianvi song was sung by Hemant Kumar - considered an unusual choice by all at that time. Hemant da who continues to be epitome of divine singing for me, sang this song with such appeal that you can find yourself in a trance while listening to this song. The chords of guitar create this haunting melody and you can smell the air of a coastal town and feel the simmering moon on the waves. 

लहरों के होठों पे धीमा धीमा राग है, भीगी हवाओं में ठंडी ठंडी आग है 

इस हसीन आग में तू भी जल के देख ले, ज़िन्दगी के गीत की धुन बदल के देख ले 

खुलने दे अब धड़कनों की जुबां, सुन जा दिल की दास्ताँ 

Hum Bekhudi mein tumko pukaare chale gaye - Kala Paani, 1958 

Navketan and Dada Burman's association have given innumerable gems to Hindi film music - Guide, Taxi Driver, House No.44, Kala Bazaar, Jewel Thief, Kala Paani are just some of the examples. Rafi Sahab sang this Majrooh Sultanpuri song in his inimitable style that continues to enthrall the listeners. It is composed in a unique style of ghazal and geet. This style was so liked by Roshan - a very talented composer himself, that he created 'Mann re, tu kaahe na dheer dhare' using the same meter. 

हम बेख़ुदी में तुमको पुकारे चले गए, सागर में ज़िन्दगी को उतारे चले गए 

देखा कीये तुम्हें हम बन के दीवाना, उतरा जो नशा तो हमनें ये जाना 

सारे वो ज़िन्दगी के सहारे चले गए

Din Dhal Jaaye - Guide, 1965

One cannot talk about Navketan films, SD Burman and Hindi Films without talking about Guide. The movie along with its brilliant music  is now considered a cult classic. Soulful lyrics by Shailendra and Rafi sahab's voice, this song is a perfect companion for a mellow evening. 

दिल के मेरे पास हो इतने, फिर भी हो कितनी दूर 

तुम मुझसे, मैं दिल से परेशां, दोनों हैं मजबूर 

ऐसे में किसको कौन मनाये 

दिन ढल जाए, हाय रात न जाए 

तू तो ना आये तेरी याद सताए 

O Re Maanjhi - Bandini, 1963

I fall short of words whenever I think of this classic movie Bandini. The movie shows a very sensitive portrayal of a woman serving life imprisonment and has one of the best soundtrack with each song being  a masterpiece. 'Ab ke baras', 'Mora Gora Rang lai le', 'o panchhi pyaare', 'o jaanewaale ho sake to' are all timeless melodies. O re maanjhi is special as it was one of those few Hindi songs sung by Dada Burman himself and the lyrics by Shailendra are very close to my heart. Sung in the Bhatiali style, this song is of a different league. It was also the favourite song of our former Prime Minister, Late Sh. Atal Bihari Vajpayee. 

It will also bring a smile to my college friends if they are reading this blog. The word 'manmeet' in this song was replaced by the name of a common crush during college days and had us giggling for many months.  

मेरे साजन हैं उस पार, मैं मन मार हूँ इस पार 

ओ मेरे माँझी अबकी बार, ले चल पार, ले चल पार 

मन की किताब से तुम मेरा नाम ही मिटा देना 

गुण तो न था कोई भी, अवगुण मेरे भुला देना 

मुझे आज की विदा का मर के भी रहता इंतज़ार 

Waqt ne kiya - Kaagaz Ke Phool, 1959

Kaifi Azmi sahab penned this song now considered a cult classic. Geeta Dutt's rendition has the longing of love, a love that was not meant to be. The music is simply haunting and Geeta Dutt's restrained yet quivering voice is achingly beautiful. It transports you to another time, another world, strumming the strings of heart...

वक़्त ने किया क्या हसीं सितम 

तुम रहे न तुम, हम रहे न हम 

जाएंगे कहाँ, सूझता नहीं 

चल पड़े मगर, रास्ता नहीं 

क्या तलाश है, कुछ पता नहीं 

बन रहे हैं दिल, ख़्वाब दम-ब-दम 

Thank you Dada Burman for these timeless immortal melodies. Just like for other maestros, I struggled with picking these 5 songs. I would have loved to include:

Tum Na Jaane - Sazaa

Jeevan ke safar mein raahi - Munimji

Hai apna dil to aawara - Solva Saal
Jalte Hain Jiske Liye - Sujata
Suno mere bandhu re - Sujata
Chal ri sajni ab kya soche - Bombai ka babu
Na tum hamein jaano from Baat Ek Raat ki
Tere mere milan ki ye raina - Abhimaan
Aan milo shyaam saanware - Devdas
Mera sundar sapna beet gaya - Do Bhai
Phoolon ke rang se - Prempujari
Wahaan kaun hai tera - Guide
Hothon Pe Aisi Baat - Jewel Thief
Apni to har aah ik toofan hai - Kala Bazaar
Ye duniya agar mil bhi jaaye to kya hai - Pyaasa
Jaise raadha ne mala japi shyaam ki - Tere Mere Sapne


Credits:
Website:
sdburman.net

Books:
S.D.Burman: The Prince - Musician by Anirudha Bhattacharjee & Balaji Vittal
Incomparable Sachin Dev Burman by HQ Chowdhury