Remembering a special singer Manna Dey

1 May 2020

A tribute on Manna Dey’s 101st birth anniversary (1 May 1919 – 24 October 2013)

Manna DeyManna Dey was one of the great playback singers of the Golden Era. I missed to acknowledge him on his birth centenary last year. This omission is symptomatic of his relative place in the film music. He was the most rigorously trained singer in classical music among his peers. He is outnumbered only by two male playback singers, Rafi and Kishore Kumar. He sang about 50% more Hindi film songs than Mukesh, three times as many songs of Talat Mahmood and five times of Hemant Kumar, yet there are possibly more passionate fans of the last three singers than him. I remember someone wrote an article titled ‘An Enigma Called Manna Dey’. He mentioned the word ‘enigma’ in a somewhat similar sense.

On SoY I have written two exclusive posts on his combinations with SD Burman and Shankar-Jaikishan. Besides, his songs figure prominently under other music directors, such as Ravi and Roshan. And, of course, his songs have figured in various other posts and comments. Nevertheless, there are a large number of his songs not yet covered that are my great favourites. I have to agree with Mumbaikar8 and other readers that SoY has not covered Manna Dey adequately. Missing his centenary was a serious omission, and I have to make up for that by my tribute to him on his 101st birth anniversary.

Born Prabodh Chandra Dey to Purna Chandra Dey and Mahamaya Devi on 1 May 1919 in Calcutta, Prabodh became famous as Manna. Wikipedia says this was his stage name; my impression is that, as he became a constant companion and also music student of his uncle, the legendary KC Dey, who lost his eyesight at an early age, his dak name became his bhaalo name, as everyone heard him being called by this name. He had formal education at Scottish Church Collegiate School and Vidyasagar College from where he graduated. During his school and college days he used to take part in stage shows and music competitions which he won hands down.

He came to Bombay along with KC Dey in the early 1940s where he continued his formal training in classical music from Ustad Dabir Khan, and later from Ustad Abdul Rahman Khan and Ustad Aman Ali Khan. When KC Dey got an offer to be the music director of the film Tamanna (1942), Manna Dey assisted him and also got to sing his fist Hindi film song, Jaago ayi usha panchhi boley. He continued to assist various music directors and also sing, but till 1949 there are hardly any songs that achieved mass popularity. His first superhit song was Upar gagan vishaal in the film Mashaal (1950), under the baton of SD Burman, whom he also assisted in the music department. He soon realised that his strength lay in singing, and devoted his full attention to playback singing.

In his early career he got typed for singing beggar songs, songs for old men and philosophical songs with a deep message. This created a handicap for him as the major playback singers got associated with big stars and music directors. To Shankar-Jaikishan goes the credit for promoting him as the alternate voice of Raj Kapoor during Mukesh’s absence, but he soon came back with full force after his misguided forays into film acting and production. Yet Manna Dey off and on got to sing for all the top actors.

His talent for classical music was exploited to full strength in many profound songs, such as Poochho na kaise maine rain bitaayi and Ketaki gulab juhi (a duet with Pt. Bhimsen Joshi). But the great success of Lapak jhapak tu aa re badarawa (Boot Polish, 1953) led to his classical songs being presented in a comical way for comedians like Mehmood, Johnny Walker and Aga. Manna Dey lifted his light-hearted songs like Laaga chuniri mein daagh chhupaaun kaise, Hato kaahe ko jhoothi banaao batiyan, Phoolgendawa na maaro lagat karejawa mein chot, Albeli naar preetam dwaare etc. to high art. Along the way he sang songs of all types with great effect: bhajans, qawwalis, romantic songs and philosophical songs. He sang about 1400 Hindi film songs. His total songs in all languages, including non-film songs are about 3000 (various sites mention figures ranging from 2500 to 3500/4000. N Venkataraman in his Comment #150 below gives a detailed break-up and suggests that his total number of songs are about 2800). His one song in Malayalam, Manasa maine veru, from Chemmeen (1965) has become an anthem for romance, love and longing. Manna Dey also sang Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s Madhushala which became immensely popular.

He was a man of versatile talents. His acting talent is reflected in songs like Ek chatur naar and Ae bhai zara dekh ke chalo. He was not merely singing, he was acting out these songs which made them such eternal songs. In his young days he learnt boxing and wrestling. He kept his interest in fitness right till the end. He lived life to the full. He had a fancy for watches and perfumes; he was known to be very fond of cooking and that made him great friends with Madan Mohan. He was also known for his impeccable English. He continued to give public performances till into his late eighties.

Regardless of his commercial standing in the Bollywood, and his regret at not being able to sing for top stars regularly, he was conferred many honours, such as Padma Shree in 1971, Padma Bhushan in 2005 and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2009. Besides, he also got Filmfare Award and National Awards for the best male playback singer a number of times.

He spent his last days at Bangalore with his daughter, where he passed away on 24 October 2013. Let us pay our tributes to this great singer on his 101st birth anniversary with some of his everlasting solos, not covered earlier on this blog. Readers are requested to post only the solos, and preferably those not covered under Manna Dey on this blog.

1. Ae mere pyare watan ae mere bichhade chaman tujh pe dil qurbaan from Kabuliwala (1961), lyrics Prem Dhavan, music Salil Chowdhury

All of us must have experienced how intense the pull of homeland could be at some point or the other. The desperate attempts of the migrant workers to rush to their home states during the current Lockdown is not entirely for economic reasons, their life at their homes is going to be equally difficult. Economic necessity has brought the Kabuliwala and his similar compatriots to Calcutta, but when they are by themselves in their shelter in the night, their beloved homeland beckons them. Anytime you hear this song, it is bound to give you goosebumps. In an interesting trivia, this song has been picturised on Wazir Mohammad Khan, the actor singer who sang the first ever song of our talkies, De de Khuda ke naam par de de in Alam Ara (1931).

छोड़कर तेरी ज़मीं को दूर आ पहुंचे हैं हम
फिर भी है ये ही तमन्ना तेरे ज़र्रों की क़सम
हम जहां पैदा हुये उस जगह ही निकले दम
तुझपे दिल क़ुरबान
हू ही मेरी आरज़ू तू ही मेरी आबरू तू ही मेरी जान
ऐ मेरे प्यारे वतन ऐ मेरे बिछड़े चमन तुझ पे दिल क़ुरबान

Leaving behind your land I have come far away
Yet my sole dream in the name of every speck of your dust is
That my last breath leaves me only at the place I was born
My everything belongs to you
You are my desire, you are my honour, you are my life
O my beloved land, my lost paradise, my everything belongs to you

2. Ek samay par do barasaatein from Jhoola (1962), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Salil Chaowdhry

Everyone sees the rains during the thundering clouds, but does anyone know the storm raging inside a man’s heart? The tears flowing down the eyes of a broken heart are drowned in the showers. There are two rainfalls at the same time, yet the thirsty heart remains unquenched. Beautiful lyrics, sung divinely as an atmospheric song by Manna Dey. Salil Chowdhury gave some incredibly beautiful songs to Manna Dey.

एक समय पर दो बरसातें बादल के संग आंख भी बरसे
चारों ओर है जल थल जल थल फिर भी प्यासा मनवा तरसे
एक समय पर दो बरसातें

3. Jamuna kinare jhlmil kare tare, jahan baansuri bajaye Jasoda ka ladka, jise sun sun Radhaji ka dil dhadaka from Saakshi Gopal (1957), lyrics Bharat Vyas, music Chitragupta

If we are all so fond of Chitragupta, here is the reason why. He is one of the most talented music directors whose music towered over his B/C grade films. This song from a mythological on Krishna lore required a combination of shringar and bhakti, at the same time bringing out the spirit of a prank-loving enchanter. Manna Dey renders the song perfectly to the delightful music of the Master Chitragupta.

4. Albeli naar preetam dware from Main Shadi Karne Chala (1962), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Chitragupta

Chitragupta now harnesses Manna Dey’s talent for classical music. The song is outstanding, but I guess this must have been picturised in a comic setting on IS Johar. The readers would remember this film had a superb ‘Twin Duet’, Jabse hum tum bahaaron mein in the voices of Mukesh & Kamal Barot, and Rafi & Suman Kalyanpur.

5. Ghayal karte hain khud bhi…Tore naina raseele kateele haye Ram from Hamdard (1953), lyrics Prem Dhavan, music Anil Biswas

Let me now take you back to the Bhishm Pitamah of film music. Hamdard (1953) had a pure Raaggmalika, Ritu aye ritu jaye sakhi ri (Manna Dey-Lata Mangeshkar duet). And now we have a light-hearted performance before an audience. This song does not follow the standard style of mukhada-antara of a film song. It follows a style of Thumri singing in which the refrain (i.e. mukhada or sthayi) was interspersed with recital of Urdu couplets. In this beautiful song, the mukhada is preceded by recital of some mujra-style lines. In the video, the following lines seem to have been chopped off:

घायल करते हैं खुद भी और खुद ही बनते हैं दवा
हैं ज़हर कभी अमृत हैं कभी न जाने तोरे नैना हैं क्या
तोरे नैना रसीले कटीले हाय राम

But you hear the following lines clearly:

बदल गया रंग महफिल का जब तुम मह्फिल में आये
रंग उड़ा है फूलों का दिल शमा का बैठा जाय
इन नज़रों के आगे कोई कैसे नज़र उठाये, हाय कैसे नज़र उठाये
तोरे नैना रसीले कटीले हाय राम

6. Aao aao sooni re sajariya, saanwariya from Padosan (1968), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music RD Burman

We have seen Manna Dey’s light-hearted touch in classical-based song in Tore naina raseele kateele haaye Ram. Shankar-Jaikishan made a full-fledged comedy song in classical ragas in Boot Polish (1953) – Lapak jhapak tu aa re badarawa. Thus started Manna Dey’s great run with comic-classical songs, which he would sing in perfect raagdari. This genre, which was his contribution to film music, reached its zenith in Padosan (1968) with two madcaps, Kishore Kumar (singing for himself) and Mehmood (lip-synching Manna Dey), joining in the duel Ek charur naar. In this film Manna Dey also had an equally crazy stand-alone song for Mehmood, which starts with the monologue, Waanga, waanga, ai aiyo hum galati kiyaji, hum Hindi mein gaata, before Mehmood realizes his mistake and switches in Hindi, Aao aao.

7. Gori tori paijaniyan from Mehbooba (1976), lyrics Anand Bakshi, music RD Burman

RD Burman must have remembered Manna Dey’s talent for classical and recalled him for Mehbooba in 1976, though by that Kishore Kumar had firmly established himself as the voice of Rajesh Khanna.

8. Sun mere lal, yun na ho behaal from Anuradha (1960), lyrics Shailendra, music Pt. Ravi Shankar

From comic-classical let us go back to a pathos-filled song from Anuradha. As Leela Naidu and Balraj Sahni see off their little daughter who is going away with her Nanaji, a wandering minstrel sings this beautiful song. Leela Naidu watches with moist eyes the receding bullock-cart and her husband cycling away to his duty with his doctor’s kit.

Here is its audio of better quality.

9. Sab ko naach nachata phir bhi nazar nahi jo aata aisi duniya ko banaanewala kaun hai from Kan Kan Mein Bhagwan (1963), lyrics Bharat Vyas, music Pt. Shivram

Pt. Shivram is among forgotten and minor composers, yet Manna Dey sings an outstanding philosophical song with fast beats.

10. Phir kahin koi phool khila from Anubhav (1971), lyrics Kapil Kumar, music Kanu Roy

Basu Bhattachrya made a number of films on complexities of marital relationship. One such film, Anubhav, saw return of Geeta Dutt with songs that became everlasting: Mera dil jo mera hota, Meri jaan, mujhe jaan na kaho and Koi chupke se aa ke, sapane dikha ke. Alas she didn’t live long after this. Manna Dey had this excellent atmospheric song when the attraction between the couple was intact.

11. Kasame wade pyar wafa sab from Upkar (1967), lyrics Indivar, music Kalyanji-Anandji

Upkar was a landmark film for two transformations. It made Manoj Kumar into Bharat, the nation. And the villain Pran into a good-hearted man with this song. He had started as a hero and had some positive roles, but people knew him in the 1950s and the 60s as the best villain. With Upkar Pran started a new innings in kind-hearted character roles.

12. Yaari hai imaan meri from Zanjeer (1973), lyrics Gulshan Bawra, music Kalyanji-Anandji

Pran-Manna Dey-Kalyanji-Anandji combine again in this stunning song. In his second innings Pran could not be confined to a type. He flowered into a great artiste who could play any shade of roles. In Zanjeer he plays a toughie pathan. His businesses on the wrong side of the law bring him into conflict with the righteous and vigilante cop. But the two men of honour and valour had to come together. Pran celebrates the changeover with this delightful qawwali-style dance song to a shy and taciturn Amitabh Bachchan.

13. Apne liye jiye to kya jiye from Baadal (1966), lyrics Javed Anwar, music Usha Khanna

This song sung by Manna Dey in a talwaarbaaji B-grade film has message for all times.

14. Naach re mayura (non-film, 1957), lyrics Pt. Narendra Sharma, music Anil Biswas

Among his many non-film songs Naach re mayura is my special favourite. My tribute to Manna Dey would not be complete without this song.

15. Manasa maine veru from Chemmeen (1965), lyrics Vayalar Ramavarma, music Salil Chowdhury

I could not resist my curiosity to check out this Malayalam song by Manna Dey which is said to have achieved an iconic place. The song is excellent, and with the knowledge of the story you are touched by it. T Sivasankara Pillai’s novel is based on a folk legend popular in fishermen in coastal Kerala. As the lady’s husband is away to the sea fishing, her former lover’s call makes her restless, and you can see her going through the struggle between desire and chastity. You can hear the strains of Ghadi dhadi mera dil dhdake Baag mein kali khili bagiya mahaki (Chaand Aur Suraj, 1965), also a Salil Chaowdhury composition, in the interludes. The story had a sad ending, typical of folk legends – the sea goddess consumes the two unchaste lovers. Chemmeen won the National Award for the best film.

Disclaimer and Acknowledgement
1. The song videos have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog does not claim any copyright over these songs which vests with the respective owners, such as Saregama India Limited and others.

2. The brief story of Chemmeen in song #15 is based on the information in Wikipedia. I have not yet read the novel (i.e. its translation, naturally).

{ 160 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 1, 2020 at 10:24 am

A K ji,
What a siner! What a voice!
Special, YES.
Enigma, YES.
Underutilized, YES, YES.

Presenting Manna Da’s first Kannada song…

Kuhoo kuhoo kuhoo kuhoo
Ennuta haaduva kinnara kantada kogileye…
( O kinnar dhwaniwali koyal
Singing kuhoo kuhoo…)

KALAVATHI, 1964.

This is a poem by Rashtra Kavi KuVemPu, the tallest among modern Kannada writers ( poet, novelist, playwright, philosopher), the first Jnanapeeta awardee of Kannada.
Music …G K Venkatesh ( the Guru of Ilayaraja), Laxman Berlekar).

Interestingly, Berlekar later gave music, independently, to KRANTIVEERA SANGOLLI RAYANNA, 1969, where the three Mangeshkar sisters sang ( Lata _ 2 songs)… Manna Da, too.
Manna Da later sang in MARGADARSHI and KALPAVRIKSHA.

https:// youtu.be/1JnkjUey8CA

2 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 1, 2020 at 10:26 am

May be an average song for the others, but

Abhi toh haath mein jaam hai
Toba kitne kaam hai…

SEETA AUR GEETA, RDB

is very dear to me.

3 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 1, 2020 at 11:02 am

A philosophical and a comedy song with Ravindra Jain…

SAUDAGAR, 1973.

Door hai kinara
Gehri hai nadi ki dhara…

GHAR KI LAAJ, 1979

Choti Rani doobi rahe saaj singaar mein
Majli Rani khoye rahe Lachmi ke pyar mein…

4 AK May 1, 2020 at 11:17 am

Dr Shetty,
Thanks a lot for posting my favourite Door hai kinara. For Kannada song I will have to wait for someone to give links.

5 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 1, 2020 at 11:30 am

Can Ud jaa bhanwar Maya kamal ke aaj bandhan tod ke considered as a solo? I think so..Aajaa Aajaa bhanwar sooni dagar soona hai ghar aajaa.. portion of Lata can also be considered as a solo.

RANI ROOPMATI, 1957.
S N Tripathi, Bharat Vyas.

ASHIRWAD, 1968.

Jeevan se lambe hain Bandhu
Jeevan ke raste…

Gulzar, Vasant Desai.

AVISHKAR, 1974.

Hansne ki chaah ne
Kitna mujhe rulaya hai…

Kapil Kumar, Kanu Roy.

6 N Venkataraman May 1, 2020 at 12:02 pm

AKji,
First my tributes to Sharadya Manna Dey on his 101st birth anniversary.
Thanks to you for this tribute post. I will read your post and listen to the selection of songs in the afternoon. I am sure it would make a wonderful reading and enjoyable listening experience as usual.

Posting a favourite Bengali NFS (1974 Puja number), lyrics Gouri Prasanna Majumdar, music Nachiketa Ghosh,

Jodi Kagoje Lekho Naam Kagoj Chirey Jaabey
Pathore Lekho Naam Pathor Khoye Jaabey
Hridoye Lekho Naam Se Naam Roye Jabe
Hmm…… Jodi Kagoje Lekho Naam

If you write the name on paper the paper will tear
Write the name on stone the stone will corrode
Write the name on the heart the name will remain forever

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIaIXjBqyjE

7 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 1, 2020 at 12:03 pm

DOOR KA RAHI, 1968.

Ek din aur gaya
Haaye roke na ruka…

Shailendra?, Kishor Kumar.

SHUKSARI, Bengali, 1969.

Ogo Chandrabodani Shundari dhoni..

Katha Mohini Chowdhury,Hemant Kumar.

8 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 1, 2020 at 12:38 pm

PRIVATE SECRETARY, 1962.

Jaa re beiman tujhe jaan liya..

Prem Dhawan, Dilip Dholakia.

9 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 1, 2020 at 12:45 pm

AADHI RAAT KE BAAD, 1965.

O gori tori banki hai hai Ram
Chitvan mein ulaj ke jiya mora sau bal khaya…

10 AK May 1, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Dr Shetty,
Ud ja bhanwar can be seen as two-part song, the first part is Manna Dey solo. I have to wait for some reader to post the links.

11 AK May 1, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Venkataramanji,
Nice NFS, especially superb poetry.

12 Mehfil Mein Meri May 1, 2020 at 1:13 pm

Good tribute to an ace singer of HFM.
I take this opportunity to post a Marathi song, from the film, वरदक्षिणा

घन घन माला नभी दाटल्या

https://youtu.be/WXrOR7bCyzE

It’s a great description of rain and it has iconic status in Marathi film songs.

He easily sings ‘ळ’ in the word ‘कोसळती’.

It is said that Kishore Kumar refrained from Marathi songs because he couldn’t easily pronounce ‘ळ’ and when he sang his only Marathi film song, it was specifically taken care to avoid the alphabet.

The song can be roughly translated as
The clouds are gathering heavily in the sky, and are pouring down heavily.

13 Mehfil Mein Meri May 1, 2020 at 1:24 pm

One more Marathi song,
A bhajan from a movie

https://youtu.be/Mm24KRp0zSE

गोपाला गोपाला देवकीनंदन गोपाला

14 Ashwin Bhandarkar May 1, 2020 at 1:35 pm

An excellent and sincere tribute to a great singer!

Here’s one more of his non-film numbers:

‘ Saawan ke rimjhim mein’ (Lyrics – Anjaan, MD – Shyam Sagar)

https://youtu.be/tdqqROVjj_8

15 Mehfil Mein Meri May 1, 2020 at 1:40 pm

And a few more,
Hopefully not appeared before,

1. Chal ae dil e Majboor from Surang

https://youtu.be/Y5FTesWXD2s

2. Chou Chou bambiyana, a song with anokhe bol from rangoli

https://youtu.be/k-TXXZuaQRg

3. The title track of Duniya na mane

https://youtu.be/4SzQ_qp4FHc

Will be back if I find more

16 Mehfil Mein Meri May 1, 2020 at 1:49 pm

A few more,

4. Kaaton Ke Saaye Mein from Vallah Kya Baat Hai

https://youtu.be/ZH5x9wFF1FE

5. Roop Tumhara Aankhon Se
From Sapera by Ajit merchant.

It might be there already on a previous list. I think it’s quite popular too, though the composer Ajit merchant was a comparatively lesser known.

https://youtu.be/l8kmdzI0C7A

6. Dil Kehta Hai from sapan suhane

https://youtu.be/U9FMNMtUAQE

17 Mehfil Mein Meri May 1, 2020 at 2:04 pm

Manna Dey and Laxmikant Pyarelal isn’t a much talked about combination, though off hand we can recollect a few duets. From Sati Savitri, Bobby, Sou Saal baad, Raja aur Rank etc.

I found a few songs,

6. Keh Gaye Father Ibrahim from izzat

https://youtu.be/c4FP-zxvy08

And,
Another song from the same film, izzat
7. Pyar Ke bukhar ko utaar mere manwa
A typical manna Dey song for Mehmood

https://youtu.be/9b7RNWVZ3gw

8. Tum Besahara Ho To from Anurodh

https://youtu.be/YXIFOIJWdio

18 Mehfil Mein Meri May 1, 2020 at 2:27 pm

Manna Dey and Naushad came together for a handful of songs.

The obvious one to recollect is
Chundaria Katati Jaye

https://youtu.be/x4C9uQMcudw

The second one, that I could recollect is from Palki

Mere Ghar Se Pyar Ki Palki

https://youtu.be/LKj7LIu57uk

Are there any more solos by the duo Naushad and Manna Dey?
There must be, Please add it here.

Anup
🙂

19 Mehfil Mein Meri May 1, 2020 at 2:43 pm

And
What about Manna Dey singing his own compositions!

I found few, though not great, need to be mentioned.

1 Wah re wah Bhagwan tune from Mahapooja (1954)

https://youtu.be/-_rhZGXtfN4

2 Om Jai Jai Mahadev, a good bhajan from Jai Mahadev

https://youtu.be/QwMrPV81mic

3 Meri dubati hui naiya ko from shiv kanya (1954)

https://youtu.be/F6M52ETzFlY

There would some more, I found only these in my collection.

Anup
🙂

20 Ashwin Bhandarkar May 1, 2020 at 3:08 pm

Sant Namdev’s abhang with music by Anna Joshi:

Vitevari ubha deenancha kaivaari:

https://youtu.be/2U26TPFfh38

The other abhangs from the same album are available on YouTube.

21 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 1, 2020 at 4:21 pm

HINDUSTAN KI KASAM, 1973.

Har taraf bas yahi afsane hain
Hum tere ankhon ke deewane hain…

BAWARCHI, 1972.

Tum bin jeevan kaisa jeevan
Phool khile toh dil murjaye.,.

DEKH KABIRA ROYA, 1957.

Kaun aaya mere man ke dware
Paayal ke jhankar liye…

NAWAB SIRAJUDDAULA, 1967.

Aaj mile man ke meet
Paayalon ke lay pe aaj naachne lage hai preet…

Madan Mohan.

22 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 1, 2020 at 4:34 pm

KINARE KINARE, 1964.

Chale jaa rahe hain mohabbat ke maare
Kinare kinare kinare kinare…

Nyay Sharma, Jaidev.

23 AK May 1, 2020 at 6:31 pm

Dr Shetty @5, 7, 8, 9,
You have added a great favourite of mine which had escaped my memory – Gori tori baanki. One of the best of Manna Dey’s comic-classical style. An interesting feature of this song is that the instruments are Western, such as guitar and saxophone, and dances, too, are western.

Gori tori baanki by Manna Dey from Aadhi Raat Ke Baad (1965), lyrics Prem Dhavan, music Chitragupta

24 AK May 1, 2020 at 7:00 pm

Anup @12,
Thanks. Ghar man mala is an excellent song. A music teacher teaching his students?

@13, 15, 16,
Kaanton ke saaye mein a perfect hero film, befitting Shammi Kapoor. It is still not clear why the music directors were hesitant in giving Manna Dey more mainstream songs.

@17,
LP seem to be quite reluctant to use Manna Dey. Obviously they were not interested in trying to mould their music to suit his talent.

@18,
Naushad is another who didn’t venture to work with Manna Dey much. The only song I can add is the multiple-singer song, Dukh bhare din beete re bhaiya

@19,
All songs were new to me, but they are good to listen to. Thanks.

25 AK May 1, 2020 at 7:03 pm

Ashwin @14, 20,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I specially liked the abhang Vitevari ubha deenancha kaivaari

26 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 1, 2020 at 10:41 pm

Comedy songs from Roshan were a rarity.

BEDAAG, 1965.

Haaye re main toh Prem deewana.,.

DOOJ KA CHAND, 1964.

Phool gendwa na maro

27 Rahul Bhagwanrao Muli May 1, 2020 at 10:42 pm

AK ji exceptional tribute to the legend . Before reading this article I would have added the most underused. But it is surprising to know that Manna Dey’s output was significantly more than even Mukesh.
Inclusion of Ek samay par do barasate & Apne liye jiye to kya jiye was also pleasant surprise
Ek samay is not a song very often heard or mentioned .
Tata sky classic very frequently shows Badal & there i watch the film only to the extent of this song.
Mehfil me meri @13 posted an outstanding Marathi song which was superbly enacted by Dr Shriram Lagoo on the screen
I add here 2 songs
1 A marathi song from 60s which was very regularly played on Marathi AIR stations.even in 70s a lovely song for children. Incidentally like gopala this is also composed by Ram Kadam
A aa aai m ma maka
https://youtu.be/Q-bh3Q3qFEk
2 A relatively less popular because it was overshadowed by 3 other iconic songs from Khamoshi. Hemant kumar may be one composer who used Manna Dey very occassionall
Dost kaha koi Tumsa
https://youtu.be/q3MggIPquII

28 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 1, 2020 at 10:54 pm

Couldn’t resist posting this Shankar Jaikishan song for it’s novelty… Manna Da singing for Kishore Kumar.

Pehle murgi hua tha ki anda
Jara soch ke bataana….

KROREPATI, 1961.

29 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 1, 2020 at 11:03 pm

A rarely heard song from
GREAT SHOW OF INDIA, 1958.

Meethi meethi baat teri
Dil tadpa gayi…

Qamar Jalalabadi, Avinash Vyas.

30 AK May 1, 2020 at 11:17 pm

Mr Muli @27,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I am happy that you are equally fond of Ek samay par do barsaatein and Apne liye jiye to kya jiye. I find something very moving about Ek samay, I am not even conscious that it is not often heard. It is a song which has been embedded in my mind. The Marathi song is very nice.

31 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 1, 2020 at 11:30 pm

MOTHER INDIA, 1957.

Chundariya khatthi jaaye re
Umariya ghatti jaaye re…

Shakeel Badayuni, Naushad.

JIBAN RAHASYA, Bengali, 1974.

Ke Tumi Ke Tumi…
…..shuno na…

Pulak Bandopadhyay, Abhijit Bannerjee.

Nice harmonium song… well sung by Manna Da… listen to it.

Pran Sahab in the visuals…see it.

32 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 1, 2020 at 11:53 pm

HUM KAHAN JAA RAHE HAIN, 1966.

Aao logon tumhe sunaoon
Apni ghar ki kahani
Nangi hokar naach rahi hai
Desh mein beimani…

Vasant Prakash.

33 ksbhatia May 2, 2020 at 12:22 am

AK ji;

Nice remembrance of a noble person who never failed to deliver from romantic to classic to mythological songs at an easy way…be it solo, duet or chorus …straight from his heart Made extensive hits with many MDs like Madan Mohan, Shankar Jaikishan , Chitragupta etc.

A few of my favorite songs……

Chale sipahi dhool udate…..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKHPUQCuq9o

Kaun aaya mere man ke dware,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd2FnIFkiBw

Jhanak jhanak tori baaje payaliya…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_CUNl3n-vU

Pyar hua iqrar hua hai,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XecGV_HmdPk

Mud Mud Ke na dekh,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci6OfLH6Ogo

….to be contd.

