----------------------------------- surtaal Sat 12 May, 2007 20:22 Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#P dir=ltr ="sectiontext"#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://archive.gulfnews.com/images/06/04/30/01_tab_mannadey_4.jpg" width=280 border=0#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE width=300 border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#During the golden era of music, when a song required a high level of vocal flexibility and classical punch, the natural choice was Manna Dey.#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=5#ed_cl#Manna dey - The Living Legend#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Prabodhchandra Dey was in two minds after graduating from Vidyasagar College, Calcutta - whether to become a barrister or a playback singer. He was under the mesmeric spell of his illustrious uncle K.C. Dey, the well-known singer and popular star of New Theaters. The uncle took the nephew under his wings and the result was the phenomenon called Manna Dey (petname 'Manna' was given by K.C. Dey), who would go on to enthrall millions for five decades with his lilting songs that refuse to age with time. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey grew up to the soft strains of Baul songs, Rabindra-sangeet, and khayal. K.C. Dey put his nephew through the paces acquainting him with the subtleties of tappa, thumri, bhajan and qawwali. With the disintegration of the New Theaters in 1940, K.C. Dey left for Bombay in search of fresh pastures. Manna joined his uncle and started off in Bombay as the assistant to music director H.P. Das. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#His first break came a year later when he recorded a solemn number for the character of Valmiki in Vijay Bhatt's "Ram Rajya". Years of struggle followed, at times compelling the talented singer to wonder if his choice of career was the right one. He even thought of coming back to Calcutta and take up his law. However, "Upar Gagan Vishal", the marching song from "Mashaal", turned into a super-hit and made him stay in the music line. Soon, a string of hits followed which established his career on a firm footing. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey was a flawless (I'm using past tense because he seldom sings these days) singer who could sing any type of song. From Qawwalis (Yeh Ishq Ishq hai) to romantic duets (Pyar hua iqraar hua), fast nubers (Aaoo twist karen, Jhoomta mausam mast mahina) to patriotic songs (Aye mere pyare watan) or prayer numbers (Tu pyar ka saagar hai) -- he was the versatile genius. His mastery over semi-classical geets was something, which even the multi-faceted voice of Rafi could not match. "Laga chunri mein daag", "Tere naina talaash karen", "Poocho na kaise", "Aayo kahan se Ghanshyam", "Jhanak jhanak tori baaje payaliya", "Phoolgendwa na maaro", "Aaj mile man ke meet", "Tum bin jeevan" -- the list of his semi-classical hits is endless. Being the versatile genius he was, he won the Filmfare award for his toe-tapping number "Aae bhai zara dekh ke chalo" from "Mera Naam Joker". The song happens to be one of the most intricate compositions of Shankar-Jaikishen and it was the genius of Manna Dey that made it sound so simple and fluent. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Yet the career graph of this great singer never soared dizzy heights during his time. His deep voice was said to be unsuited for young heroes. He was arguably the most talented among his contemporaries, but he could never occupy the top slot. Even in his home state of West Bengal recognition came late in the mid 60's. The Bengali audience were spellbound by the mellifluous sweetness of Shyamal and the golden voice of Hemanta, and for a long time had a closed ear on Manna. However, once he established himself there was no looking back. His Bengali compositions are all masterpieces -- 'Baaje go bina', 'Bendhona phool-o-mala dore', 'Aami je jalsaghare', 'Kaharba noi dadra bajao', 'Behaag jodi na hoy raaji', 'She amar chhoto bon' and of course the immortal "Coffee Houser shei addata". #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Belated recognotion and a low trajectory of his career graph hardly bothers Manna Dey. "I was never in the top and honestly, I never aspired to be in that race.", he admits. Stepped in the fine tradition of New Theaters, his gentle low-key approach never matched the pomp and pettiness of filmdom. 'Stubbornly unwilling to croon to the vulgar ditties to the accompaniment of an unwieldy orchestra, the veteran indulges in spending time in his own music room recollecting the legacy of the Golden Era of Film Music, his uncle and New Theaters.'#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Sat 12 May, 2007 20:29 Re: Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=5#ed_cl#Early life#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He was born to Purna Chandra Dey (his father) and Mahamaya Dey (his mother). Apart from them, in his childhood he was greatly inspired and influenced by his youngest paternal uncle Sangeetacharya (meaning "Venerable Teacher of Music" in Sanskrit) Krishna Chandra Dey, who loved and pampered little Manna. He received his early education in a small pre-primary school popularly known as Indu Babur Pathshala. Thereafter he was sent to Scottish Church Collegiate School and later to the Scottish Church College to complete his schooling and pre-university education. After that, he was admitted to Vidyasagar College for his graduate education. From his very childhood, Manna Dey manifested a keen liking for sports events like wrestling and boxing and excelled in both. He is a jovial personality and is known for playing pranks upon people. His contemporaries readily acknowledge him as one of the most sociable contemporaries in his chosen vocation (a characteristic rare among contemporary fellow musicians, perhaps with the exception of the late Kishore Kumar).#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Sat 12 May, 2007 20:31 Re: Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Early career#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#It was during his intermediate classes at Scottish Church College that Manna Dey’s vocal talent became apparent. Beating the tables of the classroom and singing aloud to entertain his compatriots during recess became a common feature for the budding talent. Later he started taking singing lessons from his uncle Krishna Chandra Dey and from Ustad Dabir Khan. It was during this period of time that Manna Dey stood first for three consecutive years in three different categories of inter-collegiate singing competitions.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#In 1942, Manna Dey accompanied his renowned uncle Krishna Chandra Dey on a visit to Mumbai. And there first under the tutelage of his uncle, and later Sachin Dev Burman, Manna Dey started working as a successful assistant music director. Later he also assisted other famous music composers and then decided to work independently. But even while working separately as a music director for different successful Hindi films, Manna Dey never stopped taking musical lessons in Hindustani classical music from two stalwarts, Ustad Aman Ali Khan and Ustad Abdul Rahman Khan.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey started his career in playback singing with the film #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Tamanna#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# in 1943. The musical score was set by his uncle Krishna Chandra Dey and he had to sing a duet with Suraiya. The song was an instant hit. People across the country loved the song. In 1950, #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Mashal#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# was the second film where Manna Dey got the opportunity to sing a solo #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Upar Gagan Vishal#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# and this time the melody was created by Sachin Dev Burman. In 1952, Manna Dey sang both for a Bengali and a Marathi film of the same name and storyline – #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Amar Bhupali#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#, and established himself as a leading Bengali playback singer.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Marriage and Children#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Courier New"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#It was on the 18th December 1953, Manna Dey married Sulochana Kumaran from Kerala. Suroma Dey, who was the eldest daughter was born on 19th October 1956, and on 20th June 1958, Sumita Dey followed.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Sat 12 May, 2007 20:34 Re: Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Success and Fame#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Perhaps his talent received his best accolade from the legendary Mohammad Rafi who once told the journalists: "You listen to my songs. I listen to Manna Dey songs only". Musicians like Sachin Dev Burman and Anil Biswas agreed that Manna Dey could sing any song of Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh and Talat Mehmood, but Rafi, Kishore, Mukesh and Talat would not be able to render vocally much of the technically perfect songs of Manna Dey. Manna Dey is arguably the greatest trained singer of Hindi film music.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#He is perhaps the most versatile singer living today. He recorded a legendary duet with classicist Bhimsen Joshi-- #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Ketaki Gulab Juhi#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#. He also sang completely different genres of duet songs with Kishore Kumar like for example #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Yeh Dosti Hum Nehi Torenge (Sholay)#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# and #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Ek Chatur Naar (Padosan)#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#. Manna Dey sang side by side the legendary Hemant Kumar in Bengali film industry and also for other contemporary Bengali composers of the time offering unforgettable scores for modern Bengali songs. His immortal duet with Lata Mangeshkar in the film Sankhyabela in the lips of Uttam Kumar, "Ke Prothom Kachhe Esechi" brought him back to mainstream Bengali film music. In fact it would not be wrong to claim that it was he who pioneered a new genre in Indian music where he infused Indian classical music within a pop music frame work. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#His experimentation with western music produced many unforgettable melodies. To date there is no Indian language which has not been influenced by the melody of this multi-talented singer. He has also recorded more than 3500 songs. His music has enthralled the audience throughout the world. He has been awarded with titles like the National Singer of India, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Sat 12 May, 2007 20:40 Re: Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#Impact on Music#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#The fame of Manna Dey has over flown to every part of the globe, more specifically wherever there is an Indian diasporic community. In fact, it may be said that his is not merely a name that is deified everywhere, rather it creates a ripple of mixed feeling of love and worship whenever cited. People venerate him not only for his musical bearing but because he epitomizes in his work a wonderful combination of melody and poetry. His stance in Indian music vindicates the axiom – that art outlives the artist.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey currently lives in Bangalore in the township of Kalyannagar. After spending more than fifty years in Bombay, he moved on to Bangalore. He still maintains a Calcutta address. At the age of 86, he travels widely all over the world and performs a lot of stage programs.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Sat 12 May, 2007 20:41 Re: Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#Awards#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#UL#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#1970 National Award as Playback singer For the Bengali film Nishipadma #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#1971 National Award as Playback singer For the Hindi Film Mera Naam Joker #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#1971 Padmasree Award Govt. of India #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#1985 Lata Mangeskar Award Awarded by Govt. of Madhya Pradesh #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#1988 Michale Sahittyo Puraskar Awarded by Renaissance Sanskritik Parishad, Dacca #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#1990 Shyamal Mitra Award Mithun Fans Association #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#1991 Sangeet Swarnachurr Award Awarded by Shree Khetra Kala Prakashika, Puri #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#1993 P.C.Chandra Award P.C.Chandra Group & others #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#1999 Kamala Devi Roy Award Kamala Devi Group #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#2001 Anandalok Award Anandabazar Group #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#2002 Special Jury Swaralaya Yesudas Award for outstanding performance in music #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#2003 Alauddin Khan Award Govt. of West Bengal #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#2004 National Award as Playback singer Govt. of Kerala #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#2004 D. Lit Honour Rabindra Bharati University #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#2005 Life Time Achievement award Govt. of Maharastra #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#2005 D.Lit Honour Burdwan University #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#2005 Padmabhusan Award Govt. of India #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/LI#ed_cl##ed_op#/UL#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Sat 12 May, 2007 20:48 Re: Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#An Interview..#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE id=table4 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=Heading#ed_cl##ed_op#H1#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=5#ed_cl#Manna Dey at his best#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/H1#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=para align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=5#ed_cl#Dr Mandar V Bichu#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=ArticleBody#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=para align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana color=#000000 size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#On Friday, the select audience of music lovers and media people at the Cinemasangeet dot com-MMI-organised luncheon were in for a real treat as the legendary singer Manna Dey regaled them with an amazing array of anecdotes, shedding light not only on his own career but also offering a rare personalised glimpse into the historic golden era of Hindi film music. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#The octogenarian (who performed in a Signature Events concert later that evening) was in top form as he remembered every minute detail, mimicked personalities at will and even broke into songs in mid-sentence!#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=5#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Hates interviews#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#To get Manna Da to talk in this intimate fashion takes some doing for the man simply abhors interviews and interviewers. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#"I simply detest people who ask questions without knowing anything about the subject" - is his frank explanation.  #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#I still remember how he had tried to wriggle out of an interview 12 years ago giving me 10 different excuses before agreeing for a short chat. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#But then that chat had extended into a three hour-session at the end of which I had even managed to make him sing one-on-one! #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#While making him agree to do this live public interview session, I reminded him of that encounter, which brought a mischievous smile to his face. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#The moment I saw it, I was sure the great man was ready for the challenge! #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=5#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#The history behind Manna#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#He started off with a tale about his unusual name Manna and said, "Prabodhchandra was the real name given to me by my father Purnachandra Dey but I never liked it. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#My uncle and Guru - K.C. Dey, (the great blind singer of Bengal) always used to call me by the nickname - Manna. Somehow I liked that name and changed it officially when I reached college!"#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Recounting his early memories of film-industry, Manna Da said, "Composer Shankar Rao Vyas gave me my first film-song in the 1943-film Ramrajya. Actually the producer wanted my uncle to sing that song but he refused and instead suggested my name. In the film, the song was picturised on an old sage Valmiki. In fact, as a twenty-something young guy I mostly ended up singing for white haired old men!"#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=5#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#First real break#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"#ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#In the 1940s, the playback singers were not given credits on records and that's why many of my earlier songs never received any attention. In those days, I worked as an assistant to music directors like S.D.Burman and Khemchand Prakash and even composed music for many mythological films at the ripe old age of 25. So embarrassed was I to be associated with that music that I used to flatly deny any role in composing such serious, pious songs! Finally in 1950-film Mashal, I got my real break as playback singer when my song Upar Gagan Vishal became a hit. "#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=5#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#A tough fight#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Manna Da candidly accepted the fact that he had to always fight for second place as the top spot in those days was reserved for the great Mohammed Rafi. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Without rancour, he remembered how the producers openly pressurised composers to choose other singers over him. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Thus in Basant Bahar, (where he sang superb songs like Sur Na Saje and Bhay Bhanjana), the hero Bharat Bhushan's brother Shashi Bhushan wanted Rafi and in Chori Chori (where he rendered classics like Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi and Aaja Sanam) producer A.V. Mayyappan wanted Mukesh as their main singers. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Dey said he remains indebted to composers Shankar- Jaikishan for recognising his talent.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=5#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#No regrets#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#He said he didn't rue the missed opportunity of becoming superstar Raj Kapoor's regular playback singer. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#According to him, Mukesh shared a great personal friendship with Kapoor and the undercurrent of pathos in that singer's voice suited RK's screen image better. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Remembering Raj Kapoor's great sense of music, Manna Da recounted how the thespian first made the singer sing the Malhar raga and then made composers Shankar- Jaikishan compose a brilliant comedy - classical number Lapak Jhapak for Boot Polish. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Such was Kapoor's musical passion that he even joined Manna Da in the song, lending some comic vocal gimmickry.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=5#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#The bond with Mehmood#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Manna Da fondly remembered his musical bond with comedian Mehmood. He recalled how Pancham (R.D.Burman) had first used his (Manna Da's) voice for Mehmood in the Pati Patni comic number Allah Jaane Main Hoon Kaun, which later became a popular trend. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#He also recounted how the comedian used to coax and cajole him to add more masala (spice) to his songs.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Concluding the session, when he lightheartedly described how he absolutely hated finally getting the Filmfare award for an 'ordinary' song like Aye Bhai Zara Dekhke Chalo instead of earlier, better deserving numbers like Nirbal Se Ladai Balwan Ki, Kaun Aaya Mere Man Ke Dware, Poochho Na Kaise and Kasme Vaade Pyar Wafa, the smilingly made observation was subtly tinged with a lingering regret of a great singer who never really got his due!#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Sat 12 May, 2007 20:53 Re: Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=5#ed_cl#Manna Dey's passion was wrestling#ed_op#/ARTTITLE#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=headingnext style="PADDING-TOP: 5px"#ed_cl#2 May, 2007 l 1010 hrs IST#ed_op#IMG src="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/images/spacer.gif" width=3 border=0#ed_cl#l#ed_op#IMG src="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/images/spacer.gif" width=3 border=0#ed_cl#PTI#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=headingnext style="PADDING-TOP: 5px"#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=headingnext style="PADDING-TOP: 5px"#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=section1#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=Normal#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"#ed_cl#KOLKATA: #ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Noted singer Manna Dey's early passion was wrestling and football was his favourite game, but later he turned to music under the influence of his uncle and guru, K C Dey, also a celebrated singer and composer, to excel in a variety of genres over the last six decades. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"#ed_cl#This is according to Manna Dey's autobiography #ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic"#ed_cl#Memories Come Alive, #ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"#ed_cl#formally released at a function by film-maker Mrinal Sen in the presence of the singer who turned 88 on Tuesday. #ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"#ed_cl#Adolescent pranks such as shoplifting of sweets and pole-vaulting into the neighbour's terrace to swipe pickle jars were among the memories that the singer mentioned in his autobiography translated into English by Sarbani Putatunda and published by Penguin Books India. #ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"#ed_cl#Regaling generations of listeners both at home and abroad with his rich treasure of film songs, ghazals, bhazans, classical and pop in the last six decades, the legendary singer took a nostalgic trip down the memory lane. #ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"#ed_cl#Manna Dey, the name that takes the listeners back to the days of Md Rafi, Mukesh, Hemant Kumar and Kishore Kumar, has remained synonymous with music and melody, excelling across a variety of genres with his playful qawwalis, intricate raga-based songs and romantic ballads. #ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"#ed_cl#In his memoirs, Manna Dey recounted his early days in Mumbai where he worked as an assistant music director to his uncle and to composers like S D Burman and vividly recalled the struggle to carve out a niche for himself as a playback singer in Hindi films. #ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"#ed_cl#He also discussed at length his foray into the world of Bengali films and non-film (modern) music where he came to be regarded as the undisputed king of melody. #ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"#ed_cl#Peppered with interesting anecdotes like his kite duels with Rafi, priceless nuggets on how some of his famous songs came to be written and composed, stories of his enduring relationship with Raj Kapoor and Majrooh Sultanpuri, Pulak Bandopadhyay and Sudhin Dasgupta, have been well recounted. #ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"#ed_cl#Replying to the reception, an overwhelmed Manna Dey said "I am no writer. I recollected some of my life's experiences. I tried to go deep into things of life." #ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Noted classical vocalist Pandit Ajay Chakraborty paid tribute to Manna Dey who, he said, had succeeded in reaching the spirit of love to the heart of millions of his admirers#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#. #ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#!--google_ad_region_end=article--#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Sat 12 May, 2007 21:03 Re: Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Another Interview#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#‘I sing, why should you ask my age? I can perform for 3 hours...But I would not sing for 25-yr-olds in films’ #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#  #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#The last survivor of the golden age of Indian melody, Manna Dey, many say, never got his due. But the man himself is generous in his praise, for contemporaries, like Rafi, Kishore, and the new singers. Excerpts from an interview to Shekhar Gupta, Editor-in-Chief of The Indian Express, on NDTV 24 X 7’s Walk the Talk: #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#  #ed_op#BR#ed_cl# • My guest today is somebody you know more for his voice than his face, and he’s not complaining because he is the last survivor of the golden age of Indian melody. Manna Dey, or Prabodh Chandra Dey as he was named. You know why we have chosen this venue for the interview, the Hooghly river.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I was born here in Calcutta.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#• That’s one reason. But my reason is that since I’m a fan of yours, like millions of Indians, I’ve always remembered one of the great melodies you sang, O Maajhi re, khete jao re, door hai kinara. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#That was Ravindra Jain’s song. For Saudagar. Amitabh Bachchan starred in the film, and that was a wonderful composition. I would rate him as one of the most talented... #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• You have sung more than 4,000 songs... #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Well, if you pinpoint any song and tell me to sing it, I can sing a couple of lines. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• O Majhi Re..., now this is the perfect setting for the song. It’s a monsoon sky in Calcutta, on the Hooghly. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Yes, we are in the middle of the Ganga, Kinara door hai na. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• You still sing so well. I know you may not want me to reveal your age but what’s the secret of this fitness, this voice discipline at 84-85?...You were born on May Day. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Yes, 1st of May. But I really don’t understand why people comment on my age. I sing, why should you ask my age? Age is no factor, I don’t consider age any deterrent in my life. I keep healthy, I try to keep myself fit and whenever I’m asked to sing, I can perform for three hours, nothing happens to me. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• But you stopped singing for Hindi movies sometime back. Why? #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Being whatever I am at this age, I would not like to sing for 25-year-olds. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• But even in your heydays, you didn’t always sing for the 25-year-olds. Sometimes you were in the background. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#The funniest thing is I started my career singing for Badrinarayanji, who was old enough to be my father. Gayee tu gayee Sita sati, teri amar bhavana amar rahi in Ram Rajya. That movie ran for three years at a stretch, Ram Rajya by Prakash Pictures. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• I’m sure if you got back to singing, you will give many of the new singers a run for their money. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Oh yes, I can do that, definitely. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• Just go down memory lane and tell us how you started. I know you trained under your great uncle K C Dey and then came to Bombay. What was music like those days? #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Music was very pure. The sound of the voice, of the musical instruments used to be so natural, and there were no machines with which you could improve a voice. Those days you had to have a good voice to be able to sing. A good voice and good musicians to play with you, so that you could deliver the goods. Any musician, any music director who used to compose used to ask for the very best; it was natural in those days. I’m from that school of music where we have always believed in singing not the camouflaged way but the most natural way. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#You’ll be surprised to know this Shekharji, the song that was composed by Roshanji Na to caravan ki talash hai, na to humsafar ki talaash hai, that is a 12-minute song. It was cut into two parts. I, Rafi, Asha, we sang that song 6 minutes each without a break. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• It’s one of the most famous Qawwalis of all time. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I would rate it as one of the very best. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• There are so many evergreens we remember. From Waqt, there is Ae meri zohre jabin, which is still sung at weddings, at least in the north. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Why north? Even in Canada, even in Gujarat, even in Maharashtra, in Punjab, everywhere it is sung. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• Although most people don’t know the meaning of those heavy Urdu words. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Jis dhang se Balrajji sang that song... #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• Looked like an ideal romance... #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Yes, absolutely. the language was so...Isme na samajhne ki kya baat hai? #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• Tell us about your struggling days. When you came, there were already other famous people singing. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#No, not many famous people. There were a handful of male singers. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• K L Sehgal? #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#No, during our days K L Sehgal was not there. My uncle, K L Sehgal and Punkuj Mullick, those were the people who had just finished, and we had come in. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• But the gold standard was still K L Sehgal’s voice. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Yes, singing used to be different those days. K L Sehgal’s singing used to be a class in itself. And our kind of singing, we learnt good music and then came into this line. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• But you struggled a bit, and many of us believe, and I think you will not disagree, that you did not quite get the credit that Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi and Mukesh and your other contemporaries got. And yet many of the songs you have sung will perhaps outlast many that they sang. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Yes, you’re very right there. I was singularly lucky to have been chosen for some of the most beautiful and very difficult songs. That’s why they keep lingering even today, and I think those songs will never die. For instance Laga chunri mein daag chupaon kaise, Ae mere pyaare watan, or say Kasme vaade pyaar wafa, Ae meri zohre jabin, Yaari hai imaan mera, these songs will never die. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• In fact, that’s the interesting thing because those two songs Kasme vaade pyaar wafa and Yaari hai imaan mera, they completely reinvented Pran. From a villain, he became a good guy with those songs. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Yes, that’s true. I remember Pranji telephoned me and told me, ‘Mannaji, this is the first time I’m being made to sing. See that you don’t put those difficult things of yours, so that I’m all at sea’. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• Meaning your classical touches... #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Yes, I had the good fortune of being allowed to put in my specialities. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• Kasme vaade pyaar wafa was for Upkaar. But that was not an easy song to sing, although Pran managed it for the screen. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I think Pranji did a wonderful job. And the song composed by Kalyanji-Anandji was wonderful. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• So why did you think that you did not quite get your due? People always talk of three greats; it must be four greats. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#No, I don’t mind not being called a great singer because I don’t think I’m a great singer. I have been a student of good music, I can sing good songs. As for the rest, I rate Mohammad Rafi as one of the very best of all time. He was undoubtedly one of the very best. He was self-taught and he made a style of his own, and I would rate him the icon in playback singing. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• What about Mukesh and Kishore Kumar, your other contemporaries? #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Kishore was a natural singer. He never learnt music, but he had the natural talent and what a voice he had. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• He had a natural talent for everything. Acting, direction, writing, women... #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Everything, no doubt about it. I’m a very big Kishore fan. I have always rated him as one of the great entertainers in the field of music. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• I think one of your songs that the present generation remembers most of all is the one you sang with him, Ek chatur naar karke shringaar. Between Mehmood and Kishore and Sunil Dutt, you had a fantastic cast of characters. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#You know we started that song in the morning at 9 o’ clock and finished in the evening at 9 o’ clock. Twelve hours of recording... #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• And it looked as if it was a live jugalbandi. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#With Kishore, many times we have sung together, in Sholay we sang Ye dosti, it was like a picnic. Pancham (R D Burman) was such a lively fellow. We three used to make a hell of a lot of noise on the sets. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• In Bengali or in Hindi? #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#In Hindi, of course. We used to make a hell of a lot of noise, and in that kind of noise, good things used to be born, jaise ki ‘Ek chatur naar’ mein ‘Naach na jaane aangan tedha’. Udhar Kishore singing ‘Oh tedhe, oh tedhe’...It was all impromptu and it was not there in the beginning. His brain used to wander about all the time. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#• And then the song goes into Tu to hai Mathura ka peda. It was all made up? #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#All of it was made up by him. That song I sang for Raj saheb’s (Kapoor) picture Bootpolish, for David, Lapak jhapak tu aa re badarwa...My god, the song created history then. During the recording of the song, we sat on the zameen, on a carpet. A few musicians were there, four-five, myself, chorus boys and girls and Raj saheb. He sang with us, it was so entertaining. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• Well, I wish we could have taken you to the north and got you to sing that song. We haven’t been getting any rain this year! #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I rememeber that on Fiji Islands, it hadn’t rained for some time. The day my programme was to start there, it rained. They said Ustadji, aapne to kamaal kar diya. It rained, it rained cats and dogs, and they were so thankful to me. They said, ‘You have done a great thing’. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• You also became the second voice for Raj Kapoor. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Yes, later on. You know, Mukesh was a goody-goody singer and he used to sing all the songs of Raj Kapoor, but there were certain songs which Raj saheb thought I would be able to do better justice to. For example Dil ka haal sune dilwaala, Pyaar hua, ikrar hua, Ye raat bheegi bheegi, Aaja sanam, Jahan main jaati hoon wahin chale aate ho... #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• ‘Ye raat bheegi bheegi’ ka to koi muqabla nahin. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Usse zyada popular tha ‘Aaja sanam’. It was the best song. I sang it better and it proved to be more popular...I remember when we were making Pyaar hua, ikrar hua song in Shankarji’s music room. Raj Saheb and Babyji, that is Nargisji, both enacted the whole song in our presence, with the musicians. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• But my favourite is still Ye raat bheegi bheegi. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#It’s up to you. Many people say that Ye raat bheegi bheegi is immortal. But I enjoyed singing these kind of songs more. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• If you look at the new trend now, it is remixes, and I keep thinking which one of your songs will get remixed. Some I think are already being remixed. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#They are doing it. Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo, Ye zindagi, these are being remixed. Mujhe bhi achha lagta hai. That song also, Chalat musafir le liyo re. They have done all these. I think they are doing Ae meri zohre jabin also. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• I think all the baraat and wedding parties will go crazy once that is done. That’ll be your answer to Bhangra. But also Chunri sambhal gori, that I’m sure is sitting there to be remixed. You have no problems with remixes? #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#No, I don’t. Let them do it. It’s fine. On the contrary, I would not say they are wasting their energy, they are using it in creating something different. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• Many people, especially classicists, are very angry about remixing. They are saying this is corruption, apasanskriti as you would call it in Calcutta. That remixing is ruining this music. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I wouldn’t say that. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• Which are the remixes you like? Have you seen any? #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Very many songs created by R D Burman. I love them, I love them, and I would say people who have been doing it are quite enterprising. They are trying to find new horizons through that music, that’s good. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• You are so active, you watch everything. What do you think of the male and female playback singers of today? #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Some of them are very good. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• I know Kavita Krishnamurthy is a disciple. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Kavita is not a disciple, but Kavita is like my daughter, and she’s a friend of my daughter. She used to come to our house. I didn’t teach her singing, she was taught by some other good masters. I did give her some guidance. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• And what about the others? #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Alka Yagnik sings very well, indeed very well, and Sunidhi Chauhan is singing very well. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• But they can’t compare with Lata and Asha? #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#No, Lata is an institution. Every singer who has come in the field of playback singing, she has definitely kept Lata in front and then started singing. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• That’s the gold standard. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Yes, definitely. Lata and Asha. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• And among male singers? #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Sonu Nigam is very good, Udit Narayan is very good, Kumar Sanu is there. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• Again where would you rate them compared to all of you? You, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, Mohammad Rafi. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Some of the singers have tried to sing Kishore’s songs. They are not doing badly, but there was nothing much to sing in Kishore’s songs. Hamaare gane mein jo... #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• Unme complications theen. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Yes, my songs, take any song for instance of mine. I used to put my own things into the song. