Manna Dey

Manna Dey (May 1, 1919 – October 24, 2013) was an Indian playback singer, music director, and musician. Considered one of the greatest and most versatile vocalists of his time, particularly renowned for his mastery of classical and semi-classical Indian music, as well as his ability to adapt to various genres.

Dey was born Prabodh Chandra Dey in Kolkata, India. He trained extensively in Hindustani classical music under his uncle, Krishna Chandra Dey, and Ustad Dabir Khan. His career spanned over five decades, during which he recorded thousands of songs in various Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, and Punjabi.

He achieved significant success in the Bollywood film industry, lending his voice to numerous iconic songs in films such as Do Bigha Zamin, Awara, Shree 420, Mera Naam Joker, and Zanjeer. His versatility allowed him to sing a wide range of songs, from romantic ballads to philosophical numbers, often characterized by complex melodies and intricate vocal techniques.

Manna Dey received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including the Padma Shri (1971), Padma Bhushan (2005), and Padma Vibhushan (2012) from the Government of India. He is remembered for his unique vocal style, his dedication to classical music principles, and his significant contributions to Indian cinema.