The Most talented, yet unfortunate. Review on Twenty Best Songs of Manna Dey

Best Songs of Mannadey

Mannadey is and was perhaps the most talented singer amongst his contemporaries like Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Hemant Kumar and Talat Mehmood, but was the most unfortunate one, not to be utilized by music directors for playback singing for heroes. His voice matched with that of Raj Kapoor the most and Shankar-Jaikishan [ S-J]  duo had harnessed his voice in a few films for Raj Kapoor like Shree- 420, Chori-Chori and one in Mera Naam Joker. Those days if the playback singer’s voice did not match the voice of the popular heroes then it was of no use no matter what amount of talent and range is available. The famous trio of those days Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand preferred for themselves the voice of Rafi/ Talat, Mukesh and Kishore/ Hemant respectively. Although Mannadey’s voice matched Raj Kapoor's as much as that of Mukesh, Raj Kapoor preferred Mukesh as his soul as it matched slightly better and his closeness towards him being a part of famous R.K. Team of S-J, Shailendra-Hasrat and Mukesh. Thus poor Mannadey was mostly used to give playback for less important ones like Balraj Sahni, Pran and for comedian  Mehmood. Be it Classical or Romantic or Comedy, none was a real match for Mannadey. Compare the songs of a film in which he and other contemporary singers have sung and judge for yourself. A few examples are from Films, Seema [ Balraj Sahni- Nutan, Music S-J], Basant Bahar [ Bharat Bhoosan- Nimmi; Music- S-J], Meri Soorat Teri Ankhen [ Ashok Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Asha Parekh, Music – S D Burman], Talaash [ Rajendra Kumar- Sharmila Tagore; Music- S D Burman], Anand [ Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh- Music-Salil Choudhury]; Shree 420 [Raj Kapoor-Nargis, Music-S-J] etc.

The following are collections of his memorable  songs as a solo and duet singer:-

As a Solo Singer:

1. Puchho Na Kaise Maine Rain Bitayee [ Meri Surat Teri Aankhen- S D Burman] compare this with Rafi’s Naache Man Mera Tigdha in the same film and find for yourself the difference- both sung for Ashok Kumar

   
   




2. Sur Na Saje Kya Gaoon Mein, Sur Ke Bina Jeevan Suna [ Basant bahaar, S-J] sung for Bharat Bhoosan

   
   




3. Kaun Aya Mere Man Ke Dware Payal Ki Jhankar Liye.[ Dekh Kavira Roya- Madan Mohan] sung for Anoop Kumar [ younger brother of Ashok Kumar]

   
   




4. Laga Chunri Mein Daag Chhupaun Kaise- in raag Bhairavi [ Dil Hi To Hai- Roshan] sung for Raj Kapoor. Compare this with Mukesh’s Tum Agar Mujko na chahogi to koi baat nahin.

   
   




5. Tu Pyaar ka Saagar Hai [ Seema- S-J] sung for Balraj Sahni and compare this with Rafi’s Kahan Ja Raha Hai Tu Ye Jaanewale.

   
   




6. Udja Bhanwar Maya Dagar . [ Rani Roopmati- S N Tripathy] sung for a less known artist in Raag Darbari

   
   

7.     Chhum Chhum Baaje Re Payaliya [ Jaane Anjaane- S-J]- for Shammi Kapoor( S-J got Sur- Sansad award for this song)

1. Tere Naina Talash Kare jise [ Talaash- S D Burman], sung for a less known artist. Compare this with Rafi’s  Palkoon Ki Pichhese Kya Tumne keh dala sung for Rajendra Kumar.