34 N Venkataraman May 2, 2020 at 1:12 am

AKji,

I did not find time in the day. So sat back after a late dinner to go through the post and enjoy the songs.

A nice write-up, well written. What gladdened me is the selection of songs. A mix of some popular, some lesser-known and unknown songs.

“Ek samay par do barasaatein” is one of the lesser heard songs; Loved the rendition and good lyrics.

“Jamuna kinare jhlmil kare tare, jahan baansuri bajaye Jasoda ka ladka, jise sun sun Radhaji ka dil dhadaka” was new to me. A wonderful song, and loved the lyrics too. But there is a spoiler at 1:02 and lasts till 1:15.

All the songs of Humdard are my great favourites, and I was more than pleased to find the song “Tore naina raseele kateele haye Ram” in your post. The song losses much of its charm without those missing lines.

I would suggest you to replace the above two songs with fresh links , which are available in YT.

Ae mere pyare watan ae mere bichhade chaman tujh pe dil qurbaan, Albeli naar preetam dwar, Phir kahin koi phool khila, Kasame wade pyar wafa sab, Yaari hai imaan meri , Naach re mayura…… Thanks for the feast of songs. You made my day.

35 Nasreen May 2, 2020 at 1:12 am

It’s been a while.

Rafi said of him “you listen to me, I listen to Manna Dey”.

‘Don’t think anyone mentioned “Zindagi kaisi hai paheli haaye” (from the film, “Anand”).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3vgDb4TQneA

Some others:

Aao twist karein (Bhoot Bangla)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lokpohoCyF8

Tujhe sooraj kanon ya chanda (Ek Phool do Maali
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhFh_O5ZuF4

Also, “aami je jolshaghore” (Anthony Firingi)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nge2hWSQyEc

36 mumbaikar8 May 2, 2020 at 7:02 am

AK,
You have made up for your last lapse. Very good tribute.
Obviously underutilized talent. Our loss!
I am glad you added his Non filmy song. He has done great work in NF songs too.
Phir kahin koi phool khila ia my favourite from your list.
Chemeen was a pleasant surprise.

Is it Ghadi ghadi in the interlude here?
https://youtu.be/W4FHG5baLOM?t=146
Or this song.
https://youtu.be/5ms3EygjbKI?t=43

Adding some of my favourites
Manna Dey – Sharada (1957) – ‘chaahe zindagi se kitna bhi’
https://youtu.be/ksb3JpyIcKU
Raginder Krishan has Shailender’s touch here and Manna Dey has taken it to other plane.
तेरी जुस्तजूं तो ख्वाब की है दास्ताँ
तुहि रास्ता है और तुही कारवां
यह तलाश है ख्याल एक वहेम का है जाल
झूठे सपनों के पीछे ना भाग रे .

Another great rendition
TERE NAINA TALAASH KAREN- MANNA DEY- FILM -TALAASH(1969) MD-S D BURMAN LY-MAJROOH SULTANPURI
https://youtu.be/_pdogpbaqT8

Kinare Kinare
CHALE JA RAHEIN HAIN-MANNA DEY -NYAYA SHARMA -JAIDEV-KINARE KINARE (1964)
https://youtu.be/Od9wz7WKQMY

37 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 2, 2020 at 7:11 am

PARINEETA, 1953.

Chali Radhe Rani , akhiyon mein paani
Apne Mohan se mukhda mod ke…

Two versions.

Bharat Vyas, Arun Kumar.

38 Subodh Agrawal May 2, 2020 at 8:10 am

An overdue and excellent post AK. We have discussed why Manna Dey failed to gain the popularity of Rafi, Kishore, Talat, Mukesh or even Hemant despite his phenomenal versatility and ability. Something is missing, though I can’t place my finger on it.

Basu Bhattacharya has made good use of Manna Dey in his films on marital relation. Anubhav is included in your list. ‘Hansne ki chaah ne’ from ‘Avishar’ has been mentioned by Dr Shetty in #5 above. Here is the link to a short, gentle piece from the same film. ‘Mere lal’:

https://youtu.be/JBI_D5JzZGE

As for non-film songs, ‘Nathli se toota moti re’ used to be extremely popular during college days with every aspiring singer trying it out. I found the link to a live performance.

https://youtu.be/JBI_D5JzZGE

39 AK May 2, 2020 at 9:47 am

KS Bhatiaji @33,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. The first song was unknown to me. Other songs are among Manna Dey’s best known.

40 AK May 2, 2020 at 9:51 am

Venkataramanji @34,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I am happy that I could give one song which was new to you, and which you liked. Thanks for pointing out the spoiler and sending me an alternative link. Tore naina raseele kateele haye Ram I compromised for a video. But thanks for sending me the audio link of the complete song. I have fixed the two links.

41 AK May 2, 2020 at 10:00 am

Nasreen @35,
Welcome back. Aao twist karein and Tujhe suraj kahun ya chanda represent two ends of Manna Dey’s talent.

42 AK May 2, 2020 at 10:23 am

Mumbaikar8 @36,
I am happy, you have not only pardoned my lapse, but you are also pleased. Thanks a lot.

Manas maine veru interludes – Hats off. You are spot on. I have made the correction.

Chaahe zindagi se kitna bhi is not often heard. Excellent song. Other songs are among his best known. Thanks a lot.

43 AK May 2, 2020 at 10:28 am

Subodh @38,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Nathali se toota moti re is another of my favourites. Thanks for posting it.

44 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 2, 2020 at 11:03 am

LAHU PUKARE GA ( Yes, that is the way it is shown in the titles/ credits!!!)
must have been long in the making. The timeline says 1975 and 1980 ( release) at various places. The Sunil Dutt, Feroz Khan,Saira Banu starrer had some good Rafi songs ( including the title song) and a nice Manna Da song picturised on Sunil Dutt. The song does not seem to be uploaded on the You Tube, but the full movie is available. It comes at 40 minutes in the movie.

Ye hichki sharab ki nahin dosto
Kisi ne meri yaad kiya hai
Ya mera naam liya hai…

Varma Malik, Sonik Omi.

45 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 2, 2020 at 11:17 am

SEVAGRAM, 1947.

Sun re bawre gharwali bin soona hai sansar
Ghar ki shobha gharwali hai
Gharwali hi deewali hai…

Pankaj, ( Kishor?/ Khirod? ) Chandra Bhattacharya.

https:// youtu.be/u5sOjWjglqo

46 R Vasudevan May 2, 2020 at 11:21 am

It was just yesterday when I heard Vivid Bharathi announcer interviewing Manna De in the “ujale unki yaadein” programme which was a repeat broadcast. Manna narrated how he landed in Bombay and the break he got and his rise to fame etc.

I also read his autobiography one of the best read as normally biographies or autobiographies of film personalities are passable from literary point of view but Manna De’s book is a miss not.

A great singer. I just mention one song
kaal ka payya gume bhaiya from the film Chanda aur Bijli. A fine bajan song.

I can not imagine any other crooner singing ye bhai jara dhek ke chalo from Mera Naam Joker better than Manna De. SJ chose him.

47 N Venkataraman May 2, 2020 at 11:50 am

Dear SoY friends,
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

The previous link to the song Jamuna kinare jhlmil kare tare, jahan baansuri bajaye Jasoda ka ladka, jise sun sun Radhaji ka dil dhadaka had spoiler at 1:00. Anybody who had bothered to listen to the whole song would have brought it to the notice of AKji.

The efforts of the writer/ writers to present their write-up and the songs should be appreciated. Unless one goes through the post and listens to the songs, how can one do justice to the post?

The same goes for especially the songs posted in the comment section. Yesterday alone roughly 50 songs were posted/mentioned. To that add Akji’s 15. That makes it 65. Most of the songs would remain not listened to or at the most many would listen to the first few lines.

Unless you allow you r friends here in Soy to listen to the songs, you would not be doing justice to your own postings. While appreciating your enthusiasm, I would like to make a humble request. Please post two or three songs at a time and allow some time for others to listen to the songs and respond. Else all your efforts will go waste.

Please do not misunderstand me.

48 Rahul Bhagwanrao Muli May 2, 2020 at 12:03 pm

Few more gems from Manna dey
1: Dewaaron kev jungal- Deewar
https://youtu.be/_kw8-jFeyp8
Not included in the movie that had very less scope for songs
2 Majloom kisi kaum ke – Aandolan
https://youtu.be/cF983iMmN2A
Situation takes you back to Another Manna dey song from Bandini ( mat ro mata)
3 Another rare onev from a film that had an outstanding gazal rendered by Lataji
https://youtu.be/Bp0nfGqBn1s
4 From a film where Mukesh was omnpresent except for this song
https://youtu.be/gcxtKeRwfG4
5 finally Manzil where 3 different voices were used by
SDB for Dev Anand
https://youtu.be/IN64vMbAoPI
AK ji @41 mentioned two ends of Mannadey’s talent
I would like to add two duets just by mentioning them (as post relates to solos)
Jodi hamari – Aulad &
Soch ke ye gagan – Jyoti

49 KB May 2, 2020 at 12:18 pm

SD also used him in the famous song Hum Chupe Rustom hai from CHHUPA RUSTOM. It is interesting to note that even RD also was interested in using his voice in quite a few films and so were the likes of Madanmohan and C Ramachandra apart from Roshan , Ravi and Chitragupta.

50 N Venkataraman May 2, 2020 at 12:54 pm

Akji,
Going back to my youthful days, when I used to spend late nights listening to the NFSs of Manna Dey ( and also Mukesh).

Reliving those nights, I was listening some of those gems yesterday night, till my wife reminded me that it was two am.

Some of the songs, that kept me spellbound then and yesterday night, were the outcome of several wonderful collaborations with Madhukar Rajasthani. Beautiful lyrics and great rendition.

The first such occasion was in 1959 when they came out with two songs.
The first one “Ye Awara Raaten”, music V Balsara. (some say the music was by Manna Dey)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1gbYpY5MlM

Ye Kaun Chala Kaun Chala, (Madhukar Rajasthani or Ramesh Gupta ?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iJozd51o0M&feature=emb_title

51 Jawahar May 2, 2020 at 12:58 pm

Lovely article and lovely songs. To add to the list:
1. Mat Ro Maata Laal Tere Bahutere – BANDINI

https://youtu.be/DZxcGPsxHlQ

2. Bhai Bhanjana Vandana Sun Hamari – BASANT BAHAR

https://youtu.be/nq39-fhY3KU

3. Raagmala – DIL KI RAAHEN – Madan Mohan
https://youtu.be/Bp0nfGqBn1s

4. Kya Hawa Chali – PARAKH – Salil Chaudhury – Shailendra

https://youtu.be/vAcZ_c-wo-o

And a comedy song
5. Mara Gaya Brahmachari – CHITRALEKHA – Roshan – Sahir

https://youtu.be/5lSD2XYHWrg

52 AK May 2, 2020 at 1:02 pm

Mr R Vasudevan @46,
You are lucky to have heard his Remembrance Programme. Kaal ka pahiya ghoome bhaiya is also my favourite song.

53 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 2, 2020 at 1:03 pm

Saans ke zakhm bhar raha hai koi
Phir tujhe yaad kar raha hai koi…

LAL PATHOR, Bengali, 1964.

Gulzar, Salil Chowdhury.

The Hindi remake, LAL PATHAR, 1971, directed by the original director Sushil Majumdar, surprisingly, had SJ as music directors.
Sooni sooni saans ke sitar par got a Filmfare nomination for Asha Bhonsle and Manna Dey won the Sur Singar award for Re man sur mein gaa. Kishor’s Geet gata hoon main…was a popular song. Rafi’s Unke khayal aaye toh aate chale gaye must be the corresponding song in the Hindi version for the Manna Dey song.

https:// youtu.be/ PRUKTz3buNO

Most of the readers must be aware of Mubarak Begum’s Ruke ruke se kadam Ruk ke baar baar chali… rendered as a ? Mujra.. The pathos laden MAUSAM version is starkly different.

N Venkatraman ji,
I remember reading that the original Bengali version was cinematically superior. Hindi, critics said, was more commercialized.
Anyway, I liked LAL PATHAR with Rajkumar, Hema Malini, Raakhi and Vinod Mehra ,and, one these days, intend to watch LAL PATHOR with Uttam Kumar, Supriya Chowdhury, Sarboni Basu, Nirmal Kumar?

54 AK May 2, 2020 at 1:09 pm

Venkataramanji @47,
Your sincerity to SoY is matchless. That showed in pointing out the distortions in a link, I couldn’t imagine that such a nice quality link would have problems in between. I had no reason to suspect anything, and since it was a very familiar song I used the link. But thanks again.

In spite of time constraints I listen to all the songs posted by the reason, except Dr Shetty’s because of the absence of the links.

55 ksbhatia May 2, 2020 at 4:03 pm

Venkatraman ji @47 & 50;

Yes; so many songs posted and it really takes time for the one to listen to those which are rare or seldom heard. Of course some are very popular and having repetitive values do get slipped intentionally . Manna surely is having great fan following and so certain songs are found to be favorite of passionate listeners. I too look for some rare ones or less heard or composed by less heard MDs. This is a pleasantry that all should look for.

I am tempted to follow rare solos and duets of lesser known movies…..hope the era finds its rerun….

Chhu Na Lena Mujhe Chhu Na Lena Asha Bhonsle Manna Dey Baghi Sipahi (1958) Shankar Jaikishan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_2QugVGu9M

Ya Allah Ya Allah Dil Le Gayi | Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar | Ujala

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbWi16HyV_4

O Bereham Tere Sitam Lata Mangeshkar Manna Dey Baaghi Sipahi (1958) Shankar Jaikishan / Shailendra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxiMwK21AvQ

…..to be contd.

56 ksbhatia May 2, 2020 at 4:17 pm

Venkatraman ji ;

In continuation from songs @55 ;

tum jo aao toh pyaar aa jaaye ….Manna dey, Suman Kalyanpuri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgwoEJ4OTJU

Bheegi Hawaon Mein – Manna Dey, Suman Kalyanpur, Shriman Satyawadi Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjV0fuf1Df0

Manna Dey & Suman Kalyanpur – Sapera (1961) – ‘raat ne gensu bikhraaye’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCtzGJmo-Is

….to be contd….

