Playback-singer Manna Dey passes away @ 94

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-24649143

Manna Dey: Legendary Indian singer dies

2013/10/24 03:27 ET

Manna Dey had largely withdrawn from public life in his later years

Indian singer Manna Dey has died in a Bangalore hospital at the age of 94.

He had been ill for the past few months and was in hospital for a respiratory infection. His funeral is due to take place later on Thursday.

Born Prabodh Chandra Dey in 1919, Dey was popularly known as Manna, and chalked up a number of hit Bollywood songs in a career spanning six decades.

He sang in several languages including Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Marathi, Kannada, Punjabi and Bhojpuri.

His long career saw him win several awards for his contribution to music, including state honours like the Padma Shri in 1971 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2005. He was also given the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2007.

Dey sang more than 3,500 songs, including romantic ballads, intricate raga-based songs, Qawwalis and fast-paced modern numbers in his career.

Along with Mohammad Rafi, Mukesh, and Kishore Kumar, he made up what was known as the "famous quartet of singers" who dominated the Hindi film music industry from 1950s to 1970s.

Many of Dey's tracks for Bollywood films became huge hits and he sang for some of the biggest Bollywood names like Raj Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna and Dharmendra.

His most popular numbers included Zindagi kaisi hai paheli (Life, what a riddle it is) from the film Anand; Poocho na kaise maine raen bitayee (Don't ask how I spent my night) from Meri Surat Teri Aankhen, Ek chatur naar (A clever woman) from Padosan and and Eey bhai zara dekh ke chalo (Oh brother, look where you're going) from Meraa Naam Joker.

He also sang for Bollywood super-hits Sholay and Amar Akbar Anthony.

'Unique style'

In the last few years, he had largely withdrawn from public life.

Tributes have been pouring in for the singer from the film industry and his fans on social media sites.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari led the nation in paying tributes to "a legend who enthralled a whole generation".

Manna Dey sang more than 3,500 songs, including romantic ballads, intricate raga-based songs, Qawwalis and fast-paced modern numbers, in a career spanning more than six decades.

Many of Dey's tracks for Bollywood films became huge hits and he sang for some of the biggest Bollywood names like Raj Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna and Dharmendra.

Along with Mohammad Rafi, Mukesh, and Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey made up what was known as the "famous quartet of singers" who dominated the Hindi film music industry from the 1950s to 1970s.

Manna Dey won several awards for his contribution to music, including the state honour Padma Vibhushan in 2005.

"Deepest condolences on the sad demise of Manna Dey. His voice and unique style enthralled a whole generation. Another legend has left us," the minister wrote on Twitter.

"Manna Dey, stalwart of the music world, passes away. Flooded with memories and his songs," tweeted Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

In another tweet, Bachchan said: "Strange how we connect events of our life with his songs."

"Manna Dey passes away. His voice shall linger forever. R.I.P." tweeted film-maker Mahesh Bhat.

Actor Manoj Bajpai tweeted: "Manna Dey is no more! A great singer! Let's pray for him! My condolences to his family! His music will live for 1000 yrs. RIP"

Actress Shabana Azmi wrote: "Manna Dey had a unique voice. He will live on through his songs Ai Meri Zohra Jabeen/ dil ka haal suney dilwala/ poocho na kaise maine. RIP."

Popular cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle tweeted. "Oh no. Such terrible news to get up to. Manna Dey no more? Less melody in the world."

Edited October 24, 2013 by Saddle Bronc