Best Playback Singer Manna Dey

BIOGRAPHY

Manna Dey: Indian playback singer, vocalist, musician
Real Name: Prabodh Chandra Dey
Date of Birth: May 1, 1919
Birth Place: Kolkata (Calcutta), India
Years Active: 1942- present
Father: Purna Chandra Dey (chartered accountant)
Mother: Mahamaya Dey
Uncle: Krishna Chandra Dey (singer/actor)
Wife: Sulochana Kumaran (married on December 18, 1953)
Children: 2 daughters- Suroma and Sumita

ABOUT MANNA DEY:

Manna Dey is renowned Indian playback singer and musician. He is one of the legendary figures in Indian music industry. He is one of the versatile singers who can sing any type of song from classical, romantic, patriotic, fast numbers to slow and soulful. The veteran singer has won many prestigious awards including Filmfare, Padmasree, Padmabhusan and even National Award as Best Playback Singer.
His real name is Prabodh Chandra Dey, who popularly known as Manna Dey. Manna Dey was born on May 1, 1919 in a Bengali family. Manna Day attracted towards music due to his uncle's influence on him. His paternal uncle Krishna Chandra Dey was a well-known singer and actor of New Theatres company. He was loved and pampered by his uncle. He took his first music lessons from uncle K. C. Dey.
Manna attended Indu Babur Pathshala, Scottish Church Collegiate School and Scottish Church College to do his schooling. He graduated from Vidyasagar College, Calcutta. After college he has two ways to choose between. Either take music or some other job for living. His father wanted him to become a Bachelor of Arts, to be a Barrister. But like other youngsters in Calcutta, he was under influence of his uncle and selected to go for music. In his initial days he was taught by uncle K. C. Dey. K.C. Dey introduced him to the nuances of thumri, qawwali, tappa, and bhajan. Later he took training from Ustad Aman Ali Khan and Ustad Abdul Rahman Khan.
Manna Dey moved to Mumbai along with uncle K. C. Dey, in 1942. Initially he worked as an assistant to K. C. Dey, then to S. D. Burman. After that he also worked as assistant to other music composer. Later he started working independently as a music director. While working as music director, he kept on learning the Hindustani classical music. He is one of the talented classical singers, while he can sing semi-classical filmy songs with ease.
In 1943, Manna Dey got his first break with the film 'Tamanna'. It was a duet song along with singer Suraiya, which was composed by K. C. Dey. The song became hit. He also gets attention with the song 'Upar Gagan Vishal' from film Mashal. Later his song from the Bengali and Marathi film Amar Bhupali proved him as a prominent singer. During early career he found problem with the Hindi language. But later he done a systematic study and get easy with the language.
Manna Dey is also known for his perfection. He is the only artiste who used to make notations before recording a song. Manna shared a great bond with music directors R. D. Burman and Shankar-Jaikishan. With R. D. Burman he gave the hit number 'Aao Twist Karein'.
Critics agreed that Manna can sing any of Rafi, Kishore, Talat Mahmood and Mukesh's song. He is one of the versatile singers. Once the legendary singer Mohammad Rafi said that people listen to his songs, but he listen only to Manna Dey's songs. That defines the singer's greatness. But unfortunately he was used to sing for character actors and older stars except occasionally for Raj Kapoor. While the times other lead singers Rafi, Kishore and Talat Mahmood were singing for stars like Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor. Many commented that his voice lacks youthfulness. But he has the ability to make any song a hit song with his melodious voice. Manna sang many songs for the comedian Mehmood including the hit 'Ek Chatoor Nar Karke Singar' from Padosan.

Hit Songs
• Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh
• Na Mangun Sona Chandi
• Poocho Na Kaise Rein Bitaayi
• Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli Haaye
• Tujhe Suraj Kahoon Ya Chanda
• Pyar Hua Iqraar Hua
• Tu Pyar Ka Saagar Hai
• Aaoo Twist Karen
• Aye Mere Pyare Watan
• Laga Chunari Mein Daag
• Aye Meri Zohra Jabeen
• Chunri Sambhaal Gori Udi Chali Jaaye Re
• Ek Chatur Naar Karke Singaar
• Yari Hai Iman Mera Yaar Meri Jindagi
Manna Dey - Non-film Albums
• Madhushala
• Hyara Hu Mai
• Shwan Ke Rimjhim
• O Rang Rejwa
• Meri Bhi Ek Mumtaz Thi
• Shyam Ho Jamm Ho

National Awards
• 2004 - from Govt. of Kerala
• 1971 - for film Mera Naam Joker (Hindi)
• 1970 - for film Nishipadma (Bengali)

Government Awards
• 2005 - Life Time Achievement Award - Govt. of Maharastra
• 2005 - Padma Bhushan Award - Govt. of India
• 2003 - Alauddin Khan Award - Govt. of West Bengal
• 1971 - Padmasree Award - Govt. of India

Other Awards
• 2005 - D.Lit Honour Burdwan University
• 2004 - D. Lit Honour Rabindra Bharati University
• 2002 - Special Jury Swaralaya Yesudas Award for outstanding performance in music
• 2001 - Anandalok Lifetime Award Anandabazar Group
• 1999 - Kamala Devi Roy Award Kamala Devi Group
• 1991 - Sangeet Swarnachurr Award Awarded by Shree Khetra Kala Prakashika, Puri
• 1990 - Shyamal Mitra Award Mithun Fans Association
• 1993 - P.C.Chandra Award P.C.Chandra Group & others
• 1988 - Michale Sahittyo Puraskar Awarded by Renaissance Sanskritik Parishad, Dacca
• 1985 - Lata Mangeskar Award Awarded by Govt. of Madhya Pradesh