Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha Pays Tribute to Sachin Dev Burman on Birth Anniversary
Oct 01, 2026
Agartala, Oct 1: Artistes, officials and admirers gathered at Rabindra Shatabarshiki Bhavan in Agartala on Thursday as the Information and Cultural Affairs Department paid tribute to legendary musician Sachin Dev Burman on his birth anniversary, with Chief Minister Professor Dr Manik Saha leading the homage.
Addressing the gathering, Saha said the life, struggle and musical journey of Sachin Dev Burman remained a source of inspiration for today's generation. He said many people were still not sufficiently aware of the musician's contribution, and it was the responsibility of all to highlight his life and work on a wider scale.
The Chief Minister noted that the venue itself was a historical site associated with Sachin Dev Burman's memory, and that the government had taken up initiatives to preserve it. He said it was a matter of pride to remember him and celebrate his birth anniversary at the same place.
Saha said Sachin Dev Burman's birth in a small state like Tripura was a matter of pride for its people, calling him a worthy son of the state whose life and work remained deeply connected to Tripura's history and culture.
Recalling his musical journey, the Chief Minister said the singer's father, Nabadwip Chandra Dev Burman, was himself closely associated with music, literature and culture, and was among the earliest influences on his son's musical education. He said Sachin Dev Burman had a deep attachment to Bengal's rural life, its rivers and landscape, and to folk music, which later added a new dimension to his own compositions.
The Chief Minister also spoke of the singer's self-reliance, saying that despite coming from a comfortable family background, he chose music as his path in life and built his career through hard work rather than relying on privilege. He said hard work, self-discipline, perseverance and dedication to one's goal, alongside talent, were essential lessons that the present generation needed to learn from his life.
Tracing milestones in his career, Saha said Sachin Dev Burman first performed on Kolkata radio in 1926, and his songs were released by HMV in 1932, at a time when recording for the label was considered a significant achievement. He later gained recognition as a singer on All India Radio, and his songs were also recorded by Hindustan Records. He sang his first film song for the Bengali film "Ragini" in 1936, going on to leave his mark across numerous films thereafter.
The Chief Minister also recalled the singer's role during Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971, saying his songs broadcast from Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra had inspired freedom fighters during that difficult period. He said Sachin Dev Burman's music, which built a bridge between classical and folk traditions, remained timeless even today.
Information and Cultural Affairs Department Secretary Kiran Gitte, Director Bimbisar Bhattacharjee and state Cultural Advisory Committee vice chairman Subrata Chakraborty also spoke at the event. Students of Sachin Dev Burman Sangeet Mahavidyalaya performed musical pieces on the occasion. The Chief Minister, along with other dignitaries, paid floral tributes at the musician's bust.
