Published: 2018
Paperback: 470 Pages
ISBN-10: 8193955501
ISBN-13: 978-8193955505
Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14 x 3.2 cm
Paperback Available on Amazon:
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Incomparable Sachin Dev Burman is a personal and in depth overview of an all time great maestro of the Indian subcontinent. Hardly a situation goes by when one does not see a reference to something as “SD” or “Sachin Karta” when Hindi film music or modern Bengali songs are discussed. He was part of the DNA of these genres. What began in the early thirties of the last century continues to draw attention even today as his music had an allure and flavour that remains unprecedented. He was an institution … as a composer, as a singer. Here was a master who also drew out the best from his singers, lyricists and instrumentalists and helped them excel in their craft. This book by HQ Chowdhury was first published in 2011 to much critical acclaim.
In the revised and updated edition, along with added inputs and pictures, a Special Foreword written by Santoor maestro Padma Vibhushan Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma and an Introduction by Film Music Historian Manek Premchand lend valuable added perspectives to the remarkable personality and genius of SD Burman.
Incomparable Sachin Dev Burman offers a full fledged story of the composer singer covering his successes, failures, idiosyncrasies and what peers thought of him. Painstakingly accurate and meticulous, this SD Burman biography is written with incredible thoroughness by author HQ Chowdhury. It chronicles his family background, childhood, early days in Comilla and Calcutta, his amazing passion for music of the rustic hinterland, his rigorous training under his gurus and his remarkable rise to success in Bengal and the Bombay film industry.
In the world of Hindi film music, he was popularly known as the music composer SD Burman or Burman Dada. But in West Bengal and Bangladesh he was an all-time great singer, Sachin Karta or Sachindev. This SD Burman music book traverses the two musical worlds of Sachin Dev Burman – one as a composer and the other, as a singer – and makes it available in a language common to all.
Burman Dada’s thoughts and beliefs, successes and failures, his innocence and penchant for perfection, and his style of working – all come through in the detailed descriptions, facts, analyses, interviews and anecdotes, collected and written by HQ Chowdhury. Highly acclaimed among Indian music books, Incomparable Sachin Dev Burman is a collector’s delight.
The complete and detailed Discography lists all the songs Burman Dada has sung or given music for in Bengali and Hindi. This Indian cinema book will serve as a great resource of students of modern Bengali songs, Hindi film songs and vintage Bollywood films.
RMitra, mystery writer –
A Wonderful Book
Sachin Dev Burman, has more than one book to his name. From Sachin Karta and others; mostly people talk about his accomplishments and that’s just rehashing. But in this book, there is a step forward, mention of films -long dead-in the 50s that never made any ‘noise’. To read it is to get lost in nostalgia. Which is what after all this book is about.
Rajat –
Good!
Received the book today. It is a very nice book and prompt delivery by the seller. Amazing photographs. Excellent read.
Manek Premchand –
A Class Act!
Great paper and printing, awesome details with SD Burman’s filmography, this has crawled into my shelves as a work that I want to cherish. Way to go Mr Chowdhury!
Harmony – Celebrate Age –
A Huge Treat For Music Lovers
Published as the revised and updated second edition, Incomparable Sachin Dev Burman (Blue Pencil; Rs. 599; 470 pages) the authoritative biography of music director SD Burman, written by HQ Chowdhury unveils the enthralling life story of the genius in a language that makes you develop a deep bond with him and live his journey with him.
Biographies there are aplenty, and on SD Burman there are 3 more in English. But this book sets a benchmark in its genre in its richness of detail and research by Chowdhury (who is a scientist based in Dhaka), tracing SD Burman’s royal lineage and birth, his childhood passion for absorbing the immense diversity of folk music of his native East Bengal, his friendship with the best of the poets of the time, his training under the legendary music maestros of the era and his rise to massive fame as a, hold on, not composer, but a young singer in Calcutta in the 1930s!
And then comes the Bombay part, which many music lovers know about but not in the indepth detail with generous anecdotes that this book offers. In a language that easily speaks to the reader without frills, Chowdhury takes you through the struggles, successes, whims and eccentricities of ‘Dada’ and ‘Karta’ as SDB was fondly called, with an unbiased approach, though he himself is quite obviously a huge fan. First published in 2011 from Dhaka Bangladesh, this second edition is a huge treat for music lovers who revel in the music that has withstood the test of time.
Pradeep Singh –
Must for any Music buff!!Treasure trove of a book on the incomparable SD Burman!!
Must for any Music buff!!
Lovely –
SUBJ1This book is a paradise for old school Bollywood music lovers. I enjoyed reading every page of the Incomparable SD Barman a lot. Highly recommended for retro Bollywood music lovers.
Songs of Yore (SongsofYore.com) –
Book Review: “Incomparable Sachin Dev Burman”“The book is truly a labour of love, and rightly deserves all the acclaim it has got. Its reincarnation in the revised and updated second edition is a boon for those who were looking for the book. If you love your SD Burman, this is a must-have book.”
~ AK on Songs of Yore
Read full review here: https://www.songsofyore.com/book-review-incomparable-sachin-dev-burman/
Dusted Off (MadhulikaLiddle.com) –
Book Review: HQ Chowdhury’s ‘Incomparable Sachin Dev Burman’Well-rounded, well-grounded, entertaining, and overall satisfying.
~ Madhulika Liddle on Dusted Off
Read full review on https://madhulikaliddle.com/2019/08/10/book-review-hq-chowdhurys-incomparable-sachin-dev-burman/
Free Press Journal –
Incomparable Sachin Dev Burman by H Q Chowdhury: ReviewThe book thus offers a comprehensive overview of the musical maestro’s successes, failures, idiosyncrasies and also what his peers thought of him. This biography also has unique listings of the songs sung by Dada, the films he scored music that makes it is a must buy for old Bollywood music aficionados.
~ Ayan Roy on Free Press Journal
Read full review here: https://www.freepressjournal.in/book-reviews/incomparable-sachin-dev-burman-by-h-q-chowdhury-review