The best of Manna Dey
Legendary playback singer Manna Dey, the voice behind hit songs like Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli and Chalat Musafir Moh Liya Re Pinjare Wali Muniya, died at the age of 94. We bring to you some of his greatest hits.
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Ek Chatur Naar (Padosan, 1968)
Another Manna-Kishore duet, Ek Chatur Naar was a sing-off between actors Sunil Dutt, playing a country bumpkin, and Mehmood, the heroine's South Indian music teacher. Manna Dey, who sang for Mehmood, was reportedly unhappy that the music teacher loses the contest to an untrained singer. But he sang anyway and made R D Burman's music and Rajendra Krishan words magical. -
Ae Meri Zohrajabeen (Waqt, 1965)
One of Manna Dey's best-known songs, this number was made popular all over again when actor Amrish Puri sang a snatch of it in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.
Picturised on Balraj Sahni and Achala Sachdev, the original song was composed by Ravi and written by Sahir Ludhianvi. -
Pyar Hua Ikraar Hua (Shree 420, 1955)
Raj Kapoor and Nargis singing in the rain has become one of Indian cinema's most immortal moments. This romantic track, a duet with Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey, was composed by Shankar Jaikishan and written by Shailendra. -
Yaari Hai Imaan Mera (Zanjeer, 1973)
The landmark Zanjeer's best known song was picturised not on it's hero, Amitabh Bachchan in his first Angry Young Man role, but on the hero's friend, a burly Pathan played by actor Pran. Manna Dey was nominated for Best Male Playback Singer at the Filmfare Awards. The music was composed by Kalyanji-Anandji and written by Gulshan Bawra. -
Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo (Mera Naam Joker, 1970)
Despite being a box office disaster, Raj Kapoor's magnum opus was beloved in many ways. For one, Manna Dey won the National and Filmfare awards for Best Male Playback Singer. Music by Shankar Jaikishan, words by Neeraj. -
Kasme Vaade Pyaar Wafa Sab (Upkar, 1967)
The musical showpiece of patriotic film Upkar was Mere Desh Ki Dharti, sung by Mahendra Kapoor, but Manna Dey's melodious number played no small part in elevating actor Manoj Kumar to star status. The song was composed by Kalyanji Anandji and written by Indeevar. -
Ae Mere Pyaare Watan (Kabuliwala, 1961)
The poignant patriotic song sung with great emotion by Manna Dey, picturised on an acquaintance of the protagonist, evokes immense passion in whoever listens to it till this day. It is Manna Dey's voice which provides the rhythm to the song rather than the orchestral music.
