Fans Urge Authorities To Convert RD Burman's Childhood Home Into Museum, Launch Petition
Fans of SD and RD Burman urge authorities to convert their neglected Kolkata childhood home into a museum. Despite appeals, the house remains in disrepair.
Music lovers are coming together to save a piece of history, that is, the childhood home of legendary composers SD Burman and RD Burman in Kolkata. The house, located at 36/1 South End Park, has fallen into a state of neglect. Fans are now urging authorities to convert it into a museum.
To push for action, a group of fans has launched an online petition that has already gathered over 7,000 signatures within a week. They believe that the house should be preserved as a cultural landmark. 'This house is not just brick and mortar — it echoes with melodies that shaped Indian music. Instead of being lost to time, it deserves to be turned into a living museum, a cultural space that honours their genius and nurtures future talent," the petition says.
Back in January 2021, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had renamed the road outside the house to 'Sangeet Sarani", and there were talks of turning the property into a museum. But according to family members, nothing came of those plans.
RD Burman's uncle, Abhijit Dasgupta, shared his disappointment in a conversation with The Telegraph. 'We were promised a museum. We were told a blue plaque would be installed. In 2021, they even renamed the street Sangeet Sarani. But nothing beyond symbolism has happened." He also questioned, 'If the Ministry of External Affairs can offer help to restore a Ray-linked building in Mymensingh, why can't our own state protect this house steeped in musical history?"
When asked about the petition, Swapan Samaddar, Member, Mayor-in-Council (Environment & Heritage), said, 'I have not received any such petition. If I do, I'll take necessary steps." He added that he wasn't in charge of the heritage portfolio back in 2021.
But fans are not giving up. Dasgupta, who started the petition, said firmly, 'This time we're determined to see it through."
RD Burman was one of the most celebrated music directors in Indian cinema. Active from the 1960s to the 1990s, he composed music for over 330 films and played a big role in shaping the sound of Hindi film music. Burman worked closely with some of the biggest singing legends like Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, and Mohammed Rafi. He also shared a special creative partnership with lyricist Gulzar/
Rahul Dev Burman was the only son of renowned composer Sachin Dev Burman and lyricist Meera Dev Burman.
First Published:
July 28, 2025, 07:45 IST
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