Ratnamala Dey the Grand MotherManna Dey Sangeet Academy
With the earnest effort and help of his mother Ratnamala Devi, Krishnachandra found his love and passion in the vast sea of music.
Statue of Krishna Chandra DeyManna Dey Sangeet Academy
As the days passed the magic of his generous voice was proliferated, he fulfilled the music lovers with spectrum of his musical harmony, created a ‘Gharana’ of his own.
Wrestler Manna DeyManna Dey Sangeet Academy
Another jewel was born in this musical family, Sangeet Ratna Manna Dey. On 1st May, 1919 he came as the third child to the family of Purnachandra Dey and Mahamaya Dey, the parents gave his name Probodh Chandra.
Purna Chandra Dey - FatherManna Dey Sangeet Academy
Krishnachandra was the younger brother of Probodh’s father Purnachandra.
Mahamaya Dey - MotherManna Dey Sangeet Academy
Mother Mahamaya affectionately called him ‘Mana’, which became popular as ‘Manna’ in the Non Bengali accent later on.
Training period
Manna was very impish and restless in his childhood. Along with the study and sports he was always busy with his mischievous activities. But with the passing phase of time Manna became highly influenced by the world of tunes and rhythms. He gradually became an unconditional devotee of music.
Music training from uncleManna Dey Sangeet Academy
His musical lessons began under the tutelage of his uncle Krishnachandra and later he started his training from Ustaad Dabir Khan. He established the first milestone of his musical journey winning first prize in each and every category except ‘modern songs’ in his collegiate competitions.
Wrestler Manna DeyManna Dey Sangeet Academy
Apart from study and music he was thoroughly involved in some rigorous physical activities simultaneously like wrestling and started getting the training from famous Indian wrestler Gobor Goho, who was an Olympian himself.
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Life in Bombay
In 1942 Manna first stepped into Bombay as an assistant of his blind uncle Sangeetacharya Krishnachandra who was in charge of the music direction of the movie Tamanna under Sirco productions. Bombay became the centre of Manna’s musical life afterwards. In Bombay he commenced his training under the legendary singer of Vendiwala Gharana Ustaad Aman Ali Khan. Later he continued with Abdul Rahman Khan, Pandit Tulsi Das Sharma and some more Illustrious personalities in this field.
Sulochona DeyManna Dey Sangeet Academy
On 18 December 1953 he married Sulochana Kumaran of Kannur district in Kerala.
Manna Dey & Sulochona DeyManna Dey Sangeet Academy
Manna got the inspiration of his musical life from his wife.
With two daughtersManna Dey Sangeet Academy
Later the couple gave birth to two daughters Shurama and Shumita.
Accolades
Manna Dey worked with almost every eminent contemporary composers of his time, and sang in most of the Indian languages.
Manna Dey & Sulochona DeyManna Dey Sangeet Academy
Almost over 60 years he enchanted his avid followers with more than 3500 songs.
Manna Dey & Sulochona DeyManna Dey Sangeet Academy
He was awarded in his lifetime with the highest musical honours and got Padmashree, Padmabhushan from the Government of India, D lit from some famous Universities, Deshikottam (posthumous) from the Vishwabharati University.
Manna Dey & Sulochona DeyManna Dey Sangeet Academy
He was also crowned with the most prestigious honour, the Dada Saheb Phalkey award, by the President of India.
Manna Dey & Sulochona DeyManna Dey Sangeet Academy
His autobiography in Bengali, “Jiboner Jalsaghorey” (in the arena of musical field) was published from M/s Ananda Publishers in January, 2005. That autobiography was also translated and published in English “Memories Come Alive”, in Hindi “Yaden Jee Uthi” from M/s Penguin Books and in Marathi “Jiboner Jalsaghorey” from M/S Sahitya Prasar Kendra, Nagpur successively.
Manna Dey & Sulochona DeyManna Dey Sangeet Academy
On 24 October, 2013 Manna left the music lovers into tears and started his journey to the other world keeping his unforgettable creations, enthralling music and magical memories.
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