Manna Dey’s 100th birth anniversary

May 1 marked the 100^th birth anniversary of arguably the greatest exponent of Bangla music, Manna Dey. Born as Prabodh Chandra Dey in 1919, Manna Dey became a game-changer in the Indian film industry, with his unforgettable and melodious voice. He recorded more than 4000 songs, both in Bangla and Hindi, throughout his career.

Star Melodies celebrated the life and career of the legend with a passionate and heartfelt tribute at The Daily Star premises. The gloomy day’s intermittent rains were no match for the fervour that performers Aloke Sen, Samarjit Roy, Afsana Runa and Nandita, along with the dedicated audience radiated.

The event, hosted by Sadya Afreen Mallick, Chief of Culture Initiative, The Daily Star, emanated a magical aura as classical and ghazal artiste Aloke Sen started his set with Koto Dure Aar Niye Jabe Bolo. “Today, we stand here to pay tribute to one of the greatest musicians of the sub-continent,” said Sadya Afreen Mallick. “Manna Dey broke into the industry when the likes of Kishore Kumar and Mohammad Rafi were dominating, and that’s a huge achievement by itself.“ The halls lingered with Aloke Sen’s melodious renditions of E Jibone Joto Betha Peyechi, Amar Na Jodi Thake Sur and Ma’r Sneho Kake Bole Jani Na. Arguably, his highlight of his performance was a heart-wrenching cover of the classic Laga Chunari Mein Daag, which was appreciated by the entire audience.

Sadya Afreen Mallick, Chief, Culture Initiatives, The Daily Star.

“I wholeheartedly thank you for coming to this event, despite the adverse weather.” said Mahfuz Anam, the Editor of The Daily Star in his welcome address.

Ami Aaj Akasher Moto Akela, Abar Hobe Toh Dekha, Ye Meri Zohra Jabi and Zindagi Kaisi Hain Paheli were scintillating in Samarjit Roy’s voice. Afsana Runa impressed with her renditions of Ami Obujher Moto Eki Korechi, her duet with Samarjit Roy in Ke Prothom Kachhe Eshechhi, Ami Je Jolsha Ghore and Keno Noyone Abir Chhorale.

As the evening rolled on, the voices of the audience members got louder as they dove deeper into their memories of their favourite Manna Dey classics.

Prodigal singer Nandita was fantastic, as expected, with emotionally charged singing in Amar Bolar Kichhu Chhilo Na, Ami Shukhi Hole Dukkhoi Jodi Pao Tumi and Aaj Abar Shei Pothe Dekha Hoye Gelo. However, her duet of Manna Dey’s Hindi classic, Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua with Samarjit Roy got the crowd riled up in sheer nostalgia, as the entire auditorium sang along.

The night would, of course, be incomplete without Coffee House, a song which is imprinted in the DNA of every Bengali music listener. All the performers, as well as every single member of the crowd, sang along at the crescendo of one of the most successful and heartfelt tributes to Manna Dey in Dhaka.

The houseful audience enjoying the show. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed