A melancholic vacuum has been created. A big loss!
One of Bollywood music’s biggest stalwarts, Manna Dey, was battling illness for quite some time. And news of his death reached me while I am in Mumbai today. Manna Dey breathed his last in Bangalore.
Had his final rites been organized in Mumbai, I would have paid my last respect to him and only then returned to Delhi.
His death doesn’t mean the passing away of just a singer. For Indian music he was an era unto himself. His voice touched the soul directly. Even as Mohd. Rafi, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar were being celebrated by the music fraternity; Manna Dey not only made his presence felt but many musical geniuses acknowledged his brilliance.
Can the present generation, though, truly understand this legendary personality’s worth? The new generation cannot really comprehend the difference between having Manna Da among us and the void created by his death. Many might have even heard Manna Da’s name today for the first time, only when news of his death is making headlines on news channels.
For many, Manna Da could have been just a singer who lent his voice for the popular number ‘Yaari Hai Imaan Mera Yaar Meri Zindagi’ from the film ‘Zanjeer’.
But for me, Manna Dey is not just that, but a voice that expressed a variety of emotions and connected with the heart. A voice that could make you laugh, cry and wonder about the complexity of life. It’s not just me; people from the older generation know how magical Manna’s Dey voice was.
My favorite Top 10 Songs of Manna Dey - ‘Zindagi kaise hai paheli haaye...kabhi to hasaye...kabhi yeh rulaye, from the film ‘Anand’ easily interprets the meaning of life. When I saw the film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, I instantly liked it and this particular song kept resonating in my ears. Rajesh Khanna’s screen presence and Manna Dey’s voice mesmerized me. And today, both the legends are no more.
It is difficult for me to specify just one song. A number of songs sung by him are my favorites. ‘Laaga chunri mein daag’, ‘Tu pyaar ka sagar hai’, ‘Aye meri zohra jabeen’, ‘Yeh raat bheegi bheegi’, ‘Aaja sanam madhur chandni mein hum’, ‘Qasamein vaade pyaar wafa sab’. Each of his songs is a class apart. And, Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s ‘Madhushala’ rendered by Manna Da is evidently incomparable.
God gave a long life to Manna Dey. He lived a humble and spotless life. He dedicated his life to music but never lent his voice to ‘Chalu’ or cheap music. Even until recently, Manna Da performed at various stage shows in order to connect with his admirers and spread love through his music.
I have no complaints against God, but it is impossible to forget Manna Dey.
Manna Dey please come back...come back and make your presence felt through a child’s voice, for there was a child in you, which sometimes flew a kite or played little pranks. You had said, “I wanted to grow old when I was a kid, because I felt I would get freedom when I grew up. But after growing up, I realized what I had lost.”
Manna Da... My eyes are moist and I have your song on my lips... ‘Zindagi kaise hai paheli haye’
Top 3 Questions and Answers on "Manna Dey" A Indian Music Legend"
1. Question: What is the significance of Manna Dey's contribution to Indian music?
Answer: Manna Dey was not just a singer but an era in Indian music, his soul-stirring voice touched hearts, earning recognition alongside legends like Rafi, Mukesh, and Kishore Kumar.
2. Question: Why is Manna Dey's impact on the present generation of listeners different from those who grew up with his music?
Answer: The present generation may be discovering Manna Dey's name for the first time, missing the profound emotional connection and complexity of life expressed through his songs.
3. Question: What were some of Manna Dey's most beloved songs, and what emotions did they evoke?
Answer: Manna Dey's repertoire included classics like 'Zindagi kaise hai paheli haaye,' 'Laaga chunri mein daag,' 'Aye meri zohra jabeen,' and 'Madhushala,' each conveying a unique and timeless message through his exceptional voice.
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04. Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi: The Tiger Passes Away
05. Anita Iyer: Valuable Work For The People With Disabilities
06. Smita Patil: We Never Forget You (13 December)
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08. Rohini Nilekani: Pratham Books
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