57 AK May 2, 2020 at 5:13 pm

Mr Muli @ 48,
Song #1 is a nice discovery.

Song #5 reminds me pf two end of Manna Dey’s talent in a different way. You have this conventional song for a hero, and in the same film you have this spectacular song for the comedian Mehmood, the paanwala. And in an irony Dev Anand is there waiting for his paan ki gilauri?

Hato kaahe ko jhoothi bannao batiyan by Manna Dey from Manzil (1960), music SD Burman

Bad luck for Dev Anand or our good luck that we got this gorgeous song?

58 N Venkataraman May 2, 2020 at 5:15 pm

Pradeepji @ 1,
Posting the song @ 1
Presenting Manna Da’s first Kannada song…
Kuhoo kuhoo kuhoo kuhoo
Ennuta haaduva kinnara kantada kogileye…
( O kinnar dhwaniwali koyal
Singing kuhoo kuhoo…)
KALAVATHI, 1964.
This is a poem by Rashtra Kavi KuVemPu, the tallest among modern Kannada writers ( poet, novelist, playwright, philosopher), the first Jnanapeeta awardee of Kannada.
Music …G K Venkatesh ( the Guru of Ilayaraja), Laxman Berlekar).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JnkjUey8CA

KRANTIVEERA SANGOLLI RAYANNA, (1967), MARGADARSHI (1969) , and KALPAVRIKSHA (1969). I think he rendered 6 songs in all in these 4 films. How many are solos? I know Margadarshi had 2 solos.

59 AK May 2, 2020 at 5:17 pm

KB @49,
Many music directors used him and gave him superlative songs, but as Subodh has said @38, something might have been missing no one has been able to figure it out.

60 AK May 2, 2020 at 5:26 pm

Venkataramanji @50,
Hats off to your passion. From your mail I could make out you are quite a night bird. Ye aawra raatein and Ye kaun chala are two of his more well-known NFS. Plus the one added by Subodh, Nathali se toota moti re and the one in my post Naach re mayura practically cover his most famous NFS.

61 AK May 2, 2020 at 5:38 pm

Jawahar @51,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. Song #3 is not much heard. I have to hear it till the last to like it, for two my favourite ragas in the Raagmalala, Jaunpuri and Bhairavi.

Song #4: A comic Baul song? Saw it for the first time.

62 N Venkataraman May 2, 2020 at 5:46 pm

Pradeepji @ 2

Abhi toh haath mein jaam hai
Toba kitne kaam hai…
SEETA AUR GEETA, RDB
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1b4kzM2UxB4
Manna Dey makes the ordinary songs special, because of his ability to bring drama (natakiiyata) in his singing.

@3
SAUDAGAR, 1973.
Door hai kinara
Gehri hai nadi ki dhara…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBvYVf7hhdQ
Nice Majhi song

GHAR KI LAAJ, 1979
Choti Rani doobi rahe saaj singaar mein
Majli Rani khoye rahe Lachmi ke pyar mein…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxAUnH7T0rs

63 AK May 2, 2020 at 5:47 pm

Dr Shetty @53,
Thanks a lot for the information on Bengali Laal Patthor and introducing me to both Saans ke zakhm bhar raha hai koi by Manna Dey and Ruke ruke se qadam by Mubarak Begum. The first song is excellent.

64 N Venkataraman May 2, 2020 at 6:01 pm

Pradeepji @5
Can Ud jaa bhanwar Maya kamal ke aaj bandhan tod ke considered as a solo? I think so..Aajaa Aajaa bhanwar sooni dagar soona hai ghar aajaa.. portion of Lata can also be considered as a solo.
RANI ROOPMATI, 1957. S N Tripathi, Bharat Vyas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woNxEX0Ht00&feature=emb_title
They are back to back to solo songs.

65 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 2, 2020 at 6:21 pm

Lockdown 3.0.

Everyone’s sar ke kheti needs to be trimmed,and, what could be better than a ‘ chalta phirta hair cutting saloon’_ Malik… Mahesh, BA ( Fail)!

Muslim ko Tasleem arz hai
Hindu ko pranam
Main hoon ik Hajjam…

DO KALIYAN, 1968.

Sahir, Ravi.

Of course, Sahir has to insert these lines even in a comedy song…

Jo grahak ka sar ko munde businessman kahaye
Jo public ke kare hazmat leader uska naam hai….

How true!

66 Naghma May 2, 2020 at 6:45 pm

Now, he got Padma Bhushan and Dada Saheb Phalke award, which Rafi did not, hat does it prove???

67 Giri May 2, 2020 at 8:17 pm

A fitting tribute to the legend. Manna Dey was, in my opinion, the most versatile singer among all the HFM singers. Classical or comedy songs, for the hero or for the comedian or simply an atmospheric song — he has excelled in all.
Manasamainevaru has been one of my favorites for long. I am glad that AK has included that in his list.
I am posting a comedy song (for Mahmood) from Neelkamal. Sahir/Ravi.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XYm8tLfK83E

68 Giri May 2, 2020 at 8:28 pm

Mumbai kar ji @36
Salilda has used’ghadi ghadi’ tune in Chemmeen itself in another song.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9lswDCuLwh8
(Around 1.44 into the song)

69 AK May 2, 2020 at 8:41 pm

Naghm,
The only reason I can think is Rafi was snatched from us very early. Otherwise, I don’t think the authorities would have missed to honour him with Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Award

70 AK May 2, 2020 at 8:45 pm

Giriji,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation, and thanks for adding another song from Chemmeen. Salil Chowdhury must have been very fond of Ghadi ghadi mera dil dhadake, it fits so well here. I remember he has used this tune elsewhere too.

71 Naghma May 2, 2020 at 9:45 pm

AK,
but Prithviraj Kapoor (1971) and Vinod Khanna (2017) were the posthumous recipients.

72 AK May 2, 2020 at 10:06 pm

Naghma,
It is a serious omission. They should have remembered him soon after 1980.

73 N Venkataraman May 2, 2020 at 10:42 pm

Pradeepji @5
ASHIRWAD, 1968.
Jeevan se lambe hain Bandhu
Jeevan ke raste…
Gulzar, Vasant Desai.
AVISHKAR, 1974.
Hansne ki chaah ne
Kitna mujhe rulaya hai…
Kapil Kumar, Kanu Roy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbhwaNm09oY

Pradeepji @7
DOOR KA RAHI, 1968.
Ek din aur gaya
Haaye roke na ruka…
Shailendra, Kishor Kumar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWEiC1wFrtA

SHUKSARI, Bengali, 1969.
Ogo Chandrabodani Shundari dhoni..
Katha Mohini Chowdhury,Hemant Kumar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qV76BD9Ynk

@ 8
PRIVATE SECRETARY, 1962.
Jaa re beiman tujhe jaan liya..
Prem Dhawan, Dilip Dholakia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLUDZr82Spk

@ 9
AADHI RAAT KE BAAD, 1965.
O gori tori banki hai hai Ram
Chitvan mein ulaj ke jiya mora sau bal khaya…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izzF5FH1ckY

All nice songs.
Even an ordinary song becomes special when Manna Dey renders it.
It is immaterial for whom he sang.

74 N Venkataraman May 2, 2020 at 11:59 pm

Akji @ 60
“Ye aawra raatein and Ye kaun chala are two of his more well-known NFS. Plus the one added by Subodh, Nathali se toota moti re and the one in my post Naach re mayura practically cover his most famous NFS.”

I feel Manna Dey was at his best while rendering his NFSs.
True, Ye aawra raatein (1959), Ye kaun chala (1959), Nathali se toota moti re (1961) and Naach re mayura (1967/69) will rank among most famous NFSs. But I would like to add a few more.

The 1961 record had Nathali se toota moti re on one side and on the other side was ‘Taqdeer Meri Mere Samne Hain’ lyrics Madhukar Rajasthani, music Manna Dey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiwcyFgPeMs

I think , in 1969 Manna Dey and Madhukar Rajasthani produced four more gems.
Posting two songs
Meri Bhi Ek Mumtaz Thi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRWnYd_uEUE

Jane Kahan Khoi Bindiya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fjUFhLMPSg

I would post the other two later.

75 N Venkataraman May 3, 2020 at 12:50 am

Bhatiaji @ 33, 55 & 56,
Chale sipahi dhul udate kahan kidar koi kyaa jane is one of the lesser heard songs. Thanks for posting this song. The other songs, some very popular, made nice listening.

I would like to bring to your notice that Akji had made a request, before his selection of songs, only to post solos. Probably it might have escaped your attention. I guess he may be doing a post on Manna Deys’s duets in future.

Posting another fabulous song from Hamdard (1953)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz936ZuNGWs

76 Manoj May 3, 2020 at 4:00 am

Manna Dey’s song in Tamannaa (1942) was a duet by him and Suraiya.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFnyITFAUls
In one of his interviews with Vividh Bharti he remembered having sung a song in Vijay Bhatt’s Ramrajya ( 1943)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_NufxqZyxY
Manna Dey song an only GEET written by Mahatma Gandhi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4_DR6qav_s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBNchk-KyuU

77 mumbaikar8 May 3, 2020 at 7:43 am

Dr. Shetty@ 53
Saans ke zakhm bhar raha hai koi
Phir tujhe yaad kar raha hai koi…
Beautiful song.

Giriji, @ 68
I think it begins like ghadi ghadi but later on it is same “Manas maine veru” interludes.
Salil Chowdhary had fascination for that, he used the same, in interlude of this song of Poonam Ki Raat here.

https://youtu.be/TQZ9d9l-KtE?t=127

Venkataramanji @ 74
“I feel Manna Dey was at his best while rendering his NFSs.”
Absolutely agree with you, but then when was he not at his best?

Couple of non-filmy songs
Title song of Radio Ceylon’s program
Nazaron Mein Ho Tum Khayalon Mein Ho Tum Manna Dey
https://youtu.be/IdLdDDwCvfI

TUMHARI JAFAYEN HAMARI WAFAYEN- MANNA DEY NON FILM(1967)
https://youtu.be/zTBRz4CtVT0

Gulzar – Chand Hoga Zameen ki Baat Karo – Sung By Manna Dey Lyrics Gulzar.!!!!!!
https://youtu.be/Z_UAythLOKA

78 AK May 3, 2020 at 10:09 am

Venkataramanji @73,
Thanks for posting the links, otherwise I would not have heard the beautiful Bengali song ‘Ogo chandarabodani shundari’. ‘O gori tori baanki haye Ram’ is one of my top favourite comic-classical songs of Manna Dey. I have given its video link @23 with my comments.

@74,
Thanks for the comments and the NFS songs you have posted. I have to correct myself. ‘Taqdeer meri mere saamne hai’ I heard for the first time, but it is a beautiful song. Heard it again and again. I seemed so much similar to some familiar songs, but I couldn’t put my finger to it. ‘Jaane kahan khoi bindiya’ is a very good song.

@75,
‘Tera haath haath mein aa gaya’ is an outstanding song. You were my gateway to the songs from the film ‘Hamdard’.

79 AK May 3, 2020 at 10:11 am

Manoj @76,
Thanks a lot for the information and the songs you have added.

80 S Joseph May 3, 2020 at 1:56 pm

‘ Aye meri Zohra…’/WAQT/1965/Ravi/Manna Dey

https://youtu.be/Zm7vxgjrRAU

81 S Joseph May 3, 2020 at 1:58 pm

‘ Jane wale Sipahi…’/USNE KAHA THHA/1960/Salil/Manna Dey , chorus

https://youtu.be/Y_yRBdAtzok

82 S Joseph May 3, 2020 at 1:59 pm

‘ Pyar ki aag …’/ZIDDI/1964/SDB/Manna Dey

https://youtu.be/YpE-oCk08R0

83 ksbhatia May 3, 2020 at 2:13 pm

Ms.Mumbaikar 8 , @77;

……….Venkataramanji @ 74
“I feel Manna Dey was at his best while rendering his NFSs.”
Absolutely agree with you, but then when was he not at his best?…….

Perfect statement . Listen to his range and in depth modulation of Boot Polish, Shree 420 , Awara songs , he was really a kind of person who would enhance the melody to its highest status . Seema ,Chori Chori and Anari songs are still at peak listening pleasure. Favourite of SJ compositions….and he had acknowledged that too in one of his interview.

Manna dey was perfect whenever directed to sing sad or pathos songs …be it pure classic or semi ones. Here are some to prove his mantle ….

Guran Ik Deh Buj Hai…..Shabad….Nanak naam jahaz hai…S. Mohinder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-4p5-adJP4

HUM MAILE TUM UJAL KARTE || NANAK NAAM JAHAZ HAI || MANNA DEY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqXdb9PTjoM

to be contd…..

84 S Joseph May 3, 2020 at 2:26 pm

‘ Meri bhains ko…’/PAGHLA KAHIN KA/1970/SJ/Manna Dey & chorus

https://youtu.be/VyRpZjW65Yo

85 S Joseph May 3, 2020 at 2:38 pm

‘ Laaga chunri mein…’/DIL HI TO HAI/1963/ Roshan/Manna Dey

https://youtu.be/GRHp0BNWBfA

86 ksbhatia May 3, 2020 at 2:58 pm

N Venkataraman ji @75;

Wow , I missed SOLO constraint….but Manna dey still have many songs in his kitty .

ऊपर गगन विशाल..Mashal1950_Manna Dey_Kavi Pradeep_S D Burman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKWiVc_GLAk

Sur Naa Saje Kya Gaaoon Main – Manna Dey – Basant Bahar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI4OCBV78nM

Poocho Na Kaise Maine Rain Bitai (Sad)| Manna Dey | Meri Surat Teri Aankhen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vh8_1ruoRo

….to be contd.

87 N Venkataraman May 3, 2020 at 4:09 pm

Mumbaikarji @77,
True, he was always at his best. But his NFSs had delightful depth. Manna day was versatile singer too.

