60 rare songs of S D Burman to woo music connoisseurs

Music connoisseurs can now rejoice as "A Musical Genius – SD Burman", featuring 60 rare songs of the legendary SD Burman, covering a huge variety of his compositions in terms of style, artiste variation and of course the sheer appeal of his melodious creations has been just released by Saregama India Ltd recently.

How is this compilation different from the rest? The three-CD collection features many rare gems composed by the master composer.

The CDs offers a trip down melody lane with his early creations like 'Baro Nashtami Dushtami Kore' (Singer- Bimal Bhusan, Film: Judgesaheber Natni, 1943), 'Boner Pakhi Badhlo Basa' (Singer: Jharna Debi, Film: Judgesaheber Natni). Interestingly, actor Ashok Kumar also sang under the music direction of SD Burman. Songs like 'Har Din Hai Naya' (Singers: Ashok Kumar and Airbai Karnataki, Film: Shikari,1946 ), 'Dol Rahi Hai Naiya' (Singer: Ashok Kumar, Film: Shikari). SD Burman also sang umpteen songs in Hindi besides Bengali. This CD also features two rare songs sung by Burman, 'Babu Re Dil Ko Bachana' (Film: Eight Days, 1946), besides a rare non-film duet with Meera Dev Burman, 'Kali Badariya Chha Gayi' (1948 ).

The second CD deals with compositions from the melodious 60's and early 70's. Burman was also very successful in composing peppy numbers like 'Kya Ho Phir' ( Singers: Geeta Dutta and Asha Bhosle, Film: Nau Do Gyarah,1957), a rare song 'Hey Maine Kasam Li' (1971 ) by Kishore Kumar and Sulakshana Pandit, a duet, 'Jahan Bhi Gaye Hum' (Singers: Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle, Film: Naughty Boy, 1961), folk flavor with 'Dongshili Tui' (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar, Film: Chaitali, 1969 ).

It is known that SD Burman was fond of Tagore's songs and that inspiration can be experienced with the song 'Chanda Mama Mere Dwar Ana' (Singers: Asha Bhosle,Manna Dey, Film: Lajwanti, 1958 ) which makes one remember the tune of 'Aji Dakkhin Dwar Khola'.

CD three features an unreleased gem 'O Jani Bhramra Keno' by Geeta Dutt originally recorded for a Bengali film Gouri which got shelved. It also has a peppy cabaret 'Baithe Hai Kya Uske Pas' (Singer: Asha Bhosle, Film: Jewel Thief, 1967 ), the song 'Phud Ud Chala' by Krishna Kalle (1971), songs from Mili like 'Badi Sooni Sooni Hai' and 'Aaye Tum Yaad Mujhe', both sung by Kishore Kumar.

SD Burman was a versatile genius. Says Sudipto Chanda, who has put together the songs of this collection, "From peppy cabaret numbers to folk based tunes to melodious tracks like the two songs of the film Mili, SD Burman's range is phenomenal. Also, his music is rendered best by the evergreen voice of Kishore Kumar".

The songs of Mili though were recorded by SD Burman's son RD Burman since the father was ailing at that time. SD Burman apparently heard the songs from his hospital bed.

This musical journey of the legendary SD Burman has been compiled by Vishwas Nerurkar and Sudipta Chanda. Songs which are not so easily found are available in this compilation. Meant for music buffs, the SD Burman special is priced at Rs 500 and is available at all leading music stores.