Tribute to Sapan Chakraborty, an excellent musician, music arranger, singer, lyricist and film music composer, on his 22nd death anniversary today.
Sapan Chakraborty was a music composer in Hindi and Bengali films. Not much is known of his early career but he rose in prominence when he joined R.D. Burman’s team as an assistant music director. He became a key member of R.D. Burman’s team and tried his hand at singing and even writing lyrics. Sapan Chakraborty worked with R.D. Burman almost till the end of RD era. Sapan himself was a very good musician as well as a singer. Other quality which must be mentioned here is that he was a good lyricist and has written many of R.D.Burman’s Bengali pooja numbers. He himself has composed music for 5 hindi and 15 bengali films. Highlight of his career as a music director was Amitabh starred movie Zameer (1975) and 36 Ghante (1974).
In Hindi, he composed music for Hindi films like Naya Nasha (1973) 36 Ghante (1974), Zameer (1975), Jab Andhera Hota Hai (1974) and Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986). In Bengali, he has composed music for films like Mohonar dike (1984), Shurer akashey (1988), Tufan (1988), Chotobou (1988). Monimala (1989), Kori diye kinlam (1989), Monmayuri (1990), Madanda (1990), Mohajon (1990), Bidhilipi (1991), Neelimay neel (1991), Mahashoy (1992), Antoratama (1995), Shorbojoya (1997) and Mayer dibyi (1998).
As a playback singer some of his memorable songs are Aao re aao khelo from Balika Badhu, Golmaal hai bhai golmaal hai with Rahul Dev Burman from Golmaal, Ho sajan aaye ho with Bhupinder Singh from Ratnadeep, Kaida kaida akhir faida with Rekha from Khubsoorat, Mere saath chale na from Kitaab, Pritam aan milo from Angoor, Hum Tum Aur Yeh Nasha Nasha from Shaukeen, Naram Naram Raat Mein with Rahul Dev Burman from Naram Garam and Pyar Hamen Kis Mod Pe from Satte Pe Satta.
R.D. Burman parted ways with Sapan Chakraborty towards the end of his career and Sapan moved to Calcutta to pursue a career as an independent music director in Bengali movies.
Sapan Chakraborty passed away on 23rd August 1995, a year after his mentor R.D.Burman’s death.