I think all the three songs were recorded in the 60s.
Nazaron Mein Ho Tum Khayalon Mein Ho Tum; lyrics Chandrasekhar Panda; music V Balsara I think this was also recorded in the 60s. Another immortal melody; I think, it was the title song of the program
Pasand apni apni khayal apna apna.

Tumhari Jafayen Hamari Wafayen-1967,lovely lyrics and composition. Beena Naaz, Murali Manohar Swaroop

Chand Hoga Zameen ki Baat Karo (1967) music Deepak Chatterjee

Thanks for the wonderful songs.

Posting one more
Hairan Hoon Aye Sanam
Shaukat Pardesi, Murali Manohar Swaroop (196&)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5wl8F0v9lA

88 N Venkataraman May 3, 2020 at 4:11 pm

AKji @78,
Ogo chandarabodani shundari was mentioned by Pradeepji. The song never crossed my mind. Nice song.
Yes, I noticed that you gave the link to the song ‘O gori tori baanki haye Ram’ later.
I too felt the melody of the song ‘Teri taqdeer mere saamnee hai’ familiar. I thought, perhaps, you may locate it. Let us see, if someday else can identify the tune.

Posting two more gems of Manna Dey, Madhukar Rajasthani,
Outstanding lyrics and rendition.
Pal bhar ki Pehchaan aapse (1969)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeGYi0-Oiyo

Tum ho Kavi Kavita Ho tumi…..Birahi Naina Jogi Bhaye (1969)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF8_H93G6MU

One can listen to these songs for the entire night.

89 AK May 3, 2020 at 4:28 pm

Mr S Joseph @80, 81, 82, 84, 85,
Laga chunari mein daag chhupaaun kaise is out of this world. Another great favourite is Pyar ki aag mein tan badan jal gaya.

90 AK May 3, 2020 at 4:37 pm

Venkataramanji @88,
I listened to the song carefully. I have to correct myself, the correct words seem to be Taqdeer meri mere saamane hai. I didn’t want to venture, but since you are also struggling with the same thoughts, my mind flitted across some of the great songs of Roshan-Rafi: Aaj ki raat badi shokh badi natkhat hai and Tum ek baar mohabbat ka imtehaan to lo. I also thought of an absolutely melodious Lata Mangeshkar song (by Hansraj Behl), Haaye jiya roye. My mind also went to Hemant Kumar composition for Lata Mangeshkar, Pyasi hirni ban ban dhaaye koi shikari aye re.

91 N Venkataraman May 3, 2020 at 5:45 pm

Bhatiaji @83,
“Listen to his range and in depth modulation of Boot Polish, Shree 420 , Awara songs , he was really a kind of person who would enhance the melody to its highest status . Seema ,Chori Chori and Anari songs are still at peak listening pleasure. Favourite of SJ compositions….and he had acknowledged that too in one of his interview.”

Aptly put. Manna Dey was a complete singer. His range of singing covers every genre, you name it: classical, romantic, comedy, ghazal, geet etc etc. And I am sure all the genres must have been covered by now by the enthusiastic friends of SoY.

Both the songs from NANAK NAAM JAHAZ HAI were good.
Love is divine, Divinity is love. A very thin line separates Puja & Prem.

Manna Dey must have rendered roughly 20 songs in Punjabi, both film songs and NFSs taken together.

Bhatiaji @86,
“Wow , I missed SOLO constraint….but Manna dey still have many songs in his kitty .”
Ample; No dearth of solos.
All the three songs are absolutely beautiful: Iconic songs.

92 N Venkataraman May 3, 2020 at 5:46 pm

Bhatiaji, AKji,

Posting a Shabad (NFS)
Beet Jai hai Beet Jai Hai, music S Mohinder
https://gaana.com/song/beet-jai-hai-1?autoplay=true

And NFS, lyrics Anjaan, music Shyam Sharma
Radhe Bairan Naheen Muraliyaa (1968)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMhw6J6TMWk

93 S Joseph May 3, 2020 at 5:58 pm

‘Tu pyar ka…’/SEEMA/1955/SJ/MannaDey

https://youtu.be/e2D-kjOMNF0

94 mumbaikar8 May 3, 2020 at 6:58 pm

Ksbhattiaji,@ 83
Venkataramanji @ 91 has said it all about your description of Mana Dey in two words “aptly put”

Venkataramanji @ 88
‘One can listen to these songs for the entire night.”
And start listening early in the morning too
Tum jano tumko
https://youtu.be/Jh1iW64svlM

AK you are welcome to listen too

95 mumbaikar8 May 3, 2020 at 7:08 pm

Couple more
O Rangrejwa
https://youtu.be/DNYsv4ihrXc

Ruk Ja Ke Subh Tak Na Ho Yeh Raat Akhri
https://youtu.be/ymyy78z3nys

96 mumbaikar8 May 3, 2020 at 7:23 pm

one more
Tum Mere Dil Meri Chahat Pe Bharosa Karolo
https://youtu.be/hM47yynX59A

97 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 3, 2020 at 8:45 pm

On World Laughter Day, let me write about the underrated BIWI AUR MAKAAN, 1966.

Watch the movie and the opening credits say
Laugh in English and several ( 9?) Indian languages and there is voice over, too..Hansiye, Hasa, Nagi, Hanso, Oye Hanso Yaarr…etc.

Hemant Kumar _ producer/ music director.
Hrishikesh Mukherjee_ Director.
Gulzar _ lyricist.
Rajinder Singh Bedi_ dialogue writer.

Biswajit, Kalpana, Ashish Kumar, Shabnam , Keshto Mukherjee and others with Mehmood.

We see Biswajit and Keshto Mukherjee as females ( in drag) _ choti and badi bahu, respectively_ for the major part of the movie.

About the difficulty for bachelors to find a house for rent, the movie had clean comedy, nice dialogues and beautiful songs…9 of them!
Playback singers ( as credited in the titles)
Lata Mangeshkar
Mohammad Rafi
Asha Bhosle
Manna Dey
Mukesh
Hemant Kumar
Usha Mangeshkar
Bula Gupta
Balbir Singh
Ghulam Mohammad
Joginder Singh
Jayanta Mukherjee

Yes, full dozen!
Kishor Kumar is conspicuous by his absence. But, my ears feel he is one of the voices heard in the titles. I could be totally wrong!

Two solos…
Manna Dey and Rafi.

Two female duets…
Lata, Asha.
Asha, Usha.

5 multiple singers’ songs in various combinations, Manna Dey being in all of them.

Biswajit, in Khul simsim khullam khulla , played with the titles rolling, sings in three voices… Manna Dey, mostly; Hemant Kumar , Bula Gupta , just a few words/ lines.

Keshto Mukherjee gets to sing in the voices of Mukesh and Hemant Kumar!

Three Mangeshkar sisters, Mukherjee father and son ( Hemant Kumar, Jayanta) in the same movie!

Manna Dey is the voice of Mehmood in all the songs except Khul simsim khullam khulla.

With this lengthy prologue, the song of the moment…

Rehne ko ghar do o o o,
Farsh pe chat ho
Ya chat pe ho farsh
Khidki wudki
Bijli wujli
Ghanti wunti
Kuch nahi chahiye pyare
Bus chota sa ek darwaza ho!

Gulzar before ‘ Do deewane shehar mein..’!

I hope I have made at least a few of the members eager to watch the movie and/ or listen to the songs.
You will not regret it. Clean fun.

98 Canasya May 3, 2020 at 9:26 pm

AKji:

The post fully deserves the superlatives that have been showered on it by one and all. The discovery for me has been ‘Taqdeer meri mere samne hain’ (Venkataramanji @ 74). I had never heard it before, but it still sounded familiar. I think the reason becomes clear if you listen to ‘Ami Chhinu eka’ (SDB)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-OqK9HzL9o

or, Tere bin soone (Rafi, Lata in ‘Meri surat, teri aankhen’; MD: SDB)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJnDIEKSPkk

99 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 3, 2020 at 9:33 pm

A Hemant Kumar solo
Saawan mein barkha satati hai…
is found on the net. But, I don’t think the song is there in the movie. Hence, I didn’t include it in the description above.

BIWI AUR MAKAN was remade in Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi ( yes, PAYING GUESTS, 2009), Punjabi , Bengali.

ASHI HI BANWA BANWI, the Marathi movie inspired by BIWI AUR MAKAN, directed by Sachin, is now considered a cult classic.

100 ksbhatia May 3, 2020 at 9:52 pm

Venkatraman ji ;

Listening to Manna Dey NFS is …Chipko Moment ….for me. Once I listen to one…… I have to listen to quite a numbers to satisfy my urge. My favorite are those which are composed by another of my favorite musician….V. Balsara….the man who knew too much. Yes ! he could play many instruments [ I think at least six to eight ] .

I rate Manna Dey’s…kahan aagaye hum , kahan ja rahe thhey….as his best NFS . Listening again and again and you feel its not a song but a beautiful painting . The song make me so relaxed…my both hands goes back to hold my neck and arms fully stretched….never wanting lyrics to fade away.

Here is one of his own composed NFS …..

Pal Bhar Ki Pehchan Aap Se Manna Dey Non Film Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OLUCnuTjUs

to be contd….wanted more of rare songs.!!!

101 AK May 3, 2020 at 10:01 pm

Canasya,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation. It is interesting that Taqdeer meri mere saamanehai has so mesmerised you too, and I too was thinking of the songs it reminded. I think you have hit the nail closer. So it has to be the underlying raga. Piloo? Venkataramanji now has many suggestions, and he can judge best.

102 S Joseph May 4, 2020 at 9:43 am

‘ Chalat musafir moh…’/TEESRI KASAM/1966/SJ/Manna Dey & Chorus

https://youtu.be/V5TtkSMzMek

103 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 4, 2020 at 10:13 am

BIWI AUR MAKAN once more!

How did I miss Talat Mehmood!
So, it is a Baker’s Dozen!

104 Rahul Bhagwanrao Muli May 4, 2020 at 10:52 am

Posting 2 more
1 Darpan juth na bole -Darpan – LP

https://youtu.be/UJnEnHxVw6w
I remeber distinctly it’s advertizing in my town. Two persons holding a big poster on either ends & another relentlessly playing ” Taasha”
( A sort of desi drum)
2 Saraswati Vandana – Kavi Kalidas – S N Tripathi
https://youtu.be/1t3bMfV93jc
I heard this for the first time

105 N Venkataraman May 4, 2020 at 4:56 pm

Canasyaji @ 98, Akji @ 90, & 101,
I think Canasyaji has hit the nail right on the head. Perfect 10.
Thank you Canasyaji.

Thank you Akji for your efforts. Since I heard the song, I was raking my brain.
Yes, it appears to me too as Piloo.

106 N Venkataraman May 4, 2020 at 4:58 pm

Mumbaikarji @ 94, 95, 96

Needless to say all the four songs made great listening. Ek se badhkar ek.
Thanks for posting them.

Sharing some information on the songs.
In 1974 Manna Dey recorded 4 NF songs for Shyam Sagar (MD)
Lyrics for two songs were penned by Anjaan and the other two by Yogesh.
“O Rangrejwa” and “ Kuch aese bhi pal hote hain” were penned by Yogesh.
The other two songs “Sawan ki Rhimjhim Mein” and “Kis Tat Bandhe Nao re Majhi” were penned by Anjaan.
“Sawan ki Rhimjhim Mein” was posted by Ashwinji.

Posting the other two songs
Kuch aese bhi pal hote hain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slN38lKJojU

Kis Tat Bandhe Nao re Majhi
https://wynk.in/music/song/home/sa_INH101303482?autoplay=true

Manna Dey recorded 4 NF songs, most probably in 1982 (or may be the reissued version). Out of these you have posted three.
“Tum Jano Tumko Ghair se Rasm-o Raah”, lyrics Mirza Ghalib, music Yunus Malik
“Ruk Ja Ke Subh Tak Na Ho Yeh Raat Akhri”, lyrics Irfan Warsi, music Yunus Malik
“Tum Mere Dil Meri Chahat Pe Bharosa Karolo”, lyrics Kafeel azar, music Murali Manohar Swarup

Posting the fourth song
“Shaam ho Jaam Ho”, lyrics Zameer Kazmi, music Yunus Malik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX1I_4fbbtM

107 N Venkataraman May 4, 2020 at 6:10 pm

Pradipji @97, 99,
BIWI AUR MAKAAN (1966)
Yes, I remember seeing this movie. A nice comedy movie.
Thank you for the details.
Here is the link to song mentioned by you.
Rehne Ko Ghar Do
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAMz2KfOd24

@53,
Sorry I missed your comment.
I have watched the Bengali Lal Pathor (1964, not the Hindi one. And I like the Bengali movie.
This was the period when Uttam Kumar had actually started experimenting with a wide variety of roles and characters which were not in line with his image of the romantic hero.

As you have mentioned, there were two Hindi songs in the Bengali version both penned by Gulzar. I think the entire song “Saans ke zakhm Bhar raha koyi” was not used in the film.
Music Salil Choudhury
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTXcbDcgIJk

One of these days I would like to watch the Hindi version.

108 N Venkataraman May 4, 2020 at 7:57 pm

Bhatiaji 100,
Pal bhar ki pehchan is one of my favorites. The song gives me a great feeling.
Bu, there many such beauties rendered by Manna Dey.
Thank you Bhatia ji.

109 Shachindra Prasad May 4, 2020 at 9:54 pm

Venkatramanji,
I would like to supplement you on the information you gave about 4 non film songs of Manna Dey composed by Shyam Sagar. It was a 33.5 rpm, 7″ Vinyle E P. The record was named Mayurpankhi Sapne. It came in 1974.
‘O Rangrejwa Rang De Aisee Chunaria’ is the song I love most.
Shyam Sagar’s actual name was Shyam Vishwakarma. He hailed from a suburb of Patna.

110 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 5, 2020 at 11:28 am

Except for one song, I have strictly followed the Blog Master’s instructions of posting Manna Dey solos, preferably with music directors other than SDB and SJ.

I get tempted to post chorus songs because Manna Dey has dozens of lovely bhajans/ devotional/inspirational/ philosophical songs!!

