Legendary singer Manna Dey's condition remains critical

Fans and relatives worry as Dey’s condition worsens.

BANGALORE:

The condition of 94-year-old legendary singer Manna Dey continues to remain critical after facing multiple organ failure.

“There is not much change in Mannada’s [Manna Dey] condition. He has been put on a life support system to stabilise his other vital parameters,” a friend of the hit singer said.

The nonagenarian multi-lingual playback singer has been ailing for over a month because of old age-related complications.

Family members and relatives are wary of the large media presence at the hospital as they do not want to disturb other patients and be quoted or shown on news channels for privacy reasons and are also worried about Dey’s longevity.

A week after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee honoured Dey on his 94th birthday on May 1 with the state’s Vishesh Maha Sangeet Samman award, the legend was admitted to the same hospital when he felt uneasy and weak.

When Dey’s health improved and stabilised after being in the hospital for about three weeks, he was brought home and was being attended by two nurses round the clock with a doctor doing rounds daily to check his vital health parameters.

Dey’s wife Sulochana Kumaran passed away in January 2012 due to cancer.

Since the news of Mannada’s worsening health condition broke out and spread on news channels and in print media, his family members, relatives and friends have been receiving calls throughout the day from everywehre.

Mannada, whose original name is Prabodh Chandra Dey, has to his credit over a record 3,500 songs in an illustrious career spanning seven decades since 1943.

His work boasts of a range of songs; from romantic numbers to classical to fun songs. He went behind the mic to sing all kinds of songs and proved his versatility.

Dey was also honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the country's highest award in the film industry, in 2007.

One of his most famous songs Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandani Mein Hum, still continues to be sung at weddings and is listened to by youngsters and adults alike.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2013.

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