Looking at his vast repertoire of hit songs, it's a wonder how Manna Dey is not counted on par with Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar and Mukesh.
Subhash K Jha celebrates the legendary singer's birth anniversary on May 1 by listing some of his biggest hits.
Poocho Na Kaise Maine Rain Bitaayi from Meri Surat Teri Aankhen
S D Burman and Manna Dey shared a rapport that lasted for decades.
Their most supple collaboration is heard in this classical number filmed on Ashok Kumar.
Kasme Vaade Pyar Wafa from Upkar
Manoj Kumar sang in Mahendra Kapoor's voice but Upkar's best Kalyanji-Anandji composition went to Manna Dey.
Filmed on Pran, Kasme Vaade couldn't then acquire the instant success of Meri Desh Ki Dharti, but it has greater recall value today.
Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni Mein Hum and Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi from Chori Chori
So how did Mannada get to sing all the exquisite duets with Lata Mangeshkar for Raj Kapoor? Mannada himself was puzzled over this.
Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen from Waqt
Perhaps the most successful Hindi song of Mannada's career.
It got a new lease of life in 1995 when Amrish Puri lip-synced the number in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge.
Yaari Hai Imaan Mera from Zanjeer
A chartbuster that left Mannada reeling under its impact, this song was filmed on Pran.
Zanjeer had no songs for its leading man, Amitabh Bachchan.
Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli from Anand
This was meant to be part of the background score but Rajesh Khanna insisted on lip-syncing it.
In Basu Bhattacharya's Aavishkar, Mannada sang 2 of the best songs of his career (composed by Kanu Roy) for Rajesh Khanna: Hasne Ki Chah Ne Kitna Mujhe and Mere Laal Tum To.
Laga Chunri Mein Daag from Dil Hi Toh Hai
Raj Kapoor's resident voice Mukesh had many hit songs in this film but the classical solo belonged to Manna Dey.
'That is the story of my life. Whenever a song required extra-special skills, it was me. Otherwise, the heroes preferred more filmi voices,' Mannada once said.
Aao Twist Karen from Bhoot Bungla
Mannada's range went from a timeless classic in Raj Kapoor's Dil Hi To Hai to a swinging rock 'n' roll tune for Mehmood.
It was child's play for him to swing from shastriya to zing.