Manna Dey version of Zindagi khwaab hai…

JAGTE RAHO, 1955.

Shailendra, Salil Chowdhury.

A cover version? Or, was it meant to be picturised on RK?

https:// youtu.be/Pll1UwarijE

LAAWARIS, 1981.

ZANJEER, MUQADDAR KA SIKANDAR, LAAWARIS, SHARABI, NAMAK HALAL… massive hits, HERA PHERI…hit, JAADUGAR…dud.

Prakash Mehra and AB had a highly successful professional relationship, like AB with Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Yash Chopra and Manmohan Desai.

But, barring the evergreen Yaari hai imaan meri… ZANJEER, 1973, I think the only other time Manna Dey sang for a PM_AB movie was in 1981… LAAWARIS.

Jiska koi nahin uska toh khuda hai yaaro…
Anjaan, Kalyanji Anandji.

Picturised on the wandering Fakir, ? Khader Khan, the song is unknown to many people who definitely know the more popular Kishor Kumar version on AB.

https:// youtu.be/ adoBglVozwM

111 N Venkataraman May 5, 2020 at 11:42 am

Shachindra Prasad ji @ 109,
Thank you for the additional information.
‘O Rangrejwa Rang De Aisee Chunaria’ is an outstanding gem. Whether it is ‘Sansarik’ or ‘Divya’, there is no greater experience / feeling than love. A word of appreciation for lyricist Yogesh Gaur too.

Yes, I thought that Shyam Sagar must be from Bihar. I have heard some of his Bhojpuri songs.

112 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 5, 2020 at 1:04 pm

Think of Mehmood and we immediately remember Manna Dey, then Rafi and Kishore.

Think of Johnny Walker and only Rafi comes to the mind. There could be hardly half a dozen non Rafi songs on JW.

BAAZI, 1968.

Ek anaar Do beemaar
Kaisi uljhan mein hai pyar badi mushkil hai…

KA.

https:// youtu.be/ EeA1lMqsx9c.

Manna Dey on both Dhumal and Tarun Bose…a nice song.

Phir wohi dard hai phir wohi jigar
Phir wohi raat hai phir wohi hai darr…

APRADHI KAUN, 1957.
Majrooh Sultanpuri, Salil Chowdhury.

https:// youtu.be/ pgnzOpQdYz8

Manna Dey has sung several songs for I S Johar, most of them being duets.
Here is a solo.

Popat hoon main pyar ka
Ashik hoon sarkar ka…

RAAZ, 1967.
Noor Devasi, KA.

113 N Venkataraman May 5, 2020 at 1:56 pm

Pradeepji @ 110,

Manna Dey version of Zindagi khwaab hai…
JAGTE RAHO, 1955.
Shailendra, Salil Chowdhury.
A cover version? Or, was it meant to be picturised on RK?
*****************************************************
Manna Dey was to sing “Zindagi khwaab hai” but Salil Choudhury decided to let Mukesh sing it. It was picturised on Motilal. Salil Choudhry might have recorded it in the voice of Manna Dey first, before giving it to Mukesh. I am not sure whether any cover version of the song was recorded and released.

‘Jagte Raho” and its Bengali version ‘Ek Din Ratre’, were simultaneous productions and both released in 1956. It was one of those rare films where Bombay and Calcutta together created something unique.

Raj Kapoor was the producer and entrusted the direction of both the version to Shombhu Mitra and Amit Moitra, much respected names in Bengal’s radical theater circles. K A Abbas wrote the story and it was translated in Bengali by Shombhu Mitra, Amit Moitra and Salil Choudhury.

Both the versions were huge hits. Jagte Raho was an overseas blockbuster at the Soviet box office, drawing 33.6 million Soviet viewers in 1965. A shortened version of the film won the Crystal Globe Grand Prix at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in Czechoslovakia in 1957.

Posting the link to the Manna Dey’s version of “Zindagi khwaab hai”
Lyrics Shailendra, music Salil Choudhury
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PII1UwarijE

Manna Dey rendered the Bengali Version of the song ‘Ei duniaay bhaai sobey hoi’ picturised on Chhabi Biswas.
Lyrics and music Salil Choudhury
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6IjGSfLcEo

114 S Joseph May 5, 2020 at 4:51 pm

I thank Dr Shetty for pointing out that we should not post Manna Dey’s solos for SJ/SDB . I missed this .

The beautiful writeup and songs posted by AK ji and the so many interesting comments from the group is a timely tribute in memory of this great singer . I agree with the common feeling that this great singer had been underutilised .

There was a brief discussion on Rafi not receiving Dadasaheb Phalke award even posthumously . I doubt if there is any laid down criteria for granting this award or if there is any system of public nominations for this award. Any artiste makes his best contributions to cinema by the age of 40 or in rare cases by upto 50 and greatness in any person can be noticed by the time he is 40 .My view is that when an award is given out unprofessionally as is the case with most awards , controversies are sure to arise . It is most surprising why authorities waited upto when Manna Dey was over 90 before he was given this honour . To my knowledge the best contributions of Manna Dey was made before he was 50 as was the case with Rafi . Do not know if this award has been given to anyone below 60 .

115 AK May 5, 2020 at 9:55 pm

Vankataramanji,
Thanks a lot for the information about the Bengali version of the film Jagte Raho. Chhabi Biswas in a new roop was very interesting. Such a contrast from his role in Jalsaghar.

116 AK May 5, 2020 at 10:01 pm

Mr Joseph,
Dadasaheb Phalke Award has become a Lifetime Achievement Award. Therefore, a person gets it well past his or her prime. Rafi’s end came too early and too unexpected. Giving such awards many years after the person’s death makes no sense. That is true of Bharat Ratna too. The problem of these awards is, if you go down the list of the awardees many names would surprise you. Rafi is great regardless of lack of some prestigious awards.

117 mumbaikar8 May 6, 2020 at 8:26 am

Venkataramanji,
Let me first thank you (It Is impossible to give comment numbers, I can’t even keep a count) for all the information on so many topics. I am overwhelmed.
अल्लाह करें ज़ोर शबाब और ज़्यादा

@ 113
“Manna Dey was to sing “Zindagi khwaab hai” but Salil Choudhury decided to let Mukesh sing it. It was picturised on Motilal. Salil Choudhry might have recorded it in the voice of Manna Dey first, before giving it to Mukesh. I am not sure whether any cover version of the song was recorded and released. “

The Manna Dey song does not sound as it was recorded by Salil Chowdhary. Even a non-lover of Mukesh feel that Mukesh version is better and I feel that’s the absence of genius of SC.
Manna Dey version sounds “फींका”, I would not say saltless but less salted. Even the recording is substandard in comparison with the original. He is back in his forte in Bengali version.

Moving away from non-filmy songs
Qawwali from Reshma aur Shera , Cannot miss Sunjay Dutt as chhote qawwal.

https://youtu.be/vQf21JoQ7F0

Now contrasting one from the same movie
https://youtu.be/ozJNIDC6HK0

Next from Ek muththi aasman
https://youtu.be/PKwffJzyTtM

Anup and Mr. Muli have posted Marathi songs, in the absence of Jignesh, posting a Gujarati folk song.
https://youtu.be/G8QKW4WpcoI

118 Dr. Deepakbhai A. Desai. May 6, 2020 at 1:00 pm

Resp. AKJi,
Hope this finds in best of mood and health.
Yesterday, a friend sent me a link about your SoY. Initially, I was not sure, I wantedto see it. What a loss it could be, omitting to see this. Then, just, on a spur of moment, I opened it, and whoa, I , figuratively speaking, I tumbled on a treasure.and, what a treasure. I really enjoyed it, through and through.
When I saw many supportive posts, I, too, am tempted to add a few things I felt like contributing. Hope this is no infringement, and will be accepted, in it’s good faith
https://youtu.be/YfJ-V673nY8
This song is rendered by Manna Dey, in raag Durbari, with such an ease and eloquence, that is simply impressive and amazing. The same song can be viewed as a video of the movie clip, Mehmood acting out the song.
If you compare another song, purely classical, rendered with same ease n eloquence, one can really apprecite the singing mastery of Manna dada.
https://youtu.be/rmI4JVl3–g
This is a song from film, ziddi 1964, music by S.D. Burman.
Try to enjoy the ease of singing by the great singer. Looks easy, isn’t it? But damned difficult to even attempt, than reproduce.
If you can percieve the hilarious element in the lyrics of the song, try to sing it out., and one realises, how difficult it is.
Then watch both the clips, movie clip, and Manna dada singing live on radio. and the ease of doing it. This makes him a great, unparalleled singer, that he was.
NOW, for comparision, watch a movie clip of film Talash, music, again by Sachindev, purely classical, rendered in a serious classical manner. Shahu Modak on the screen, n Madhumati, on the floor, dancnig on the tunes. 5 sitarists, 2 tablavadak, 2 dholak players, all performing in unison n harmony.

A Song for comparision, I would present one from Film, Talaash, 1967, m.d., S.D.Burman.

https://youtu.be/c8toCvPWz00
I enjoy this song innumerable times, most, when, for any reason, I am depressed. This song, always brings me out, invigorated and fresh. This is the effect of a song based on a classical raga.

One more song, of Manna dey, I wish to put on the list, as an eternal one, is a non filmy song.
“Nazaro me ho tum hi tum, khayalo me ho tum,
Nazar me tum, jigar me tum, jahan me tum hi tum.
I know, and, am sure that Manna Dey followers have definitely heard and enjoyed it many times, by now. Today, do it once more, on my request.
Thanking you all.
Deepak Desai.

119 AK May 6, 2020 at 2:05 pm

Dr Desai,
Welcome to Songs of Yore, and thanks a lot to your friend who introduced this blog to you. With your effusive praise I am thankful that you browsed the blog. Thanks a lot also for your heartfelt comments. I am extremely fond of Manna Dey’s comic-classical songs. Some I have posted here, several I have posted under series on various music directors, especially SD Burman, Roshan and Shankar-Jaikishan.

I heard Nazaaron mein ho tum hi tum again, it sounded sweeter with your recommendation.

120 N Venkataraman May 6, 2020 at 5:42 pm

Mumbaikarji @ 117,
Thank you for your nice words.
Just for my understanding, a minor clarification.
Is it
Allaah kare jor shabaab aur jyaada
or
Allaah kare jor-e-shabaab aur jyaada
———————————————
You have point, when you say ‘Manna Dey version does not sound as it was recorded by Salil Chowdhary.’ Listening to Manna Dey’s version available on YT, it is clear that he rendered the song when he was young. Probably in the 50s; there are at least three links available in YT and all of them have given the year as 1955. I do not know their source of information. If a cover version was recorded in the voice of Manna Dey, it could not have been done without the permission of HMV and Salil Choudhury. But I could not locate any details of such record. I hope somebody can give us more information.

Mukesh’s original version of the song “Zindagi khwaab hai” is indeed good. It goes well with the situation. And by the way I love listening to songs of Mukesh too.
———————————-
Thanks for the songs posted. The traditional Gujarati NFsong (music Neelkanth) was good.

Posting a Hindi song from a Bengali film
Har Phul Has Raha Hai , Sandhya Deeper Siikha, lyrics Pandit Bhushan, music Pabitra Chaterjee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70Qfk7CtaPU

121 N Venkataraman May 6, 2020 at 6:00 pm

Pradeepji @ 110
Poting the links to the song suggested by you.
Jiska koi nahin uska toh khuda hai yaaro…
Anjaan, Kalyanji Anandji.
Picturised on the wandering Fakir, ? Khader Khan, the song is unknown to many people who definitely know the more popular Kishor Kumar version on AB.
Not exactly unknown. I have seen the film. Manna Deys’s version had gone off my mind. Thank you for the recollect.
.
I am posting both links audio and video. The link to the audio version is similar to the incomplete link provided by you. You can compare.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXPVyhxGVYg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adoBgIVozwM
https:// youtu.be/ adoBglVozwM
Pradeepji @112,
BAAZI, 1968.
Ek anaar Do beemaar
Kaisi uljhan mein hai pyar badi mushkil hai…
KA.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeA1lMqsx9c&feature=emb_err_watch_on_yt

Manna Dey on both Dhumal and Tarun Bose…a nice song.
Phir wohi dard hai phir wohi jigar
Phir wohi raat hai phir wohi hai darr…
APRADHI KAUN, 1957.
Majrooh Sultanpuri, Salil Chowdhury.
https:// youtu.be/ pgnzOpQdYz8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWsoCWKWy5g

122 N Venkataraman May 6, 2020 at 6:14 pm

Akji , Mumbaikarji,
Manna Dey rendered bulk of his songs in Hindi and Bengali. I made a rough compilation of his songs in other regional languages. And I have included Bhojpuri etc. in this list.

Manna Dey in other regional languages
Gujarati — Film Songs 75, NFSs – 39
Marathi – Film Songs 54, NFSs — 14
Bhojpuri – Film Songs 35, NFSs — 0
Punjabi — Film Songs 13, NFSs — 5
Oriya — Film Songs 7, NFSs — 0
Kannada – Film Songs 6, NFSs – 0
Assamese Film Songs 4, NFSs – 4
Malayalam- Film Songs – 2
Magadhi – Film Songs – 2
Maithili – Film Songs — 1
Chattisgarhi – Film Songs =1
Konkini – Film songs 1

Total Film songs 201 and NFSs 62 (+- 5%)

After his Hindi and Bengali songs, Manna Dey rendered the maximum number songs in Gujarati.

I had two Gujarati songs in mind. But Mumbaikarji has posted the first Gujarati song @117.

