Best Songs of Mannadey
Mannadey is and was perhaps the most talented singer amongst his contemporaries like Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Hemant Kumar and Talat Mehmood, but was the most unfortunate one, not to be utilized by music directors for playback singing for heroes. His voice matched with that of Raj Kapoor the most and Shankar-Jaikishan [ S-J] duo had harnessed his voice in a few films for Raj Kapoor like Shree- 420, Chori-Chori and one in Mera Naam Joker. Those days if the playback singer’s voice did not match the voice of the popular heroes then it was of no use no matter what amount of talent and range is available. The famous trio of those days Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand preferred for themselves the voice of Rafi/ Talat, Mukesh and Kishore/ Hemant respectively. Although Mannadey’s voice matched Raj Kapoor’s as much as that of Mukesh, Raj Kapoor preferred Mukesh as his soul as it matched slightly better and his closeness towards him being a part of famous R.K. Team of S-J, Shailendra-Hasrat and Mukesh. Thus poor Mannadey was mostly used to give playback for less important ones like Balraj Sahni, Pran and for comedian Mehmood. Be it Classical or Romantic or Comedy, none was a real match for Mannadey. Compare the songs of a film in which he and other contemporary singers have sung and judge for yourself. A few examples are from Films, Seema [ Balraj Sahni- Nutan, Music S-J], Basant Bahar [ Bharat Bhoosan- Nimmi; Music- S-J], Meri Soorat Teri Ankhen [ Ashok Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Asha Parekh, Music – S D Burman], Talaash [ Rajendra Kumar- Sharmila Tagore; Music- S D Burman], Anand [ Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh- Music-Salil Choudhury]; Shree 420 [Raj Kapoor-Nargis, Music-S-J] etc.
The following are collections of his memorable songs as a solo and duet singer:-
As a Solo Singer:
Puchho Na Kaise Maine Rain Bitayee [ Meri Surat Teri Aankhen- S D Burman] compare this with Rafi’s Naache Man Mera Tigdha in the same film and find for yourself the difference- both sung for Ashok Kumar
Sur Na Saje Kya Gaoon Mein, Sur Ke Bina Jeevan Suna [ Basant bahaar, S-J] sung for Bharat Bhoosan
Kaun Aya Mere Man Ke Dware Payal Ki Jhankar Liye.[ Dekh Kavira Roya- Madan Mohan] sung for Anoop Kumar [ younger brother of Ashok Kumar]
Laga Chunri Mein Daag Chhupaun Kaise- in raag Bhairavi [ Dil Hi To Hai- Roshan] sung for Raj Kapoor. Compare this with Mukesh’s Tum Agar Mujko na chahogi to koi baat nahin.
Tu Pyaar ka Saagar Hai [ Seema- S-J] sung for Balraj Sahni and compare this with Rafi’s Kahan Ja Raha Hai Tu Ye Jaanewale.
Udja Bhanwar Maya Dagar . [ Rani Roopmati- S N Tripathy] sung for a less known artist in Raag Darbari
7. Chhum Chhum Baaje Re Payaliya [ Jaane Anjaane- S-J]- for Shammi Kapoor( S-J got Sur- Sansad award for this song)
Tere Naina Talash Kare jise [ Talaash- S D Burman], sung for a less known artist. Compare this with Rafi’s Palkoon Ki Pichhese Kya Tumne keh dala sung for Rajendra Kumar.
Kisne Chilman Se Maara [ Baat Ek Raat ki- S D Burman] sung for Johny Walker
10. Phool Genduwa na maro na maro Lagat Karejwa mein chot [ Dooj Ka Chaand- Roshan]
Kasme Vade Pyaar Wafa Ke [ Upkaar- Kalyanji- Anandji] sung for Pran
Yaari Hai Imaan Mera [ Zanjeer- Kalyanji- Anandji] sung for Pran
Zindagi, Kaisi hai paheli [ Anand- Salil Choudhury] sung for Rajesh Khanna
Yeh Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo [ Mera Naam Joker- S-J] sung for Raaj Kapoor
Abhi To Haath Mein Jaam hai [ Seeta aur Geeta- R D Burman] sung for Dharmendra
Saphal wohi Jeevan Hai [ Anand Ashram- Sapan Chakravarty] sung for Uttam Kumar
Aye Mere Pyare Watan [ Kabuliwala- Salil Choudhury] sung for Balraj Sahni
Aye Meri Johra Jabeen [ Waqt – Ravi] sung for Balraj Sahni
Jal gaya Jal gaya Mere Dil Ki jJahan [ Ziddi- S D Burman] sung for Mehmood
Ye Khel Hai taqdeer Ka [ Samadhi- R D Burman] sung for a less known artist
Dil Ka Hal Sune Dilwala [ Shree-420- S-J] sung for Raaj Kapoor.
Tujhe Sooraj kahoon Ya Chanda [ ek Phool Do Mali- Ravi] sung for Balraj Sahni
O Nadiya Chaley Chaley Re Dhara - Tujhko Chalna Hoga [ Safar - Kalyanji Anandji] for unknown artist.
As a Duet singer:
Tu Chhupi hai Kahan, Mei tadapta Yahan( with Asha) [ Navrang- C Ramchandra] sung for Mahipal
Ek Chatur Naar Bade hosiyaar( with Kishore) [ Padosan- R D Burman] sung for Mehmood
Tu Hi Mera Prem Devata(with Rafi) [ Kalpana- O P Nayyar] sung for a less known artist
Ye Raat bheegi Bheegi( with Lata) [ Chori Chori- S-J] sung for Rajkapoor
Aja Sanam Madhur Chandni mein Hum( with Lata) [ Chori Chori- S-J] sung for Rajkapoor
Nain Mile Chain Kahan(with Lata) [ Basant Bahar- S-J] sung for Bharat bhoosan
Sab Kho Diya Sab Pa Liya Raaste, Manzilen Karawan(with Lata) [ Makkar- rajesh Roshan] sung for Vinod Mehra
Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke(with Lata) [ Do Bigha Zameen- Salil Choudhury] for Balraj Sahni
Masti Bhara Hai Shama, hum tum dono yahan(with Lata) [ Parvarish- Music by Dattaram] sung for Rajkapoor
Jhoomta Mausam Mast mahina(with Lata) [ Ujaala – S-J] for Shammi Kapoor
Pyar Hua Ikrara Hua(with Lata) [ Shree 420- S-J] for Raj Kapoor
Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh mud Mud Ke(with Asha) [ Shree 420- S-J] for Raj Kapoor
Mein Tere Pyar Mein Kya Kya Na Bana Dilwar Jane ye Mausam( with Geeta Dutt) [ Ziddi- S D Burman] for Mehmood
Ye Umar Hai Kya rangiley(with Usha Mangeshkar) [ Professor- S-J] for Shammi Kapoor
Zulfon Ka Ghata Lekar Sawan ki Pari Ayee(with Asha) [ Reshmi Roomal- Iqbal Qureshi] for Manoj Kumar
Tumjo Aao To Pyar Aa Jaye, Zindagi mein Bahar Aa Jaye [ Sakhi Robin- Rabin Banerjee]