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• What is your all-time favourite? #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Poochho na kaise maine rain bitayi... #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• One of my favourites, before we conclude, is Ae mere pyaare watan from Kabuliwaala. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#That is my favourite too, that is Salil’s tune and written by Prem Dhawan. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• All I can say is I don’t know who let you retire. If you take a vote, all of us will make sure you come right back to singing. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Thank you. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#• Please keep singing and keep on getting younger and retain your spirit, it’s so inspirational. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Thank you.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Sat 12 May, 2007 21:10 Re: Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=70 hspace=0 src="http://im.rediff.com/entertai/2001/aug/31bann.gif" width=290 border=0#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Arial JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Arthur J Pais and Som Chivukula#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P JJzRY="1" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=+2#ed_cl#R#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#ahul Dev Burman is remembered as one of the most gifted composers of all time. #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#However, if you are one of those who do not think much of his singing range, you may still want to give him the credit for composing and singing one of the most popular songs of the 1970s. #ed_op#P JJzRY="3" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" roman new#ed_cl#Mehbooba mehbooba#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# from #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" roman new#ed_cl#Sholay#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# created history in terms of popularity. #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#But how many people know that it was composed specially for singer Manna Dey? #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Burman, affectionately known as Pancham, had recorded the song in his voice hoping Dey would follow his (Burman's) singing pattern. #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#"But even before I finished listening to the way he had sung that song. I told Pancham that I did not want to sing the song," Dey recalls. "He had a unique way of singing -- and this song's rendition reminded me of (jazz great) Louis Armstrong's singing. #ed_op#IMG height=107 alt="Manna Dey" hspace=2 src="http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/aug/31man1.jpg" width=150 align=left vspace=2 border=0#ed_cl# #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#"So I told him that this was his song," Dey said in an exclusive interview in San Francisco. where he was visiting his daughter. #ed_op#P JJzRY="2" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Of all the wonderful stories Dey could belt away as if they happened yesterday, the #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" roman new#ed_cl#Sholay#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# story remains his favourite. #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Manna Dey, who made his singing debut some six decades ago, went on to lend his voice for some of the most popular leading men and comedic actors in Bombay including Ashok Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Balraj Sahni and Mehmood. #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#He has sung for all major composers ranging from Sachin Dev Burman to Shankar Jaikishen and Ravi. #ed_op#P JJzRY="6" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#"Shankar had a special corner for me," Dey, who turned 81 recently, reminisced. Of the many memorable songs he has sung for Shankar, some are found in such films as #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" roman new#ed_cl#Basant Bahar#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" roman new#ed_cl#Chori Chori#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" roman new#ed_cl#Shri 420#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# and #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" roman new#ed_cl#Mera Naam Joker#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#. #ed_op#P JJzRY="1" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" roman new#ed_cl#Yeh raat bheegi bheegi#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, a duet he sang with Lata Mangeshkar (picturised on Raj Kapoor and Nargis) almost didn't happen, the singer remembers with a nostalgic chuckle. #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#The film's producer, AV Meyappan Chettiar, who had flown to Bombay from Madras for its recording, insisted that Mukesh sing it. After all, Mukesh was considered the 'soul' of Raj Kapoor -- and had sung a majority of the songs the star lip-synced on the screen. #ed_op#P JJzRY="1" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=102 alt="Mera Naam Joker" hspace=2 src="http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/aug/31man2.jpg" width=150 align=right vspace=2 border=0#ed_cl# "When Chettiar saw me in the recording room with Lata, he turned to Shankar and asked where Mukesh was. He was not satisfied with Shankar's explanation that he (Shankar) wanted me to sing the duet." #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Thereupon Raj Kapoor intervened, suggesting that the song should be recorded -- and if there was an agreement that it had come out well, it should be included in the film. #ed_op#P JJzRY="2" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#When Chettiar heard the recorded song, he congratulated the singer and said he was proud to have the song in his film. #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" roman new#ed_cl#Yeh raat...#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# went on to become one of the most popular songs of the 1950's, and Dey seldom leaves it out of his concerts. #ed_op#P JJzRY="2" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Though Dey also sang one of his most popular songs for Shankar in Raj Kapoor's #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" roman new#ed_cl#Mera Naam Joker#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, and grabbed a Filmfare Award, he doesn't think there was much of a challenge in it for him. #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#"It was no great deal," he says as a matter of fact. #ed_op#P JJzRY="2" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#There was more of #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" roman new#ed_cl#abhinay(acting)#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# in the song, he says with a smile. "I had to imagine how Raj Kapoor would walk and talk when he sang it on screen." #ed_op#P JJzRY="4" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Manna Dey has sung in more than a dozen languages, one of his most popular songs being a sad solo in #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" roman new#ed_cl#Chemmeen#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, a Malayalam film that won major awards in the mid-1960s and was a huge box-office success. (Its music was composed by Salil Chaudhary, for whom Dey has sung haunting numbers in movies such as #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" roman new#ed_cl#Kabuliwala#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#). #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Many people complimented Dey for not only putting his soul into the song but also for pronouncing the Malayalam lyrics adeptly. #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#"The pronunciation has improved since then as I have been singing it at many concerts," he says, laughing. He remembers the day he went home with a tape of the song after the first rehearsal, and one of his daughters asked him what language it was. #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#It is Malayalam, he told her, surprised. #ed_op#P JJzRY="1" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=109 alt="Manna Dey" hspace=2 src="http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/aug/31man3.jpg" width=150 align=left vspace=2 border=0#ed_cl# His daughter wouldn't believe him, and insisted that her mother listen to the song and confirm that it was in fact sung in the language of Kerala. #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Not many people know that Manna Dey's wife Sulochana is a Malayali. #ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#"She made sure I got it right," he says, adding on a grin: "Well, almost." #ed_op#P JJzRY="2" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#The song became a rage across Kerala, and since #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" roman new#ed_cl#Chemmeen#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# also became a hit in the neighbouring southern states, Manna Dey added thousands of new fans to his enviable fan base. #ed_op#P#ed_cl#Many experts in popular music will readily acknowledge that Manna Dey, trained in classical music, was the most versatile singer in Indian music. He would sing with the same ease #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 roman new#ed_cl#Sur na...#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# in #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 roman new#ed_cl#Basant Bahar#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# as he would dole out #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 roman new#ed_cl#Aao twist karen#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# in #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 roman new#ed_cl#Bhoot Bangla#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#. Also he was very much at home with tunes based on folk music such #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 roman new#ed_cl#Yaari hai #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#in #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=times size=3 roman new#ed_cl#Zanjeer.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# #ed_op#P#ed_cl#But he never made it to the very top, being overshadowed by Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar. #ed_op#P#ed_cl#"There were a lot of great singers around," he says, without bitterness. "Naturally, I got a limited number of songs." #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"But this much I know...My songs were composed with me in mind." #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Sat 12 May, 2007 21:14 Re: Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD width="100%" ="tdarticle"#ed_cl##ed_op#H1 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0" ="a_title"#ed_cl#Aye Mere Pyare Watan#ed_op#/H1#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD width="100%" ="tdarticle"#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV ="a_deion"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD width="100%" ="tdarticle"#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV style="FLOAT: left" JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#By: #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV ="a_author"#ed_cl#Kavita Chhibber #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD width="100%" ="tdarticle"#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"#ed_cl##ed_op#T#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: georgia"#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#He is perhaps the last of the living legends among male singers. gifted with a unique voice no one has managed to ape till now. While you come across clones of other legendary singers in the present day world of vocal music, Manna Dey remains as original and incomparable through the years. At 84, he is fit as a fiddle, and recently sang for four hours to raise funds for the Robin Raina Foundation in Atlanta, a charity to aid under privileged children worldwide, because he deeply believes in the cause. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 3px; MARGIN-LEFT: 9px" cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=5 width="10%" align=right bgColor=#e8e8e8#ed_cl##ed_op#T#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG title="" height=288 alt="" src="http://www.littleindia.com/data/images/news/categories/sept04/manna1.jpg" width=220 align=baseline border=0#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/T#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#In an exclusive interview with Little India, the elegantly clad Dey talks about a life filled with music, his journey as a singer and composer and why in spite of the consensus he never received his due as a singer, he takes it all in his stride with humor and humility.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" JJzRY="1" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#What are the early memories of growing up and music? #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#In my formative years I was surrounded by music because of my uncle, the famous singer K.C. Dey, but until he became blind at the age of 13 and turned to music to support himself no one in the family was musically inclined. A benefactor took him under his wing because he thought my uncle was a musical genius, which he was, and made him learn at the feet of great ustads. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Uncle in turn imparted that knowledge to my late brother and me, but he made it very clear that to deserve that kind of musical education, we had to desire and work for it.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2 JJzRY="6" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Other than that I don't really come from a family of musicians, though several legendary musicians like Allauddin Khan Sahib, Inayat Khan, the late Vilayat Khan's father and many other maestros visited our house, since they were my uncle's contemporaries. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#We lived in a joint family and still do, in the same house where my father, uncle and I were born. Still it was made very clear to me by my father and my eldest uncle, who was an engineer and the self appointed decision maker for every one in the family, that I had to finish my education first and preferably do law. When I finished my undergrad studies, there were two choices before me, to study law or music. I chose the latter. My father wasn't too pleased with my choice, but I got tremendous support from my uncle and started learning from him. K.C Dey never married, so I became the son he never had, and he was instrumental in helping me realize my dreams as long as I was willing to make the necessary sacrifices. Until then I had no formal musical education.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Having said that I must add that like most Bengali house holds music was a part of our upbringing, so I would sleep and wake up to the sounds of music and subconsciously and consciously began to imbibe all that I had heard around me, and later when I did get into it, uncle did not have to teach me from scratch.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" JJzRY="7" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#So did you ever go through the tough regimen of learning music where the gurus punished their students-one hears stories of incessant hours of torturous practice, scoldings, Ali Akbar Khan was even tied to a tree!#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#I'm afraid that is an approach I don't think much of. My uncle was a hard task master, but never unkind or cruel. He was strict and the day I decided to become a singer he gave me a tanpura and expected rigorous practice from me. I was very fond of outdoor sports like boxing, wrestling, I used to love flying kites and had a very cavalier attitude and so when I should have been practicing music I would be out playing sports and in turn he would scold me but never in the horrible way some people treated their students. His concern was out of love and he wanted me to focus and apply my mind.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#He was the pioneer in introducing sugam sangeet or light music to the masses.#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Yes and actually a lot of people didn't know that my uncle was a classically trained singer and used to sing dhrupad, dhamar, khayal, thumri, tappe and ghazal. He was very versatile, and in those days when every one was singing only classical, my uncle became a pioneer of sugam sangeet or light music. It was a master stroke. I can't fathom how it even dawned on him that somehow the appreciation for classical music is very limited and that simplifying music would garner a much wider audience for him and it did. He modeled his music in a way that the common man could listen and identify with it. As a result he was worshiped in Bengal. When he started singing and working in Hindi movies and theatre, his songs became a rage all over India. I remember going to Karachi with him and when my uncle began singing songs like Baba Man ki Ankhen Khol and Teri Gathri Mein Laga Chor Musafir, the entire audience started singing with him. That was an unforgettable experience in itself.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl#You yourself seem to be fonder of sugam sangeet even though you have amazing classical range and mastery.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Learning classical music is essential for a strong foundation, but frankly I was not cut out for classical singing. I just don't appreciate the fact that you sit there singing the same raga for 2-3 hours. It is too repetitive and really tries the patience of the listener. K.C. Dey was the greatest influence in my life and my style of singing has been aligned with his right from the beginning. I also seem to have this ability to grasp things quickly, and I could reproduce what my uncle played on tabla and sang with great accuracy. My uncle was also very particular about the company he kept and wanted me to keep. He didn't want me around unsavory people. Good influences and wholesome friendships were very crucial and I follow that to this day.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 3px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 9px" cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=5 width="10%" align=left bgColor=#e8e8e8#ed_cl##ed_op#T#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG title="" height=288 alt="" src="http://www.littleindia.com/data/images/news/categories/sept04/manna2.jpg" width=210 align=baseline border=0#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/T#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2#ed_cl#You left Calcutta and went to Bombay to try your hand at singing there. How was the journey?#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2#ed_cl#The music in Calcutta was getting on my nerves. It was nothing but Rabindra sangeet and so I decided to go to Bombay not realizing it would be pretty tough. Firstly I was Bengali and thus an outsider and I would hear comments like, "Arey Bengali Babu go back to Bengal and eat your rasgullas, and stay there." I went with my uncle so that made it a bit easier. I worked as his assistant for 5 years and was paid the princely sum of Rs 500 in those days. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#I got my first break at the age of 22-23, when I sang Upar Gagan Vishal for the film Ram Rajya and was immediately branded as a singer of religious songs. I was constantly approached to sing for old bearded characters in movies and I was barely in my early twenties. It was a very trying time for me. I sang the song Chali Radhey Rani Akhiyon Main Pani for well known film maker Bimal Roy. It became a big hit and Bimal Roy said Manna have you seen the song on screen? I said no, he said you must go and see for yourself how deeply it continues to move the audience. I went and what do I see: another old man with a beard singing the song and I got so mad. I was in two minds whether to return to Calcutta or to stay on and not give up.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Was it true that there used to be a clique and music directors stuck with certain singers and didn't give other a chance.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#I don't know about cliques and there is nothing wrong in struggling. I think we all had a quota, and it wasn't as if I sang everything music directors composed or others did. Yes there were favorites but that is part of the game.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#You have sung for so many legendary music directors. Can you share memories of those times.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Yes I did sing for all of them. S.D Burman was in a league of his own. I knew him from the time I was a child as he would come and study music under my uncle. I was always attracted to Burman da because he looked like a chinaman and I used to sit next to him and watch him sing. I loved his nasal tone and style of singing and used to imitate him in college days and sing like him. The way he sang was very typical of East Bengal and his accent remained the same even when he sang in Hindi. His voice was very distinct and he became a trendsetter. There is no one who can sing Wahan Kaun Hai Tera Musafir like Burman da did. He loved me a lot and we often played tennis together. He was kind enough to say that if someone composes lyrics from his heart, the only singers who can put soul into those lyrics are Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey. It was always at the back of my mind to live up to his expectations. He mentioned some songs that I had sung with such emotion Poocho Na Kaise Maine Rain Bitaye and the song that moved him was the famous Ai Mere Pyare Watan from the film Kabuli Wallah.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#We were rehearsing the song and a close friend of mine Mr. Sharma was listening and came out and said Manna your voice is sounding very listless. There is no pizzaz. What are you singing? SD Burman retorted that on the contrary that was exactly the way the song was to be sung. It was being picturized on a man who was a poor kabuliwallah from Afghanistan who worked all day and would return to this crowded home he shared with others and while others would sleep, he would take out his rabab and sing yearningly of the land he left behind. I couldn't have sung it in a robust manner. When music director Salil Chaudhry heard it he wept.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Salil was a personal friend and not just a musical genius, he was also a writer par excellence and his lyrics were in great demand and are to this day even though he passed away long ago. He was an intellectual in the true sense of the word. Any time you sat down with Salil you returned enriched on so many other subjects.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Shankar Jaikishan gave me some amazing songs to sing. I was closer to Shankar and he truly appreciated my voice and for 20 years the duo gave me songs that will remain evergreen for years to come. Their diversity and creativity was unbelievable I remember when Bharat Bhushan had become a big star, Mohd Rafi used to sing all his songs, Shankar created a beautiful song in his film Baiju Bawra which was being produced by Bharat Bhushan's brother Shashi Bhushan. Shashi on finding out that I was singing the song came over and protested. He wanted Rafi to sing it. Shankar persisted and told him it was either me or he could find another music director. That s how I came to sing Sur Na Saje Kya Gaoon Mein which became a huge hit. After Shashi Bhushan heard that song he came and hugged me and acknowledged that no one could have sung it as well as I had.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color=#ff0000 size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Shankar also gave you the opportunity to sing the duet Ketaki Ghulab Juhi with classical singing legend Bhimsen Joshi. How tough was that?#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2#ed_cl#My God that was a story in itself. Shankar told me Manna tighten your belt you are going to have the time of your life with the next composition. You are going to sing a classical duet with someone. They didn't tell me who. I said sure and started practicing. After a few days I was told please come over, the tune is ready and the singer with whom I was to sing the duet was none other than Bhimsen Joshi. The duet was between the hero and his rival and I was supposed to sing for the hero and win. I got the shivers and said I can't sing against Bhimsen Joshi and win, its impossible. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2#ed_cl#So I went home and told my wife, lets abscond somewhere for a few days and come back when Shankar Jaikishan have found some one else and completed the recording. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#My wife looked at me and said shame on you, how dare you even suggest something like that? Besides you are singing for the hero, you have to make him win. It was a very difficult song, but I gave it my all and afterwards Bhinsen Joshi was kind enough to say Manna Sahib, you sing quite well. Why don't you sing classical music and take it up seriously? I said maybe it came out well because I was singing before someone like you and was inspired to give my best, but that is where it stays!#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Anil Biswas also came up some brilliant compositions for me, but it was Roshan who really challenged me. You will understand what I mean if you listen to Na To Caravan Ki Talash Hai. Roshan warned me, Look Manna, Rafi is singing for the hero, but you are singing for the Ustad(maestro). The difference should show. When I rendered the alaap for that even Roshan was stunned. He said indeed you have proved yourself.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Most music directors let me improvise, but Naushad Sahib was immovable. It was either his way or no way! C Ramchandra was very exacting too, but then I learnt a lot from him. He taught me how important clear diction and pronunciation were, and would not allow any word to be mispronounced. As it is, I'm very particular about pronunciation and you will see it in all my songs even the regional ones, but C Ramchandra was even more meticulous.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Anil Biswas also said that you were the only singer who took notation for every song and had it done in one take, and that you could sing everything Rafi or Kishore or Mukesh or Talat Mehmood could sing, but they could not sing everything you sang.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#That is very generous of him. He was very fond of me, but I don't think there is anyone to touch Mohd Rafi. It is true I took notations and got every song right in one rehearsal. I even tried to teach Lata and Asha how to take notations, but these girls after the initial enthusiasm of wanting to know would not follow through!#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Tell me about Rafi. Not too many people know that you pulled Rafi out of a chorus line and gave him his break.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Rafi was junior to me and did sing very often in the chorus when I sang the lead, but then I found out what a rare talent he had and knew he would be incomparable in any field, but especially in the field of film singing. There were some songs of mine that were in a league of their own, but in Raft's case anything he sang was incredible. In fact there were times my uncle K.C Dey would be composing a tune and I would assist him. Once he was composing a song for a film called Justice and I was assisting him. When the tune was ready he said "Let Rafi know." I said, "Know what," and he said, "That the tune is ready and he has to sing this song." I felt very hurt and said. "why? Can't I sing it?" My uncle said, "No you cannot, only he can sing this." I swallowed my pride and fetched him and then after he finished recording, I realized that indeed I could not have sung it as well as he did. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Who did you enjoy singing with more, Lata or Asha?#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#I have sung more duets with Lata than I have with any one else. I first met Lata at a rehearsal with Anil Biswas. I saw this dark, ill clad girl sitting nearby and after finishing my rehearsal , Anil said, "Manna this is the daughter of Dina Nath Mangeshkar. Have you heard her sing?" Her father had passed away and they had come upon hard times. I sat down to listen to her and the moment she started singing I realized this was a prodigy sitting before me.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2#ed_cl#Both sisters are incomparable, but Asha is very versatile and singing with her meant impromptu improvisations, and we would go back and forth, testing and challenging ach other. It was a lot of fun. People say the two sisters wouldn't let any one else come into the industry. I say even if that was true, there was still no one who could come close to them in terms of talent and hard work.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Which is the song you look back at and say, what an amazing composition and I have done full justice to it?#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#The one I sang for Manoj Kumar's film Upkar, Kasme Vaade Pyar Wafa Sab. It was filmed on Pran who always acted as a villain in films. This was a sympathetic role for him and it changed the course of his acting career. He called me and said, Mannaji I'm getting an opportunity to have a song filmed on me for the first time. Manoj will explain my role to you, please don't make it so tough that I can't do justice to your rendition on screen. Manoj and I started rehearsing that song in the morning. in between he escorted me to a function where I had to sing and then we returned and finished the song. Manoj was so dedicated and the way he would immerse himself when I sang was very gratifying. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#What about Raj Kapoor? Even though he used Mukesh for most of his songs, he had you sing some wonderful numbers for him.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#I was very fortunate to sing and work with film makers of his stature. Every song recording under Raj Kapoor was an unforgettable event in itself. He left no stone unturned to make it the best possible presentation. Often he would sit with a dholak (Indian percussion instrument) and would say let's have fun. During the recording of Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua from the film Chori Chori, we were recording with a full orchestra and kept waiting for Rajji to show up. He was very late and arrived just as we were going to pack up. He was so humble he would touch people's feet and beg forgiveness, then ask for a round of tea, and then we got to it. As we sang Raj asked for extra space and took an umbrella and envisioned the scene as we sang. We started in the morning and were rehearsing till 10 p.m., because he was so engrossed in it. I also remember when I sang the song E Bhai from Mera Naam Joker which netted me the Filmfare award. I was away at a program and returned around 1 p.m. As we started rehearsing Rajji who had such a keen ear for music, felt we needed to add a violinist. Five violinists were rounded up auditioned, trained and then we started recording. That was the kind of dedication and meticulous work that went into film making in those days.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Mehmood passed away recently. You have sung some amazing numbers for him, Ek Chatur Naar with Kishore, Phul Gendwa Na Maro. Mehmood had become the kind of actor, where films were written around him. How was the experience singing for him?#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Absolutely wonderful. Mehmood would sit down with me and take notes, asking me how I sang, watching me render the lines so he could bring all the movements in my voice, the emotions into his acting on screen. He was a very kind man and full of fun. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#People cannot stop raving about your Bengali compositions.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 3px; MARGIN-LEFT: 9px" cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=5 width="10%" align=right bgColor=#e8e8e8#ed_cl##ed_op#T#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG title="" height=288 alt="" src="http://www.littleindia.com/data/images/news/categories/sept04/manna3.jpg" width=217 align=baseline border=0#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/T#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2#ed_cl#I have sung about 2,500 songs in Bengali and composed the music for about 95 percent of them. You won't believe this, but every single household in West Bengal and East Bengal which is now Bangladesh has those songs. Wherever I perform they know each and every song of mine. If I forget the lyrics the audience hums it for me. It overwhelms me with gratitude. For me it is wonderful to see the large number of people that still love my songs. I sang before 5,000 people recently in New York. It was some sort of festival and I said to the organizers, "You want me to sing here where people are busy shopping and eating?" They said you don't realize the power of your singing, just start. I did and people stopped everything and listened with such attention and in silence.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Does it surprise you that we have not had a Manna Dey clone till this day while many people have cloned their voices on Rafi and Kishore?#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#Well it's no fault of mine! The voice is God given, but I have worked hard to improve it. I do have to say though that I recently heard a Maharastrian, a young man sing my songs, and some very difficult songs at that with such incredible beauty that I was totally surprised. He sang Laga Chunari Mein Daag so well that even I sat there amazed. I guess my voice and unusual style of renditions did help me carve a place for myself and maybe in general it is difficult to mimic.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff0000#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#What do you think of today's music? And why have you eased yourself away from singing in films?#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Can you single out one composer today who is the caliber of the musicians of my times or knows what he is doing? Whatever is happening in the field of music is very unhealthy. Thanks to music videos anyone and ever one can become a singer, so one good thing has happened, even if they don't know how to, every one sings! When there are songs like Main to seeti baja raha tha, bhelpuri kha raha tha, tujhe mirchi lagi to main kya karoon,(I was eating bhelpuri and whistling and if you thought the chilies were too spicy what can I do?) what do you expect? Even regional music is cloning itself on Bollywood music. I think with the exception of Amir Khan and Yash Chopra I don't see anyone else creating the kind of films that require good music. I like Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik and Sunidhi Chauhan as singers, but even they are not getting the kind of music that can exploit their real talent.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#I still sing and do select shows. I'm in good health, both my daughters are wonderful singers and chose not to get into the industry. They saw the cutthroat competition between Lata and Asha and that put them off. Both of them are professionals. In fact my older daughter works for Sun Microsystems in California. I have a wonderful wife whom I love dearly and I live a disciplined life. More than anything else I am grateful that there are so many people who deeply appreciate the kind of music I believe in and show up to hear my songs. And that is good enough for me. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Sat 12 May, 2007 21:20 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR class=bg1#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=middle border="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT class=heading2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT class=Heading#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT class=heading#ed_cl#Few words from Mr. Manna Dey#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR class=bg2 align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=txt1 align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=200 src="http://www.rainafoundation.com/images/IMG_0025.JPG"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR class=bg2#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=txt1 align=middle width="2%"#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#‘Tujhe Suraj Kahoon ya Chanda….deep kahoon ya tara….Mera naam karega roshan jag mein mera raj dulara’#ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/I#ed_cl# These enchanting lines are from one of my favorite songs I sang in the movie ‘Ek Phool Do Mali’ in 1969. The lyrics by Prem Dhawan conveyed an immense optimism. It’s about the parents who wish to see their children achieve success in life. Thirty five years have passed since then but there are many parents amongst us who still can’t craft this dream into a reality. There are countless families not only in India but in other South Asian countries, who can not even afford the bare minimum resources for living let alone the education of their children. Millions of kids in India itself do not get an opportunity to go to school. My heart goes out for all such kids. I believe it is our ethical duty as esteemed citizens of the society to reach out to these unfortunate kids. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Robin Raina foundation has taken this unprecedented initiative to lend a hand to underprivileged children. The cause is noble and the spirits are soaring; the team’s dedication, commitment and passion to make this mission a success is evident in the eyes of each volunteer. It is always a pleasure for me to see charitable organizations such as Robin Raina Foundation where people are committed towards providing a selfless service to society. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#I do a lot for charities myself and I’ve a lot of genuine interest in such undertaking, but I do not believe in a big propaganda for charity. The whole supposed good deed loses out on its essence. The purpose and the goal of a charity should not be lost in the glare of publicity. I am happy to see Robin Raina Foundation doing valiant efforts in keeping a firm focus on its goals. The joint ventures of 'Prayaas', 'Udaan', 'Blind-Aid' and other initiatives are exceptionally good. It gives me immense contentment and pride to perform in front of a valued Atlanta audience. I wish RRF a great success in raising funds from this event, which they are donating to the Blind Relief Association. My best wishes are with Robin and all RRF volunteers for their future endeavors. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://www.rainafoundation.com/images/mannadeys.JPG"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=top align=left width="100%"#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=20 src="http://www.rainafoundation.com/images/blank.gif" width=1 border=0#ed_cl# #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://www.rainafoundation.com/Manna_dey_speech.asp"#ed_cl#http://www.rainafoundation.com/Manna_dey_speech.asp#ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Sat 12 May, 2007 21:27 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#H3 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Meeting Manna Da#ed_op#/H3#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=right JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Author: #ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#I JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Dr.Mandar #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl#  #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Manna Dey remains one of my favourite singers - very versatile & classy.His songs and his persona -both have left a deep impression on my mind.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#In 1994 -I think it was 13th or 14th September-I had the good fortune of interviewing him at his place-"Anandam’ in Bombay. Those three hours spent in his company will be treasured for life.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#I found him to be an extremely intelligent, knowledgeable and forthright person. He was not at all averse to give his piece of mind whenever necessary (and take your *peace of mind).Interviewing such people is always a delight for the interviewer as many of their quotes make a good 'hard copy'!#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#But what differentiated Mannada from other colourful, quoteful interviewees was the basic decency of the man. Here was a man who was 75-plus & with a fairly long and distinguished career behind him. He was not some cheap publicity seeker. In fact he had made it sure beforehand that he was not talking to some disinterested journalist going through with the motions of an interview but to a genuine fan. Whatever he was speaking at the time of the interview was spontaneous- coming straight from the heart. It was not at all with malice or venom. Just in a cool, factual manner.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Nobody should try & draw some crooked inferences from what he said. I believe everyone has a right to express his opinions, likes & dislikes- however unpleasant or unpalatable they might seem to the people who don't share them!#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#OK-That's enough for the intro. Over to Mannada.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Following are the excerpts of this interview:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On his choice- not to be a purely classical singer but to pursue popular music:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"I was born & brought up in a musical household. I was greatly influenced by my uncle-K.C.Dey-the great blind singer of Bengal. He not only used to sing classical but had mastery over popular music- Bhajans,Kajari,Thumari,Ghazal....