Posting two songs from the Gujarati film ‘Kunwar Bai Nu Mameru’ (1974) music Avinash Vyas

Varsho Re Varshani Dhar, lyrics Ramesh Mehta
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w8CbrQS0uI

Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye, Narsi Mehta/ Narsi Bhagat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9say3tuA6U

13 songs from other regional languages have been posted till now.
Marathi 4 (3 FS, 1 NFS),
Punjabi 3 (2 FS, 1 NFS),
Gujarati 3 (2S, 1 NFs)
Malayalam 2 (2 FS)
Kannada 1 (1FS)

123 Rahul Bhagwanrao Muli May 6, 2020 at 7:05 pm

Venkatraman ji
Kudos for your painstaking efforts to present a comprehensive compilation .
Number of Marathi songs rendered by Manna Dey come fourth in the list.
Here is one where he is in romantic mood, the song was a big hit then & it is composed by Prabhakar Jog , a highly respected Violinist .
Dhund aaj dole – Daam kari kam
https://youtu.be/KZe0th2yLiQ
Second one I will just make a mention of as it is a duet with Pramila Datar . It is composed by C Ramchandra
Number 54 , house of bamboo door- Gharkool.

124 N Venkataraman May 6, 2020 at 8:36 pm

Rahulji@123,
Dhund aaj dole- entirely different genre. Nice posting.
The duet, a nice version, reminds me of the western number
“Number 54, The House of Bamboo Doors” by Andey Williams.
Thanks once again.

125 N Venkataraman May 6, 2020 at 9:22 pm

AKji,
Regarding Probodh Chandra Dey becoming Manna Dey.
You are right in saying that,
“as he became a constant companion and also music student of his uncle, the legendary KC Dey, who lost his eyesight at an early age, his dak name became his bhaalo name, as everyone heard him being called by this name.”

Even Manna was a distorted version of his nickname (Dak naam). His mother used to affectionately call him “Mana”, meaning ‘Dear’. And he was called by that name by close relatives and friends. As you have said, in Bombay everybody use to address him as Manna (Mana got distorted), hearing K C Dey call him by that name (Mana).

You will be surprised to know that Manna Dey was not happy with his “Bhalo naam”, “Probodh” which means “consolation”. He despised the name Probodh. To him Manna Dey sounded much better than Probodh Chandra Dey. Since then he started using the name Manna Dey.

A 1953 song
Aas Ne Kitne Diye Jalaye, Mehmaan, lyrics P N Rangeen, music Anil Biswas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p206SIaNndg&feature=emb_title

126 AK May 6, 2020 at 10:01 pm

Venkataramanji @122,
This is very impressive statistics. I am sure you have data for Manna Dey’s Hindi NFS and Bengali film songs plus NFS. My impression is all types included, his total songs should not exceed 2200. You may like to check and confirm.

@125,
Thanks a lot for the confirmation. Aas ne kitne diye jalaye: It appears as if Manna Dey was trying to emulate Pankaj Mullick style. I suspect, with his pears Rafi, Mukesh, Talat Mahmood dividing the pie for ‘hero’ songs among themselves, Manna Dey was at a loss how to find his niche. Until SJ gave him hero songs, and later he making a mark in qawwalis, and comic-classical songs which was exclusively his domain. Of course, along the way he got to sing many superlative songs of various types as I have included in this and some earlier posts.

127 mumbaikar8 May 7, 2020 at 5:06 am

Venkataramanji, @ 120
Thanks for asking for clarification, these conversion sites are unreliable and my proof reading is atrocious.
Yes the “E’ ki matra is missing.
In fact, it should be
Allah kare zor- e- shabab aur zyaada.

“Mukesh’s original version of the song “Zindagi khwaab hai” is indeed good. It goes well with the situation. And by the way I love listening to songs of Mukesh too.”

I find Mukesh’s version very good, I like Mukesh’s songs too, but he is not the singer whose songs I can listen on loop for hours.
I love his songs with Salilda.
(Once again) Thanks for the stats and songs. Uff I am tired.

AK,
I am experiencing the same issue as Mahesh, all the comments are landing in spam.
One observation the new entrant comment land in inbox all old ones in junk!
I had observed it last week but thought it was my dimag ka khalal. (I had deleted it soon after reading)
But this time I did not delete it to prove myself

Mukesh’s original version of the song “Zindagi khwaab hai” is indeed good. It goes well with the situation. And by the way I love listening to songs of Mukesh too.

128 mumbaikar8 May 7, 2020 at 5:11 am

Ignore last paragraph its a goof-up

129 Manoj May 7, 2020 at 7:03 am

On Buddha Purnima 2020 day posting Manna Dey +Chorus song
Vijay Bhatt’s ANGULIMAAL
MD : Anil Biswas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC3IxUVscVo

130 Rahul Bhagwanrao Muli May 7, 2020 at 8:41 am

Venkatraman ji @ 125
RD referring Manna dey affectionately as “mana da’
I do not understand bengali but the manner of communication clearly shows RD’s respect for ‘Mana da’ reciprocated by
Manna dey”s affection for RD

https://youtu.be/88jf36wZIUM

131 Jawahar May 7, 2020 at 9:52 am

S. Joseph @81
Jaanewale Sipahi Se Poochho is a wonderful song. Love that song. It literally gives you goose-bumps. The pathos, the emotions, the pain….
Lyrics were by Maqdoom Moiuddin I think.

Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty @97
BIWI AUR MAKAAN was a beautiful film. I watched only recently and enjoyed it. Hrishida gave us very clean family comedies. The plight of the youngsters in those days to find a roof was very well reflected in the movie.

132 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 7, 2020 at 10:15 am

Manoj ji,
Arre! At 6 am today, I had posted Buddham Sharanam Gachhami, and, now, I see it has not uploaded!!

Anyway, I am glad you have remembered the beautiful song.

I had written…

Mentioning Buddham Sharanam Gachhami on the occasion of Buddha Poornima, the day of the birth, enlightenment and Nirvana of Gautam Buddha.

The 5 part chorus song has Manna Dey in all the parts. 1 ( 2?) part has Meena Kapoor.

ANGULIMAL, 1960.

Bharat Vyas, Anil Biswas.

133 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 7, 2020 at 11:05 am

N Venkatraman ji,

All through Tuesday, I listened to Manna Da’s Gujrati songs. And, when I came across Vaishnav Jana to… I suddenly took off at a tangent and thought of writing a long piece.
Whole of yesterday was pretty busy.
I am going forward now.

Bapu ji’s favourite bhajan Vaishnav Jana to tene kahiye je peed parayi jaane re written by Narsinh Mehta ( Narsi Mehta/ Narsi Bhagat), the 15 th century Gujarati poet saint, known as Adi Kavi of Gujarat.

The first Gujarati talkie movie was based on the life and times of Narsinh Mehta.
NARSINH MEHTA, 1932, directed by Nanubhai Vakil had Master Manhar in the title role. I am sure the movie has Vaishnav Jana to… in it.

The Gujarati, Hindi bilingual by Vijay Bhatt, 1940, had Vishnupant Pagnis in the title role. Music _ Shankar Rao Vyas.
Vaishnav Jana to by Pagnis is good. But, I am always blown away when I listen to the Amirbai Karnataki version. Easy on the ears, smooth flowing, soothing.

https:// youtu.be/ Kg5Y99HcZ8Q

https:// youtu.be/ FkwsZp560bg

I am surprised dear N Venkatraman ji has missed Manna Da’s NARSI BHAGAT , 1957 , rendering of Vaishnav Jana to for Ravi! Not usual for him. He is known for his thorough research and beautiful presentation.

https:// youtu.be/uYV0dZuY_Vc

BHAGAT NARSHI MEHTA, Gujarati, with Sudhir Dalvi in the title role and music by Avinash Vyas has Vaishnav Jana to by Avinash Vyas himself ( or Karsan Sangadiya?). Nice folk flavour.

https:// youtu.be/ ZkibptNXMUI

About non filmi versions, I will write later.

134 R Vasudevan May 7, 2020 at 11:46 am

In a recorded interview of Manna De broadcast recently which I heard, Manna told that for the film Basanth Bahar the producer wanted Rafi to sing the competition song ‘ ketaki Gulab juhi” but Shankar of SJ insisted Manna to sing. The song was a hit as Manna sang with Bheemsen Johi.

Just sharing the information, nothing more nothing less.

135 N Venkataraman May 7, 2020 at 1:16 pm

Akji @ 126,

Even if I take a conservative figure the total songs adds upto roughly 2750-2775.

Hindi Film Songs 1350
Hindi NFSs 90
Hindi Rabindra 10
Sangeet
Total 1450

The above figures are exclusive of his albums like Madhushala, Ramayan…
There may be a few more albums.

Bengali Film Songs 650
Bengali NFSs 400
Total 1050

Again the figures are exclusive of his albums- Sri Radha Manbhanjan, Shyama Sangeet (Ramkrishnayan), and a few musical plays like Hingshute Daito, Alibaba, Rami Chandidas, Chotoder Ramayan….

To this add songs in other languages – roughly 263

136 ksbhatia May 7, 2020 at 1:21 pm

Venkatraman ji, Mumbaikar 8 , AK ji ;

The postings are really on a fast track !! Going thru so many historical inputs makes me a good learner sitting on SoY bench.

Manna dey really gave his best when Lyrics were extremely good….and his specialities in pathos and modulations in NFS and Ghazals were soul stirring . One thing is for sure…when others were singing for action and fantasy films ….he was concentrating on his domain of social drama , bhajan and mythological movies. As I states earlier his kitty needs to be looked for more charms and gems…..and few of such songs are…..

137 S Joseph May 7, 2020 at 2:23 pm

Wikipedia puts the total number of songs recorded by him upto 2013 at over 4000 .

138 ksbhatia May 7, 2020 at 2:27 pm

……..”My computer is again playing jumping jack with me ….moves at his own speed and will….hope the songs reaches their destination.
I think Manna Dey is one singer who practically avoided singing for Stunt and Crime thrillers . Being a soft spoken man he was much satisfied with his singing in small concert in the company of those who understood Bengali and Hindi classic songs. But exceptions are there ….he sang in old crime thriller….Mr. X…..but that too a bhajan number. Members may look for such songs too…an interesting sub subject.
CHHUP CHHUP KAR KYA KARTA BANDE- MANNA DEY- FILM- MR X(1957)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaNyFEgp40g&t=7s

yeh_kya_kar_diya_more_ram_devar_bhabhi.mp3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvkYrb50yF0

139 S Joseph May 7, 2020 at 2:36 pm

Am trying to give the link to a hindustantimes newspaper report below .Hope you are able to open and read this.

whatsapp://send?text=Manna%20Dey’s%20last%20wish%20was%20to%20record%20a%20love%20song%20for%20wife – https://m.hindustantimes.com/music/manna-dey-s-last-wish-was-to-record-a-love-song-for-wife/story-0RHdKjZGELY7CjCsZOfo3O.html

140 ksbhatia May 7, 2020 at 2:41 pm

Some more songs of Manna Da…..

SURANG, SONGS, MANNA DEY, MUSIC, SHIVRAM KRISHNA, LYRICS, SHEWAN,1955

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hnKsYSdO4c&t=19s

WOH AANKHEN KYA AANKHEN- MANNA DEY- FILM- MAA(1952) MD- S PAL LYRICS- BHARAT VYAS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3Gg9fX3LWw

KYA HAWAA CHALI BABA RUT BADLI-MANNA DEY-SHAILENDRA-SALIL-(PARAKH 1960)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=384jiIN6oj8

….to be contd.

141 ksbhatia May 7, 2020 at 2:50 pm

In ontinuation………

Kaaton Ke Saaye Mein (Full Song) – Manna Dey Classic Song – Shammi Kapoor – Vallah Kya Baat Hai

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH5x9wFF1FE

Allah Jane Main Hoon Kaun – Manna Dey Superhit Classic Hindi Song – Pati Patni

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5rqVsE5iHY

Post Box 999(1958)-Joagi Aaya Leke Sandesha Bhagwaan Ka (Manna Dey)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHSwj_w-l6E

….to be contd.

142 ksbhatia May 7, 2020 at 3:05 pm

In Continuation , here is a special song from a special singer . A hindi song in a Bengali Movie. I think there are some more but I will leave it to my friend to post some with his commentary.

Dil muskura ra he a hindi song by Manna Dey in Sandhya Deeper Shikha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5juBSSlyyA&t=8s

….to be contd.

143 N Venkataraman May 7, 2020 at 5:37 pm

Akji @126,
“Aas ne kitne diye jalaye: It appears as if Manna Dey was trying to emulate Pankaj Mullick style. I suspect, with his pears Rafi, Mukesh, Talat Mahmood dividing the pie for ‘hero’ songs among themselves, Manna Dey was at a loss how to find his niche. Until SJ gave him hero songs, and later he making a mark in qawwalis, and comic-classical songs which was exclusively his domain. Of course, along the way he got to sing many superlative songs of various types as I have included in this and some earlier posts.”

Very true; Although, Manna Dey landed up in Bombay in 1942 and got an opportunity to sing the same year( a duet with Suraiya), he did not have any hits as such to showcase till 1950. Many of the songs he rendered during this period were for MDs to whom he was assistant – his uncle Krishna Chandra Dey, Hariprasanna Das, Khemchand Prakash, S D Burman. He also assisted Shyamsundar and later C Ramchandra.

Posting a song he rendered under the baton of Hariprasanna Das for the film Kadambari (1944). It has typical New Theatre flavour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNu2wxFRGc8&feature=emb_err_watch_on_yt

Besides, his major MDs during this period were Shankar Rao Vyas and Gyan Dutt. Manoji has posted some of his songs, from 1942 & 1943 films, sung for K C Dey and Shankar Rao Vyas.

Geet Govind (1947) was Manna Dey’s second film with Gyan Dutt. This film was a major boost for Manna Dey. He had four solos and 5 duets.
Posting an iconic song:; Manna Dey in his familiar territory.
Jhan Jhan Payaliya Baje, Geet Govind (1947), lyrics Pt.Indira, music Gyan Dutt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXo3CVq6UsY&feature=emb_title

1950, S D Burman gave him the booster dose “Upar Gagan Vishal”, posted by Bhatiaji @86.
1951, Manna Dey sings for Shankar-Jaikishan “Tere bina aag yeh chandni”.
Then he sang his first song in a Bengali Film, the Bengali version of Amar Bhopli (1952).
Things were happening.
And come 1953, lady luck atlast was smiling on him.
Shankar-Jaikishan gave him three songs in “Boot Polish”
But the real break came from Anil Biswas, he gave him four solos, all gems and a Ragmala duet with Lata Mangeshkar
Salil Chudhury composed two wonderful songs for him in Do Bigha Zamin
And who can forget the two songs from Parineeta
And he sang three songs for S D Burman
And Pankaj Mullick and Rai Chand Boral gave him one each.
And Bhatiaji has posted songs from Surang, released in 1953
And that was the year he got married to Sulochana Kumaran.

