Dev Burman, Sachin (1906-1975) singer, composer and music director, was born on 1 October 1906 in comilla, son of Nabadwipchandra Dev Bahadur. He grew up in Comilla, but moved to Bombay in 1944. His wife, Mira Devi, and son, Rahul Dev Burman, were also well-known music personalities.

Burman was attracted to folk songs from his youth and collected many songs. He had a commendable command over classical ragas and modified many of the folk songs he had collected on the basis of these ragas. After receiving his BA from Calcutta University, he worked briefly at the court of Tripura. Giving up his job, he started taking music lessons from Ustad Badal Khan, alauddin khan, Faiyaz Khan, Abdul Karim Khan, Bhishma Dev, and Kana Krishna.

Burman's first song was aired from Calcutta Radio in 1923. His first gramophone record was released in 1932. He also recorded nazrul songs as well as by numerous Bangla and Hindi ones. Prominent among the songs he recorded are 'yadi dakhina paban' (raga-based), 'premer samadhi tire' (ballad), 'nishithe yaio phulabane' (folk song), 'bandhugo ei madhumas' (folk song), 'ore sujan naiya' (folk song). He had a melodious, though slightly nasal, voice. He composed the tunes of most of the songs he sang. In 1934 he won a gold medal for singing at the All-India Music Convention.

From 1937 Burman started directing music for films, among them Rajagi, Chhadmabeshi, Jiban Sangini, Matir Ghar etc. In 1944 Burman moved to Bombay and started working for Hindi films. Among the 80 Hindi films for which he directed music are Shikari, Devdas, Sujata, Bandini, Guide, Aradhana, Baji, Shabnam, Do Bhai, Piyasa, Kagaz ke Phul. He wrote an autobiography titled Sargamer Nikhad.

Burman won several awards for his contribution to music, among them, the Padmashri and the National Film Award for playback singing in Hindi films. He died in Bombay on 31 October 1975. [Ali Nawaz]