#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I used to accompany him in all his programmes.That time I realised that people appreciate that music which they could understand!#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Rather than his classical songs my uncle’s lighter songs were appreciated more & also they brought in more money.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#That was the time when I had this fixed in my mind that to sing well I must know classical music well. But if I have to make music my livelihood then it is better to turn to popular music. While doing that I used my classical base wherever I could- I think that’s what set me apart."#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#On his not following the Saigal style of singing:#ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"In those days it was an accepted norm to follow Saigal style of singing in popular music. Rafi,Kishore,Mukesh-all started their careers following Saigal’s footsteps. I was more influenced by Bangla singers like K.C.Dey & Pankaj Mullick. This Bengali school of music even might not have been of the national standard. But in terms of teaching the naunces of music I would consider it to be of the highest standard. Naturally I never copied Saigal."#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On his first break in Hindi films:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"I started singing earler than Rafi,Mukesh or Kishore. In 1943 I sang my first song in #ed_op#B#ed_cl#‘Ramrajya’#ed_op#/B#ed_cl# under the baton of Shankarrao Vyas. In those days the records did not carry the singer’s name on their labels. Hence nobody noticed ‘Manna Dey’ in spite of the songs becoming popular.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I myself was not too serious about these songs as I was taking classical training then. Also I was more inclined towards establishing myself as a music director.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#In those days I was working as an assistant to many MDs like my uncle, S.D.Burman, Anilda & Khemchand Prakash. All of them made me sing a lot of songs. I don’t even remember those songs now.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#In Sachinda’s #ed_op#B#ed_cl#‘Mashal’ #ed_op#/B#ed_cl#my songs- #ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#Upar gagan vishal#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl# and ‘#ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#Duniyake logon lo himmat#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# #ed_op#I#ed_cl#se#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl# #ed_op#B#ed_cl#kaam#ed_op#/B#ed_cl#’#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#- became hits. That time people said for the first time -’Koi seekha hua gavaiya gaa raha hai’!" (Some trained singer is singing!)#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl#On creativity of the past masters:#ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"I don’t find creativity in music nowadays. I have seen Khemchand Prakash compose ten-ten tunes for a song. The style of fitting words into the tune was not in vogue then. Just to take some ‘La la la la’ tune from there & use it in the song here is not music.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#In those days the music directors composed songs taking meticulous care about the situation& the artist on which the song was supposed to be picturised. Many times they used to change even a fully recorded song.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Burman-saab was like that. He used to get immersed into the song. For 7-8 days his mood remained foul when he couldn’t come up with a tune to his satisfaction. Then suddenly he would declare with a smiling face. ‘Aaj tune mil gayee’! I absorbed this ‘lagan’ from these maestros. This helped me tremendously in my singing."#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Khemchand Prakash:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"Khemchand Prakash was a great MD.He was first working in Calcutta’s ‘New Theatres’.Then he came to ‘Bombay Talkies’. I was impressed with his work in ‘Mahal’. He used to sing well too. One day he just said to me, "Bete mere saath kaam karoge?" I immediately agreed. We worked together in composing for many mythological and historical movies.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#He was very ill at the time ‘Ganesh mahima.’ That film was my first as a composer.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#He treated me like his son.He wanted me to sing some songs for Raj Kapoor for a film being made by Robin Chatterji and Fali Mistry. But I gave those songs to my friend Shankar Dasgupta. #ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#‘Kabse bhara hua hai dil’#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl# & #ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#‘Hum kya jane kyon humse door ho#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl# #ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#gaye’#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl#-these two songs were nice."#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Anil Biswas:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"I used to be fascinated by that man.A good singer. Excellent composer. Used to recite Urdu Shero-shaayari. He liked me a lot and used to take me for long drives. I was his assistant for a short period. I always felt that I had a lot to learn from him. His creativity always moved me.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#About Anilda’s ‘Humdard":#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"‘Humdard’ was a story about a blind singer. It was a movie by the actor Shekhar.‘Tore naina raseele kateele’,’Mere dilki dhdkanmein kya ta ta thai thai’,’Jab aankheinhi nahi’-all its songs were nice.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#My duet with Lata-‘Rut aaye rut jaaye sakhi ri’ was composed in 4 ragas by Anilda. I don’t think there is any better light classical song made for films. That recording had Pannalal Ghosh on flute,Pt.Ramnarayan on Sarangi. Tabla, Sitar -all the instruments were played by the top artists. It was a great recording. Vilayat khan -saab praised Anilda after the recording by asking-"How did you compose such a beautiful classical song for a Hindi film?’#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Anilda’s exit from the Hindi film music was a great loss." #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Shankar-Jaikishan:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"Let the critics blame them for the deterioration of Hindi film music but I think the variety & versatility shown by them in composing music was amazing & memorable.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#According to me no one matched them in terms of 'popular music'.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Jaikishan was a nice person. His tunes were very sweet. But I was closer to Shankar."#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl#On Shankar#ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl#:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I am greatly indebted to Shankar for my development as an artist. He gave me 'Raat gayee phir din aata hai'-a beautiful phiosophical song in Raj Kapoor's 'Boot Polish'.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#After listening to this song Raj said,"Now I have got the versatile singer that I was looking for so long!"I was very happy.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#My other songs from'Boot Polish'-'Lapak zapak tu aare badarawa' &'O chacha tum kitane achchhe'-also were appreciated.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Thus it was Shankar who first proved that my voice suited for all types of songs. Many a times he used to tell me,"Mannada aaj kuchh sunaaiye".#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#He had dedicated himself to music. Once he reached his music room in the morning he used to work there till late night. His dedication to his work always impressed me.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I sometimes just used to sit with him for hours.If I failed to do this in a long while then he used to telephone me-"Why aren't you coming?"#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Paan,Sharaab-he had no vices. Because of all these factors we became very good friends.He always used to tell me-"Whenever I want to do some new experiments, I will come to you."#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On 'Basant bahar' songs :#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"In 'Basant bahar'the producer wanted to use some other singer.But finally Shankar's opinion prevailed.'Bhay bhanjana','Sur na saje','Nain mile chain kahan'...through all these songs he proved that he can experiment#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#different things with my voice.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#In the same movie I had to sing a competition number-'Ketaki gulab juhi' with Pt.Bhimsen Joshi.I told Shankar-"How can I compete with such a stalwart of classical music?At least use him as the hero's voice."#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#That time Shankar explained to me that the dramatisation of the song required a different kind of singer than a purely classical one. I sang that song after a lot of practice.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Even Bhimsen Joshi said to me later,"Mannada you can become a good classical singer."#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Madan Mohan:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"He was great.His tunes had a classical base. Sur jo lagata thaa to lagata thaa ki kuchh alag baat hai! I loved to sing for him.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#'Kaun aaya mere manke dware' was my first song with him.'Tumbin jeevan' from 'Bawarchi' and 'Har taraf ab yehi afsane hain' from 'Hindustan ki kasam' are some of my favourite songs.I also like the duet with Usha from#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#'Dil ki raahein'-'Geet amar ho jaaye'.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Bada melodious aadami thaa.All his songs had melody."#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Roshan:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"Bahut mushkil thaa unka gaana! Perhaps he felt no one else could sing 'Laga chunari mein daag' that's why he chose me for that song!In 'Dilhi to hai' he had earlier recorded a qawwali#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#'Parda uthate salaam keejiye' in Asha's & my voice.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#One day he called me for dinner.After the dinner he said-"Mannada ek gaana sunata hoon".I said-"Sunaao!"#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#After I listened to his tune for 'Laga chunari mein daag' I was thrilled.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Then he said -'It is reserved for you'! I told him-'OK.But we will not record the song till I tell you'.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I recorded that song only after I was happy about my preparation.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#In 'Barsat ki raat' for 'na to karavan ki talaash hai' he told me,#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#'Everybody should feel that they are listening to a real ustaad gavaiya'. When I sang the first aalap he came & hugged me & said -'Aisa to koi asli gavaiyahi gaa sakata hai.'#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Such were the music directors of those days!Always encouraging.People say Lata,Asha,Rafi,Kishore sang this & sang that but if these composers hadn't composed so well then what these singers would have done?#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I always give 50% credit of the song to the composer.The next 50%is for the singer's sophistication & ornamentation.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Sachindev Burman:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Sachinda didn't have some special style.I don't think he was too creative. But he had a great sense of music.He had a vision which helped him to decide what will sound good in a song.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#'Jalte hai jiskeliye' or 'Jaaye to jaaye kahan'-these tunes were based on Tagore's music.'Poochho na kaise maine rain beetayi' was based on Nasrul Islam's tune. But he always knew which note would match the situation perfectly.That was#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#his great quality.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Salil Chaudhari:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Salil had his unique style.He was totally unpredictable.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#From where he concieved his tunes-God only knows!#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I could never guess the base of his compositions.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On C.Ramchandra:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"Once I recorded a song for Salilda.It was going to be picturised on a person smoking gaanja.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#'Phir wohi hai raat,phir wohi jigar#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Phir wohi dard hai,phir wohi hai dar#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Vaar dilka khul gaya,haathi nikal gaya#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Duum rah gayee magar...'#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Salilda asked me to give some expression to create the effect that a gaanja addict was singing the song.I obeyed him & coughed in a typical manner of a gaanja-smoker at the beginning of the song!#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#After some days- after midnight somebody knocked at my door.In those days I I was staying near Nanavati hospital.I opened the door wondering who it could be at this hour.Anna (C.Ramchandra) was standing outside.In his own#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#world.I said,'Anna,come inside.'He just said,'Arre yaar kya khaansa hai tu us gaanemein.Maza aa gaya!',patted my back & went away!#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Raja aadmi thaa."#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Vasant Desai:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"He had great knowledge of classical music. His tunes showed the depth#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#of his musical knowledge. Once he had told one producer in front of me-'Kishore won't be able to sing my songs. I want Mannada as my singer. If you don't agree- please find another music director!'#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On O.P.Nayyar :#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"I sang very few songs for him.He brought the fast Punjabi folk music & gave a new freshness to film music. But his music was many times repetitive & predictable.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#He used to say-'I don't need Lata.I will only use Asha.' But did Lata need O.P.? She could make a 'z' music director-a hit MD. Did OP have this quality? Could he have made a 'y' singer a top singer?"#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Laxmikant Pyarelal:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"I liked Laxmi's tunes. They were beatiful."#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On R.D.Burman:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"His music was a unique combination of old & new.He was the king of beats. Used to play tabla very well. He should have been here to stop this deterioration of Hindi film music!"#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On some 'non-musical' MDs:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Some MDs used to come & say-"Gaaiye'.I used to say-'Bajaiye. Then they would say-'You only play the harmonium & you only sing! You must be knowing what is your 'sur'! We don't know anything!' I hated such people. Whenever such MDs came to my place I waited eagerly for their exit!'#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On the degradation of Hindi film music:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when this process started. Many MDs didn't believe at all in creativity. They believed only in copying the hit tunes. Bhappi Lahiri had a lot to do with this process!'#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On missing the opportunity to become Raj Kapoor's voice:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"Yes I do believe that the identity as the voice of a particular star is very important in film music.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Personally I don't believe Mukesh's voice suited ideally for Raj Kapoor. Wouldn't Kishore have been a better choice for the fun-songs like 'Mera joota hai jaapani'?But Rajji himself said-'Mukesh is my voice.'Why he said that I don't know.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#But they had some common interests which brought them together. I couldn't come up with such compromises to further my career."#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Raj Kapoor's musical sense:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"I don't think anybody matched Raj Kapoor in getting what he wanted from the music director.He used to tell the composer-'Aapne yeh gaana banaaya woh bahut achha hai.Magar humko nahi chaahiye!' The confused composer used to ask-'To phir kaisa gaana chaahiye?'#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Then Rajji would say-'I wouldn't have come to you if I had already known what I wanted. Just go on making new tunes!'#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On his own struggle for identity:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"My whole life has been a struggle. If you look at my career you will see I got very limited opportunities. But some of my songs proved to be milestones & finally I could stand as tall as my contemporaries!"#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Mehmood for whom he sang so many comic songs:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"I really liked to sing for him. He had a good sense of music. He used to attend all the relevant recordings. 'Mannada aisa keejiye-Yahanpar koi masala daaliye'- his suggestions never used to cease."#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On his own stint as a music director:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"'Once I decided to go fully into playback singing many well-wishers advised me not to pursue music direction further. I accepted their advice.Music direction is a specialized job & time-consuming too!"#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Rabindranath Tagore’s music:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Tagore was like an ocean.'Lay,sur aur shabda teenonka triveni sangam thaa.' His songs are of all types-Pooja songs,Romantic songs,Songs on Nature. Just listening to them inspires you. Nobody in Hindi music made a sincere#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#effort to bring his ideas in Hindi.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Once Shankar said-'Yeh Tagoreke gaane yaane sirf rona-dhona hai.'Then I sang Tagore songs for him for 2-3 hours.He was stunned.He said-'This is an untapped wealth.Every composer should know Tagore.'#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On his non-film album 'Madhushala':#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"'Madhushala' was an accident as far as I was concerned.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#HMV had decided to produce a record of selected verses from 'Madhushala'-the famous work by Harivanshrai Bachchan. 20 verses were selected.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Jaidev had already composed the tunes for those verses. Afterwards everyone started running around for selecting the singer!#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Rafi was the most popular male singer of H.M.V. then. But Jaidev- who otherwise had a great tuning with Rafi- said, Yeh Rafike baski baat nahi!'#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Then H.M.V.'s boss suggested the name of Mukesh. Again Jaidev declined. He wanted a singer who had a good hold on classical as well as folk music. Then Harivanshrai Bachchan himself suggested my name.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#One day I received a phone call from Jaidev- 'Bandhu, there is one challenging project for you! Madhushala!'#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Then I didn't even know what was Madhushala! Kaunsi Madhu aur kaunsa Sala? Jaidev explained the literary significance of those verses. He had composed such marvelous tunes!#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#It is my pleasure & pride to have sung 'Madhushala' for Jaidev.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#In films I didn't get to sing many of his songs. I think Rafi & Lata got best of his tunes.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Rafi:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"Some songs are there which only he could sing! 'Man re tu kahe na dheer dhare','Zindagibhar nahi bhoolegi'. You just listen to the way he sings -#ed_op#I#ed_cl#'Zindagi bhar#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#. Can anybody sing like that?#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Whenever he sang the song which was also sung by Lata or Asha , his song became more popular! Some songs sound better in male voice only. He had not had much formal training. But the way he gave expressions in many songs was just outstanding.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#We never had any ego-clashes as I had accepted his superiority. But he used to tell others-'You listen to my songs-I listen to Mannababu's songs!#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Mukesh:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"I never liked his singing. It was amateur singing. Many a times he sounded 'Besuraa'! #ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman,times,serif"#ed_cl#(Oh Yeah Mannada? I think you haven't heard his songs from Rani Roopmani, Sangeet Samrat Tansen, Milan etc)#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl#On Talat:#ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"Talat had a limited range. Very sweet voice. He was best in soft melodious songs."#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Kishore :#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"I am a big fan of his voice. According to me there hasn't been a better voice in film music! Many music directors didn't even consider him a playback singer. He was not at all trained. But I never heard him singing out of tune! 'Dukhi man mere jaise gaane gaate waqt to naa jaane kahan kho jaata thaa!"#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#On Lata:#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#"All the composers used to reserve their best tune whenever Lata was singing with me. They were sure that we would do full justice to their song. Shankar-Jaikishan composed some of our best duets.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Today Lata stands supreme. She might have learnt some things from Noorjahan in her early period. But her success is her own. Her dedication & hard work has paid off. Apart from all these I feel she is a god-given gift. Without that heavenly intervention it is impossible to find such a great singer.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Today she has become an institution herself. Every singer of today tries to imitate her saying,'Lataji yeh jagah aisi leti hai'!#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#She can sing all types of songs. Why she didn't sing so called popular styled songs she only knows! But I would say by not singing such songs she fulfilled the wishes of the majority of knowledgeable and sensible people.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I still remember our duet 'Bichhuaa...' in 'Madhumati'. She had to show some 'masti, some 'chhedchhaad' in that song. My god! What a polished performance! I was stunned to hear her.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#She knew up to which limit she should go in a song and at which place she should stop! I think that's what separated her from the rest!"#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Sat 12 May, 2007 21:38 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#0099ff size=4 JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Manna Dey: The singer who never got his due#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#EM JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#Sharmila Taliculam#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P JJzRY="1" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#   Pomposity is the grace of a genius. Especially, a genius spurned. When Manna Dey speaks of his own greatness, he is not bragging. He is simply talking about his talent. -- a talent that the music industry has failed to exploit. Even the Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema forgets to mention him! #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#But Mannada's legacy will not be forgotten by the millions of fans who still hum his songs, now almost half a century later. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#There was some apprehension while fixing an interview with Mannada. He had sounded abrupt over the telephone. And now, he is not smiling as he meets us at the gate. Then he gets choosy. "I will answer only good questions," he declares! #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#But as he gets talking, the ice breaks and the reason for his ill humour becomes clear. His daughter is ill --she is suffering from cancer and is being operated on. His wife is with her in America. Mannada is perturbed and sad. "I don't know how can anybody so nice and good suffer from an illness like this. I wish I were with her now," he says. But he can't be. Work beckons as a few shows are coming up. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#We delved into a bit of history. Manna Dey was born Prabodhchandra Dey in Calcutta. Manna was a pet name given to him by his uncle K C Dey who was known as the the 'Blind Singer of Bengal.' Though he studied law, to be a barrister like his father, Manna opted for a career in singing because his uncle thought the young boy had the talent to make it. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P JJzRY="0" I4O6z="0"#ed_cl#After New Theatres Studio in Calcutta shut down, K C Dey decided to come to Bombay. Manna followed. His first break came with Vijay Bhatt's Ram Rajya. It didn't win him accolades but the struggle had begun. After he sang Upar gagan vishal, all of a sudden, he found himself in the top slot. Almost every song that he sang became popular. Yet, strangely, he failed to get songs on a regular basis. Despite being one of the most talented singers of his time, Manna was never number one. Mohammad Rafi was king, and Manna never grudged him his success because he genuinely believed that Rafi was better than he was. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Today, at 75, Mannada is happy doing stage shows that bring in money and give him the chance to do what he likes best -- singing. He is also happy because people remember his songs and because they still want him to sing. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Despite ill health and disappointment with an industry that was not sure about him, he spoke at length about his days with Rafi, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar, about today's music and about his family. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#0000ff#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Don't you like speaking to the press anymore?#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I have not spoken much to the press. I strongly feel that the media wants gossip or something worthwhile when they write about us. We are talked about now and then, but we are not the kind of people who have lots to offer. We have said so much, so if you have anything interesting to ask us, then do so. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#0000ff#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#From law to singing, how did that come about?#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I am a product of that house where K C Dey, known as the blind singer of Bengal, was also born. In fact, he brought me up. My father was the eldest in the family. Ours was a big joint family where all my uncles lived together. I have lived in Bombay for 56 years and I still miss that family, that togetherness. My uncle was unmarried and I lived with him. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#0000ff#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Were films looked down upon in your family?#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#No, not at all. My uncle was a big name in the world of music. His songs like Baba man ki aankhen khol, Teri ghathari mein laga chor were very famous. Being born in such a family, I had inherited the talent to sing. We used to have regular riyaz at home early mornings. I am particularly fond of classical music. All the ustaads would come to our house and we would have singing all day long. Our house used to be the meeting place for all the singers. Whenever anybody came to Calcutta, they stayed on and on. I had the good fortune to listen and watch them. That is the best learning I could have ever asked for. I finished my studies and decided to become a singer like my uncle. Have you heard of New Theatres? Those days it was very big. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#0000ff#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Your Uncle K C Dey was a big star of New Theatres...#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Yes, he was. He was an actor and singer. His performances were recognised all over India. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#0000ff#ed_cl#What about when New Theatres closed down? Didn't you want to return to law?#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#No, far from it. I always wanted to be a singer. We decided to come to Bombay. We formed a good group called Laxmi Productions which included Phani Mazumdar, the director, Leela Desai, the heroine, Pahari Sanyal, the hero as well as an audiographer, sound recordist, cinematographer and many others, all of whom came from New Theatres. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#I started working here as a singer. It was a long struggle. Then I made a mark -- I think it was in 1950 -- with S D Burman's Upar gagan vishaal for Mashaal. That brought me into limelight, though I was singing long before that. But unfortunately, those days they never put our names on record albums or mention us in any way. Burman was a disciple of my uncle's. I had known SD since I was in shorts. He used to come to my house to learn from my uncle. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#0000ff#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Was it the turning point of your career?#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Yes, it was. Before that I was toying with the idea of going back to Calcutta. I won't say it was all rosy even after that. There were other singers, though Rafi hadn't come then. G M Durrani was the other male singer those days. I used to miss Calcutta, and often thought of going back. But the money was good here and then of course, I found the person I married eventually. My wife Sulochana, was the soothing balm, she kept me going here. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#0000ff#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#You do a lot of shows, don't you?#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Yes, I do a lot of shows all over the world. I get good responses too. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#0000ff#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Who are the singers and musicians?#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I have my own musicians who accompany me wherever I go. I sing all my songs. I have a female singer too. You know Kavita Krishnamurthi used to sing with me. She is my daughter's friend. She sang with me for 18 years. She got recognition after a long time. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#0000ff#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#What kind of shows are these?#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#I don't put up shows with lot of dances and lights. I sing my songs and people come to listen to them. I recently sang in front of two-and-a-half thousand people in a big hall. These are people who spend a lot of money on such shows. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#0000ff#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Why don't you sing for films now?#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#The modern trend in music is repetitive. You listen to one song: it starts with the same routine tune and ends the same way. The other songs take off from the first. Every song sounds the same. All these heroes are like grandsons to me. How can I sing for them? What can I sing for them? It doesn't sound right. I personally feel that filmmaking has become trashy now. Can you sit with your father and children and watch these films? #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#In college I used to sing Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and other Western songs. Though we can't experiment too much with Hindi songs, I have sung all kinds of songs and they were all hits.#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Sun 13 May, 2007 02:23 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=center border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=header bgColor=#480101 height=18#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#ff7f00#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#FILMOGRAPHY - #ed_op#SPAN class=wheader#ed_cl#As A Composer#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD height=4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=4 src="http//www.downmelodylane.com/index_files/pt.gif" width=760#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD width=760 bgColor=#6b0101#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD width=25 rowSpan=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http//www.downmelodylane.com/index_files/pt.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD colSpan=5 height=10#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#9e8fa9 size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=4 src="http//www.downmelodylane.com/index_files/pt.gif" width=735#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=text align=middle width=60#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#9e8fa9 size=4#ed_cl#1.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#2.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#3.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#4.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#5.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#6.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#7.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#8.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=text align=left width=220#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#9e8fa9 size=4#ed_cl#Chamki#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Naina#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Shuk Rambha#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Shiv Kanya#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Jai Mahadev#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Gauri Pooja#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Naag Champa#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Sonal#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=text align=middle width=80#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#9e8fa9 size=4#ed_cl#[1952]#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#[1953]#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#[1953]#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#[1954]#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#[1955]#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#[1956]#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#[1958]#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#[1973]#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD width=25#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#9e8fa9#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=110 src="http//www.downmelodylane.com/index_files/pt.gif" width=25#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=songs align=middle width=440#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG style="WIDTH 186px; HEIGHT 119px" height=117 alt="Manna Dey" src="http//www.downmelodylane.com/hemant_files/mannadey2.jpg" width=163 border=1#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=117 src="http//www.downmelodylane.com/index_files/pt.gif" width=50#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=117 alt="with Talat, Mukesh, Lata & Rafi" src="http//www.downmelodylane.com/hemant_files/mannadey3.jpg" width=167 border=1#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Sun 13 May, 2007 02:37 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#TABLE cellPadding=0 width=706 border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=bottom align=middle width=162#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=medium#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#MohunBaganClub.com#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=top align=left width=162#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=119 alt="Mohun Bagan logo" src="http://mohunbaganclub.com/mblogo.jpg" width=165#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=top noWrap width=409#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=title#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#800000#ed_cl#     Mohun#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#FONT color=#006600#ed_cl#Bagan#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl##ed_op#BR clear=right#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#     Athletic Club#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=largerLeftUp#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000 size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#   The National Club of India#ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=largeLeftUp#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#000000 size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#             (Founded:1889)#ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=top align=right width=127#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG style="LEFT: 598px; POSITION: absolute; TOP: 34px" height=119 alt=Soccer src="http://mohunbaganclub.com/soccer.jpg" width=119#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#  #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE width=704 border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=middle width=698#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=topic#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey - a legend of Glory#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR height=10#ed_cl##ed_op#TD width=698#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#  #ed_op#FONT color=#333333#ed_cl#        #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE height=122 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=130 align=right background=mannadey1.gif border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD height=122#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=MsoNormal#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#It was almost half a century ago, when Prabodh Chandra Dey, now famous as Manna Dey fresh from Vidyasagar College in Kolkata, was in two minds about whether to make music and singing his career or take up a job for a living. His Father Purna Chandra Dey, a Chartered Accountant, wanted his son, a Bachelor of Arts, to be a Barrister. Prabodh, like countless young students of Kolkata, was under the mesmeric spell of his uncle Krishna Chandra Dey, who was a well-known singer and popular star of New Theatres. The uncle took his nephew as his disciple. Who knew then that it would make such a huge difference in the world of Bangla or Indian music?#ed_op#?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /#ed_cl##ed_op#O:P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/O:P#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=MsoNormal#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#The youngster grew up listening to the soft strains of baul songs, Rabindrasangeet and khayal. His guru Krishna Chandra Dey would put his nephew through the paces, acquainting him with the subtleties of tappa, thumri, bhajan and qawwali. Apart from honing his disciple's vocal skills, he also taught him languages, literature and poetry. After his training was complete Manna Dey like many of his contemporaries made a beeline to Mumbai in 1942 to try his luck as a playback singer.#ed_op#O:P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/O:P#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=MsoNormal#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey’s initial steps in the world of film music:#ed_op#O:P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/O:P#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=MsoNormal#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#In Mumbai, Manna Dey started off as assistant to music director H.P.Das. However, it was, again, K.C.Dey’s intervention that flagged off his career as playback singer. Vijay Bhatt of Prakash Pictures wanted K.C.Dey to record a song for Ram-Rajya, Bhatt's ambitious venture. The elder Dey flatly refused, but, proposed his nephew’s name instead. Music director Shankar Rao Vyas although skeptical initial was pleased when he heard the young singer. After a few rehearsals, the 24-year-old crooner rendered his first song, which fetched him, a princely fee of Rs.150.#ed_op#O:P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/O:P#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=MsoNormal#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Years of struggle followed, at times compelling the talented singer to wonder if he was on the right track. ‘I even thought of going back to Kolkata and doing my law,’ he added. However, ‘Upar gagan vishaal’ from ‘Mashaal‘, became a super hit and he decided to stay on in Mumbai.