My meeting with a music legend - Manna Dey (Oct 2005)

(Click on photo to enlarge)

This happened a few years ago when I was in Mysore, and was trying to meet Manna Dey to request him to perform live at Mysore. That day did finally dawn (19 Jan 2006), and it was a virtuoso performance!

This photo was taken with the legend at his residence in Bangalore a few months prior to the live concert. And personally autographed by him too!

Pt. Bhimsen Joshi and Manna Dey

Yes, they did sing atleast one song together! Remember this one ? The duet between Panditji and Manna Dey - "Ketaki gulab juhi champaka bana phule" from the film Basant Bahar ?

Panditji sings for the hero's rival, and of course, the hero has to get the better of him, but it seems to be an unfair contest: Panditji sings Basant, while Manna Dey gets to sing phrases from Basant and an additional raga - Bahar!