Eminent singer Manna Dey to get Dada Saheb Phalke award India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Eminent singer Manna Dey has been selected for the Dada Saheb Phalke award for the year 2007. The award is given by the Government for outstanding contribution in the field of cinema. The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh, a Swaran Kamal and a Shawl. Dey has won the National Film Award for best male playback singer for the Hindi film "Mere Huzur" and the Bengali film "Nishi Padma". He has also been honoured with the Padmashree and the Padma Bhushan. He has dominated the Indian film playback music from the 1950s. He has recorded more than 3500 songs during his six decade long career. Dey started his career in playback singing with the movie "Tamanna" in 1943. Some of his famous songs include, "Laga Chuneri mein daag", "Pyaar hua iqraar hua", "Ye raat bheegi bheegi" and "Kasme wade pyaar wafa". Trained in classical traditions, his mellifluous voice has enthralled millions of households all over the country. Some of the most well known films for which he has lent his voice are: "Awaara", "Do Bigha Zamin", "Mera Naam Joker", "Bobby", "Zanjeer", "Padosan" and "Sholay". Dey was born to Purna Chandra (father) and Mahamaya Devi (mother) on May 1, 1919.