#ed_op#O:P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/O:P#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=MsoNormal#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 9.0pt"#ed_cl#In Kolkata for Bangla songs, recognition came late in the mid 60's. The Bengali audience was spellbound by the mellifluous sweetness of Shyamal and the golden voice of Hemanta, and for a long time had a closed ear on Manna. However, once he established himself there was no looking back. His Bengali compositions are all masterpieces -- 'Baaje go bina', 'Bendhona phool-o-mala dore', 'Aami je jalsaghare', 'Kaharba noi dadra bajao', 'Behaag jodi na hoy raaji', 'She amar chhoto bon' and of course the immortal "Coffee Houser sei addata". Belated recognition and a low trajectory of his career graph hardly bother Manna Dey. His gentle low-key approach never matched the pomp and pettiness of filmdom. 'Stubbornly unwilling to croon to the vulgar ditties to the accompaniment of an unwieldy orchestra, the veteran indulges in spending time in his own music room recollecting the legacy of the Golden Era of Film Music#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"#ed_cl##ed_op#O:P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/O:P#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=MsoNormal#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#In Mumbai, the success of ‘Mashaal’ brought success and fame. Songs such as ‘Yeh raat bheegi bheegi’ and ‘Aaja sanam madhur chandani mein hum’ from Chori Chori ‘Aye mere pyaare watan’ from Kabuliwala, ‘Dil kaa haal sune dilwala’ and ‘Mud mud ke naa dekh, mud mudke’ from Shree 420, ‘Tu pyaar ka sagar hai’ from Seema catapulted Manna Dey to dizzy heights of success.#ed_op#O:P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/O:P#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=MsoNormal#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#By heart, Manna Dey is always a Mohun Bagani. Very often he expresses this feeling of his for the National Club of India, to the media. The Club paid him the tribute by choosing him as the inaugurator for the room named for the Living legend Sailen Manna. We want to keep the memory of this living legend, golden voice, a true son of Bangla and a true green and maroon fan for the entire month of June in our website. #ed_op#O:P#ed_cl##ed_op#/O:P#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#333333#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#                                                             #ed_op#B#ed_cl#Arunima Chattopadhyay - June 2004#ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#333333 size=4#ed_cl#     #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Mon 14 May, 2007 14:03 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#‘You listen to my songs. I listen to Manna Dey songs only.’#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#—Mohammad Rafi to journalists#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#For over sixty years now, Manna Dey has been synonymous with music and melody. Excelling across a variety of genres—film songs, ghazals, bhajans, classical and pop—he has regaled generations of listeners with his romantic ballads, zany rock ’n’ roll numbers, playful qawwalis and intricate raga-based songs. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#In Memories Come Alive: An Autobiography, Manna Dey takes a nostalgic trip down memory lane—his early passion for wrestling and football; adolescent pranks which involved shoplifting sweets from a confectionery and pole-vaulting into the neighbour’s terrace to swipe pickle jars; and the influence of his uncle and guru K.C. Dey (the celebrated singer and composer of the 1930s). He recounts his early days in Mumbai as an assistant music director to his uncle and to composers like S.D. Burman and vividly recalls the struggle to carve a niche as a playback singer in Hindi films, competing with stalwarts like Rafi, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar. He also discusses at length his foray into the world of Bengali film and non-film music where he came to be regarded as the undisputed king of melody.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Peppered with interesting anecdotes like his kite duels with Rafi, priceless nuggets on how some of his famous songs came to be written and composed, stories of his enduring relationships with people like Raj Kapoor and Majrooh Sultanpuri, Pulak Bandopadhyay and Sudhin Dasgupta, and boasting of the most comprehensive list of his songs ever compiled, Memories Come Alive is a must-read not only for the legions of Manna Dey fans but also for connoisseurs of popular music in India.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Mon 14 May, 2007 14:06 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#0000ff size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey: An immortal singer #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#NEW DELHI, APRIL 4. For someone whose singing career spanned over five decades, legendary playback singer Manna Dey comes across as the epitome of modesty. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#When asked whether the Padma Bhushan had been bestowed on him a tad too late, the 84-year-old Dey smiles and says, ``At least it came. I am satisfied.'' #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#Dey, who received the coveted award this year for his lifelong contribution to music, has had a successful innings in the annals of Bollywood but says he isn't likely to return to tinseltown soon. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#``This is no age for playback singing. I can't sing for a 24-year-old hero. But if a song is made well, I don't mind singing for a character artist,'' says Dey. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#At the same time, the adage 'once a singer, always a singer' holds true for him. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#``My singing career was quite colourful. I have sung for all artistes - whether hero, villain or comedian,'' says Dey. ``I can't stop singing. I was born to sing and I will do so as long as I live.'' #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#Not many know that Manna Dey was initially groomed to be a music-director. By the time he finished his graduation from Calcutta University in the pre-independence era, Dey was already assisting music directors like Chandraprakash and Anil Biswas and seemed destined to follow in their footsteps. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#But lady luck intervened and a song that Dey sang for the film `Ram Rajya' changed everybody's opinion about his vocation. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#``They all said I was better off as a singer. Who knows? Maybe they just didn't want me as a rival music composer,'' Dey says. There was no looking back after that. Although he never quite got the kind of success that contemporaries Mohammad Rafi and later Kishore Kumar achieved, Manna Dey went on to record several unforgettable numbers. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#Notable among them are evergreen melodies like `Kaun Aaya Mere Man ke Dware', `Aayo Kahan se Ghanshyam', `Tu Pyar ka Sagar Hai' and `Aye Mere Pyare Watan'. And who could forget the `Ek Chatur Naar' duet with Kishore in `Padosan'? #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#Characteristically, Dey is effusive in his praise of playback singer Mohammed Rafi. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#``Rafi, Lata and Asha are my favourite singers. I think of Rafi as the top singer in the world. He was a gift of God just like Lata Mangeshkar. No one can learn to sing like them,'' he says. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#But the octogenerian singer is scathing in his criticism of the current generation of music composers. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#``All the maestros have gone. Only Naushad is still there. And the younger generation does not know how to make music,'' he says. Dey also feels that composing music today is a trifle compared to the hours of rehearsals required earlier. - PTI #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Mon 14 May, 2007 14:45 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#990000#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-1#ed_cl#Manna Dey revives Bollywood's glorious music tradition #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl#  #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-1#ed_cl#- Bhasyam G Iyengar, New York#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#  #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-1#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-1#ed_cl#September 29, 2005#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#  #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-1#ed_cl#It was a lively evening out there in the cozy auditorium of Royal India Palace at 118-08 Atlantic Ave, Richmond Hill on Saturday, 3rd Sept., 2005.  Manna Dey, the maestro, suddenly took the audience to the glorious past of Bollywood music, complete with the lilting melodies of the yesteryears. The atmosphere was nostalgic to say the least. The memories of great music composers like Naushad, Ravi, Madan Mohan, Shanker-Jaikishan, Kalyanji-Anandji among others, flooded the music hall as the mesmerizing voice of Manna Dey filled the grateful ear drums of a rapt audience. The great artist was not just singing - he virtually carried the listeners to an introspective past, cajoling them to become one with the grandeur of soul touching melodies of old Bollywood music. Splendid tunes like, #ed_op#I#ed_cl#laga chunari mein daag, tuje suraj kahoo ya chanda, pucho na kaise, yari ha iman mera#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#, to name a few, threw the music lovers into a state of near ecstasy. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#  #ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-1#ed_cl#Apart from music, Manna Dey charmed the audience with his interludes of knowledgeable remarks and explanations of the songs and their lyrical richness mixed with humorous observations of the show and other related events of the evening. His selections, covering a wide range of musical notes, varying from the melancholic to fast paced ones, were pleasing and got an appreciative nod from the audience. It was surely a sumptuous piece of lively and absorbing music session. His depth and understanding of intricacies of thoughtful and entertaining music is astonishing. He appeals to both the pundits and the common folk. It is impossible to believe he is approaching the eighties!#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#  #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#  #ed_op#CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="90%" border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=275 src="http://narthaki.com/info/reviews/images/rev299a.jpg" width=224 NOSAVE#ed_cl#  #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Romanee captures alive a Manna Dey hit#ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=275 src="http://narthaki.com/info/reviews/images/rev299b.jpg" width=267 NOSAVE#ed_cl#  #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Manna Dey at his introspective and melancholic best#ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-1#ed_cl#Enter Romanee Kalicharran, the performer par excellence, and the evening suddenly became more colorful as she swung the audience to a different pitch with her deft pair of feet and immensely expressive face. She danced like a peacock to some of the best known Manna Dey songs. She came floating from nowhere and every time she danced, the audience could not resist their temptation of feet-tapping, wanting to join her on the stage! Her slim and supple figure effortlessly going through the required motions, and the beautiful face expressing everything that needed an expression successfully transformed the music into a figurative shape and form. Romanee instinctively provided an exciting vision of the thoughtful songs. This charismatic young dancer is surely a bundle of talent that keeps growing event after event. She is bound to have a tough time handling her fan- mail! Go ahead and keep dancing Romanee, you will be a cynosure soon. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#  #ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-1#ed_cl#The other listed artist of the evening, Irin Jhumur lived up to her reputation of an upcoming singer. Irin sang with a lot of composure and she is surely gifted with a beautiful voice. The variations were intact and the songs were sung with much aplomb and melody. She is also gifted with expressive features that make her an effective stage performer. The young lady is surely a talent worth watching. She is destined to go a long way. Good luck to you, Irin.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#  #ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-1#ed_cl#There were two special appearances, rather, two pleasant surprises. Zafrin Zakir (Oni), a young and ambitious singer came over with a cheerful smile and sang a few melodious songs. She got the opportunity to sing with Manna Dey and her joy in sharing the stage with the great man was evident and why not? It was indeed a pleasant surprise. At the beginning of the second segment of the charged up evening, there was Nasir Khan who sang Hemant Kumar's #ed_op#I#ed_cl#ganga aye kahase#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# in his deep voice. Nasir sang with passion, rejoicing in the wonderful lyrics of the song which is touching and sentimental. It was a meaningful interlude. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#  #ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-1#ed_cl#And then there was a very graceful and charming lady sitting next to me, thoroughly immersed in Manna Dey magic. Impressed by her intense joy, I said hello to her and wondered whether she could share her happiness with me. She gladly introduced herself as Leela Singh and disclosed an interesting information, that she used to dance for Manna Dey's #ed_op#I#ed_cl#laga chunri#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#, and incidentally was fondly recognized as #ed_op#I#ed_cl#laga#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#, consequent to her popular performance of the piece, and that she started dancing as a four year old! Some passion, that. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#  #ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-1#ed_cl#Eshri Singh, the renowned broadcaster from Guyana was the Emcee. His rich and resonant voice reverberated through the evening lending a special touch to the occasion. An eternal Indo-Cultural Ambassador serving the cultural needs of the Indians in the Caribbean, Mr. Singh has been recognized by the New York State Assembly for his committed and dedicated service to the cultural aspirations of Indian mass and his influence as a star broadcaster stretches to areas as far as Trinidad and Surinam. He certainly made the evening a rousing one.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#  #ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-1#ed_cl#The evening was filled not only with music, but also with citations. Chief guest Dr. Prem Misir, pro-chancellor, University of Guyana, presented a proclamation on behalf of Mr. Brian M McLaughlin, Member of the New York State Assembly, 25th district, County of Queens, honoring Manna Dey. The proclamation lauds the great service of Manna Dey to Indian music, highlighting the quality entertainment he has provided to people across the globe. Another proclamation, also on behalf of Mr. Brian M. McLaughlin, honoring and recognizing the services of Mr. Eshri Singh, while also appreciating the intellectual quality of the work and service of Mr. Singh, was presented by Manna Dey.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#  #ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-1#ed_cl#Dilip Nath, a young leader with a new vision, contesting as a city council candidate for District 24th in the ensuing Democratic Primary elections, scheduled to be held on Sept 13th, presented a bouquet to Manna Dey and sought his blessings for success. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#  #ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-1#ed_cl#The event was jointly sponsored by Ramesh D Kalicharran and Pritam G.Singh, partners, Kali & Danny and Shoraf Sarker, president, SSNT Real Estate. It was co-sponsored by George Subraj & Bros. of Zara Realty Holding, Bawa Real Estate, Ricky & Bros. Const., among others. While congratulating and interviewing the sponsors and co-sponsors, I was struck by their intensity and zeal. It was apparent that the consideration behind sponsoring was hardly financial. They shared their dreams and visions of being a part and parcel of cultural events. I could sense the smile of satisfaction on their proud faces - a satisfaction that can only arise from something deeper than money and profits. It is very heartening to see such successful people sparing their influence and resources to promote culture. Looking beyond money? Answer seems to be a sure yes.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Mon 14 May, 2007 14:49 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT class=storyhead color=blue size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#Soul-stirring experience #ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#0000ff#ed_cl#Friday, Nov 25, 2005#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#K.C. ASOK #ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE width="100%" bgColor=#ddffdd border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl#Maestros Manna Dey and Balamuralikrishna provided a rare treat for music lovers in Thiruvananthapuram. #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT class=subsectionhead color=red size=3#ed_cl#Immortal songs #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-2#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=300 src="http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/11/25/images/2005112501320302.jpg" width=252 align=center border=1#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#SCINTILLATING: Manna Dey took the audience on an unforgettable musical journey. #ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#Manna Dey took his seat by his harmonium and running his fingers over the keys, he began singing his all-time hits like `Aye mere zohar-e-jabeen... ' composed by Ravi Bombay, `Yari he Iman mera... ' from the Amitabh Bachchan starrer `Zanjeer', `Ab kaham jaye hum... ,' `Cham cham bajere payaliya... ' and `Surna Saje... ' tuned by Shankar Jaykishan and the ever favourite `Ee rat beegi beegi... ,' Indeevar - Kalyanji Anandji duo's `Nadiya chale chale... ,' Anand Bakshi-Laxmikant Pyarelal's `Shaam Tale Jamuna Kinare... ,' and Rajendra Kishan-Madhan Mohan team's `Kaun aya mere man ke dware... '. The song `He mere pyare vatan... ,' was the concluding piece. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#Be it light, semi-classical or Qawwali, he belted numbers one after another to the enthusiastic applause of the audience. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#When Manna Dey crooned `Manasa maine varu... ' it was a trip down memory lane for many, as for Malayalis, the song is synonymous with the singer Manna Dey, whose voice had made this a golden hit some 40 years ago. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#The troupe had Mahendra Gokhale on the keyboard, Richard Mitra on the lead guitar, Indranath Mukerjee on tabla, Shyam Prasad on the drums and dolak, and Vaman Koli on special effects. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#The simple orchestration jelled well with the songs. K.C. Khurana, who has been with Manna Dey as the master of ceremony for about 45 years, gave the show a touch of laughter with his humorous narrations. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Mon 14 May, 2007 14:55 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#H3 class=post-title#ed_cl#Mannadey - on his muse #ed_op#/H3#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=post-header-line-1#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=post-body#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Ost45tmkvuk/RehhupWQ3AI/AAAAAAAAAGM/K6ypWgsMV-w/s1600-h/mannadey.jpg"#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5037383637215009794 style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_Ost45tmkvuk/RehhupWQ3AI/AAAAAAAAAGM/K6ypWgsMV-w/s400/mannadey.jpg" border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl# #ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl#‘Zindagi kaise hai paheli’, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="COLOR: #33cc00"#ed_cl#what a riddle this life is#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# sang the great Prabodh Chandra dey – a.k.a. Mannadey (Song from the movie Anand), that was the number the car CD had picked up at random, just as I was ruminating about the vagaries of life…one has to agree, what a great song, tuned by the superlative Salilda. A song that was originally a background song as composed for the movie. Rajesh Khanna after hearing it wanted it to be picturised on him and thus the beach scene was added.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Which of course made me think about and drift to Mannadey’s other great number, a memorable one for us Malayali’s, ‘Maanasa Maine varu’ from Chemmeen (1965), a song that Manndey had to practice over & over before he went on to sing it in his own inimitable style. Mannadey comments fondly about the song, #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#"Even if there is one Malayali in the audience, he will insist that I sing that song"#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#So what is behind the man and the song? #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl# How did he get to singing that song (BTW he sang a second Malayalam song later though not great, Chemba Chemba for Nellu), a song that remains in every Malayali heart and one that brings pictures of two stars Pareekutty- Madhu and Karuthamma- Sheela, to our minds, standing on the seashore..or reminds us of the many mimicry artistes who mimicked Mannadey’s accent & rendition, be it at college festivals, on radio or TV…especially the ‘varu’ part.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Mannadey was in Bombay in the 50’s, grappling with Hindi & Urdu diction, struggling to rise above the great threesome of Mukesh, Kishore & Rafi and feeling quite morose. He wanted to leave but did not, he explains#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#"But you know the real reason why I stayed on in Bombay? I met Sulochana, my wife." Manna Dey's face still lights up when he talks about his wife. "She has been my beacon light. But for her I might not have stayed. She changed the course of my life. She was a master’s student in English Literature from Bombay University. Though she is from Kerala, she has a great love for Rabindrasangeet and that's how I met her on a platform at a Rabindra Jayanti function. She encouraged me that you have to go to the top. She knew what material I was made of."#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Mannadey was in charge of a program to celebrate Tagore’s birthday, in 1949. #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#“I taught her the songs we planned for the evening - that’s how I came to know her well. I also taught Talat (Mehmood), Lata and Geeta Dutt - they also came and sang that evening!”#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#Sulochana Dey Kumaran laughs as she remembers, #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#"He taught us Rabindra sangeet for that function. And I remember I was awed by how proficient he was and yet how modest. And when he sang, that awe turned to worship. You know, from my childhood we always had Bengali friends and I used to admire everything Bengali, from the way they dressed, to the songs."#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Yes, she is right there, there is a lot in common between the people of Kerala and Bengal, the inclination to rice and fish, the love for hand-woven cotton saris, the love for good music & literature, the sharp interest in politics and personal liberty…The list goes on and from early British days, many a Malayali landed up in Calcutta for gainful employment, staying on there… (Another connection we have - the great Baburaj, of Bengal descent, his father was Bengali).#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Mannadey is now settled in #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050108/asp/opinion/story_4226281.asp"#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6699cc size=2#ed_cl#Bangalore with his wife, near their daughter#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl# Sumita - close to Kalyan nagar, Banaswadi, and #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://www.kerala.gov.in/kercalmar05/p35.pdf"#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6699cc size=2#ed_cl#he says the following in an interview with Kerala Calling#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl# - #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#A name=879616#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl#Dey reminisced that it was Salil Chaudry, who introduced him to Malayalam cinema. #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#“Ramu Kariat, Vayalar Rama Varma, and Salil Da came to my house. I could not refuse the offer. My wife Sulochana is from Kerala. My daughters are well versed in Malayalam. They taught me Manasa mainae varoo, word by word. It became a smash hit. I could not believe”#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# he said. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl#He adds that he is a fan of KS Chitra & that Chitra’s voice is sweeter than honey, well, well, from somebody like Mannadey, that is one fantastic compliment!!#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Back to ‘maanasa maine’, he continues about the same song in a #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/aug/31manna.htm"#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6699cc size=2#ed_cl#Rediff interview#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Many people complimented Dey for not only putting his soul into the song but also for pronouncing the Malayalam lyrics adeptly. "The pronunciation has improved since then as I have been singing it at many concerts," he says, laughing. He remembers the day he went home with a tape of the song after the first rehearsal, and one of his daughters asked him what language it was. It is Malayalam, he told her, surprised. His daughter wouldn't believe him, and insisted that her mother listen to the song and confirm that it was in fact sung in the language of Kerala. Not many people know that Manna Dey's wife Sulochana is a Malayali. "She made sure I got it right," he says, adding on a grin: "Well, almost." #ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl#And this about Bangalore & his courtship with Sulochana, from a #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/06/02/stories/2003060201370100.htm"#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6699cc size=2#ed_cl#Hindu Interview#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl#The singing legend laughs as he recalls: "My association with Bangalore is 50 years old. My wife's family lived here and I got married in Bangalore!" The marriage was solemnized at a ceremony held on Kenchappa Road, but not before Lalbagh and Cubbon Park had witnessed the couple walking hand in hand, lost in each another. "I used to love going to the Green House at Lalbagh", reminisces Manna, as he talks about the prize-winning roses his wife took from here and planted at their home in Mumbai. However, he laments that those days are gone and, like a true blue Bangalorean, #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/21578253.cms"#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6699cc size=2#ed_cl#grumbles about the traffic and crowds#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#. Manna Dey and Sulochana's bonding with Bangalore had happened way back in 1950s during their courtship days which culminated in the marriage. Sulochana, a native of Cannanore, was based in Bombay where she was a member of the Bombay league club. Music brought them together with Dey frequenting the club to participate in the musical shows and the friendship blossomed into love. For some years, Sulochana's parents were in Bangalore and Dey used to frequently come down to meet her. Finally, they were married In Bangalore at a private function.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#There is an interesting story of how he was challenged to sing together with Bhimsen Joshi, he was appalled and wanted to sneak away from Bombay, Sulochana was the one who convinced him to go ahead..#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/dec112005/sundayherald732342005129.asp"#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6699cc size=2#ed_cl#The story behind his duet#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl# with Hindustani maestro Bhimsen Joshi is now part of film lore (‘Ketaki Gulab’ for the film Basant Bahar). In the film the hero (for whom Manna sang) defeats his rival (for whom Joshi sang). “I told my wife, ‘How could I possibly sing with Bhimsen Joshi? He is such a great singer, and I actually have to defeat him! Let’s abscond from Bombay for some time and come back after the recording is over. She said, ‘of course you have to defeat him, you are singing for the hero’.” Manna asked Shankar-Jaikishan for extra time. “So I practiced with doubled vigor, and when I recorded that song, I still remember Bhimsen Joshi telling me I should be a classical singer!” laughs Manna.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/dec112005/sundayherald732342005129.asp"#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6699cc size=2#ed_cl#The woman behind #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl#- Manndey says there were times when he wanted to quit Bombay. #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#“I wanted to join an ashram and sing bhajans, because I was struggling all the time. But she was so calm and always brought out the best in me.” Perhaps if not for Sulochana, we might have lost Manna Dey to some fortunate ashram! Sulochana, however, #ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://www.cscsarchive.org/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/5B9C2EF09ABB8890652569400062016E"#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#6699cc size=2#ed_cl#has little to say but this#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 85%"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl# - Mrs Manna Dey is reserved, reticent and rather shy. She shies away from publicity so much that she has hardly made any public appearance so far. She fell in love with his incredible singing and their friendship grew so quickly that when he sang she could feel he was singing to her and for her only. Just as they had found each other, Sulochana’s parents shifted out of Mumbai. The two couldn't bear to part. But after a year of separation they got married. It’s been 45 years since they became husband and wife but Sulochana claims with misty eyes that it has been such a wonderful marriage that they were obviously meant for each other. “Ours has been a marriage in which we have had a lot of communication and contentment. Right from the time we met, nothing has marred our relationship,” she says. Though she would never acknowledge it, Manna Dey says with a Taurean reserve that “it was her faith in me that encouraged me to move on in life when my faith in myself was dwindling. There have been times when I wanted to opt out of singing but she always told me ‘remember what you are capable of#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#...”’#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#They have been together for 45 years, May they live another 40 years, happy in their togetherness….#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Both their daughters did not follow in the music line though Sumita has cut a few discs.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#50 years from now, Mannadey’s songs will continue to fill our minds & ears….and many a lovelorn Mallu soul would hum#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl#Maanasa Maine varu, madhuram nulli tharu…#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#nin aruma poo vaadiyil nee, theduvathaare, aare…#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Mon 14 May, 2007 14:57 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#A name=2#ed_cl#Music#ed_op#/A#ed_cl# has become commercial commodity: #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Manna Dey#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#Neena Bhandari#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#M#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#usic has become a commercial commodity, where a singer’s popularity is judged by how many CDs he sells and not by the quality of his singing, says veteran Indian singer Manna Dey.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#Speaking to newspersons here today, Dey who is here to promote Indian culture, says "Today’s singers have cut-throat competition. Music has become a commercial commodity and the choice of words, thoughts and lyrics no longer matters".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#Pop songs have come to the fore even with their pedestrian tunes, unqualified singing prowess and meaningless words because they sell, he says adding "today promotion is the key".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#Commending young singers, he says "I was pleasantly surprised to see young talent in ‘Tvs Sa Re Ga Ma’. It means, there is no dearth of talent".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#To become a good singer, Dey says, one has to have a good voice, a guru for guidance and dedication. "My uncle K.C. Dey initiated me into music. I religiously performed riyaz for a couple of hours daily. I have been a very strict singer, never lackadaisical about rendition of the songs".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#Music lovers in Sydney will have a rare opportunity to attend a workshop on classical and non-classical music to be conducted by the versatile single next week.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#Even at 81, Dey, who mesmerised audience at the Bengali songs concert here, says "I enjoy singing for the Bangladeshis because they know each and every song of mine by heart. They have kept Bengali music alive, while in West Bengal there has been an influence of Bollywood".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#An eight-minute video presentation "An introduction to Manna Dey" by Sydney-based filmmaker Anita Brar was to introduce the singing legend to the expatriate Indian community at a Hindi concert.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#Having sung in almost every Indian language and English, the octogenarian singer says, "I wanted to sing on an all-India basis. I have translated Tagore’s songs in Hindi".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#In a singing career spanning 50 years, Manna Dey has seen the growth of music in the country. "We are at a stage where we say no more".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#He says "In the film industry one has to be on the guard and not make sweeping statements".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#"I have rubbed shoulders with great singers like Rafi, Talat, Lata, Hemant and Kishore, who deserve every accolade. Their singing by any yardstick you measure is great."#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#While drawing comparisons is healthy, to ask someone of Naushad’s calibre "Why did you ask Rafi to sing and not Manna Dey" is ridiculous. Again, Lata Mangeshkar is an institution, there should be no comparison between her and any other singer, he adds. #ed_op#B#ed_cl#PTI#ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Mon 14 May, 2007 15:01 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=artihline#ed_cl##ed_op#H1#ed_cl#Note Perfect #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/H1#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=artihlinergt#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://in.rd.yahoo.com/expressnews/SIG=11738n0j1/**http%3A%2F%2Fwww.expressindia.com%2F"#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR clear=all#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=provdata#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=creditext#ed_cl#By IE #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=creddate#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#Saturday May 5, 02:53 AM#ed_op#/B#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#At 87, singer Manna Dey does not feel old. A reason why, Dey says, he does not philosophise in his autobiography #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#"I am 87-years-old, not 89", legendary singer Manna Dey corrects a journalist. "I feel like an 87-year-old young," he reemphasises. The singer was recently in Kolkata on a whirlwind tour, shooting for a documentary, attending the launch of emcee Madhumanti Maitra's new CD, as well as taking time out to attend the launch of the English translation of his autobiography on his birthday on May 1. #ed_op#P#ed_cl#Memories Come Alive, the English version of Jibaner Jalsagharey, has been translated by Sarbani Patatunda. Encouraged to write the book by a friend, the autobiography covers his childhood in Shimplipara, his passion for sports, and his relationship with his uncle, the noted musician KC Dey. His subsequent rise as a singer, who gave to the world immortal songs in films like Padosan, Zanjeer and Anand, and interaction with artists like Mohd Rafi, Raj Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar and Sachin Dev Burman, also find mention in the book published by Penguin. #ed_op#P#ed_cl#But it is not just his childhood and his professional life that crops up in the pages of the book that was released at Starmark recently. Dey devotes a sizeable portion of the book to his wife and the relationship they have shared. "Why not? My wife is my life. We have only been married for 54 years," says the singer, who was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2005. #ed_op#P#ed_cl#His passion comes through in other spheres as well. "Have you seen the condition of the football and the cricket team. I don't really watch local football these days. Mohun Bagan is also not what it used to be and I mostly watch international football. I like to watch Chelsea and Manchester United play. I am a sports buff and know all the scores," says Dey. #ed_op#P#ed_cl#The scores of people, across the age divide, who turned up to see the legendary singer seemed more interested in his views on the present generation of Bollywood singers and the quality of music being churned out by the industry. "I like Udit Narayan, Shreya Ghosal and Sonu Nigam. I think they are very talented and doing very well. But what can I say about the kind of songs that are written? But then, what can one say about the kind of films that are being made these days?" #ed_op#P#ed_cl#Quoting the famous 'Bole toh...' dialogue from the Munnabhai series, he made it clear they were hardly the kind of dialogues that one can feel proud of. "Had I spoken like that at home I would have been beaten up," he mentioned. #ed_op#P#ed_cl#"How can actors emote to songs sung by the singers with such lyrics. People used to cry listening to my Tu Pyar Ka Sagar song from the film Seema, especially because of the powerful emotions introduced by the actors. Can you see Shahrukh Khan doing that today?" he asked. #ed_op#P#ed_cl#Disheartened he may be with the present state of the Hindi films and its music, yet Dey feels encouraged by the talent thrown up by numerous music-based reality shows. "There was this girl on a reality show from Haryana. I think she sang better than Lata Mangeshkar herself," he said. #ed_op#P#ed_cl#For those who thought that Manna Dey has been caught up in a time warp of his own making, there could not have been a more fitting rebuke. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Mon 14 May, 2007 15:03 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT class=storyhead color=blue size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#The legend! #ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE width="100%" bgColor=#ffeeff border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl#Manna Dey gave Delhiites a night of nostalgia #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=-2#ed_cl#PHOTO: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=253 src="http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2006/11/27/images/2006112701050101.jpg" width=350 align=center border=1#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#THE ORIGINAL Manna Dey in performance #ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#In a rare feast, New Delhi's Shri Ram Centre saw the living legend Manna Dey pouring out the good-old film and non-film numbers, folk songs and verses to a packed audience of all ages. Courtesy Samagam, a Delhi-based organisation dedicated to the cause of music for many decades, the programme, scheduled for less than two hours, actually ran for three-and-a-half hours, non-stop. Along with Manna-Da, as this doyen of classical singing is known, Delhi-based singer Radhika Chopra performed some duets, bringing alive the magic of the early 1960s. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT class=subsectionhead color=red size=3#ed_cl#Precise tuning #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#000000#ed_cl#As the singing legend appeared on the stage, after Radhika had sung a few melodies like "Aage Bhi Jane Na Tu" the mood swings he is quite known for showed up. "The light is too bright. Is the microphone okay? #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Arre bhai, ye sab kya hai#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#," he was heard saying referring to the acoustics that seemed to get his goat. As he tuned each musical instrument, he said to the audience, "In our Hindustani music, #ed_op#I#ed_cl#sur #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#is the biggest element. So please bear with me if I take time in setting it right." #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#Barely five minutes later, the 86-year-old started with the old favourite "Nathni Se Toota Moti Re", penned by Madhukar Rajasthani, followed by "Tu Pyar Ka Sagar Hai" from the film #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Seema#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#, one of his most famous devotional songs. Till his third classical song "Sur na Saje", age seemed to have had a debilitating effect on his voice. It cracked and filled in between, especially in the higher octaves. But then, the veteran, who made classical singing his forte even when most singers of his time didn't mind crooning light numbers for the sake of popularity, soon showed that classical grooming can never go wrong. From the fourth song, "Kaun Aaya Mere Man ke Dware", he was in form. "Phool Gaindva na Maro", "Dil ka Haal", "Tera Hath Jo Hath me aa Gaya", "O Meri Zohra Jabeen" followed, turning the audience of all ages hysterical. The duets with Radhika, "Aaja Sanam"#ed_op#I#ed_cl#, #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#"Pyar Hua"#ed_op#I#ed_cl#, #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#"Masti bhara", "Yeh raat Bheegi" had the audience clapping and singing along with them. The solos "Jhanak Jhanak", "Zindagi Kaisi hai Paheli, "Laga Chunri mein Daag", and "Aayo Kahan se", "Pucho na Kaise",#ed_op#I#ed_cl# #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#etc. only confirmed his grip on his voice. Dey endedthe evening with "Aye Mere Pyare Watan" with his accompanists - Ashish Gupta on the octopad, Asit Pal on percussions, Sahu on the dholak, Indranath Mukherji on the tabla, Mahendre Gokhle on the synthesiser and Richard Mishra on the electric guitar. #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#WEB#ed_cl##ed_op#/WEB#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#RANA SIDDIQUI#ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- surtaal Mon 14 May, 2007 15:15 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=head30#ed_cl#The Classical Genius#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Ravi patil#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" color=#999999 size=1#ed_cl#Posted online: Friday, September03, 2004 at 0000 hours IST#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=intro#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=280 align=left border=0 vspace="3" hspace="5"#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=bottom#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV align=right#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=arial10gray#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG alt="" src="http://www.screenindia.com/music/grfx/20040903/m3.jpg" border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl#Music means so much to our lives. It is indeed an integral part of our system, it is that heavenly creation which infuses a lot of spirit in our otherwise dull existence. Music is a driving force that accelerates our emotions and keeps us happy and cheerful. Just listen to some sweet music at the end of the day and you are surely bound to be lost in a totally different world. Though it exists in different forms, music is basically classical in nature. Classical music is the nucleus around which all forms of songs revolve. Any melodious song soothing to the ears is necessarily an offshoot of the basic seven notes of music.#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl# #ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=bodynew#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG alt="" src="http://www.screenindia.com/grfx/j.gif" align=left vspace=4 border=0#ed_cl#ust recollect this song from the film Basant Bahar by the great composer - writer duo, Shankar Jaikishen - Shailendra, namely ‘Bhaye bhanjana vandana sun hamari daras tere maange ye tera pujari...’. This is a classic example of perfect rendition of a song. The voice behind this song starts off with the alaap very precisely and leads to a fusion of the raag and melody in the right proportion, thus resulting in a smooth flow till the end of the song. The singer being referred to is Manna Dey. Manna Dey got the initial encouragement from his uncle K.C. Dey, a big singer who was one of the frontline stalwarts responsible for the growth of Hindi film music. #ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#P#ed_cl#Manna Dey’s plus point was his mastery over Hindustani classical music. In Hindi film industry, Manna Dey is indeed a paragon in the field of classical music and can certainly be considered as a reference point. It comes from him so naturally that even a casual song sung by him sounds classical. Manna Dey has sung varieties of songs, all evergreen hits. His songs are always cherished, listening to his voice makes the atmosphere serene. Manna Dey’s expertise in classical music is evident from his songs like ‘Sapt suran teen gram unanchas koti...’ from the film Sangeet Samrat Tansen doing full justice to the lyrics of Swami Haridas, ‘Mitwa laaut aa...’ from the same film, ‘Ud jaa bhanwar maaya kamal...’ from Rani Roopmati, ‘Sur na saje kya gaoon main...’ from Basant Bahar, ‘Tore naina rasile katile hai Raam...’ from Hamdard, ‘Poocho na kaise man rain bitayee...’ from Meri Soorat Teri Ankhen, ‘Laaga chunri mein daag chupaoon kaise...’ from Dil Hi To Hai, ‘Jhanak jhanak tori baaje payaliya preet ke geet sunaaye payaliya...’ from Mere Huzoor, ‘Lapak jhapak tu aare badarwa...’ from Boot Polish and ‘Phool gendva na maaro na maaro...’ from Dooj Ka Chand. #ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#P#ed_cl#His genius was brought into play when he was assigned to sing a classical song in the film Basant Bahar along with Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, namely ‘Ketaki gulaab juhi champak banphoole...’ - A real treat for our ears. Talking about classical numbers, a notable feature about Manna Dey is that even in some films which have the major chunk of the songs sung by his co-singers, there is a song reserved for Manna Dey, as the song picturised is a classical one like the ones from the films Mehbooba (‘Gori tori painjaniya...’), Talash(‘Tere naina talash kare...’), Buddha Mil Gaya (‘Aayo kahan se ghanshyam...’) and Jane Anjane (‘Cham cham baaje re payaliya...’). #ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#P#ed_cl#Some of the finest duets too have come from Manna Dey. Here are a few examples - ‘Dharti kahe pukar ke beej bichale pyar ke mausam beeta jaaye...’ and ‘Hariyala saawan dhol bajaata aaya...’ from the film Do Bigha Zameen, ‘Pyar hua ikrar hua hai pyar se phir kyun darta hai dil...’ from Shree-420, ‘Nain mile chain kahan dil hai wahin tu hai jahan...’ from Basant Bahar, ‘Ye raat bheegi bheegi ye mast fizayen...’ and ‘Aaja sanam madhur chandni mein hum tum...’ from Chori Chori, ‘Chad gayo paapi bichua...’ from Madhumati, ‘Jhoomta mausam mast mahina - yala yala dil le gayi...’ from Ujala, ‘Bheegi chandni chhayi bekhudi aaja daal de bahon mein apni baahein...’ from Suhagan, ‘Dil ki girah khol do chup na baitho koi geet gaao...’ from Raat Aur Din, all these duets with Lata Mangeshkar, ‘Tu chhupi hai kahan main tadapta yahan...’ from Navrang, ‘Mere jeevan mein kiran banke bichadnewale bolo tum kaun ho...’ from Talaq, ‘Saanj dhali dil ki lagi hans chali pukar ke...’ from Boot Polish, ‘Ye hawa ye nadi ka kinara...’ from Ghar Sansar, ‘Re man sur mein gaaye...’ from Lal Pathar. ‘Aan milo aan milo shyam sanware...’ from the Dilip Kumar enacted Devdas and ‘Main tere pyar mein kya kya na bana dilbar...’ from Ziddi with Geeta Dutt. Even in some not-so-familiar films, we have some superb duets from Manna Dey like ‘Zulfon ki ghata lekar sawan ki pari aayi...’ from Reshmi Roomal with Asha Bhonsle, ‘Kanha jaa re... teri murli ki dhun sun sapnon mein...’ from Tel Maalish Boot Polish with Lata Mangeshkar, ‘Aankh mein shoki lab pe tabassum dil mein shararat tauba tauba...’ from Reshmi Roomal, the very pleasing ‘Tum jo aao to pyar aa jaaye zindagi mein bahar aa jaye...’ and ‘Ye din din hai khushi ke aaja re aaja...’ from Jabse Tumhe Dekha Hai with Suman Kalyanpur. #ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#Another speciality about Manna Dey was that he is not identifiable with any particular actor. He was the character’s voice and such songs were utilized to bring out the depth in the particular scene. A splendid example is that of our veteran actor - Pran. The song sung by Manna Dey for him in Manoj Kumar’s Upkar - ‘Kasme waade pyar wafa sab baatein hai baaton ka kya...’ emerged as the turning point in Pran’s career. This song signalled the arrival of Pran in character roles. This was again proved right by the duo a few years later in the film Zanzeer with the Qawwali ‘Yaari hai imaan mera yaar meri zindagi...’. Other songs by Manna Dey which came handy for the directors were the background songs sung by, say a boatman or some other character in the film such as ‘Mat ro mata laal tere bahu tere...’ from the film Bandini, ‘Chali Raadhe rani akhiyonmein paani...’ from Teesri Kasam, ‘Jeevan se lambe hai bandhu...’ from Aashirwad, ‘Nadiya chale chale re dhaara...’ from Safar, ‘Door hai kinara...’ from Rajshri’s Saudagar and the song with Lata Mangeshkar as peaceful as the ocean waters ‘Shaam dhale jamuna kinare kinare...’ from Pushpanjali. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#The light songs Manna Dey sang also proved to be quite popular with the masses. ‘Ae meri zohra jabeen tujhe maaloom nahin...’ from Waqt, ‘Kisne chilman se maara nazaara mujhe...’ from Baat Ek Raat Ki, ‘Hato kaahe ko jhooti banao bathiya...’ from Manzil ‘Ye do deewane dil ke chale hain dekho milke...’ from Johar Mehmood In Goa co-sung by Mohd. Rafi, ‘Chunri sambhal gori udi chali jaaye re...’ with Lata from Baharon Ke Sapne, the Mehmood numbers ‘Aao twist karein...’ from Bhoot Bangla, ‘Jodi hamari jamega kaise jaani...’ with Asha Bhonsle from the film Aulad and the all time great comedy number from Padosan - ‘Ek chatur naari badi hoshiyar...’ with Kishore Kumar are few such examples and prove his versatility. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl#The song from the film Anand - ‘Zindagi kaise hai paheli haaye re kabhi tho hansaaye, kabhi ye rulaaye...’ - sung by Manna Dey, lifts your morale and encourages you take things in the right spirit. It also seems to be the maxim by which he lived his life. #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Tue 15 May, 2007 00:49 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#FONT size=5#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 background=images/body-bg.jpg#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=top align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 background=images/body-bg.jpg#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=top align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#441415 size=5#ed_cl#About Him#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=top align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=108 src="http://www.mannadey.in/images/manna-pic.jpg" width=109#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=top align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=top align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR vAlign=top align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=text2#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Padmabhusan Manna Dey is a legendry figure in Indian music. His fame is not restricted to the Indian domain only but has over flown to every part of the globe, where an Indian heart resides. In fact his is not merely a name that is deified everywhere, rather it creates a ripple of mixed feeling of love and worship whenever cited. People venerate him not only for his musical bearing but because he epitomizes a wonderful combination of melody and poetry. His stance in Indian music vindicates the axiom – the art outlives the artist.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Born on 1st of May 1919, Manna Dey was christened by his parents as Probodh Chandra Dey. Theirs was an orthodox joint family of North Calcutta, residing in the#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=right width=115#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=text2 vAlign=top align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#huge ancestral house at Simla, 9 Madan Ghose Lane. Prior to Manna Dey another brilliant artist of similar stature Krishna Chandra Dey too was born in this very house. Purna Chandra Dey was Manna Dey’s father and Mahamaya Dey was his mother. Apart from them there was this legendry youngest paternal uncle Sangeetacharya Krishna Chandra Dey residing in the same house, who both loved and pampered little Mana. He received his early education, in a small pre-primary school popularly known as Indu Babur Pathshala. Thereafter he was sent to Scottish Church Collegiate School to complete both his schooling and intermediate studies. He next got admitted to Vidyasagar College for his graduations. From very childhood Manna Dey manifested a keen liking for sports events like wrestling and boxing and excelled in both. Apart from sports Manna Dey was also renowned for playing pranks upon people. His contemporaries readily acknowledged him as their leader in this field.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#It was during his intermediate classes at Scottish Church College, Manna Dey’s singing talent became apparent. During the recess beating the tables of the classroom and singing aloud to entertain his compatriots, became a common feature for the budding talent. Later he started taking singing lessons from his uncle Krishna Chandra Dey and from Ustad Dabir Khan. And it was at this period of time Manna Dey stood first for three consecutive years in three different categories of inter-collegiate singing competitions. A star in the realm of Indian music was born. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#In 1942, Manna Dey accompanied his renowned uncle Krishna Chandra Dey on a visit to Mumbai. And there first under the tutelage of his uncle, then Sachin Dev Burman, Manna Dey started working as a successful assistant music director. Later he also assisted other famous music composers for some time and then decided to work independently. But even while working separately as a music director for different successful Hindi films Manna Dey never stopped taking musical lessons in Hindustani Classical music from two classical stalwarts, Ustad Aman Ali Khan and Ustad Abdul Rahman Khan. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey started his career in playback singing with the film Tamanna in 1943. The musical score was set by his uncle Krishna Chandra Dey and he had to sing a duet with Suraiya. The song was an instant hit. People across the country loved the song. In 1950, Mashal was the second film where Manna Dey got the opportunity to sing a solo ‘Upar gagan vishal’ and this time the melody was created by Sachin Dev Burman. In 1952, Manna Dey sang both for a Bengali and a Marathi film of the same name and storyline – Amar Bhupali, and established himself as a booming Bengali playback singer. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#It was on the 18th December 1953, Manna Dey married Sulochana Kumaran from Kerala. Suroma the eldest daughter of this eminent couple was born on 19th October 1956, and on 20th June 1958, Sumita followed. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Versatile genius that he is Manna Dey is adept at singing Rabindra Sangeet as well. In fact it’ll not be wrong to claim that it was he who pioneered a new genre in Indian music where he infused Indian classical music within a pop frame work. His experimentation with western music too produced many unforgettable melodies. Till date there is no Indian language which has not been blessed by the melody of this multitalented singer. He has also recorded more than 3500 songs. His music has enthralled the audience throughout the world. And justifiably he has been showered with innumerable awards and titles like the National singer, Padmasree, and Padmabhusan #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#A short list of awards & honour received by him from time to time is given chronologically.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=top align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=top align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=580 bgColor=#ffffdf#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#TD width=69 bgColor=#996600 height=24#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#ffffff size=4#ed_cl#Year#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD width=209 bgColor=#996600#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#ffffff size=4#ed_cl#Awards#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD width=300 bgColor=#996600#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#ffffff size=4#ed_cl#Remarks#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR vAlign=center align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR vAlign=center align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=middle bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#1970#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#National Award as Playback singer#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#For the Bengali film Nishipadma#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR vAlign=center align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR vAlign=center align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=middle bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#1971#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#National Award as Playback singer#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#For the Hindi Film Mera Naam Joker#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR vAlign=center align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR vAlign=center align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=middle bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#1971#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Padmasree Award#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Govt. of 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size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR vAlign=center align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=middle bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#1988#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Michale Sahittyo Puraskar#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Awarded by Renaissance Sanskritik Parishad, Dacca#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR vAlign=center align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" 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size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR vAlign=center align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=middle bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#2004#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#National Award as Playback singer#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD bgColor=#ffcc99#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Govt. of Kerala#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR vAlign=center align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" 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The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE align=center border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://www.mannadey.in/admin/upload/thumbs1/1153217059With%20mother,%20four%20brothers%20and%20only%20sister1.jpg" border=0 GALLERYIMG="no"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Book Antiqua" color=#7c483a size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#With mother, four brothers and only sister#ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE align=center border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://www.mannadey.in/admin/upload/thumbs1/1153294932We.jpg" border=0 GALLERYIMG="no"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Book Antiqua" color=#7c483a size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#We Two #ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE align=center border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://www.mannadey.in/admin/upload/thumbs1/1153218734After%20Marriage1.jpg" border=0 GALLERYIMG="no"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Book Antiqua" color=#7c483a size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#After Marriage #ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE align=center border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://www.mannadey.in/admin/upload/thumbs1/1153218795At%20the%20begining.jpg" border=0 GALLERYIMG="no"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Book Antiqua" color=#7c483a size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#At the begining #ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Tue 15 May, 2007 00:57 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE align=center border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://www.mannadey.in/admin/upload/thumbs1/1152786530With%20Md.%20Rafi%20&%20uncle%20K.C.Dey.jpg" border=0 GALLERYIMG="no"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Book Antiqua" color=#7c483a size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#With Md. Rafi & uncle K.C#ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE align=center border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://www.mannadey.in/admin/upload/thumbs1/1153235938Anandan%20er%20music%20room.jpg" border=0 GALLERYIMG="no"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Book Antiqua" color=#7c483a size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#Music room of Anandan#ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE align=center border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://www.mannadey.in/admin/upload/thumbs1/1153236164Sadhonay.jpg" border=0 GALLERYIMG="no"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Book Antiqua" color=#7c483a size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#Singing is my prayer #ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Tue 15 May, 2007 01:04 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE align=center border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://www.mannadey.in/admin/upload/thumbs1/1152787773Sulochona%20with%20Mrs.%20Talat%20Mahmood.jpg" border=0 GALLERYIMG="no"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Book Antiqua" color=#7c483a size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#Sulochona with Mrs. Talat Mahmood#ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE align=center border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://www.mannadey.in/admin/upload/thumbs1/1153239291Jhuma%20O%20Sulochona1.jpg" border=0 GALLERYIMG="no"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Book Antiqua" color=#7c483a size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#Jhuma O Sulochona #ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE align=center border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://www.mannadey.in/admin/upload/thumbs1/1153131134We%20two.jpg" border=0 GALLERYIMG="no"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=center align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Book Antiqua" color=#7c483a size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#We Two... #ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- king12 Sun 08 Jul, 2007 12:15 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=510 border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=top width=510 height=20#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=verdana color=#400080 size=4#ed_cl#Golden Voice, Golden Era #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD height=5#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=verdana size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#S Nanda Kumar takes a nostalgic walk down memory lane with one of this year’s Padma Bhushan awardees, Manna Dey. #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=verdana size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://www.deccanherald.com/Archives/dec112005/img/sh1.jpg"#ed_cl##ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Tu Pyaar ka sagar hai… Ay mere pyaare watan... Laaga chunaari mein dhaag...#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# The mellifluous voice of Manna Dey has filled airwaves across India for over 60 years now – he began singing for films in 1942. Born Prabodh Chandra Dey in Calcutta in 1920, ‘Manna’ was the nickname given to him by his illustrious uncle, another great singer – K C Dey. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Many great teachers taught K C Dey music at the 14-roomed mansion on Madan Ghosh Lane in Calcutta and so, the young Manna was exposed to classical music from childhood. “I listened to all these ustaads, like Inayat Khan. I came to know the intricacies of Indian classical music. I was not taught sa re ga ma , I just knew it,” said Manna Dey, in his house in North Bangalore. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Manna’s father wanted him to be a lawyer. But his uncle, K C Dey, had spotted the young man’s potential, and he was allowed to pursue music. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#When K C Dey moved to Bombay in 1942, the young Manna Dey accompanied him. Manna began by assisting reputed music directors like Anil Biswas, Khemchand Prakash, and K C Dey himself. Manna Dey knew Sachin Dev Burman from childhood, as he had been taught music by K C Dey. “When Burman came to Bombay in 1946-47, I also worked as his assistant!” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#But the singer Manna Dey had not yet emerged. His break came when film producer Vijay Bhatt came home with music director Shankar Rao Vyas to ask K C Dey to sing for Ram Rajya. K C Dey refused to lend his voice for the Valmiki character. “My uncle said if the role was his, then he would sing. When they asked him for an alternative, he pointed to me and said ‘why not try him?’ And I was just a young lad of 22!” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Manna Dey recorded the song for Vyas, and everybody was enthralled by his voice. But the music discs of those days did not carry the singer’s name. “I sang for so many people, but nobody knew my name!” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#The turning point came in 1950, when he sang ‘Upar gagan vishaal’ for Naushad in the film Mashaal. “That song became a runaway hit, and I had arrived! From then onwards there was no looking back.” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#Birth of a song#ed_op#/B#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Manna travelled back in time to tell me how songs were recorded in those days. It was a ritual which began with the film’s director and the music director discussing the situation where the song was required. Next came choosing the song writer, who took his own time to supply the lyrics, after which the tune was composed. “Then they had to choose the artiste. Mohammed Rafi? Talat Mehmood? Manna Dey? Mukesh? Hemanta Kumar? They would pinpoint one artiste and call him.” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Only after the artiste learnt the song would the musicians be given the score. The whole process would take about a month. “It would be very leisurely and very dedicated. Songs made with such care and such love would last a long time - even the songs I have sung 40 years ago! When the song was ready for recording, it would be a sheer joy to listen to it. That’s the way a song was born those days. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#“Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Talat Mehmood, Hemanta Kumar... all of them had their different styles. They would choose the singer according to the composition. The first choice was always Rafi, he was a great singer, there is no doubt about it. If the song was a little intricate, if there was something special to be sung, they would consider me. And every time I sang a song, I would put my entire whole heart and soul into it, because I had to compete with all these singers.” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Manna has sung memorable duets with Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle. (Aaja Sanam madhur chandni mein hum, Pyaar hua ikraar hua hai, Yeh raat bheegi bheegi...) He was visibly excited as he recalled how they sang together. “Oh, Lataji and Ashaji,we used to rehearse each song for three to four days! We used to have wonderful addas, eating and making merry together. Each song used to be a really wonderful thing, especially when singing for Raj Kapoor, Nargis or Shankar-Jaikishan. Most of the Shankar-Jaikishan songs I have sung with Lata - those duets are immortal. People sing them even today.” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#The story behind his duet with Hindustani maestro Bhimsen Joshi is now part of film lore (‘Ketaki Gulab’ for the film Basant Bahar). In the film the hero (for whom Manna sang) defeats his rival (for whom Joshi sang). #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#“I told my wife, ‘How could I possibly sing with Bhimsen Joshi? He is such a great singer, and I actually have to defeat him! Let’s abscond from Bombay for some time and come back after the recording is over. She said, ‘of course you have to defeat him, you are singing for the hero’.” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Manna asked Shankar-Jaikishan for extra time. “So I practised with doubled vigour, and when I recorded that song, I still remember Bhimsen Joshi telling me I should be a classical singer!” laughs Manna. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#But Manna never pursued a career as a classical singer. “I like the science of classicism, but I don’t like the rigidity. If a raaga is sung for one and a half hours, can there anything but repetition? When I sing my songs on a classical basis, I take the essence of that raaga and the result is very good.” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#Fun with Kishore #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl#I asked Manna about that popular duet, “Ek Chatur naar karke Shringar,” with Kishore Kumar. (Padosan) “We rehearsed that song for five-six days with Sunil Dutt, Mehmood, and Pancham (Rahul Dev Burman). Every sitting lasted five to six hours. And finally we went for the recording. It was an event that started off at nine in the morning and finished at nine in the night! Wah, what songs. It was great!” He leaned forward as the old memories came flooding back. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#“I still remember that day. The staff, who usually left the studio at about 6 pm, would not leave! They were all glued to the recording theatre. And while the song was being recorded, they were all dancing and laughing. We knew when we were recording that the song would be a hit. And the way we both sang that song! I don’t think the like of that will ever be born again.” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#And what did he think of Kishore as a singer? “Kishore was a great, jovial and a very lively sort of person. He had the gift of a voice, and what a voice! We hadn’t had that kind of voice in our industry. Kishore made full use of that voice. And his playfulness! He made a style of his own with all that tomfoolery, which was grabbed by the younger folks. Kishore came to the forefront and he remained there.” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#What does Manna think of today’s music? “In today’s films, the subjects are such that there is no scope for good, healthy music. You don’t get to listen to good music, good words. The same kinds of songs are being sung over and over again, the same kind of obscene dancing. I would say this is only due to the demand of the time.” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#The remix massacre #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl#And what about all those remixes of great songs? Manna sat up. “Making remixes is massacring the good old things. Remixes are unhealthy. The people doing these re-mixes, can they sing anything of their own? No! Some of Lata’s songs - sung in such a divine way, they are massacring it like this.” He looked a little disheartened and I hastened to go back to the past. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#For all his expertise, not too many awards came Manna’s way. “When I sang ‘Nirbal se ladaiee’, V Shantaram wept. He said I should be given all the awards. I was never given any award for this. You will be surprised to know that I did not win any award for Poocho na kaise, Kasme vaade, Laaga chunari mein daag, Kaun aaya mere man ke dwaare, nothing of the sort. I got the award for Ay bai, zara dekh ke chalo. What nonsense. There was no singing in that, and they over-reacted so much!” he laughed. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Was he disappointed when awards didn’t come? He looked into my eyes. “It used to trouble me inside. Because awards are the final things that herald to the world a winner. So what? Just because I did not get the accolades, I could not stop singing.” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#The woman behind#ed_op#/B#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Manna met his wife Sulochana through Rabindra Sangeet. Manna was in charge of a programme to celebrate Tagore’s birthday in 1949. “I taught her the songs we planned for the evening - that’s how I came to know her well. I also taught Talat (Mehmood), Lata and Geeta Dutt - they also came and sang that evening!” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Their friendship gradually grew, and Manna describes her as a pillar of strength. He says there were times when he wanted to quit Bombay. “I wanted to join an ashram and sing bhajans, because I was struggling all the time. But she was so calm and always brought out the best in me.” Perhaps if not for Sulochana, we might have lost Manna Dey to some fortunate ashram! #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Manna moved to Bangalore when he found Bombay becoming too violent. One of their daughters, Shumita, lives here, and Manna was quite familiar with the place. “I have been visiting Bangalore since 1950 - in fact, I got married here! The Bangalore of the 1950s was such a beautiful place.” The couple’s elder daughter, Shuroma works in the USA. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Manna still sings at programmes in India and abroad but has had enough of singing for films. “Moreover, my kind of voice will not suit stars like Shahrukh Khan. The timbre changes with age. And I should not be doing it. I don’t aspire to be in the limelight. I have sung enough.” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#But he still wants to experiment – he is willing to sing Rabindra Sangeet in Kannada. “It requires a lot of effort, but if somebody is willing and trains me, I would love to sing Tagore’s songs in Kannada.” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#As I left Manna Dey, I did not hear the loud chaos of Bangalore’s traffic - my ears were filled with the mellifluous music of Mannada. Poocho na kaise meine rein bithayee, I sang to myself, as I drove away into the dust and smoke and pollution. #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#Playing kite with Rafi! #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl#Manna counts Mohammed Rafi among his good friends. “He was a very good, godfearing, simple person. He never smoked, never chewed paan, never drank. He used to go to work, come back and spend time with his family. I was also that kind of person, so we used to vibe very well with each other. I have been fortunate to have a friend like him.” #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Another common passion that the two great singers shared was kite-flying! “Rafi used to love to fly kites, and so did I. I used to be very good at it. And I used to cut all of Rafi’s kites! He used to ask me, ‘Dada, is there some magic in your kites?’ And I used to say, ‘Shall I tell you something? You don’t know how to fly kites!” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#A class=a2 href="http://www.deccanherald.com/"#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=1#ed_cl#Deccan Herald#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=1#ed_cl# » #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#A class=a2 href="http://www.deccanherald.com/Archives/dec112005/sundayherald.asp"#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=1#ed_cl#Sunday Herald#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=1#ed_cl# » Detailed Story#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Tue 10 Jul, 2007 09:43 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#441415 size=5#ed_cl##ed_op#U#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Discography#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/U#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Qawwali'('Yeh Ishq Ishq hai, Aye mere zohra-jabeen, yari hai iman mera) Romantic duet (Pyar hua iqraar hua, aja sanam madhur,dil ki gira khol do, ye raat bhigi bhigi, soch ke yei gagan jhume,murmur ke na dekh, o chand muskuraya, belia belia, chand gayo pai bichua,sham dhale jamuna kinare,yei raat chalte, zindegi hai khel,aan milo san,allah jane mai hu kaun,) Classical (Poochho na kaise, Sur na saje, laga chunri me dag, phul gendwa na maro,lapak jhapak tu, nache mayura, ketaki gulab juhi, bhay bhanjana bandana, mohammed shah rangile, tum ban jiban, bhor aie gaya andhia, are hato kahe ko jhume)#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#UL#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Emotional (Zindagi kaisi yeh paheli haaye,kasme wade, mitua piya tune kya kiya, hartaraf ab, dur hai kinara, nadia chale re dhara, muskura mudla,) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Fast numbers (Aao twist karen,kisne chilman se mara e bhai jara dekhe chalo, Jhoomta mausam mast mahina, jindegi hey khelkoi pass koi fail,dunia rangabirangi, eke chaturnar,chunri samal gori) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Patriotic songs (Aye mere pyare watan, jane walesipahi se pucho, hoke majbur, hindustan ki kasam) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Prayer numbers (Tu pyar ka saagar hai, mere sab kuch mere geet, tu hai mera premdebta, he raam, bhaja re man ram sukhdai, pap ki samandar, bhai bhanjana) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Filmfare Award winning: Aae bhai zara dekh ke chalo (Mera naam joker: Raj Kapoor) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/LI#ed_cl##ed_op#/UL#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#A id=Non_film--hindi name=Non_film--hindi#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#H4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl#Non film--hindi#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/H4#ed_cl##ed_op#UL#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#madhushala #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#shwan ke rimjhim #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#meri bhi ek mumtaz thi #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#o rang rejwa #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#shyam ho jamm ho #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#hyara hu mai #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#kuch eisi bhi paal hota hai #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/LI#ed_cl##ed_op#/UL#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#A id=Bengali name=Bengali#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#H3#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl#Bengali#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/H3#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#A id=Film name=Film#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#H4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl#Film#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/H4#ed_cl##ed_op#UL#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Aami kon pothe je choli (Chhodmobeshi: Uttam Kumar) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Aami je jolsaghorer (Antony Firingi: Uttam Kumar) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Aami sri sri Bhojohori Manna (Picnic: Samit Bhanja) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Ke prothom kachhe esechhi (Shonkhobela: Uttam Kumar) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Na na aaj rate aar jatra shunte jabona (Nishipodmo: Uttam Kumar) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Boro eka lage (Chowringhee: Uttam Kumar) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Tum na tum na na na tum na na na (Marjina Abdalla: Debraj Roy) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Manush khun hole pore (Chirodiner: Uttam Kumar) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Hoyto tomari jonyo (Teen bhuboner paare: Soumitra Chatterjee) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#ogo tomar sesh bicharer (dak harkara) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#lal paguri bedhe mathe (dak harkara) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#mon re aamar shunli na baron (dakharkara) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#ful pakhi bonhu (chirodiner_ uttam kumar) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#tumi aamar chirandiner (chiradiner) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#kono kotha na bole (chiradiner) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#lal nil sobujer (chiradiner) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#na na na aaj rate aar jatra shunte (nishi padma) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#ja khushi ora bole boluk (nishi padma) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#je kodin aakash jhure (pranto rekha) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#aami kokhono hoi chandidas (shob0ri) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#shobori kanya re (shobori) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#keno dako miche papia (sudur niharika) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#ore aakash bhora tara (Aaguner fulki) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#eto putul khela hoy (rajbonsho) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#oi dure bohudure (pankhiraj) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#shuk bole sari re tui (antoni firingi) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#chmpa chameli (antoni firingi) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#keu ba korchen baristrai (antoni firingi) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#sob kheler sera banglair tumi football(dhonni meye) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#prem nagar khelte (striker) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#aami agantuk (shankhabela) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#emon bondhu aar ke aache #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#ami to kumir dhore aanini kete khal (kabita) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#ei duniay bhai sobi hoy (ekdin ratre) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#tukro hasir tol foara (baghbandi khela) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#hajar takar jharbatita (stri) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#ta se jotoi kalo hok (stri) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#jemon sapinike posh manay ojha (stri) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#kaharba noy dadra (sannyasi raja) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#phul sajte lage #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#bhalobasar aagun jwalao #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#behag jodi na hoi raji #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#se kotha ki jane indu #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#ta bole ki prem debo na (mouchak) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#pagla garad kothay aache (mouchak) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#pataldangar aaara kojon (charmurti) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#bharot aamar bharotborsho (charmurti) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#aamar prothom proshno (hotel snow fox) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#jor khobor #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#darwin saheber mote naki #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#tos tos tos agurer ros #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#rang beranger jhella (notun diner alo) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#choleche cholbe cholchei #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#ki bisgher chobol dibi (protishod) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#tumi tanpura sure bedhe nao (dui prithibi) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#jhorer mukhomuki #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#ke tumi (jiban rahassa #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#prithibi takie dekho #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#okul ganer majhi re (bhaggochakra) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#nil nil ghono nil (avi) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#duti kotha jeno #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/LI#ed_cl##ed_op#/UL#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#A id=Non-Film name=Non-Film#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#H4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl#Non-Film#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/H4#ed_cl##ed_op#UL#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Obhimane chole jeona (Bangla: অভিমানে চলে যেওনা) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#eki opurbo prem dile (একী অপূর্ব প্রেম দিলে) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#dorodi go (দরদী গো) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#dekhi oi hasir jhilik (দেখি ঐ হাসির ঝিলিক) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Shono o gorobi dristipater jonno (শোনো ও গরবী, দৃষ্টিপাতের জন্য) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#O kêno êto shundori holo (ও কেনো এতো সুন্দরী হলো) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Ei kule ami ar oi kule tumi (এই কূলে আমি আর ওই কূলে তুমি) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Kôtha dao abar ashbe (কথা দাও আবার আসবে) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Jôrorar jhumko theke êkţa moti (জড়োয়ার ঝুমকো থেকে একটা মোতি) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Teer bhanga dheu aar (তীর ভাঙ্গা ঢেউ আর) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Shôpon jodi modhur emon (স্বপন যদি মধুর এমন) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#She amar chhoţo bon (সে আমার ছোটো বোন) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Coffee houser shei ađđaţa aj ar nei (কফি হাউসের সেই আড্ডাটা আজ আর নেই) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Ma ma go ma ami elam tomar kole (মা মা গো মা আমি এলাম তোমার কোলে) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Ogo bôrsha tumi jhoro nago emon kero (ওগো বরষা তুমি) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Ami ajaibon shudhu #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Prokhor darun oti #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Gôhon megher chhaea #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Shôpnae baje go bashi #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Jalao akash prodip #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Na jeo na #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Ke tumi tôndra harani #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Na mago ma #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Hati hati pappa #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Ami raji rakho baji #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Esho joubon esho he #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Tumi ar ami ar #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Majhrate ghum bhenge rôe #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Amae chinte kêno parchho na ma #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial 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#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#je somadhi beditar thik opore #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#tumi chithi likhe #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#lagche ochena ki onek diner pore #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#tomay kichui bolini to #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#ei rat sesh raat #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#sonar e dingulo #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#jodi proshno kori #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#o kuasha bhorer obujh #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#dosh bochorer bonshi #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#lal jobakeo lojja dieche #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#kichu chai kichu pai #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#keno fire jay #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#soheli go ki name #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#shunte shunte onek kothai #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#onek kotha boleo tobu #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#sonali rong mekhe #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#misti ekta gondho #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#obhinonondon noy #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#aaj rate chader osojhhho aalo #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#prithibike biday janie #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#eto bhalobese tobu #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#LI#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#orunna kanti kore #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/LI#ed_cl##ed_op#/UL#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Tue 10 Jul, 2007 09:52 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE class="infobox vcard" style="FONT-SIZE: 95%; WIDTH: 21em"#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TH style="BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; TEXT-ALIGN: center" colSpan=3#ed_cl##ed_op#BIG class=""#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#451528 size=6#ed_cl#Manna Dey#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/BIG#ed_cl##ed_op#/TH#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TH style="BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%" colSpan=3#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Background information#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TH#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Birth name#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD colSpan=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Prabodh Chandra Dey#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Born#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD colSpan=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#May 1#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#, #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#1920#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#SPAN style="DISPLAY: none"#ed_cl#(#ed_op#SPAN class=bday#ed_cl#1920-05-01#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl#)#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl# #ed_op#FONT class=noprint#ed_cl#(age 87)#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#A class=image title="Flag of India" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flag_of_India.svg"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG class=thumbborder height=15 alt="Flag of India" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Flag_of_India.svg/22px-Flag_of_India.svg.png" width=22 longDesc=/wiki/Image:Flag_of_India.svg#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Kolkata#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Genre(s)#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD colSpan=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#playback singing#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap"#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Occupation(s)#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD colSpan=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Singer#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD style="WHITE-SPACE: nowrap"#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Instrument(s)#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=note colSpan=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Vocalist#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Years active#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD colSpan=2#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#1948#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#–#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#1991#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Early life#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He was born to Purna Chandra Dey (his father) and Mahamaya Dey (his mother). Apart from them, in his childhood he was greatly inspired and influenced by his youngest paternal uncle Sangeetacharya (meaning "Venerable Teacher of Music" in #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Sanskrit#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#) #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Krishna Chandra Dey#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#, who loved and pampered little Manna. He received his early education in a small pre-primary school popularly known as Indu Babur Pathshala. Thereafter he was sent to Scottish Church Collegiate School and later to the #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Scottish Church College#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# to complete his schooling and pre-university education. After that, he was admitted to #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Vidyasagar College#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# for his graduate education. From his very childhood, Manna Dey manifested a keen liking for sports events like #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#wrestling#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# and #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#boxing#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# and excelled in both. He is a jovial personality and is known for playing pranks upon people. His contemporaries readily acknowledge him as one of the most sociable contemporaries in his chosen vocation (a characteristic rare among contemporary fellow musicians, perhaps with the exception of the late #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Kishore Kumar#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#).#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#A id=Marriage_and_Children name=Marriage_and_Children#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#H2#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=mw-headline#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Marriage and Children#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/H2#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#It was on the 18th December 1953, Manna Dey married Sulochana Kumaran from #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Kerala#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#. Suroma Dey, who was the eldest daughter was born on 19th October 1956, and on 20th June 1958, Sumita Dey followed.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- Raja Wed 25 Jul, 2007 10:39 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR height=40#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=pageHeading#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" color=#373e68 size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Priceless Gems  Manna Dey#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=pageHeading align=right#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=main#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG title=" Priceless Gems Vol.1 - CD Manna Dey " height=233 alt="Priceless Gems Vol.1 - CD Manna Dey" hspace=5 src="http://www.musichouseltd.co.uk/shop/images/priceless-gems-manna-dey-cd.jpg" width=175 vspace=5 border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://www.musichouseltd.co.uk/shop/product_reviews.php?products_id=1826&osCsid=3167f6e513f730e5a778c10071e43480"#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=main align=right#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=main#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 align=right border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=middle#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#1. Sur Na Saje -#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# Basant Bahar#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#2. Tu Pyar Ka Sagar Hai - #ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl#Seema#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#3. Upar Gagan Vishal - #ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl#Mashal#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#4. Nirbal Se Ladai Balwan Ki -#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# Toofan Aur Diya#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#5. Kaun Aaya Mere Man Ke Dware -#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# Dekh Kabira Roya#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#6. Buddhang Saranam Gachhami - #ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl#Angulimal#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#7. Sapt Suran Teen Gram -#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# Sangeet Samrat Tansen#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#8. Laga Chunari Men Daag -#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# Dil Hi To Hai#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#9. Phool Gendva Na Maro -#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# Door Ka Chand#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#10. Jhanak Jhanak Tori Baje Payelia -#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# Mere Huzoor#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#11. Poochho Na Kaise Maine -#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# Meri Surat Teri Ankhen#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#12. Kasmen Wade Pyar Wafa - #ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl#Upkar#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#13. Tere Naina Talash Karen - #ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl#Talash#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#14. Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli - #ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl#Anand#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#15. Nadiya Chale Chale Re Dhara - #ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl#Safar#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#16. Raagmala -#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# Dil Ki Rahen #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Singer :#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# Manna Dey#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Thu 26 Jul, 2007 01:57 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#441415 size=6#ed_cl#A master's voice #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#BYLINE#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#PARTHA CHATTERJEE#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE bgColor=white border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey's autobiography is as much about his involvement with Bengali film as it is about his career in Hindi film music. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#BLURB1#ed_cl##ed_op#/BLURB1#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=551 src="http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2412/images/20070629001108101.jpg" width=270 align=center border=1#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#MANNA DEY, the ebullient singer of Hindi and Bengali film songs through the 1950s to the 1980s, wrote his autobiography, #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Jeebonir Jalsa Ghare#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#, in 2005. An English translation, #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Memories Come Alive#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#, has just come out. Those who love and admire the singer will welcome this volume but may be slightly disappointed by its tone, which is a compromise between the intimate and the formal. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#As a singer Dey was in his prime from 1945 to 1980 or a year or two later. His voice was known for its clarity of tone and steadiness of pitch. It became "silvery" as it soared higher and higher, for instance, in his duet with Lata Mangeshkar, "Aa ja sanam madhur chandni me hum", from #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Chori Chori #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#(1956) when he floats into the #ed_op#I#ed_cl#antara#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# with the words "#ed_op#I#ed_cl#bheegi bheegi chandni#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#... ". #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#It is indeed a bit strange and even bizarre that despite the quality of his voice and his ability to sing a wide variety of songs - he could render with ease romantic numbers, melodies based on classical ragas, folk forms, comic ballads and even adaptations from Latin American music and rock `n' roll - he never shared the number one spot, which he so richly deserved, with another marvellous singer, Mohammad Rafi. It is an unspoken regret that has stayed with him through his life. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#As a singer he was a late starter. While at Scottish Church College and a little later at Banga Bashi in Calcutta (now Kolkata), he was much in demand for intercollegiate cultural meets and won many prizes, singing a variety of songs. His uncle, the legendary blind singer-actor of Bengali and Hindi films of the 1930s and 1940s, Krishna Chandra (K.C.) Dey, however, was not impressed. Young Manna was then better known as a wrestler! Wrestling certainly added to his natural robustness and possibly gave him the stamina to acquire quite amazing breath control when he took to singing seriously. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Incidentally, the nickname Mana, meaning "darling", was given to him by his mother, Mahamaya Devi, and got corrupted to Manna. He was actually named Prabodh Chandra Dey, but having such a long name would not do for a singer in those changing times. The Second World War was on, and even countries like undivided India could not help but be affected by the new technology that the Armageddon-like situation in the world had created. Traditional cultures the world over revealed cracks. The quality of film music in India was changing like rapid underwater currents though nothing much was revealed on the surface. The old style, the highly melodious music of New Theatres, Calcutta, with the incomparable K.L. Saigal as its king and the great K.C. Dey as its prince regent, was still reigning supreme. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#The short-wave radio service from Britain and America brought popular music to our shores, and the free availability of Western classical and pop music in certain metropolitan stations of All India Radio slowly began to affect a very small band of listeners, which included composers and arrangers of film songs, particularly in Bombay (now Mumbai) and Calcutta. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#However, when Manna Dey arrived in Bombay in 1942 as a 23-year-old, his mind was full of the traditional melodies - #ed_op#I#ed_cl#khayals#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#, #ed_op#I#ed_cl#thumris#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#, #ed_op#I#ed_cl#dadras#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#, #ed_op#I#ed_cl#bhatiyalis#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# and #ed_op#I#ed_cl#kirtans#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# - his uncle had taught him. He had come to train as an assistant to K.C. Dey, who was composing the music for #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Tamanna#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#. He sang his first duet with a beautiful young girl, who would soon make her mark as the singer-actress Suraiya. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#A year later, in 1943, an eccentric genius called Sajjad Husain set a raga-based melody to a waltz rhythm in the song "Badnam mohobat kaun kare", rendered superbly in the film #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Dost #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#by the classically trained Noorjehan. In the same year, Manna Dey rendered four songs for composer Shankar Rao Vyas in the film #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Ram Rajya #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#directed by Vijay Bhatt. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey, in later life, wondered why, despite having successfully rendered many hits for the top male stars of Hindi cinema, he was invariably saddled with songs for comedians and old men. He answered the question himself by saying that he had begun singing for Valmiki in #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Rama Rajya#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#! During that time he was also given the sad responsibility of teaching a romantic song to his soon-to-be colleague Mohammad Rafi. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#A.M. FARUQUI #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=288 src="http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2412/images/20070629001108102.jpg" width=401 align=center border=1#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#MANNA DEY DURING a performance in Bhopal in October 2006. #ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Two songs immortalised Manna Dey in Bombay in the short span of three years and, ironically, put him in the role of the commentator rather than the leading participant in the story in a number of Hindi films. The first, "Upar gagan vishal" (composer: S.D. Burman, lyrics: Pradip) for Nitin Bose's #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Mashal#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# in 1950 and, the second, "Chale radhe rani" (composer: Arun Kumar Mukherjee, lyrics: Bharat Vyas) for Bimal Roy's production of #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Parinita#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"Upar gagan vishal" is a soaring eagle of a composition that tests the mettle of any singer, calling for range, malleability of voice, gravity and sweetness, and a subtle understanding of the lyrics, which describe the creation of the universe poetically but not inaccurately. If one single song brought lasting glory to a lyricist, it was this one. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"Chale radhe rani", on the other hand, is a poignant Vaishnav #ed_op#I#ed_cl#kirtan#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#-like composition sung by a wandering old mendicant to project the dilemmas of the heroine, Lalita, an orphan. For one so young, Manna Dey in both these songs revealed an astonishing maturity in understanding the nature of the fundamental ideas and emotions that govern everyday life. But it was this very quality that prevented him from regularly singing romantic numbers for living stars such as Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Bharat Bhushan and Raj Kapoor. He was always considered the perfect voice for a #ed_op#I#ed_cl#buzurg#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#, or an elder, but not a young dashing romantic hero. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#It was Shankar of the Shankar-Jaikishan duo who saw in Manna Dey an exceptional singer of romantic songs as well. In Raj Kapoor's #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Awaara#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# (1951), Shankar got him to render with Lata Mangeshkar the memorable duet "Tere bina aag yeh chandni". After that, he sang in all of Raj Kapoor's home productions but played a curious role to aid the actor-director's schizophrenic screen persona. Manna was always at hand to render exquisite duets with Lata Mangeshkar and bolster the actor's great lover image. However, it was Mukesh who almost always sang those songs of have-nots that bolstered Kapoor's socialist image and helped him earn millions from the erstwhile Soviet Union. The songs from his films were immensely popular there, not in the least "Aawara hun" (singer: Mukesh) and the duet "Pyaar hua iqrar hua" (Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey), because they were based on Byloru#ed_op#COL_SAGE#ed_cl# #ed_op#/COL_SAGE#ed_cl#ssian folk melodies. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Shankar-Jaikishan's best songs were raga-based and had both lilt and sonority. For a period of 10 years, from 1951 to 1961, they had an ecstatic run of success in the golden age of Hindi film music, and Manna Dey, in no small measure, contributed to it. Listening to him render Shankar-Jaikishan's compositions in #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Basant Bahar #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#(1956), one understands why. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Songs like "Sur na saje", "Nain mile chaen kahan" with Lata Mangeshkar, "Bhaya bhanjana" and "Ketaki ghulab" with Bhimsen Joshi have become evergreen as much for their singers as for their composers. But how much credit must the composer get for these raga #ed_op#I#ed_cl#pradhan#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# offerings? After all, it is the singers who are classically trained and have sculpted out the contours of these melodies in the act of singing. The composers, at best, offered a clear sketch of what was to be recorded. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#This interpretation gains credence when Manna Dey says that S.D. Burman only gave him "a brief" for the composition in Aheer Bhairav in the film #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Meri Soorat Teri Ankhen #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#(1963) and it was he who worked at it until it became "#ed_op#I#ed_cl#Poocho na kaise maine raen bitayi#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#", a truly memorable composition. The story does not look like a settling of scores between two highly creative people who, despite their best intentions, could not really become friends. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Manna Babu is full of admiration for colleagues such as Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar, but it is Asha Bhonsle he singles out for praise: "In her voice modulation, she excels even her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar". Of Mohammad Rafi, he says, "Rafi's renditions were like an early spring morning with its varied hues and shades and appealed to me immensely." #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He is not so kind to Talat Mehmood and Mukesh. He feels Talat's leaving the film industry was a mystery and that he perhaps lacked perseverance. The truth is that although Talat was a pioneer of #ed_op#I#ed_cl#ghazals#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# and #ed_op#I#ed_cl#geets#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# in films, his kind of music was sidelined by the early 1960s. His Urdu diction was impeccable and his silken, soft voice was more suited to the gentle melodies of another era. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#THE HINDU PHOTO LIBRARY #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=353 src="http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2412/images/20070629001108103.jpg" width=401 align=center border=1#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#NARGIS AND RAJ Kapoor in "Chori Chori". For this movie, Manna Dey sang 'Aa ja sanam madhur chandni me hum' with Lata Mangeshkar. #ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Mukesh had some training from Pandit Jagannath Prasad but was mainly self-taught, modelling himself on his idol K.L. Saigal. It is true that it took two hours to get him into tune, but once that happened he was unbeatable. Like Talat, Mukesh too was essentially a singer of #ed_op#I#ed_cl#geets#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# and #ed_op#I#ed_cl#ghazals#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#. He got into trouble when he had to prove his versatility and sing all kinds of songs beyond his natural pitch, which he had to do in order to stay employed. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey, for some inexplicable reason, is unusually kind to G.M. Durani whose voice he found mellifluous but whom he thought lacked staying power. Durani never really was a front runner as a playback singer except for a brief while before his more gifted colleagues made their presence felt. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#In Bengali films, Manna Dey finally found the fulfilment of singing for leading men. He sang quite regularly for the then topmost star Uttam Kumar, who starred with Tanuja in #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Anthony Firingee#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#. The songs of that film were composed by Anil Bagchi, and Manna Dey's rendering of "Ami Jamini tumi shashi hey" and "Ami jay jalsa ghare" are as haunting as any sung by him. His autobiography is as much about his involvement with Bengali film songs and other forms of #ed_op#I#ed_cl#sugam sangeet #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#as it is about his career in Hindi film music. He is full of praise for colleagues such as Sudhin Das Gupta, Anil Bagchi, Nachiketa Ghosh and composer-singer Hemanta Mukherjee. He shows great affection and respect for Gauri Prasanna Majumdar, a sensitive and versatile lyricist. He is equally caring about another gifted lyricist, Pulak Bandopadhyay, whose suicide left him bewildered. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Today at 87, Manna Dey, after a long and arduous journey through life and music, has found happiness, most of all in the company of his Malayali wife, Sulochana, whom he fell in love with and married more than 50 years ago. His two daughters, Sumita and Suroma, have grown children. Life now offers another kind of pleasure. #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Zindagi kaisi hey paheli haye kabhi yeh hasaye kabhi yeh rulaye#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# (Life! What a riddle it is! Sometimes a laugh; sometimes a cry).#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Thu 03 Jan, 2008 00:09 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#A name=2#ed_cl#Music#ed_op#/A#ed_cl# has become commercial commodity: #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Manna Dey#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl#Neena Bhandari#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#M#ed_op#/B#ed_cl#usic has become a commercial commodity, where a singer’s popularity is judged by how many CDs he sells and not by the quality of his singing, says veteran Indian singer Manna Dey.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Speaking to newspersons here today, Dey who is here to promote Indian culture, says "Today’s singers have cut-throat competition. Music has become a commercial commodity and the choice of words, thoughts and lyrics no longer matters".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Pop songs have come to the fore even with their pedestrian tunes, unqualified singing prowess and meaningless words because they sell, he says adding "today promotion is the key".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Commending young singers, he says "I was pleasantly surprised to see young talent in ‘Tvs Sa Re Ga Ma’. It means, there is no dearth of talent".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#To become a good singer, Dey says, one has to have a good voice, a guru for guidance and dedication. "My uncle K.C. Dey initiated me into music. I religiously performed riyaz for a couple of hours daily. I have been a very strict singer, never lackadaisical about rendition of the songs".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Music lovers in Sydney will have a rare opportunity to attend a workshop on classical and non-classical music to be conducted by the versatile single next week.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Even at 81, Dey, who mesmerised audience at the Bengali songs concert here, says "I enjoy singing for the Bangladeshis because they know each and every song of mine by heart. They have kept Bengali music alive, while in West Bengal there has been an influence of Bollywood".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#An eight-minute video presentation "An introduction to Manna Dey" by Sydney-based filmmaker Anita Brar was to introduce the singing legend to the expatriate Indian community at a Hindi concert.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Having sung in almost every Indian language and English, the octogenarian singer says, "I wanted to sing on an all-India basis. I have translated Tagore’s songs in Hindi".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#In a singing career spanning 50 years, Manna Dey has seen the growth of music in the country. "We are at a stage where we say no more".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He says "In the film industry one has to be on the guard and not make sweeping statements".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"I have rubbed shoulders with great singers like Rafi, Talat, Lata, Hemant and Kishore, who deserve every accolade. Their singing by any yardstick you measure is great."#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#While drawing comparisons is healthy, to ask someone of Naushad’s calibre "Why did you ask Rafi to sing and not Manna Dey" is ridiculous. Again, Lata Mangeshkar is an institution, there should be no comparison between her and any other singer, he adds#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Tue 15 Jan, 2008 01:50 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#441415 size=6#ed_cl#That\'s a life story!#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV id=divBlurb#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Biographical documentaries on the finest musicians and singers of the country are on their way#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#By; Sudipto Shome#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#From an amateur wrestler to an eminent singer, Manna Dey's life would make a fascinating film.That's exactly what Saregama India's Legend promises with biographical documentaries on musicians in India, across genres. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#"The one on Manna Dey, titled My Life, My Music#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#, is the first in the series," says Malay Das Gupta, who has directed the series for Saregama India. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Plan and plot From modern to classical, Rabindra Sangeet to folk and baul, the company plans to cover every legend there is to. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Documentaries on Suchitra Mitra, Dwijen Mukhopadhyay, Sandhya Mukherjee, Arati Mukhopadhyay and Purna Das Baul are also being made. There are plans to release documentaries on Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle too. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"These documentaries have been divided into two to four parts, each approximately 25 minutes long. In this artistes share their experiences," informs Das Gupta. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#The one on Manna Dey is 95 minutes long and has been shot in digital format. The film incorporates clippings of his popular Bengali and Hindi film songs#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#. Unseen, unheard The singer has talked at length on his association with yesteryears legends like SD Burman, Shankar-Jaikishan, Raj Kapoor, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Salil Chowdhury. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#The documentary also throws light on some little known facts. For instance, not many know that he loved to fly kites with buddy Mohammed Rafi. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#While the first two parts of the film talk about Dey as a young man in Kolkata, the last two parts chart the growth of the singer as an Indian phenomenon. High hopes Das Gupta hopes nostalgia buffs will lap up the series which is being made in Bengali with English subtitles. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#The series is also special for Saregama, as they will be marking their entrance in eastern India, with this TV programme#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#However, neither the channel on which the series will be telecast, nor the pricing of the home videos#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl# has been finalised yet. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl# #ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl# #ed_op#P ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl#sudipto.shome@hindustantimes.com#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Web/HTMumbai/Photographs/2008/01/15/540/15_01_2008_540_001_002.jpg"#ed_cl# #ed_op#DIV id=speechData style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#From an amateur wrestler to an eminent singer, Manna Dey's life would make a fascinating film.That's exactly what Saregama India's Legend promises with biographical documentaries on musicians in India, across genres. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"The one on Manna Dey, titled My Life, My Music, is the first in the series," says Malay Das Gupta, who has directed the series for Saregama India. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Plan and plot From modern to classical, Rabindra Sangeet to folk and baul, the company plans to cover every legend there is to. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Documentaries on Suchitra Mitra, Dwijen Mukhopadhyay, Sandhya Mukherjee, Arati Mukhopadhyay and Purna Das Baul are also being made. There are plans to release documentaries on Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle too. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"These documentaries have been divided into two to four parts, each approximately 25 minutes long. In this artistes share their experiences," informs Das Gupta. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#The one on Manna Dey is 95 minutes long and has been shot in digital format. The film incorporates clippings of his popular Bengali and Hindi film songs. Unseen, unheard The singer has talked at length on his association with yesteryears legends like SD Burman, Shankar-Jaikishan, Raj Kapoor, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Salil Chowdhury. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#The documentary also throws light on some little known facts. For instance, not many know that he loved to fly kites with buddy Mohammed Rafi. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#While the first two parts of the film talk about Dey as a young man in Kolkata, the last two parts chart the growth of the singer as an Indian phenomenon. High hopes Das Gupta hopes nostalgia buffs will lap up the series which is being made in Bengali with English subtitles. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#The series is also special for Saregama, as they will be marking their entrance in eastern India, with this TV programme. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#However, neither the channel on which the series will be telecast, nor the pricing of the  home videos has been finalised yet. