Manna Dey – Chale Ja Rahein Hai…. – 1956
Manna Dey, a.k.a. Prabodh Chandra Dey, (1 May 1919 – 24 October 2013) was trained for wrestling during his childhood. However, he could struggle free from that cocoon to metamorphose into a singer. Having been brought up in the atmosphere of music, he was also trained hard in the classical singing genre. However, if one looks back at his early career in Hindi films, one may wonder whether he was indeed caught into the clutches of hardened cased die of typecasting that Hindi film industry was so strongly adept at. However, his initial training as a fighter, did help him to experiment with every possible genre that film industry would offer and establish his unique position therein. Music directors like Anil Biswas and S D Burman firmly believed that Manna Dey could sing any song that any of his contemporary singer can sing, but none of these singers can sing a song that Manna Dey could sing with technical virtuosity.
By the turn of decade of 40s, Manna Dey has started making foothold into romantic song, which was further cemented by the songs that Shankar Jaikishan offered him in 1951 and 1953. As such, Manna Dey’s popular romantic, classical, devotional, comedy, western or qawwali songs have now been etched into the minds of every fan of Hindi Film music. But Manna Dey’s songs that unfortunately could not get ‘popularity’ also have the spirit of life and a sense of timeliness. It is that universality that we want to refresh in our present series Chale Ja Rahen Hai by specifically choosing the so-called less popular, less-heard songs.
Till now, we have covered Manna Dey’s less popular, less-heard songs for the years
1942 – 1946 in the year 2018.
1947 – 1950 in the year 2019.
1951 – 1953 in the year 2020, and
1954-1955 in the year 2021
1956 had some of the Manna Dey’s career-best romantic songs – Jaa Tose NahiN BoluN Kanhaiya (Parivar, with Lata Mangeshkar; Lyrics: Shailendra – Music :Salil Chowdhury), Chaley Sipahi Dhul Udate Kahaan Kidhar Koi Kya Jaane ( Rajhath – Lyrics: Shailendra – Music: Shankar Jaikishan), Nain Miley Chain KahaaN (Basant Bahar- Lyrics: Shailendra – Music – Shankar Jaikishan) ; all-time best background song like Nirbal Se Ladai Balwan Ki (Toofan Aur Diya- Lyrics: Bharat Vyas – Music: Vasant Desai) or classical raag-based Bhay Bhanajana Vandana Sun Hamari and Sur Na Saje Kya GauN Main and Ketaki Gulab Juhi (all from Basant Bahar, the last one with Bhimsen Joshi- Lyrics: Shailendra – Music- Shankar Jaikishan).
Presently we will take up Manna Dey’s less heard songs for the year 1956.
Jodi Mile Na Mile Shaadi Rachaye Chale – Gauri Pooja – Lyrics: G S Nepali – Music: Manna Dey
Manna Dey has so soulfully composed and rendered the bride farewell song.
In those days. The bride had to accept the groom and subsequent life that fate had forced on her.
Kah Do Ji Kah Do Chhupao Na Pyar, Kabhi Kabhi Aati Hai Zumati Bahaar – Kismat Ka Khel – With Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri – Music: Shankar Jaikishan
Shankar Jaikishan’s marked preference for Manna Dey can be seen in the form his selection for the male playback.
The song is a signature romantic tune that Shankar Jaikishan used to compose those days – full of vivre and feelings as well as so pleasing to the ears.
Ek Din Tera Bhi Savera Aayega – Sati Anasuya – Lyrics: Bharat Vyas – Music: Shivram Krishna
Here we have one more typical background song, deployed as an inspirational song to the protagonist in deep trouble.
Wo Dekho Udhar Chand Nikla Gagan Mein, Idhar Aa Gayi Chandani Muskarati – Roop Kumari -with Geeta Dutt – Lyrics: B D Misra – Music: S N Tripathi
S N Tripathi is was also a very talented and versatile music director who had to be satisfied with B and C Grade mythological / historical films. The present song is testimony of S N Tripathi’s talent.
The song is so pleasant a romantic duet,
Aside Trivia: Knowledgeable YT follower has mentioned in a comment to this video clip that S N Tripathi has used this tune again for Nigahon Mein Tum Ho – Jadoo Nagari – Lata Mangeshkar – Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri.
Khel Khiladi Jis Sey Na Khel Apni Jaan Se – Badshah Salamat – Lyrics: Vinay Kumar – Music: Bulo C Rani
The lyrics of the song indicate that this ought to be ‘fakir’ genre song. Manna Dey is well adapted for such songs.
Chhod Bhi De Aakasah Singhasan, Phir Dharati Par Aa Ja Re – 26 January – with Asha Bhosle and chorus – Lyrics: Rajendra Krishna – Music C Ramchandra
The lyrics clearly tell us that this an ‘inspirational’ – devotional genre song, but I do not have any more information on the song.
Aaj Ki Baatein Raja Bhool Mat Jaiyyo Ji…Hum To Nahin Bhoole Tum Na Bhool Jaiyyo Ji – Dhola Maru – with Asha Bhosle – Lyrics: Bharat Vyas – Music: S K Pal
Asha Bhosle and Manna Dey render a seemingly simple, romantic, song so intimately.
Bahta PaanI Bahta Jaay Raah Take Na Teri, Aeji Samay Ka Haal Hai Na Kar Der Ghaneri – Dhake Ki Malmal – with Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar – Lyrics: D N Madhok – Music: Robin Banerjee
This is the only song composed by Robin Banerjee, whereas all other songs are composed by O P Nayyar.
Robin Banerjee comes up with a Bengali folk tune set and has composed the song to varying pace.
Mudkar Bhi Na Dekh Suhaagan MahloN Ki Ye Shaan, IS Duniya Mein Ab Tera Bas Pati Hi Bhagwan…..Udhar Chali Ja Janaki Jidhar Chale Tere Ram – Devta – Lyrics: Rajendra Krishna – Music: C Ramchandra
This is a background song, advising the protagonist to accept the husband that fate has chosen for her.
Many a times, our (Hindi) films have such highly contrived situations, which have to be made palatable by the team of lyricist, music director and the singer.
Apart from these, the sites https://mannadey.weebly.com/ and http://www.mannadey.in/ also mention songs from films like Lal-e-Yaman, Kar Bhala, Jungle Queen, Indraleela, Grand Hotel, Zarina, Sudarshan Chakra, Scout Camp, Sati Nagkanya, Rajraani Meera, Ayodhyapati, Anurag and Dayar-e-Habib. However, several other authoritative sites either do not mention existence of Manna Dey songs from these films or do not have a digital version of the song. That does tell us what we have missed quantitatively but does not indicate what we have missed qualitatively.
On that note, we rest our episode here, to continue with our explorative journey of Manna Dey’s less heard songs………………
The world is too small? or Is it? 
A wonderful compilations indeed of very rare songs of bygone era – An unknown Manna De
So happy to know that you too liked these songs.
Manna Dey’s songs is a veritable treasure that will always yield a gem every time you visit it
It was nice learning about the personality of Mr. Manna Dey and his works. Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much for your response.
Manna Dey’s personality and life had has as varied shades as his singing.
I pick up only what can apparently be likened to his active career.