I am touched by your love: Manna Dey

“All my friends have left me, what am I doing here all alone and isolated?” the 91-year-old legendary playback singer Manna Dey, asked himself yet again, but this time in public — in an overflowing auditorium and at a glittering function. It was at a felicitation programme to the maestro on winning one of the highest awards of the country, the Dada Saheb Phalke, here on Friday.

“This overwhelming affection from all of you perhaps has an answer to my question,” he said modestly.

The singer whose voice achieves a unique balance between profound classicism and the challenges of film music, was an embodiment of poise and elegance: “I am an ordinary musician. I was fortunate to have listened to good music and have met great maestros. But just that doesn’t make anyone special. You, my listeners, have made me special. The Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Phalke doesn’t touch me at all. I am touched by your love.”

A visibly moved Mr. Manna Dey, paid tribute to Mohammed Rafi, who was his dear friend and also one of the “greatest singers.” In fact, Mr. Manna Dey, extended this honour bestowed upon him to all his contemporaries — Hemant Kumar, Talat Mehmood, Kishore Kumar, Lata, Asha, and Rafi. “I’m grateful for what you gave all of us. We have lived on…,” he said.

Graciously accepting the crowd’s request Mr. Manna Dey sang “Sur Na Saje” and “Ye Mere Zohrajabeen” in a manner that defied his age. “I’m 91 years young. I practise two hours every day, and give three-hour concerts. God willing, I want to sing till my last breath,” said Mr. Manna Dey to the thunderous applause of the audience.

Mr. Manna Dey was felicitated by actor Bharati Vishnuvardhan. The programme conceived by Gururaj of Sound of Music orchestra had many local singers singing Mr. Manna Dey’s numbers.