Manna Dey recreates old world charm

New Delhi, Mar 2 (UNI) Age could not wither his voice. Legendary play back singer Manna Dey today enthralled fans with his famous hits at a special concert organised by Doordarshan here this evening.

At 86, the maestro rendered songs after songs with same vigour, freshness and artistry which had taken the world of film music by storm in his peak days.

Among the audience, who include galaxy of aritstes, was poet Gopal Das Neeraj whose several compositions for Hindi films were lent voice by Manna Dey making them immortal. One was the all time hit 'E bhai zara Dekh ke chalo' of film 'Mera Naam Joker' made by another legend of the India cinema Raj Kapur.

Manna Dey and Neeraj both got the national awards for this song, which the maestro rendered this evening regaling the Hindi pop music lovers and the connoissuers of the classical music alike.

The maestro sang by own choice, but he could not refuse Neeraj's request--'Poocho na kaise maine rain bitai'--which he sang with a passion and feeling that had placed it among the classics of the film and classical music.

On this occasion the poet also read a few of his verses and said he was proud to be with Manna Dey Then came 'Umarya Katti Jaye', 'Phool Gendwa Na maro', Jevan se lambe hain jeevan ke raste' Ai meri Zohra Jabeen, Ai mere pyare watan of Kabuli Wala and so many others.

He also sang a composition of his favourite music director SD Burman--'Piya Maine Kya kya, hame chor ke jayyo na' and a few verses from Madhushala composed by Hari Vansh Rai Bachchan He was accompanied on the tabla by Indranath Mukherji, Richard Mitra on electric guitar and Mahendra Gokhale on keyboard.

Manna Dey 's soulmate and ''inspiration'' of his art Sulochan was also among the audience.

The maestro did bot find the Doordarshan studio mike matching his vigour and frequently complained about it during the programme.

Earlier, CEO Prasar Bharati BS Lalli welcomed Manna Dey with a bouquet of flowers and presented him a shawl.

Born in 1920 in Kolkata, Manna day learnt the alphabets of his art from his uncle Krishna Chandra Day and Ustad Dabir Khan.

Later, when he came to Mumbai in 1942, he perfected his art under the tutelage of Sachin Dev Burman and later under two stalwarts, Ustad Aman Ali Khan and Ustad Abdul Rahman Khan.

UNI