DHAKA: Legendary singer Manna Dey, one of Indian cinema`s golden voices, died in a Bangalore hospital on Thursday morning. He was 94.

Manna Dey was taken to ICU on Wednesday to be treated for respiratory illness and renal failure. He has been in and out of hospital the last few months and was on dialysis in September.

Born Prabodh Chandra Dey in 1919 and known by his nickname Manna, he sang in many Indian languages including Hindi, Bengali, Assamese, Marathi, Malayalam, Kannada, Gujarati, Punjabi and Bhojpuri.

Among Manna Dey`s best loved Hindi songs were Ek Chatur Naar from Padosan, Zindagi Kaise Hai Paheli from Anand, Ae Meri Zohrajabeen from Waqt and Yaari Hai Imaan Mera from Zanjeer. He often sang for Raj Kapoor, and formed hit partnerships with composers Salil Chowdhury and Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

Manna Dey received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Awards.

He is survived by his daughters Shuroma and Sumita. His wife, Sulochana, died of cancer last year.

BDST: 0817 HRS, OCT 24, 2013
AKA/GCP