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Manna Dey, the legendary Indian playback singer, is celebrated for his memorable hits like ‘Yeh Dosti‘, ‘Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli’ and ‘Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi’. Despite his impressive repertoire, he initially turned down the opportunity to sing the iconic song ‘Ek Chatur Naar‘ from the film ‘Padosan‘. This song, now a favourite among music lovers globally, was eventually recorded by Dey, but his initial hesitation is a lesser-known fact.
The 1968 film ‘Padosan’, featuring Sunil Dutt, Saira Banu, Kishore Kumar, and Om Prakash, is a Bollywood classic known for its stellar performances and memorable soundtrack.Buzz is that Manna initially turned it down because he was put off by the humorous lyrics and felt that they didn’t align with his serious approach to music.
Although some adjustments were made to the lyrics, Dey remained uneasy about the parts sung by Kishore Kumar. Despite this, the song became a timeless hit, showcasing the enduring appeal of both legends.
Manna Dey, originally named Prabodh Chandra Dey, was born in 1919 in Kolkata. Although his father wanted him to become a lawyer, he loved music. With the encouragement from his uncle Krishnachandra Dey and Ustad Dabir Khan, he pursued a successful career in singing.
He then moved to Mumbai and started working with music directors between 1939 and 1942. His big break came with the 1942 film ‘Tamanna’, where he sang ‘Jaago Aayi Usha’ with Suraiya. His first solo song was for the 1943 film ‘Ram Rajya’. Dey was a fan of Rajesh Khanna, believing he performed best with his songs.
Dey passed away at the age of 94 on October 24, 2013.
The 1968 film ‘Padosan’, featuring Sunil Dutt, Saira Banu, Kishore Kumar, and Om Prakash, is a Bollywood classic known for its stellar performances and memorable soundtrack.Buzz is that Manna initially turned it down because he was put off by the humorous lyrics and felt that they didn’t align with his serious approach to music.
Although some adjustments were made to the lyrics, Dey remained uneasy about the parts sung by Kishore Kumar. Despite this, the song became a timeless hit, showcasing the enduring appeal of both legends.
Manna Dey, originally named Prabodh Chandra Dey, was born in 1919 in Kolkata. Although his father wanted him to become a lawyer, he loved music. With the encouragement from his uncle Krishnachandra Dey and Ustad Dabir Khan, he pursued a successful career in singing.
He then moved to Mumbai and started working with music directors between 1939 and 1942. His big break came with the 1942 film ‘Tamanna’, where he sang ‘Jaago Aayi Usha’ with Suraiya. His first solo song was for the 1943 film ‘Ram Rajya’. Dey was a fan of Rajesh Khanna, believing he performed best with his songs.
Dey passed away at the age of 94 on October 24, 2013.
