Manna Dey: Remembering The Legacy He Left Behind

Zindagi kaisi hai paheli haaye, Kabhi toh hasaaye, kabhi yeh rulaaye.. Words that have become timeless and songs that continue to cause steer in hearts of countless generations. Legendary singer Manna Dey has left behind a legacy that still guides his descendants. Whenever the playlist of the golden voices of the 50s, 60s or 70s plays, the list forever has a special place reserved for the renowned playback singer, music director and musician, Manna Dey. Such was his impact that music directors wrote songs keeping him in mind and those which only he would be able to sing. Born into a Bengali family as Prabodh Chandra Dey in the year 1919, this multitalented musician became synonymous with classical songs in Bengali and Hindi films and also with modern music. Manna Dey’s songs were an instant hit not only because of the remarkable notes but also because of the fact that he sang them with such ease. He is also credited for bringing the classical music into the popular domain and making them forever favourites throughout generations. Manna Dey started his career in playback singing by singing a duet with Suraiya, “Jaago jaago aaye usha” in the film Tamanna in 1942, under the direction of his uncle and mentor, K C Dey. In 1943, he got his solo break with the film Ram Rajya. Originally, Vijay Bhatt, the producer of the film and Shankar Rao Vyas, the music director had approached K C Dey to sing the songs in the film. However K C Dey refused to sing as a shadow to other actors. Incidentally, they saw Manna Dey sitting in a corner and offered him the opportunity. And thus started Manna Dey’s journey with the first solo song, “Gayi tu gayi seta sati”. Manna Dey’s first hit song was Kavi Pradeep’s “Oopar gagan vishal” in the film mashal in 1950. Although his training in classical music was distinct under the tutelage of his uncle K C Dey, he was able to make a mark in other genres because of his love for love songs and humorous tones that set the mood for different emotions.Songs like “Yeh raat bheegi bheegi” and “Aaja sanam madhur chandni Mein” have pulled the heartstrings of countless lovers. His love songs brought the timelessness of love to light with the song “Ae meri zohra zaaben”, putting old couples in the limelight with the youngsters. Manna Dey succeeded in his versatility by his contribution in rock music with the song, “Aao twist Karen, jag utha mausam”. No one can forget Manna Dey’s comic duet with Kishore Kumar in “Ek chatur naar” in the film Padosan. His deliberate accent and funny rendition while maintaining the classical tone still leaves people baffled on their seats.Manna Dey recorded more than 3,500 songs in a span of 70 years between 1943 and 2013. Apart from Hindi and Bengali, he also sang in Assamese, Gujarati, Marathi, Odia, Malayalam, Kannada, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Magadhi, Maithilee, Sindhri, Konkani, and Chhattisgarhi.Contributing to the music industry with such unforgettable notes, Manna Dey was awarded with Padma Shri in 1971, Padma Bhushan in 2005, Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2009 and Filmfare Lifetime Achievement award in 2011.

Published: Odishatv Bureau

Last updated: 01 May 2024, 09:34 PM IST