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl# #ed_op#P style="DISPLAY: none" ngvST="0" SmUZe="0"#ed_cl#sudipto.shome@hindustantimes.com#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- Music Wed 16 Jan, 2008 12:47 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://www.hinduonnet.com/icons/hindu_w150.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=5#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#00407f#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Manna Dey: An immortal singer#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl#NEW DELHI, APRIL 4. #ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#For someone whose singing career spanned over five decades, legendary playback singer Manna Dey comes across as the epitome of modesty. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#When asked whether the Padma Bhushan had been bestowed on him a tad too late, the 84-year-old Dey smiles and says, ``At least it came. I am satisfied.'' #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Dey, who received the coveted award this year for his lifelong contribution to music, has had a successful innings in the annals of Bollywood but says he isn't likely to return to tinseltown soon. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#``This is no age for playback singing. I can't sing for a 24-year-old hero. But if a song is made well, I don't mind singing for a character artist,'' says Dey. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#At the same time, the adage 'once a singer, always a singer' holds true for him. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#``My singing career was quite colourful. I have sung for all artistes - whether hero, villain or comedian,'' says Dey. ``I can't stop singing. I was born to sing and I will do so as long as I live.'' #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Not many know that Manna Dey was initially groomed to be a music-director. By the time he finished his graduation from Calcutta University in the pre-independence era, Dey was already assisting music directors like Chandraprakash and Anil Biswas and seemed destined to follow in their footsteps. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#But lady luck intervened and a song that Dey sang for the film `Ram Rajya' changed everybody's opinion about his vocation. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#``They all said I was better off as a singer. Who knows? Maybe they just didn't want me as a rival music composer,'' Dey says. There was no looking back after that. Although he never quite got the kind of success that contemporaries Mohammad Rafi and later Kishore Kumar achieved, Manna Dey went on to record several unforgettable numbers. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Notable among them are evergreen melodies like `Kaun Aaya Mere Man ke Dware', `Aayo Kahan se Ghanshyam', `Tu Pyar ka Sagar Hai' and `Aye Mere Pyare Watan'. And who could forget the `Ek Chatur Naar' duet with Kishore in `Padosan'? #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Characteristically, Dey is effusive in his praise of playback singer Mohammed Rafi. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#``Rafi, Lata and Asha are my favourite singers. I think of Rafi as the top singer in the world. He was a gift of God just like Lata Mangeshkar. No one can learn to sing like them,'' he says. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#But the octogenerian singer is scathing in his criticism of the current generation of music composers. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#``All the maestros have gone. Only Naushad is still there. And the younger generation does not know how to make music,'' he says. Dey also feels that composing music today is a trifle compared to the hours of rehearsals required earlier. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#- PTI #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Fri 21 Mar, 2008 01:52 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=headercenterimagepart#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=HTlogo#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG alt=logoimg src="http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/images/logo1.gif"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=headertext#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG alt=iconimg src="http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/images/icon.gif"#ed_cl# November 4, 2006 #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=headercrossborder2#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#!--End of Header--#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=backgroundextension#ed_cl##ed_op#!--Start of Body Section --#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=ni#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=niauthor#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#A id=InfoBox#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN#ed_cl#Press Trust Of India#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=niemail#ed_cl##ed_op#A#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=nidate#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=ashadds#ed_cl#Bangalore, March 20, 2008#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG style="CURSOR: pointer" onclick="window.location.href='../PhotoGallery/Photos_Storypage.aspx?Photo=158280ef-1d5d-4377-87a5-febdb0c6466c';" src="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/2007/3/158280ef-1d5d-4377-87a5-febdb0c6466cAutoThumbStory.JPG" width=192#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#A class=nihl id=MainStory#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey's unhappy with remixes#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Remixes can be good if done properly otherwise they end up as being 'nonsense', says veteran Bollywood singer Manna Dey.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"If remixes are done properly, they are good. Otherwise, they are just nonsense," he said during the launch of a DVD featuring original video songs of his.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#"It is a new and different experience for me. Thanks to technology, such things are possible today. Sitting at home, my listeners can listen to old melodies," he said after unveiling the first copy of Shemaroo Entertainment's #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Ultimate Unremix#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# here.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Humming some lines from his famous #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Laga chunari mein daag, chupaon kaise#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, he said, "The song, directed by late friend Roshan, is one of my most prized ones. It is one of the rare songs made for films. The song is a must at all my performances both in India and abroad."#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"A difficult, classical melody, I put my heart and soul into the song. I have been singing for the past 60 years and whatever I have sung, I have sung with sincerity," the nonagenarian singer said.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#Responding to a query on the song that required quite a bit of effort from him, Dey said "It is the song from #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Kabuliwala#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#-- #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Ae mere pyare watan, ae mere ujale chaman, tujh pe dil qurban#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"I had to sing this song from one corner of my throat, to convey the beautiful sentiments expressed in it," he said#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Sun 10 May, 2009 08:33 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=hd_div2_new#ed_cl##ed_op#A title=Home href="http://www.screenindia.com/"#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG hspace=0 src="http://static.screenindia.com/frontend/screenindia/images/screen.jpg" border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=head#ed_cl##ed_op#H1#ed_cl#The Ageless Wonder#ed_op#/H1#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=agencies#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://www.screenindia.com/columnist/rajivvijayakar/"#ed_cl#Rajiv Vijayakar#ed_op#/A#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=agencies#ed_cl#Posted: May 08, 2009#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=+0#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=red#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=+0#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=red#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=red size=5#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Manna Dey#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# turned 90 on May 1. The singing legend remains young at heart and keeps busy with shows and performances. He promises Screen 15 minutes on the phone from Bengalooru, but gives us more than half an hour of characteristically candid chat.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=+0#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=+0#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG title="The Ageless Wonder" alt="Manna dey" src="http://static.screenindia.com/m-images/2009-05-08/M_Id_76063_manna_dey.jpg"#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#We, however, begin on a false note, which the veteran singer has probably never delivered in front of a microphone in 3,500-plus recordings and hundreds of performances over 60 years. For when asked how he feels about entering his 90th year on May 1, he thunders, “Listen, my age is not something I wish to discuss! I will answer your questions if they are about me and not about my age. Age is just another year gone by - a mere birthday. It means nothing! I hope that this interview is about music and the wonderful time I have had with so many wonderful people! I have worked for over 65 years now. If you have done your homework and are willing to discuss my career, I would love to answer your questions!” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#But that’s Manna Dey as he ‘s always been - a man who never minces words. As we are on a ‘phone line, he naturally does not recollect our earlier meetings from the 1991 recording for Nana Patekar’s Prahaar, his last significant Hindi film song, to an hour-plus interview at his Juhu bungalow in Mumbai and several other smaller meetings . #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#“Hamari hi mutthi mein akash saara was a beautiful number, the last of so many for Laxmi-Pyare!” he recollects. “I remember Nana Patekar being after me for days and insisting that only I could sing that song. He even wanted me to lip-sync it on screen! Of course I flatly refused to be on screen an also said that my voice wasn’t what it used to be and gently turned him down! Then Laxmi (Laxmikant) called up and requested me to come home and listen to the song.” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Mannada requests me not to mention the few songs he was persuaded to record after that. But he clarifies that he is very much familiar with what is happening on the music front today. “Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are doing some nice songs. Anu Malik has also done some good work over the years. But otherwise, it is the sound that has improved tremendously since our times. But that’s more to the credit of the arrangers and therefore with the packaging, right? We have some excellent instrumentalists today. But what’s the use of such talent? Arrangements minus a good composition mean nothing! The lyrics too have degenerated so much.” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#What about the new blood in his own field - playback singing? #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#“I think Sonu Niigaam is very good, he is equipped with all the knowledge needed for a singer, is keen about doing good work and puts his heart into singing and understanding what he has to sing. Shreya Ghoshal is very good. But I will ask you something: In our wonderful country there is so much wonderful music. Every state is rich in music. But when you switch on the television, do you get to listen to anything nice?” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#So where does he think the malaise lies? “Look, music is dictated by the kind of films being made, which is decided by the filmmakers. It’s a demand and supply situation. A good singer like Udit Narayan has few takers. Why do you think a singer of the calibre of Kavita Krishnamurthi (Subramaniam) hardly records? It’s a lie that it is because she is not based in Mumbai!” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#We request Mannada to answer a hypothetical query: If Rafi, Kishore, Mukesh and he had all been active in today’s scenario, would this decline had happened, and how would they have taken it? And the veteran replies, “We would have very, very nobly retreated!! Today our kind of singers are not needed. How could we have sung a mukhda with the word Saala in it? We could never have been a part of such indignities!” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Mannada’s disciplined lifestyle and dedication to work has ensured that his memory remains sharper than the proverbial razor. Mention a composer, actor or film and he can rattle off details as if the events had happened just yesterday. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#We go to the matter of his favourite composers. Having reiterated that Shankar-Jaikishan and Laxmikant-Pyarelal are the composers he rates high (which is what he has stressed in all our talks and has said on television even recently) he has mentioned R.D.Burman and Madan Mohan in other interviews. How does he reconcile this? #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#“It is silly to compare great composers, unless you are familiar with musical intricacies,” he says with characteristic punch. “Madan Mohan gave me few but such soulful songs, like Tum bin jeevan (Bawarchi) and Kaun aaya mere man ke dwaare (Dekh Kabira Roya), so I am indebted to him. Panchamda was so good. He deserves the entire credit for the complex classic that was Ek chatur naar - the song was his concept from beginning to end, and Kishore and I just executed it to out best! See, it was less to do with the songs they called me for and more with the fact that they never got their dues in their lifetimes. Laxmi-Pyare were composers who have given me some fantastic songs right from Tum gagan ke chandrama ho in Sati Savitri - what a song that was! - to Prahaar. As for Shankar-Jaikishan - I was closer to Shankar - they were truly magical!” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He is not too taken in by my recalling S-J using Mannada for several heroes, even the Rafi-centric or Mukesh-centric ones like Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar and Raj Kapoor. “Look, there were all great singers then! If a song needed my skills, I was called to sing it. It was S-J’s greatness that they thought I was the right singer for songs like Aaja sanam madhur chandni mein hum (Chori Chori), Lapak jhapak tu aa re badarwa (Boot Polish), Pyar hua ikraar kiya (Shree 420), Ae bhai zaraa dekh ke chalo (Mera Naam Joker), Sur na saje (Basant Bahar) or Jhanak jhanak tori baaje payaliya (Mere Huzoor) and for pitting me against Pandit Bhimsen Joshi in Ketaki gulab juhi in Basant Bahar. That’s it!” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#S-J also exposed him to Raj Kapoor, and the legend goes into raving mode as he speaks about the actor-filmmaker. “Rajsaab opened my horizons!” he says. “His way of conceiving a song was simply brilliant. The pains he took over a single song along with Shankar and Jaikishan was astounding. The way he enacted my songs like Ae bhai zaraa dekh ke chalo from Mera Naam Joker or Laaga chunari mein daag from Dil Hi To Hai was just unbelievable.” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Since he has raised the subject, we mention that every playback singer has a couple of favourite actors whom they feel enhanced his songs and vocals best. Who were Mannada’s favourites besides Raj Kapoor? “Mehmood obviously in so many songs,” notes the singer. “Balraj Sahni was wonderful in Tu pyar ka sagar hai (Seema), Aye mere pyare watan (Kabuliwala) and even Tujhe suraj kahoon ya chanda (Ek Phool Do Mali). And I must mention Raaj Kumar for the way he carried the classical Jhanak jhanak tori baaje in Mere Huzoor.” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#But though Manna Dey sang for every hero from Dev Anand to Mithun Chakraborty with very few exceptions like Dilip Kumar and Rishi Kapoor, he was largely typecast as a comedian’s voice or that of an old man. “Yes, I agree,”he says candidly. “I remember being very angry when I went to watch Parineeta and found that Chali Radhe raani, which was such a big hit, was filmed on an 80-plus old man! My heart sank. Slowly, my fears were realised. But I have no regrets. I came here after learning classical music and in a way my aim was to sing classical numbers, which I got in abundance. I sang classical songs better than others, but soon came a time when I was called for every kind of song along with Rafi. The rest were all great singers, but had their limitations. Rafi and I could sing everything, and he was such a gentleman. He was a better singer than me, and I will say this - that no one came even close to him! He deserved everything he got!” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Mention that Rafi had once told a scribe, “You listen to my songs. I listen only to Manna Dey!” and he feels that it was Rafi’s greatness. “We recorded so many songs together right till Laxmi-Pyare’s Waqt Ki Deewar in 1981. We had a great understanding and it was never about one-upmanship, ” he recalls. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#A curious point: Why did a classicist like him barely sing for the classical music-oriented Naushad? “He had a terrific understanding with Mohammed Rafi, that’s why!” he thunders. “That’s all right! Naushadsaab did give me some very good songs in Palki, Shabab and Mother India. And very few could match Naushadsaab in classical songs, and he was such a perfectionist.” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey, for those who came in late, was groomed and mentored by his uncle, composer-singer K.C.Dey, who brought him to Mumbai after he grew up in their joint family in Kolkata. Prabodh Chandra Dey, the boy for whom K.C.Dey was second father, teacher and everything else, was also named “Manna” Dey by him. “He was everything to me. He gave me a break in Tamanna in 1942. But my first film to make waves was Ram Rajya in 1943.” However it was only with Mashal (1950) that Manna Dey got his real breakthrough. “Badri Prasad, for whom I sang in Ram Rajya, was not a big star, Ashok Kumar in Mashal was!” sums up Manna Dey succinctly. “Rafi was on the scene and it was tough to break into tge big league.” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Mashal brought him very close to S.D.Burman, who later was to explore the full Manna Dey range from Chalti Ki Naam Gaadi’s Baaju samjho ishare to Meri Soorat Teri Ankhen’s Pooncho na kaise maine rain bitayee. “He was very fond of me. We knew each other since he was learning from my uncle.” Kalyanji-Anandji and Roshan were two other composers of whom the singer was very fond. “Kalyanji-Anandji composed some beautiful songs for me like Kasme vaade (Upkar), Yaari hai imaan (Zanjeer) and Nadiya chale (Safar). Roshan was a master and gave me fabulous songs in Dil Hi To Hai, Dooj Ka Chand, Barsat Ki Raat and others and they were really superb compositions.” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Despite his classical inclinations, Mannada was very fond of Western music, and sang in his college choirs. Did that help in his Western numbers like Aao twist karen (Bhoot Bungla), Jodi hamari (Aulad) and others? “It must have, because playback is about observation and learning from listening as well. My wife Sulochana was also responsible for teaching me a lot of Western nuances, and you may be interested in knowing that I used those finer points even in the way I rendered Aye mere pyare watan for Kabuliwala!” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Finally, we ask why he has sung in so many languages but opened his account in mother-tongue Bengali only after he made it in Hindi films? “I came to Mumbai then because I did not want to do what everyone was doing in Kolkata. But then came a time when distributors would refuse to touch a Bengali film if it did not have my song in it!” #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=+0#ed_cl##ed_op#P class=txt#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Sun 11 Oct, 2009 01:16 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=headercenterimagepart#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=HTlogo#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG alt=logoimg src="http://www.hindustantimes.com/images/logo.gif"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=headertext#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG alt=iconimg src="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Storypage/images/icon.gif"#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=headertext#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=headercrossborder2#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=backgroundextension#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=ni#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=niauthor#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#A id=InfoBox href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Search/R-G-Vijayasarathy.aspx"#ed_cl#R.G. Vijayasarathy#ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN#ed_cl#, #ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=niauthor#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN#ed_cl#Indo-Asian News Service#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=niemail#ed_cl##ed_op#A#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=nidate#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=ashadds#ed_cl#Bangalore, October 02, 2009#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=storydatetime#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=firstpublished#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=lastupdated#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=ni#ed_cl##ed_op#H1#ed_cl##ed_op#A class=Storyhd id=MainStory#ed_cl#'Manna Dey should have got Dadasabhe Phalke award earlier'#ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/H1#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG alt="Manna Dey" src="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/edstoryImg/manna-dey.jpg" align=right#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Singing legend Manna is being honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke award at the age of 90 and his close friends here feel that the highest honour in Indian cinema has come late.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"Manna Dey should have got recognition much earlier. When Lata Mangeshkar got the prestigious Bharat Ratna award, I thought dada will get the Padma Vibhushan. But he did not get it. I am happy that now the film industry's greatest honour has been bestowed upon him," said Guru Kiran, Kannada film industry's well known music director.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"I loved Manna Dey as much as I loved (Mohammad) Rafi and Kishore Kumar. He has a great range in music. 'Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo' and 'Chunari sambhal gori' are my all time favourite songs. It is gratifying that Manna Dey is living with us here in Bangalore," he added.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Born as Prabodh Chandra Dey May 1, 1919 to Purna Chandra and Mahamaya Dey, the singer was a name to reckon with in the Hindi film industry from the 1950s to the 1970s. He has recorded more than 3,500 songs over the course of his career.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#His all-time hits include #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Sur na saje kya gaun main#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Na to karanwa ki talash hai na to humsafar ki talash hain#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Puchho na kaise maine rain bitayee#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Laga chunari main daag#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Aaja sanam madhur chandani mein hum#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Dil ka haal sune dilwala#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Ye raat bhigi bhigi, ye masta fijzayen#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Jhanak jhanak tori baaje payaliya#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Tu pyar ka saagar hai#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Chunari sambhal gori udi chali jaye re#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# and #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Ay meri Zohara#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"Dada (Dey) should have got the award much earlier. It is too late, but we are very happy," said Birendra Nath Das of the city's famous KC Das Sweets.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"Everybody knows that dada is a wonderful singer. His music was liked for its class. He was a niche singer. He was always available for singing in many social and cultural programmes held by Bengalis and others in Bangalore," added Das.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Recently, Dey gave a live musical concert with well-known Karnataka singer Archana Udupa.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#In May last year, he had performed for a cause and the proceeds from the concert was used to fund the education of underprivileged children in the city.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He was also felicitated here by the Jadavpur University Allumni Foundation.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#After staying in Mumbai for more than five decades, the singer sold off his bungalow in Juhu and moved here to be with his younger daughter Shuroma. Manna Dey and his wife Sulochana Kumaran, who was from Bangalore, loved the city.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Apart from singing for numerous Hindi and Bengali films, Dey sang for three Kannada films. Out of them, the most popular was #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Kuhu Kuhu#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# from the movie #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Kalavathi#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#. He also sung the song #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Kannillaveno, Nija Kanadeno#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# for the movie #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Margadharshi#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# and #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Jayathe Jayathe#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# for #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Kalpavruksha#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Wed 21 Oct, 2009 23:10 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://sify.com/news"#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#441415 size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey gets standing ovation at 55th National Film Awards #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#82393c size=1#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#October 21st, 2009#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#82393c size=1#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#ICT by IANS#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG alt="Pratibha Patil" hspace=5 src="http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/images/Pratibha%20Patil-273943.jpg" align=right vspace=5#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Ninety-year-old playback legend Manna Dey was Wednesday conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke award, the highest honour in Indian cinema, by President Pratibha Patil to a standing ovation at the 55th National Film Awards ceremony here. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Born as Prabodh Chandra Dey May 1, 1919, to Purna Chandra and Mahamaya Dey, the singer was a name to reckon with in the Hindi film industry from the 1950s to the 1970s. He has recorded more than 3,500 songs over the course of his career. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He started his career in playback singing with the movie 'Tamanna' in 1943. The song was an instant hit and later he sang a solo, 'Upar Gagan Vishal', in the 1950 movie 'Mashal'. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#His all-time hits include 'Ae mere pyaare watan', 'Zindagi kaisi hai paheli', 'Sur na saje kya ga-oon main', 'Na to karawan ki talash hai na to humsafar ki talash hain', 'Puchho na kaise maine rain bitayee', 'Laga chunari main daag', 'Aaja sanam madhur chandani mein hum', 'Dil ka haal sune dilwala', 'Ye raat bhigi bhigi, ye masta fijzayen', 'Jhanak jhanak tori baaje payaliya', 'Tu pyar ka saagar hai', 'Chunari sambhal gori udi chali jaye re' and 'Ay meri Zohara'. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He also teamed up with Kishore Kumar for hit numbers like 'Yeh dosti hum nahin todenge' ('Sholay') and 'Ek chatur naar' ('Padosan'). #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#How can one forget 'Yaari hai imaan mera yaar meri zindagi' from the film 'Zanjeer'? He also sang for the Bengali film industry, sometimes teaming up with Hemant Kumar. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He sang a duet 'Ke prothom kachhe esechi' with Lata Mangeshkar for the Bengali movie 'Sankhyabela'. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Wed 21 Oct, 2009 23:12 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG alt=Frontline src="http//www.flonnet.com/images/newfline.jpg"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=1#ed_cl#INDIA'S NATIONAL MAGAZINE#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#from the publishers of THE HINDU #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#0000ff size=5#ed_cl#‘I want to carry on singing’ #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#BYLINE#ed_cl# #ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=1#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#RANJAN DAS GUPTA #ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE bgColor=white border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=1#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Interview with Manna Dey. #ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=1#ed_cl#THE HINDU PHOTO LIBRARY #ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=299 src="http//www.flonnet.com/images/20091106262209101.jpg" width=202 align=center border=1#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#451528#ed_cl#An 80-year-old Manna Dey singing. At 90, he still loves to accept challenges and to experiment. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#MOHAMMED RAFI, Manna Dey, Mukesh, Hemant Kumar and Kishore Kumar formed a quintet of male playback singers who dominated Hindi film music of an era. Among them Manna Dey is the only one to receive the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award, the highest national award for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Prabodh Chandra Dey, or Manna Dey, began playback singing way back in 1943, in a duet with Suraiya for #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Tamanna#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#. “Upar gagan vishal” in #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Mashaal #ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#gave him a solid footing as a playback singer and “Dharti kahe pukar ke” made him an icon in the true sense of the term. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Nephew of the legendary singer-composer K.C. Dey, Manna Dey is the only singer to have rendered a duet with the maestro Bhimsen Joshi and earned his appreciation. He has rendered hundreds of songs in Hindi, his mother tongue Bengali and also other regional languages. Excerpts from an exclusive interview the legendary singer gave after his return from a tour of the United States#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Do you like being branded a classical singer? #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#I don’t. I am not a full-fledged classical singer like Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Bhimsen Joshi or Amir Khan. I did have my training in classical music and still practise my #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#riwaz #ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#daily for three hours. My uncle [K.C. Dey] wanted me to be involved fully in classical music. I was really not interested. Classical music appeals to only a class of audience and it is very difficult to reach out to the masses. Music based on pure ragas and #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#bandish#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#es has limitations.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#The Dada Saheb Phalke Award must mean a lot to you. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Not exactly. I feel honoured but am in no mood to go overboard as I passed that period of my life long ago. Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh or Kishore Kumar never received the Phalke Award. It does not lower their status as singers in any way. My real award is when I hear a man on the streets of Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore humming “Laga chunri mein daag” or “Aye meri zohra zabin”. Nothing can beat that recognition. A singer should be identified on the basis of his songs, and a listener should be able to figure out the name of the crooner of a number even with his eyes closed.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#You have rendered a wide variety of songs in your illustrious career spanning seven decades. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#THE HINDU PHOTO LIBRARY #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=350 src="http//www.flonnet.com/images/20091106262209102.jpg" width=288 align=center border=1#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#The music director duo Shanker (left) and Jaikishan. The team understood Manna Dey’s full depths as a singer. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/CENTER#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#If I was monochromatic as a singer, I would have been nowhere. Just as I was at ease with raga-oriented songs, I could equally sing pop, sentimental songs and numbers with rhythm. Right from the beginning, it was my nature to experiment with different melodies. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Take the number “Gori tore banke” from #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Adhe Din Adhe Raat#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#. I rendered it in pure Bhairavi but composer Chitragupta conducted a pure Western musical background to the song with the Spanish guitar, the bongo and snare drums. It was a unique experiment. He requested me to render the lines “Gore gore mukhde pe” with a rock-and-roll punch. The song was a super hit.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Who is the best music director you have worked with? #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Shanker-Jaikishan, obviously. The duo, the most versatile in the nation, composed the maximum number of hits in the maximum number of films possible. Shanker-Jaikishan understood my full depth as a singer and used me brilliantly to sing for Raj Kapoor, Raaj Kumar and Shammi Kapoor. I rendered the majority of my memorable songs for Raj Kapoor, whom I consider a genius. The other music directors I have worked very well with include S.D. Burman, Salil Chowdhury, Madan Mohan, Roshan, Ravi [Ravi Shankar Sharma alias Bombay Ravi] and R.D. Burman.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#You forgot to mention C. Ramchandra. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Thank you for reminding me. In his days, Annasaab was the greatest music director and I owe a lot of my success to him. A uncompromising music director, he had a perfect sense of melody. I still fondly remember the number “Dil ka gulzar jhuta” in #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Amardeep, #ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#which he tuned and which I sang jointly with Rafi, Lata [Mangeshkar] and Asha [Bhonsle]. It was a marvellous tune based on the beats of the dholak – something which only C. Ramchandra could compose. He could not adjust with the Hindi film world later.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#What sort of rapport did you share with your colleagues? #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#We were healthy competitors and never rivals. Rafi was undoubtedly the greatest playback singer, Mukesh was nonpareil in his nasal tone, Hemant Kumar had a golden voice, and Kishore was a self-trained genius. I sang the maximum of my duet numbers with Rafi and we shared a deep silent regard for each other. The competition I had with Kishore whilst singing “Ek chatur naar” is something unknown to today’s singers. Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle are versatile and powerful. Sandhya Mukherjee has a tremendous range in classical music, and Geeta Dutt’s voice seeped with emotion.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#What was the difference in singing for Uttam Kumar and Soumitra Chatterjee in Bengali films? #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Uttam was a trained musician and his sense of music was more than that of Soumitra. Though Uttam’s voice suited Hemanta Mukherjee the best, he adapted very well to my singing and never had any problems. Uttam Kumar and Raj Kapoor were two actors who were lip masters. Soumitra Chatterjee is a method actor who accommodated himself well to each song situation and delivered what was required of him well.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Which are your most favourite Bengali numbers? #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#“Raat jaga duti chokh”, “Tumi aar deko na” and “Aami tar thikana rakhini”. I tuned a number of Bengali songs and sang them too. Music directors who worked very successfully with me include Nachiketa Ghosh and Sudhin Das Gupta. Bengali lyrics in those days were at their peak by virtue of their words, feelings and depth. Even a popular number like “Aami shri shri” had some lyrical essence.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#How did you adjust to South Indian songs? #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#I did sing a number of them confidently. My wife [a Malayalee] and daughter helped me with the right pronunciation and I rehearsed thoroughly before the recording of each number. South Indian pronunciation requires a special sort of accent without stylisation, and needs to appeal at once.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#What are your immediate plans? #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Currently, I am recording [Rabindranath] Tagore songs, a non-filmy Hindi album and a Bengali album in the blues style. At 90, I still love to accept challenges, experiment and want to carry on singing as long as I am alive. •#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Wed 21 Oct, 2009 23:19 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=livenewsheading#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS" size=5#ed_cl#Manna Dey, a Singer Par-Excellence: Pratibha Patil#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=livenewsbyline id=ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_reparticle_ctl00_divartbyline#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#441415 size=1#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#New Delhi | Oct 21, 2009 #ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=livenewsbyline#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=livenewsbyline#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS"#ed_cl#Source : #ed_op#FONT size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?668130"#ed_cl#http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?668130#ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=livenewsbyline#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=livenewsbyline#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=livenewsbyline#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=finalstorytext3#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Nonagenarian singer Manna Dey, Bollywood producer Yash Chopra were among the greats of Indian cinema honoured at the 55th National Awards, presented by President Pratibha Patil at a ceremony here today.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=finalstorytext3#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Manna Dey, who was presented with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, was lauded by Patil as a "singer par-excellence" who easily bridged the gap between Hindustani and popular music and rendered more than three thousand songs in a career spanning four decades.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=finalstorytext3#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Dey, who received a standing ovation from the audience, was felicitated with a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a shawl, and a golden lotus by the President.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=finalstorytext3#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Director Priyadarshan and producer Shailendra Singh received the Best Picture award for Tamil film #ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic"#ed_cl#Kanchivaram#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl#, a period drama about silk weavers of the south.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=finalstorytext3#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Bollywood mogul Yash Chopra along with director Shimit Amin collected the award for Shah Rukh Khan-starrer #ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic"#ed_cl#Chak De India#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl# which was announced as the Best Film in Wholesome Entertainment Category.