Prabodh Chandra Dey, known by his stage name Manna Dey, was a renowned Indian playback singer, music director, and musician. He had a classical music background, being part of the Bhendibazaar Gharana and receiving training under Ustad Aman Ali Khan. Manna Dey is widely recognized as one of the most versatile and celebrated vocalists in the Hindi film industry, and is often acknowledged for his significant contributions to integrating Indian classical music into Hindi commercial cinema. As a musician, Dey is particularly acclaimed for incorporating Indian classical music elements into a pop musical framework, a contribution that played a pivotal role during the golden era of Hindi cinema.
Manna Dey
Dey after Getting D.Litt degree from Rabindra Bharati University (May 2004)
Manna Dey 2016 stamp
Dey on a 2016 postcard from the series Legendary Singers of India
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in the field of cinema. It is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The recipient is honoured for their "great and outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema" and is selected by a committee consisting of eminent personalities from the Indian film industry. The award comprises a Swarna Kamal medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹1,000,000 (US$13,000).
The 2021 recipient: Waheeda Rehman
Dadasaheb Phalke, often credited as "The Father of Indian Cinema", made India's first full-length feature, Raja Harishchandra (1913).
Image: Devika Rani 2011 stamp of India
Image: Birendranath Sircar 2013 stamp of India