   
   




2. Kisne Chilman Se Maara [ Baat Ek Raat ki- S D Burman] sung for Johny Walker

   
   

10.     Phool Genduwa na maro na maro Lagat Karejwa mein chot [ Dooj Ka Chaand- Roshan]

1. Kasme Vade Pyaar Wafa Ke [ Upkaar- Kalyanji- Anandji] sung for Pran

   
   




2. Yaari Hai Imaan Mera [ Zanjeer- Kalyanji- Anandji] sung for Pran

   
   




3. Zindagi, Kaisi hai paheli [ Anand- Salil Choudhury] sung for Rajesh Khanna

   
   




4. Yeh Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo [ Mera Naam Joker- S-J] sung for Raaj Kapoor

   
   




5. Abhi To Haath Mein Jaam hai [ Seeta aur Geeta- R D Burman] sung for Dharmendra

   
   




6. Saphal wohi Jeevan Hai [ Anand Ashram- Sapan Chakravarty] sung for Uttam Kumar

   
   




7. Aye Mere Pyare Watan [ Kabuliwala- Salil Choudhury] sung for Balraj Sahni

   
   




8. Aye Meri Johra Jabeen [ Waqt – Ravi] sung for Balraj Sahni

   
   




9. Jal gaya Jal gaya Mere Dil Ki jJahan [ Ziddi- S D Burman] sung for Mehmood

   
   




10. Ye Khel Hai taqdeer Ka [ Samadhi- R D Burman] sung for a less known artist

    
    




11. Dil Ka Hal Sune Dilwala [ Shree-420- S-J] sung for Raaj Kapoor.

    
    




12. Tujhe Sooraj kahoon Ya Chanda [ ek Phool Do Mali- Ravi] sung for Balraj Sahni

    
    




13. O Nadiya Chaley Chaley Re Dhara - Tujhko Chalna Hoga [ Safar - Kalyanji Anandji] for unknown artist.

    
    

As a Duet singer:

1. Tu Chhupi hai Kahan, Mei tadapta Yahan( with Asha) [ Navrang- C Ramchandra] sung for Mahipal

   
   




2. Ek Chatur Naar Bade hosiyaar( with Kishore) [ Padosan- R D Burman] sung for Mehmood

   
   




3. Tu Hi Mera Prem Devata(with Rafi) [ Kalpana- O P Nayyar] sung for a less known artist

   
   




4. Ye Raat bheegi Bheegi( with Lata) [ Chori Chori- S-J] sung for Rajkapoor

   
   




5. Aja Sanam Madhur Chandni mein Hum( with Lata) [ Chori Chori- S-J] sung for Rajkapoor

   
   




6. Nain Mile Chain Kahan(with Lata) [ Basant Bahar- S-J] sung for Bharat bhoosan

   
   




7. Sab Kho Diya Sab Pa Liya Raaste, Manzilen Karawan(with Lata) [ Makkar- rajesh Roshan] sung for Vinod Mehra

   
   




8. Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke(with Lata) [ Do Bigha Zameen- Salil Choudhury] for Balraj Sahni

   
   




9. Masti Bhara Hai Shama, hum tum dono yahan(with Lata) [ Parvarish- Music by Dattaram] sung for Rajkapoor

   
   




10. Jhoomta Mausam Mast mahina(with Lata) [ Ujaala – S-J] for Shammi Kapoor

    
    




11. Pyar Hua Ikrara Hua(with Lata) [ Shree 420- S-J] for Raj Kapoor

    
    




12. Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh mud Mud Ke(with Asha) [ Shree 420- S-J] for Raj Kapoor

    
    




13. Mein Tere Pyar Mein Kya Kya Na Bana Dilwar Jane ye Mausam( with Geeta Dutt) [ Ziddi- S D Burman] for Mehmood

    
    




14. Ye Umar Hai Kya rangiley(with Usha Mangeshkar) [ Professor- S-J] for Shammi Kapoor

    
    




15. Zulfon Ka Ghata Lekar Sawan ki Pari Ayee(with Asha) [ Reshmi Roomal- Iqbal Qureshi] for Manoj Kumar

    
    




16. Tumjo Aao To Pyar Aa Jaye, Zindagi mein Bahar Aa Jaye [ Sakhi Robin- Rabin Banerjee]