A voice for all seasons.

(Manna De discusses with Ranjan Das Gupta the songs closest to his heart)

Mohd. Rafi, not me, is the greatest male playback singer of India. Lata Mangeshkar is number one in this aspect as Rafis female counterpart. There is not a shade of doubt in this, says Manna De in a long-distance conversation from Florida. The iconic singer who is presently touring the USA, singing at various functions, has just been awarded the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award. He feels honoured but not ecstatic. He continues, It would have hardly mattered to me even if I did not receive it. I have received much more love and admiration from my seniors, colleagues and juniors in the music world just …