Tommorrow is 169th Birth anniversary of Rabindranath Thakur.
As a tribute to Rabindranath Thakur, Anil Biswas and Manna Dey, posting a song from Humdard, The tune of the song is based on a Rabindra Sangeet, “Mamo Chitte Nite Nritye”

” Mere Man Ki Dhadkan Me Koi Nache”, Lyrics Prem Dhawan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plGQiO1jucs&feature=emb_title

144 N Venkataraman May 7, 2020 at 6:09 pm

Mumbaikarji @ 127, 128,
Thanks for the response/ clarification.

In an earlier article of Akji, I wrote that I have to find some new phrases or words to express my appreciation. I think Shashi Tharoor can be help here.

Your goof-up has given me a thought. It seems all our comments are quarantined and tested for virus. Akji has to find a vaccine soon.

145 N Venkataraman May 7, 2020 at 8:33 pm

Rahulji @130,
Thank you for the link.
The association of the Deys with Burmans goes back to Nabadwip Chandra’s days. Nabadwip Chandra was Sachin Dev Burman’s father. Manna Dey’s uncle, Krishna Chandra Dey was a regular invitee to the soirees organized by the Burmans at Tripura. Later when Sachin Dev Burman came to Calcutta, he was a regular visitor to Krishna Chandra Dey’s place. He was under K C Dey’s tutelage for some time. In Bombay, Manna Dey assisted S D Burman for some time. S D Burman knew Manna Dey from Calcutta Days and he used to call him ‘Mana’. Likewise Manna Dey knew R D Burman (Pancham) from his childhood. SO it was a four generation association.

146 N Venkataraman May 7, 2020 at 9:36 pm

Pradeepji @133,
Sorry to have disappointed you by not living up to you expectation. But But I have made amends by posting his rendition of the original version of the Bhajan from a 1974 Gujarati film @ 122.
Providing the link to the divine Bhajan mentioned by you. A nice version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYV0dZuY_Vc
Thank you Pradeepji forproviding the opportunity for complete atonement. .
Thanks also for the write-up on different versions of the song and the films on Narsi Mehta.

147 N Venkataraman May 7, 2020 at 9:38 pm

Josephji @ 137,
The Wikipedia figure seems far-fetched. Even if I give an allowance of 5% (which itself seems too high) for few inadvertent omissions, then also the figure will not touch 3000.
@139,
Thank you for the link to the Hindustan times newspaper report on Manna Dey’s last wish to record a love song for wife.

148 N Venkataraman May 8, 2020 at 8:41 pm

Bhatiaji @136, 138
Your computer playing hooky again: Needs disciplining: Will have to device some way to keep the rails running.

Many of his songs were surrogate or atmospheric songs, with philosophical messages.

@ 140,
Thanks for the songs from Surang and Maa. This was the period between his first hit in 1950 and 1953 when he finally arrived. Parakh (1960) was good movie, it won three film fare awards, including best direction (Bimal Roy ) and best supporting actor (Motilal). Nice song from Parakh. I think Jawaharji had posted this song earlier.

That reminds me of a song on children rendered by Manna Dey from the film Jawahar (1960)
Lyrics Prem Dhawan, music Salil Choudhury
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3B73iLtcFM

@141, 142
At last a song composed by R D Burman is posted. Thanks for posting the songs from Pati Patni and Post Box 999.
Songs from Vallah Kya Baat Hai and Sandhya Deeper Shikha have been posted earlier.

Before Mera Naam Joker, did Raj Kapoor attempt to make a film on the same /story theme?
A link to a song sung by Manna Dey from a shelved film, Behurupia (1960s), we can see Raj Kapoor in a joker’s role.
Hans kar Hansaa kal hoga kya bhool jaa, lyrics Shailendra, music Shankar Jaikishan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpsKP0VYUvo
This song was later used in a 1983 film “Film Hi Film”

149 Jawahar May 9, 2020 at 11:42 am

N. Venkataraman @135
I consulted “memories Come Alive: An Autobiography” by Manna Dey. The number of songs is as follows:

Bengali Film Songs: 590
Unreleased Bengali Film Songs: 72
Bengali NFS: 333
Rabindra Sangeet: 46

HFS: 1365
Hindi NFS: 117
Hindi Rabindra Sangeet: 14

Bhojpuri FS: 35
Magadhi FS: 2
Punjabi FS: 13 NFS: 4
Maithilee FS: 1
Assamese FS: 2 NFS: 4
Oriya FS: 7
Gujarati FS: 79 NFS: 39
Konkani FS: 1
Marathi FS: 55 NFS: 14
Kannada FS: 2
Malayalam FS: 2
Chhattisgarhi FS: 1

Excluded are some other forms of Sangeet like Dwijendra Geeti, Nazrul Geeti etc. which again add up to: 105

150 N Venkataraman May 9, 2020 at 1:11 pm

Jawaharji @ 149,
Thanks for the efforts.
That is line with my figures. No major differences.
I have said I have taken a conservative figure.

My Bengali film songs are inclusive of unreleased films.
And the NFSs is inclusive of Rabindra Sangeet, Dwijendra Geeti, Nazrul Geeti etc, but does not include some of the albums which I have mentioned. I find no major differences here.

In Hindi songs the only major difference is in the NFS category. I think that is due to the non inclusion of songs from Madhushala in my list.

And there is no major difference in the other language songs too.
All together the total number of songs will be roughly around 2800 only.
Thanks once again.

151 N Venkataraman May 9, 2020 at 1:19 pm

Manna Dey, besides assisting K C Dey, Hariprasaana Das, and others scored music jointly with Hariprasanna Das (3) and Khemchand Praksh (2), in 5 Hindi films.

Sati Toral (1947), with Hari Prasanna Das
Veerangana (1947) with Hari Prasanna Das
Hum Bhi Insaan Hai (1948) with Hari Prasanna Das
Jaan Pehchan (1950) with Khem Chand Prakash
Shree Ganesh Janma (1951) with Khem Chand Prakash

And independently composed for at least 9 Hindi films
Tamasha (1952)
Chamkee (1952)
Naina (1953)
Shuk Rambha (1953)
Maha Pooja (1954)
ShivKanya (1954)
Jai Mahadev (1955)
Gouri Puja (1956)
Naag Champa (1958)
Sonal (1974)

The total number of songs, Manna Dey rendered in these Hindi films, would be roughly 15-20.
In my previous list I have missed out 5-10 songs of Manna Dey from 6 films.
Hindi NFSs composed and rendered by Manna Dey 20-25 (all included in the previous list)

Manna Dey scored music for 7 Bengali Films.
Ram Dhakka (1966)
Sesh Prishtay Dekhun (1971)
Babu Moshai (1977)
Preyoshi (1982)
ProgotiHashik (1984)
Lolita (1988)
Swapna Jodi Satti Hoy – unreleased
And he rendered 14 songs in these films.

Bengali NFSs composed and rendered by Manna Dey roughly 80-85

All the Bengali songs are included in the previous list

152 AK May 9, 2020 at 10:16 pm

Venkataramanji,
Thanks a lot for giving the detailed break-up of Manna Dey’s songs. I have incorporated your information in the post that his total number of songs are about 2800.

153 Dr Pradeep Kumar Shetty May 10, 2020 at 5:25 am

N Venkatraman ji,
I should have replied to your query long back.
Yes, Manna Dey’s total Kannada score is 6 from 4 movies.

KALAVATI, 1964.
1 solo… Kuhoo kuhoo…
G K Venkatesh , Laxman Berlekar.
On Uday Kumar, the hero.

KRANTIVEERA SANGOLLI RAYANNA, 1966.
1 chorus song…Naari neenu baare bega.
Lakshman Berlekar.

MARGADARSHI, 1969.
2 solos…
Kannillaveno nija kaanadeno..on hero Rajkumar.
Hidi manninee kaaya…on a wandering sanyasi ( Manna Da’s forte!!)
M Ranga Rao.

KALPAVRIKSHA, 1970.
2…1 solo and a multiple singers version of the same song..
Jayate Jayate Jayate Satyamev Jayate..
( Krishna Kalle, Amber Kumar).
Jaidev.

https:// youtu.be/MeMzUMao4_8.

Interestingly, the same year, Jaidev recorded ,in Lata’s voice,a song beginning with the same lines set to the original Kannada tune. Lyrics…
Udhav Kumar.
I am not sure whether it was a NFS or was for a shelved movie.

https:// youtu.be/C5Mw3Y8ybZk

154 arvindersharma May 10, 2020 at 3:27 pm

AK Ji and dear friends
It’s certainly a much awaited great post, celebrating the great classical singer Manna De, and many thanks for the same.
Venkataraman Ji, as usual has provided us with valuable information and shared some of the rare insights about the great singer, along with the never say die contributor Bhatia Ji, with mumbaikar8 too chipping in some rare ones.
Along with my dear old timers, I would also love to contribute a few, hopefully not repeating

My first two picks, surprisingly, haven’t been posted, and it’s one of the all time great songs of Manna De

Nirbal se ladayi balwan ki
Ye kahani hai Diye ki aur Toofan ki from Diya Aur Toofan composed by Vasant Desai

https://youtu.be/nBwV8obwIAc

Insaan ka insaan se ho bhaichara
Yehi Paigham hamara from Paigham composed by C Ramchandra

https://youtu.be/jXjDkkWJIyA

Now some lesser heard, but very melodious

Dishaao saavdhan
Hawaao saavdhan from Veer Bhimsen composed by C Ramchandra

https://youtu.be/JmIu7WlpNZM

Sunaate aaj tum ko hum yahan
Bharat ki gaatha
Hazaaron varsh pehle dekh lo
Ye desh kya tha

https://youtu.be/qbqOv2Ie35o

Bhagat ke bas me hai Bhagwan from Shabab composed by Naushad
This is other solo composed by Naushad for Manna De, information for Anup Ji of Mehfil Me Meri

https://youtu.be/ern9oH0BNfk

Phir milenge yaar Dasvidaniya from Pardesi composed by Anil Biswas

https://youtu.be/cR10qJp2nEM

Tujh me Ram mujh me Ram
Sab me Ram samaya, again from Pardesi composed by Anil Biswas

https://youtu.be/DERDHSSF-98

Udhar chali ja Janki from Devta composed by C Ramchandra

https://youtu.be/suEiegOhGJA

This is the solo version by Manna De, of the more famous triad, Darshan do Ghanshyam Nath, with a different opening
Aaj faisla tere dwar par

https://youtu.be/AosDTMRZ26M

Have a few more songs for posting
Will finish the job today only

155 arvindersharma May 10, 2020 at 4:23 pm

AK Ji
As my previous comment is awaiting moderation, I’m posting a few more

First, a private version of the song
Sur na saje from Basant Bahar composed by Shankar Jaikishan
A long awaited stanza, which I heard in my childhood is there in the song
तट से लगी नदिया गाऐ
पी तुम कहां पपीहा गाए
सुर न बजे क्या गांऊ मैं

https://youtu.be/uIDsQco7Q5Y

Two more from Choti Choti Baatein composed by Anil Biswas
Andhi duniya
https://youtu.be/qj806DWSoX0

Kya laaye the parts of the same song

https://youtu.be/B8bTy2VKGgY

Aan milo more Ram from Ramlila composed by SN Tripathi

https://youtu.be/mzoq5gw5KgM

Naach mere mor from Tere Dwar Khada Bhagwan SN Tripathi

https://youtu.be/QnX0PI7dZiY

Muskura ladle muskura from Zindagi composed by Shankar Jaikishan

https://youtu.be/vGQN0xwx9V0

Bahi hai jawaan khoon ki aaj dhara from Bhool Na Jana composed by Daan Singh

https://youtu.be/J_UE-z91SUQ

Muskura laadle muskura from Zindagi composed by Shankar Jaikishan

https://youtu.be/h7Bwws-mn5g

Hopefully you will like the songs, though I’m much late in posting

156 AK May 10, 2020 at 9:22 pm

Arvinder Sharmaji,
You have made up by your avalanche. Some songs I heard for the first time. Some are very well-known. It is indeed surprising that people missed some of these super-popular songs.

I am thankful for refreshing the memory of Naach mere more zara naach zara naach, it is a beautiful song.

Did you notice a special thing about Naushad-Manna Dey solo Bhagat ke bas mein hain Bhagwan? It starts with a slow recital:
संगीत है शक्ति ईश्वर की हर सुर में बसे हैं राम
रागी जो सुनावे राग मधुर रोगी को मिले आराम

This is identical to the recital prelude in Hemant Kumar’s Chandan ka palna rehsm ki dori. Now we know the answer to Subodh’s poser @38. If you compare the two something was missing in Manna Dey. I hope I am not offending you.

157 arvindersharma May 11, 2020 at 6:06 pm

AK Ji,
It’s a great pleasure that you liked the songs I posted, though I was late in posting.
And what a wonderful revelation about the two songs, though having heard both of them innumerable times, I failed to observe the similarity.
Hats off to your keen observation.
Warm regards Dear Sir

158 AK May 11, 2020 at 8:55 pm

Arvinder Sharmaji,
Manna Dey’s song I knew, but heard the recital for the first time. There was no way I could miss the similarity, Hemant Kumar’s is so etched in mind. But you have refrained from comparing the two 🙂 .

159 Dr. Manoj Shukla April 26, 2021 at 5:00 pm

Sir, how can I get about your two articles about Manna Dey sir you wrote two exclusive posts on his combinations with SD Burman and Shankar-Jaikishan? Please reply sir…

160 AK April 26, 2021 at 6:54 pm

Dr Manoj Shukla,
Many ways. On the right side if you click under Singers, Manna Dey, you should get all the articles on him. Or, click under Music Directors, SD Burman and Shankar-Jaikishan, get articles on them under various themes, combinations, or Click the Index at the top, and trawl through all the about 350 articles listed there.

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