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=finalstorytext3#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Tamil actor Prakash Raj took home the trophy for best actor for his role in #ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic"#ed_cl#Kanchivaram#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl# while Kannada actress Umashree was honoured with the Best Actress award for her performance in Girish Kasaravalli's film #ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic"#ed_cl#Gulabi Talkies#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl#.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=finalstorytext3#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Aamir Khan-directed #ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic"#ed_cl#Taare Zameen Par#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl# won the award in Family Welfare Category which was collected by Prasoon Joshi who also won the award in Best Lyrics category for his song #ed_op#SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic"#ed_cl#Maa#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl#.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=finalstorytext3#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#The ceremony which was inaugurated by Information and Broadcasting minister Ambika Soni also saw performances by Shankar Mahadevan and Shreya Ghoshal who won the honours in the Best Male and Female singer categories.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=finalstorytext3#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=finalstorytext3#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=finalstorytext3#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Wed 21 Oct, 2009 23:31 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://beta.thehindu.com/"#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG alt="Return to frontpage" src="http://beta.thehindu.com/template/1-0-1/gfx/logo.jpg"#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV GCq4w="1" ZoEeN="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#H1 class=detail-title GCq4w="0" ZoEeN="0"#ed_cl#National Film Awards presented #ed_op#/H1#ed_cl##ed_op#/#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=author#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#7f7f7f size=4 GCq4w="0" ZoEeN="0"#ed_cl#Parul Sharma#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV GCq4w="1" ZoEeN="0"#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=upper GCq4w="0" ZoEeN="0"#ed_cl#NEW DELHI, #ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl#October 22, 2009#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG class=main-image title="President Pratibha Patil presenting the Dadasaheb Phalke Award to singer Manna Dey at the 55th National Film Awards 2007 in New Delhi on Wednesday. The others receiving the honours are: Adoor Gopalakrishan, Prakash Raj, Sharad Goekar, Shankar Mahadevan. Photos: R.V. Moorthy." alt="President Pratibha Patil presenting the Dadasaheb Phalke Award to singer Manna Dey at the 55th National Film Awards 2007 in New Delhi on Wednesday. The others receiving the honours are: Adoor Gopalakrishan, Prakash Raj, Sharad Goekar, Shankar Mahadevan. Photos: R.V. Moorthy." src="http://beta.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00008/film_awards_8964f.jpg"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4 GCq4w="0" ZoEeN="0"#ed_cl#President Pratibha Patil presenting the Dadasaheb Phalke Award to singer Manna Dey at the 55th National Film Awards 2007 in New Delhi on Wednesday. The others receiving the honours are: Adoor Gopalakrishan, Prakash Raj, Sharad Goekar, Shankar Mahadevan. Photos: R.V. Moorthy. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Wed 21 Oct, 2009 23:53 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Ai meri zohrajabeen-Manna Dey#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#[YOUTUBE]3nvF0KV-DVI&feature=player_embedded#[/YOUTUBE]#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- Music Thu 22 Oct, 2009 11:51 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=smallfont#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Manna Dey - Ami Taar Thikana Rakhini#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#HR style="COLOR: #d9d9c2; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #d9d9c2" SIZE=1#ed_cl##ed_op#!-- / icon and title --#ed_cl##ed_op#!-- message --#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV id=post_message_107694#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#Ami Taar Thikana Rakhini #ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#ami taar thikana rakhini#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#chobio akini #ed_op#BR#ed_cl#kotha she janina#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#mon tobu taari kotha bole#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#tari saathe potho chole II#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#dur digonter opaare#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#prothom raater adhaare#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#aajo shei chokher taaraae#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#prothom tara jole#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#mon tobu taari kotha bole#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#tari saathe potho chole II#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#tar chaya to rakhini dhore#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#dhorar moto chilo ki aar#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#dhudhu moner prantore#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl#tai oronne porbote#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#onno moner jogote#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#aami shei folatokae#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#bedhechi proti fole#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#mon tobu taari kotha bole#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#tari saathe potho chole II#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Sun 25 Oct, 2009 01:44 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=731 border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=100 src="http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/graphics/mast1.jpg" width=721 useMap=#FPMap0 border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana color=#000000 size=1#ed_cl##ed_op#SCRIPT#ed_cl#hello();#ed_op#/SCRIPT#ed_cl#Sunday, October 11, 2009#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=731 border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD vAlign=bottom align=middle width=719 colSpan=2#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=1#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl#MANNA of music#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#Manna Dey is, no doubt, a living legend and a doyen of the golden era of#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#film music. #ed_op#FONT color=#e10000#ed_cl#Shoma A. Chatterji#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# on the versatile singer, who has moved generations with#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#his mellifluous voice, and has been awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award this year#ed_op#/B#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#e10000#ed_cl#O#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl#NCE upon a time, there was a young boy who learnt wrestling and boxing and loved to fly kites. He had a robust physique and loved team sports like football and cricket, too. But his father wanted him to follow the family tradition of professionals and become a lawyer.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#e10000#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=425 src="http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091025/spectrum/lead.jpg" width=249 align=right border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl#He was very much attached to his uncle Krishan Chandra Dey, who was a famous vocalist and musician. K.C. Dey had already discovered that his nephew had a gifted voice and, if trained and handled well, he would grow up to be a great musician. Seventy years down the line, young boy is one of the most versatile and long-standing singers in the country, in films and outside films.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Born on May 1, 1919, in Kolkata, and originally christened Probodh Chandra Dey, he became famous as Manna Dey, and went on to win the biggest of the film awards in the country — the Dadasaheb Phalke Award recently.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#A down-to-earth man, Manna da still prefers to stay at his original residence, 9 Madan Dutta Lane, sandwiched between Hedua and Central Avenue, near Shimla Street in north Kolkata, whenever he visits the city, and never puts up in a hotel. His small office is sparsely furnished and the walls are adorned with his pictures and some trophies.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He mostly wears a grey safari suit and cap. He stands ramrod straight and till recently could hold an audience captive for a three-hour solo performance. He insists on playing the harmonium himself. He is fond of watching television, reading the daily newspaper, discussing the topic of the day and holding discussions on any subject under the sun with friends, fans and youngsters who surround him all the time.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#As a child, he would listen attentively when his uncle rehearsed under the tutelage of Ustad Badal Khan Saheb. "I would often be asked to fetch #ed_op#I#ed_cl#paan#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# for #ed_op#I#ed_cl#ustadji#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# from the corner shop. One day, he heard me singing a few notes from one of his #ed_op#I#ed_cl#tans#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#. He was so pleased that he called me back. That, perhaps, was my first lesson in music.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"While studying for my intermediate at Kolkata’s Scottish Church Collegiate School, during recess, I would entertain my friends with songs sung loudly, keeping time by beating on the desks. Soon, the news reached the Principal, a Scotsman. He penned a letter to my uncle asking him to allow me to take part in a music competition to be held in the college.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 width=370 align=right border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD width="100%"#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=262 alt="Manna da holds the audience captive with his honey dew voice" src="http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091025/spectrum/lead1.jpg" width=370 border=1#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Manna da holds the audience captive with his honey#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#dew voice. In his live shows he always insists#ed_op#BR#ed_cl#on playing the harmonium himself#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"The competition had 10 sections such as #ed_op#I#ed_cl#dhrupad, khayal, tappa, thumri, bhatiali, baul, bhajan#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# and #ed_op#I#ed_cl#ghazal,#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# and I stood first in each section. This feat was repeated for the next two years along with gruelling training sessions under my uncle and from Ustad Dabir Khan," Manna da recalls.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He was awarded an honorary D. Lit. by Rabindra Bharati University (2004) and Burdwan University (2005). Apart from the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, he has won the National Award for the Best Male Playback Singer both for Hindi and Bengali songs.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#But the string of awards does not weigh on the excellence of his performance. "I got my first break when I was around 22-23, with a duet with Suraiya in the film #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Tamanna#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# in 1942. My first solo was #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Gayi tu gayi Sita sati#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#`85 for #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Ram Rajya#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# in 1943, which immediately branded me as a singer of devotional songs. I was always asked to sing for old, bearded characters. It was frustrating. I sang #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Chali Radhey rani akhiyon#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# #ed_op#I#ed_cl#main pani`85#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# for Bimal Roy’s #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Parneeta#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#. It was a big hit. Bimal Roy asked me: ‘Manna, have you seen the song on screen?’, I said no. He told me to see for myself how deeply it moved the audience.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"I went, only to see an old man with a beard singing the song. I was so mad that I felt like giving up and returning to Kolkata," he recalls. Lip-synced on screen by a beggar, this song, however, remains one of the best situational songs in Hindi cinema till date.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#In 1952, Manna Dey sang for a Bengali and a Marathi film of the same name and storyline — #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Amar Bhupali —#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# and established himself as a Bengali playback singer.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Incidentally, very few in the world of music know that Manna Dey’s famous uncle and guru, K. C Dey (1893-1962) had pioneered #ed_op#I#ed_cl#sugam sangeet#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# (light, entertaining songs) in Indian music. His uncle had foreseen that the audience for classical music was rather limited, and that simplifying the same classical music would attract a larger audience.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He was right. Sugam sangeet was something that a common man could listen to and identify with. So, during his lifetime, K. C. Dey became a legend in music.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Reminiscing the effect of his legendary uncle, Manna da says: "His #ed_op#I#ed_cl#bhajans#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# and #ed_op#I#ed_cl#kirtan#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# in Bengali and in Hindi were outstanding. He taught people how to sing. Burman #ed_op#I#ed_cl#saab#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# and Pankaj Mullick used to learn from him. I have seen my uncle move the audience to tears with his rendition of bhajans. I wished to have a similar kind of involvement in singing. He modelled his music in a way that the common man could listen and identify with. But he shifted to Mumbai and soon after and pulled me also there, marking a turning point in my life and career."#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Manna da’s talent won him a lot of fans all over the country. Highlighting this point is Sudeshna Roy and Abhijit Guha’s short film in Bengali called #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Pagol Tomar Jonne Je #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#(Crazy About You). The film is about an ordinary man’s hero worship of Dey and his dream of wanting to meet the great singer in flesh and blood.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#The main protagonist has a chair in his living room choc-a-bloc with the singer’s records, cassettes, albums, posters and photographs, and another beautiful chair on which he does not allow anyone to sit. Dey finally comes to his house and sits on this chair.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#The film portrays Dey not only as a great artiste but also as a sensitive and caring human being. In one scene we see him cooking for children suffering from cerebral palsy. Another scene shows him chatting up youngsters at Kolkata’s famous Coffee House. Another shows him presiding over the release of an album of old hits by S.D. Burman.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#The opening line of one of his famous Bengali songs has been copied to name a chain of Bengali restaurants in Kolkata. The chain is called Bhojohori Manna from his song #ed_op#I#ed_cl#aami sri#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# #ed_op#I#ed_cl#sri bhojohori manna`85#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# from a famous Bengali film. Another memorable number is #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Coffee House-er shei addata aaj aar nei, aaj aar nei`85#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#This song has a special place in Manna da’s heart. The lyrics were by Gauriprasanna Majumdar set to music by Suparnokanti Ghosh. In all modesty, Manna da credits the lyricist for the song’s massive popularity. He then gives credit to Ghosh who set the lyrics to music and finally to his personal style of rendering the song.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#It is a song that pulsates with life and captures within itself, the vibrant culture of Kolkata’s legendary intellectual platform — the Coffee House. "The song carries the spirit of life and a sense of timelessness, a universality that transcends language, culture and people. That is why it is so famous," says Manna da.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#What does he do these days? "I live a disciplined life. I am grateful that there are so many people who deeply appreciate the kind of music I believe in and come to hear my songs. That is the reward for the honest and hard work I have put in all these years," he sums up smiling.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=left#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Sun 25 Oct, 2009 01:46 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#A name=1#ed_cl#Versatile#ed_op#/A#ed_cl# maestro#ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl#M. L. Dhawan#ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Verdana size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#800000#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#MANNA DEY is the oldest link with the golden era of film music#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl#when some really creative and outstanding music was generated in the country. For over six decades, Dey’s name has been synonymous with music and melody. Excelling across a variety of genres —film songs, #ed_op#I#ed_cl#ghazals,#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# #ed_op#I#ed_cl#bhajans#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#, classical and pop — he has regaled generations of music lovers with his romantic ballads, zany rock ‘n’ roll numbers, playful qawwalis and intricate raga-based songs.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 width=370 align=right border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD width="100%"#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=center#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG height=249 alt="STALWARTS ALL: Talat Mahmood (extreme left), Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi and Manna Dey" src="http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20091025/spectrum/lead2.jpg" width=370 border=1#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#B#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#STALWARTS ALL: Talat Mahmood (extreme left), Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi and Manna Dey#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/B#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#It was with Vijay Bhatt’s#ed_op#I#ed_cl# Ram Rajya (1943)#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# that he attracted the attention of the composers with the song#ed_op#I#ed_cl# Gayi tu gayi Seeta sati ... .#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#After this song Manna Dey sang quite a number of songs but it was an era when playback singers were not given any credit, thus many songs sung by him during this period remained unnoticed. After working as assistant music director to his uncle K.C. Dey (who had lost his eyesight), and after him to Anil Biswas and Khemchand Prakash, he realised that composing music was not his cup of tea. Under the baton of S.D Burman, he recorded#ed_op#I#ed_cl# Upar gagan vishal ...#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# for film #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Mashaal #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#(1950). It was this song that took him to the pinnacle of glory. After this the duet #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Ritu aaye ritu jaaye sakhi ree/Manke meet na aaye ..#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#. (#ed_op#I#ed_cl#Hamdard/1953#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#) with Lata Mangeshkar, brought him in the frontline of playback singers like Mohammad Rafi, Talat Mahmood and Mukesh.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Almost every music director turned to him whenever classical nuances were required. Such was the erudition of Manna Dey that he often added intricately woven flourishes and deflections to the compositions on his own. While recording #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Sur na saje kya gaaon main ..., #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#and #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Bhay bhanjana vandana sun hamari ... #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#for#ed_op#I#ed_cl# Basant Bahar, #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#music directors Shankar-Jaikishan gave him just the bare outlines of the tune. All improvisations and intricacies in both the songs were his own.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#In Bimal Roy’s #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Do Bigha Zameen (1953)#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# Manna Dey sang #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Dharti kahe pukar ke ..., #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#which was picturised on an emanciated farmer (Balraj Sahni) in the film. His hit number #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Chali Radhey rani ...#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# (#ed_op#I#ed_cl#Parneeta/1953), was#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# picturised on a beggar.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Unfortunately, this kind of image stuck to him as music directors summoned him to sing for character actors or for the older stars. As a result most of his numbers lacked youthful exuberance. While Talat and Mukesh went on to become the voice of Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, Manna Dey was banished to compliment the acrobatics of Mahmood in songs like #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Ek chatur naar kar ke shingaar ..., Aao twist karen ..., Hato jaao banaao na jhoothi bati#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#an ..., #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Khali dabba khali bottle ...,#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# etc.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl#Thus, this versatility of his voice was never explored fully and he was bound in the shackles of an image, which he struggled hard to overcome. Ironically, the label of a classical singer stunted his growth as a singer. However, it was the discerning eye of Shankar-Jaikishan, particularly of Shankar, that gave him his due in the film world. Shankar was the first music director who experimented with Manna Dey’s voice in#ed_op#I#ed_cl# Tere bina yeh chandani #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#... #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#(Aawaaraa/1951), Yeh raat bheegi bheegi #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#...#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#, Pyar hua ikraar hua #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#...#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#, Dil ka haal sune dilwala #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#...#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#,#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# for films like #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Chori Chori, Shri #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#420, etc. The precedent set by Shankar-Jaikishan was instrumental in furthering Dey’s career with other music directors who, inspired by the popularity of these numbers, came forward with wide range of compositions like #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Tum gagan ke chandrama ho #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#...#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#, Bheegi chandani #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#...#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#, Har taraf ab yahi afsaane hain#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl# ...#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# #ed_op#I#ed_cl#etc.#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#EM#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He has sung the entire gamut of emotions in his lifetime — the evergreen expression of romance in #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Ae meri zohra jabin #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#...#ed_op#/I#ed_cl#; the defeatist, pensive #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Hasne ki chah ne kitna mujhe rulaya hai #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#...#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#;#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# the buoyant, happy go-lucky #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Yaari hai imaan mera #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#...#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#; #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#the tragic-comic #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#...#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#, Anand’s Zindagi kaisi yeh paheli hai #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#...#ed_op#/I#ed_cl# captures the ups and downs and ironies of life wonderfully. The existentialist, #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Kasme wade pyar wafa sab batein hain baton ka kya #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#...#ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#, #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#brings a lump to the throat and finally #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Poochho na kaise main ne rain beetayee #ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl#... #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#distils a lifetime of pain in three minutes.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#The other singers of his day made successful alliances with directors, music directors or matinee idols, which gave impetus to their careers. The Lata-Madan Mohan, Naushad-Rafi, Mukesh-Raj Kapoor, Kishore Kumar-Burman combines were very successful. But Manna Dey was never involved in any such alliance.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#But to point out only his film songs is to overlook Manna Dey’s oeuvre as a super performer in the richer realm outside cinema — that of geets, bhajans, and ghazals. Each geet, ghazal and bhajan that he has rendered is has a magical effect through dainty tone and pleasing timbre. Musical rendition of Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Madhushala #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#also occupies centrestage in his repertoire.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P align=justify#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#The deterioration that has crept into the modern day music, upsets the purist and perfectionist in him. He has not rendered his voice to any song after #ed_op#I#ed_cl#Duniyawalon ko nahi kuch khabar ..., #ed_op#/I#ed_cl#which he had recorded in 2005 for Sameer Tandon for film#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl# Umar.#ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#I#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/I#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Sun 25 Oct, 2009 18:56 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 align=center border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=articleWindowBody#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV id=divArtBody#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV id=imageArticleDiv style="BORDER-RIGHT: 10px; BORDER-TOP: 10px; LEFT: 0px; POSITION: relative"#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG id=artImage height=670 src="http://www.newsindia-times.com/Web/Photographs/2009/10/30/023/30_10_2009_023_003_010.jpg" width=642#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=articleHeading id=divTitle#ed_cl#55th National Film Award ceremony honors the best of Bollywood #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV class=articleHeading#ed_cl#NEW DELHI#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD class=articleWindowFooter#ed_cl##ed_op#TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#TR#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl# #ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD align=right#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://www.pressmart.net/eedition.html" target=_blank#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/TD#ed_cl##ed_op#/TR#ed_cl##ed_op#!-- Goocle adds--#ed_cl##ed_op#/TBODY#ed_cl##ed_op#/TABLE#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- king12 Sat 16 Jan, 2010 23:46 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=logo_indiainfo#ed_cl##ed_op#A href="http://www.indiainfo.com/"#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="http://movies.indiainfo.com/common/images/logo_indiainfo.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#441415 size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Source: IANS#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#441415 size=2#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Wednesday, September 30, 2009 #ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#7f3f00 size=5#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Dadasaheb Phalke award for music legend Manna Dey#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG title=manna_dey height=215 alt=manna_dey src="http://images.indiainfo.com/web2images/movies.indiainfo.com/2009/09/30/images/manna_dey.jpg" width=300 align=left border=0#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#New Delhi:#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl# Ninety-year-old playback legend Manna Dey - who belted out evergreen songs like "Ae mere pyaare watan" and "Zindagi kaisi hai paheli" - is being honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke award, the highest honour in Indian cinema, his family said Wednesday.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#"We got a call from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry Tuesday to inform us about the award (for 2007). He is right now in New York for some cultural programe. He will return to Bangalore Thursday. We are very happy for him," his family member Anuradha Dey told IANS on phone.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#Born as Prabodh Chandra Dey May 1, 1919 to Purna Chandra and Mahamaya Dey, the singer was a name to reckon with in the Hindi film industry from the 1950s to the 1970s. He has recorded more than 3,500 songs over the course of his career.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He started his career in playback singing with the movie "Tamanna" in 1943. The song was an instant hit and later he sang a solo, "Upar Gagan Vishal", in the 1950 movie "Mashal".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#His all-time hits include "Sur na saje kya gaun main", "Na to karanwa ki talash hai na to humsafar ki talash hain", "Puchho na kaise maine rain bitayee", "Laga chunari main daag", "Aaja sanam madhur chandani mein hum", "Dil ka haal sune dilwala", "Ye raat bhigi bhigi, ye masta fijzayen", "Jhanak jhanak tori baaje payaliya", "Tu pyar ka saagar hai", "Chunari sambhal gori udi chali jaye re" and "Ay meri Zohara".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He also teamed up with Kishore Kumar for hit numbers like "Yeh dosti hum nahin torenge" ("Sholay") and "Ek chatur naar" ("Padosan").#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#How can one forget "Yaari hai imaan mera yaar meri zindagi" from the film "Zanjeer"? He also sang for the Bengali film industry, sometimes teaming up with Hemant Kumar.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#BR#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl#He sang a duet "Ke prothom kachhe esechi" with Lata Mangeshkar for the Bengali movie "Sankhyabela".#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face="Arial Narrow" size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Sun 11 Apr, 2010 23:49 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=5 face="Comic Sans MS"#ed_cl#Indo Asian News#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Manna Dey not impressed by Rehman's 'Vande Mataram' #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=readmore#ed_cl#Published on : Sunday 11 Apr 2010#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN class=readmore#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#A.R. Rahman's "#ed_op#SPAN id=IL_AD4 class=IL_AD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#5c8aba#ed_cl#Vande#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl# Mataram" might have earned him unprecedented fame and glory while "Jai Ho" might have earned him the ultimate - Oscar. However, both these pieces of #ed_op#SPAN id=IL_AD1 class=IL_AD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#5c8aba#ed_cl#music#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl# #ed_op#SPAN id=IL_AD2 class=IL_AD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#5c8aba#ed_cl#have failed#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl# to impress celebrated singer Manna Dey. #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#The 91-year-old celebrity, who ruled his genre of traditional Hindustani music for nearly seven decades, feels: "Rahman's redefinition of 'Vande Mataram' does not go with the ethos behind the song, which is a salute to your mother."#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#The singer is here for a private performance at a leading local club Sunday evening.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#Mimicking Rahman, he said: "I fail to understand what did he mean by stretching 'Vande' too long; Vandeeeeeeeey makes no sense to me because that is not the way one would pay respect to one's mother."#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#"Melody has simply been compromised in re-creating 'Vande Mataram' which is not done, at least where I am concerned."#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#Lest he be misunderstood about being prejudiced against Rahman, he hastens to clarify: "I have nothing against Rahman; there is no doubt that he is a great musician who has created brilliant music for films like Roja, Bombay and Lagaan."#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#As for "Jai Ho", Manna Dey asked: "What is there in 'Jai Ho'? I do not see anything more than just another commercial twist, that has paid dividends."#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#He was strongly of the view that much of the modulations and twists given by Rahman were simply aimed at #ed_op#SPAN id=IL_AD3 class=IL_AD#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#5c8aba#ed_cl#commercialisation#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl# of music.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#"There is no dearth of talent in the country but often such talent does not get the right opportunity," he said. He does not deny that reality shows have proved to have gone a long way in affording that opportunity to the young talent.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#Replying to a query on the change that he perceives between modern music directors and those belonging to the bygone era, he said: "In a nutshell, the whole process has gone haywire."#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#He goes on to add: "In those days, it began with conceptualising a situation, that was followed by writing the lyrics, before the music director came into the picture; but now it is the other way round, with music being created in the first place and lyricists being asked to fit words into it."#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# ----------------------------------- sur Sat 21 Aug, 2010 02:49 Re: Aye Mere Pyare Watan -- Manna Dey - The Living Legend ----------------------------------- #ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV id=top-content-cont class=container#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; PADDING-TOP: 10px"#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#7f3f00 size=5 face="Comic Sans MS"#ed_cl##ed_op#STRONG#ed_cl#Manna Dey rues lack of hard work Hindi film music today#ed_op#/STRONG#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px; HEIGHT: 15px"#ed_cl##ed_op#SPAN style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-SIZE: 12px"#ed_cl#PTI / Friday, August 20, 2010 16:17 IST#ed_op#/SPAN#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl# Source: #ed_op#A href="http://www.dnaindia.com/"#ed_cl#http://www.dnaindia.com/#ed_op#/A#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#He continues to enthral with his golden voice even at the age of 90, but legendary singer Manna Dey feels today's musicians lack ingenuity.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#The Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner, who gave Hindi cinema gems like #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Poochho Na Kaise#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli #ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#and #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Upar Gagan Vishal#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, says a lot of hard work went into the making of a song in the old days.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#"We used to rehearse for three to four days on a composition which eventually was made into a song with contributions from the music director, songwriter and film producer," Dey said.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#"But this is no longer the trend in the film industry. On-the-spot song compositions make it like a factory-made product. Ingenuity is lacking," the singer said.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#His advice to young singers is to adopt a regime of rehearsals to maintain the high standard of music that has been the mark of Bollywood.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#"I can only pray to God Almighty to give these young singers the good sense to think how to compose and sing. Indian music has a very rich and tremendous heritage," said Dey, who performed for a sold-out 'Manna Dey in the Flesh' concert in Singapore.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#Looking back at the golden period of Hindi music, Dey remembered the days of working with India's top producer and actor Raj Kapoor and his actor brother Shammi Kapoor as well as music directors Naushad, Ravi and Shanker-Jaikishen.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#"There was devotion and dedication. Raj Kapoor would sit through the composition and rehearsals, and at times enact scenes to get the right tempo in the song. Phrases in songs were re-worded to ensure it created the right impact," said Dey, who sang several memorable songs in Kapoor's films like #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Awara#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Shri 420 #ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#and #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Chori Chori#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#"In the past, we had dedication and commitment to each and every song and music composition," he said, adding that rehearsing and recording for Raj Kapoor's film used to be a day-long industry event, which at times would start at 10am and continue till midnight.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#Dey, who began singing in the early 1940s, also laments the lack of recognition for music directors and songwriters in the past. "These were the vital contributors to the final song but, alas, praises were mostly showered on the main singer," he said.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#Dey, who has more than 3,500 songs to his credit, dominated the Hindi music industry from the 1950s to the 1970s with his distinctive voice since his debut with film #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Tamanna #ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#in 1943.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl#The most memorable songs by Dey include #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Pyaar Hua Ikraar Hua#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Laga Chunri Mein Daag#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Ae Meri Zohrazabi#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Sur Na Saje Kya Gaun Main, Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#, #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Na To Karawan Ki Talash Hai,#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl# #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Aye Mere Pyare Vatan #ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#and #ed_op#EM#ed_cl#Chunari Sambhal Gori#ed_op#/EM#ed_cl#.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#P#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT size=4 face="Arial Narrow"#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/P#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#