Dey was a versatile playback singer, who lent his voice to innumerable hits of the yesteryears of Indian cinema. Whether it was Hindi or any other language —Bengali, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Magadh or Malayalam, to name a few — Dey had mastered them all.

He debuted in the film Tamanna in 1942, and has recorded more than 3,500 songs since then in a singing career spanning six decades.

India’s government honored him with a Padmashri in 1971, a Padmabhushan in 2005 and he also received the Dadasaheb Phalke award in 2007.

Born, May 1, 1919, Manna Dey’s original name was Prabodh Chandra Dey. He moved to Mumbai in 1942, accompanying Krishna Chandra Dey, where he started working as an assistant music director, first under Krishna Chandra Dey, and then under Sachin Dev Burman.

Later, he assisted other music composers and then started to work independently. He continued to take music lessons in Hindustani classical music from Ustad Aman Ali Khan and Ustad Abdul Rahman Khan during that time.

Dey established a class of his own by singing classical-based film songs and also songs that were a fusion of Indian classical and Pop music. He also performed classical music concerts. His tryst with Western music produced many unforgettable melodies.

Manna Dey came to Bollywood during the golden era of Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar, but soon carved a niche for himself. He began singing ghazals in Hindi films from 1953 and became a music composer with Khemchand Prakash for Shri Ganesh Janma and Viswamitra  in 1951.

Among his many innumerable hits in his vast career, some of our favorites are, “Masti Bhara Hai Samaa” – Parvarish; “Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua” – Shree 420; “Aye Meri Zohra Jabeen” – Waqt; “Zindagi, Kaisi Hai Paheli” – Anand; “Yeh Dosti Hum Nahi Chodhenge” – Sholay; “Ek Chatur Naar” – Padosan; “Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi” and “Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein Hum” – Chori Chori;  “Aye Mere Pyare Watan” – Kabuliwala; “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag” – Dil Hi To Hai; and “Madiralay Jaane ko Ghar Se” – a rendition of Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s Madhushala.

Manna Dey performed live concerts in many countries, some here in the Bay Area as well. We happened to be at one of these concerts a few years back. He came with just one other musician on the tabla, while he played the harmonium, and also sang at the same time. There was no pre-defined list and he simply sang what the audience requested. The rich husky voice still lingers as I write this tribute.

Tweets from celebrities, and fans flooded Twitter as a nation mourned the loss. “Manna Dey, stalwart of the music world, passes away. Flooded with memories and his songs. In particular his rendition of Madhushala,” tweeted Amitabh Bachchan, expressing his grief. “Manna Dey had a unique voice. He will live on through his songs Ai Meri Zohra Jabeen/Dil Ka Haal Suney Dilwala/Poocho Na Kaise Maine RIP,” tweeted Shabana Azmi.

Dey is survived by his two daughters.