Cumilla: The government has announced plans to transform the birthplace of legendary singer and composer Sachin Dev Burman, commonly known as SD Burman, into a comprehensive music museum in Cumilla. This initiative aims to preserve the cultural heritage of the renowned musician who significantly contributed to Bengali and Hindi films.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Bangladesh National Museum authorities have established a three-member committee under the guidance of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. This committee is tasked with inspecting SD Burman’s residence and assessing the feasibility of the project. Recently, a delegation led by Md. Serajul Islam, an official from the National Museum and the committee’s convener, visited the site in Chartha, Cumilla city, to conduct a detailed inspection.
Md. Serajul Islam stated that the committee would explore the possibility of converting the ancestral homes of SD Burman and Ustad Alauddin Khan, a renowned musical maestro from Nabinagar, into museums. He expressed confidence in the validation of these sites for such initiatives and emphasized the potential cultural significance they hold for the country.
The proposed music museum will feature various elements, including documents of Sachin’s life and work, music archives, research rooms, an open stage, cultural event venues, and a music education center. Assistant Commissioner Hasibur Rahman Parag highlighted the pride associated with Sachin Dev Burman’s house, noting that the museum would serve as an inspiration for future generations.
Jahangir Alam Imrul, President of the social organization Oitijhyo Cumilla, pointed out that local cultural workers have been advocating for the preservation of ‘Sachin Karta”s residence since 2012. The annual fair held on Sachin Karta’s birth anniversary has played a crucial role in this ongoing preservation effort. Imrul also mentioned the potential for the museum to attract both domestic and international tourists, enhancing Cumilla’s cultural prominence.
Music researchers believe the residence could serve as an invaluable research center on Sachin’s life and work, offering university-level scholars access to documents, photos, notations, and audio-video archives. This initiative is expected to enrich the study of cultural history and honor SD Burman’s legacy as a symbol of Cumilla and Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.
SD Burman, born on October 1, 1905 or 1906, in Chartha, Cumilla, was the son of Nabadwip Chandra Deb Burman, an heir to the Tripura royal family. His early exposure to the Bhatiali folk songs and melodies along the Gomti River sowed the seeds of his musical journey. He gained fame while studying at Calcutta University and later became a prominent music director in the Mumbai film industry.
Over the years, SD Burman’s birthplace, once a grand palace, suffered from encroachment, neglect, and destruction. Efforts to preserve it began in the 1990s, and in 2014, the district administration recovered part of the palace. Although partial renovations were undertaken, the project was never fully realized. The ‘Sachin Mela’ started in 2018, and a mural was erected in 2019, but plans for a comprehensive cultural complex have yet to be fulfilled.