Biography

C. Ramachandra worked with Dey for the first time in Insaniyaat in 1955 and then recorded songs with Dey consistently from 1958 in films like - Tallaq(1959),Navrang, Paigham, Stree(1961), Veer Bhimsen etc.

In the order of rating Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh followed by Manna Dey are regarded the top four best Indian male film playback singers in Hindi film music industry from all the male singers who worked between 1940-2010. He is rated as the best classical singer among all singers of Hindi film music, though he sang various types of songs from pop to folk.

Thereafter from 1975 he became selective of the kinds of songs he sings and chose to do less work in Hindi. He was also voice of Ashok Kumar, Pran, Prem Nath, A.K.Hangal in few films between 1967-1985.

The popular duets of Geeta Dutt-Manna Dey include both classical songs as well as those which have style of Twist dance ,Rock & Roll, cha-cha-cha like Aan aan milo from Devdas, O Mister Suno Ek Baat from Agra Road(1957), Karo Na Phere Gali Ke Mere from Bengali film Gali Theke Rajpath (1959) composed by Sudhin Dasgupta, Naya Naya Chand Hai Jee from Khuda Ka Banda(1957) starring actor Chandrashekar composed by S.N.Tripati. The song Picnic Me Tick Tick from Piya Milan Ki Aas(1961) composed by S.N.Tripati is noted for Manna Dey yodeling and singing in a style which is known as forte of Kishore.

Among the new breed of singers which emerged after 1956, Manna Deys duets with Suman Kalyanpur was most celebrated team. Their first duet together was Prem Bada Balwan Jagat from Maayaa Nagri(1957) composed by B.N.Bali and have sung together around 45 songs. Their popular duets include Tum Jo Aao from Sakhi Robin(1962) composed by Robin Bannerjee, Dil Se Jo Baat from Al Hilal(1958) composed by C.Ramachandra, Na Jane Kahan from Zindagi Aur Khwab(1963), Ye Din Hai Khushi Ke from Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai(1963) and Bheegi Hawaon Mein from Shriman Satywadi(1960)- all 3 composed by Dattaram Wadkar,, Aankh Mein Shokhi from Reshmi Roomal(1960) composed by Babul, Aao Hilmil Ke Nacho Re from Jaane Anjaane (1970)composed by Shankar-Jaikishan and Dil To Dil Hain Phool Bhi from Dafaa 302(1975) composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal.