He was like a father to me. I used to love his voice. He was my mentor and guru, and I owe everything to him. He was a great singer. I am fortunate to have been born in that family.

How did you get your break in Ram Rajya ?

Ram Rajya happened because Vijay Bhatt, the producer and the director, came to my uncle to sing for Balmiki. My uncle recommended me, saying a sensational voice was required for that particular character. Though Bhatt thought I was little more than a child when he first saw me, they nevertheless called me to the studio. That was the beginning of my career. That was also the first song I sang.

You have sung a number of songs with Lataji. What has the experience been like?

It's been great. Lata (Mangeshkar) is a great songstress, and she calls me Dada. We are very good friends. I think we have been fortunate to have Lata amidst us as a singer. She has set a standard in singing. Before her we had many famous singers, but when she sang it was very different. Shree 420, Chori Chori and Mera Naam Joker are some of the films in which you sang for Raj Kapoor. Who made that decision? Was it the music director or the hero?

Raj Sahab chose me. And that's all. The experience was a very enjoyable one.

Everyone knows about your music career. But hardly anyone knows you as a person. So please tell us something about yourself.

I was born in Calcutta. My father was the late Shri Poorna Chandra Dey, and my mother was Mahamaya Devi. Before my uncle (K C Dey), there was no music in the family. He turned blind at the age of 13. He took up music after that. By the age of 20, he was a full-fledged singer. Being blind, he must have gone through immense hardships. And I thought, if my uncle could do all this, why can't I?

How many Bengali songs have you sung?

About 2000!

Are you a law graduate?

No. I am a simple graduate. Every Bengali is a graduate. When did you sing your first Hindi film song?

I migrated to Bombay with my uncle in 1943 after my graduation. Uncle was the music director and I was assisting him. There was a film being made called Tamanna. There was a song there, called Jaago Aiyee Usha, which I had sung. But the character in question, a beggar, was singing with a girl, and we were in search of a woman who could sing with me. You know who we ultimately discovered? Suraiya. That was her first song with me.

Rabindra Sangeet and Bengali history usually mark everyone. How did they affect you?

I love Rabindranath's songs. That's because I feel that lyrically there could not be anything better. As far as other songs were concerned, I think I wasn't good enough to understand them. It was very high-flown. Very deep philosophy about life and all that. I have all the notations of his 3000 odd songs with me. The most unique thing about him was that all the lyrics were his, and he even wrote the music for all of them. He was a genius.

I remember on one occasion, Shankar (of Shankar-Jaikishan duo) asked me why was it that all the Rabindrasangeets have so much 'rona-dhona' in them. I replied that it was not so at all. Why would one cry? Learn, hear and try to understand what they say. There is a way of singing Rabindrasangeet. You give me time and I'll sing for you. I sang for him for two hours, an experience he later referred to as educating. There is an inner way of singing these songs.

You have sung more than 2000 songs….

I have sung about 3,500 songs, and done so in almost every Indian language. I cannot distinguish between the number of Hindi songs I have sung and the rest.

How many times have you received the Filmfare awards?

Once for the song Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo….(Mera Naam Joker)

In what way have you tried to impart your knowledge to the younger generation? Do you have any disciple?

My nephew, Sudebh Dey sings. He sings well. Some other singers also try to sing my songs. They are very good. Otherwise, I would say the standard of today's girls and boys' voices are definitely better than our generation.

Tell us something about your personal likes and dislikes.

It's very easy. I eat everything. I have no reservations that way. I love meeting people from all walks from life with open arms. I love every kind of music, including western classical and western pop music. I love instrumental music too.

What has been the philosophy of your life?

Do good and bear no malice towards anybody. I take everything in a good-natured way. I have always believed that there are more good people than bad in this world.

The change taking place now in the music world is towards the negative. What do you feel about this?

I think everything needs a fresh touch to it. The way we used to sing was very different. Now, for example, the song, Sur Na Sajai Kya Gaoon Mein, Sur Ke Bina Jeevan Suna, which I sang for Bharat Bhushan, became very popular. That kind of song will be out of place in today's kind of movies. There is no situation like that anymore. The subject is different. They cannot do it.

Today, songs are framed to suit movie sequences. People listen to them, try to remember them for a month, but forget them in a day. The bulk of the work today is unbelievable. They can never complete it.

You have learnt western music also. Who has been your teacher? I learnt from my uncle and Zabeer Khan in Calcutta for a few days. Then in Bombay I learnt from Abdul Rahman Khan.

What are the expectations from new age singers today? According to you, how do they fare in the music world?

Tremendous. In fact, I think the various genres of music that are around in India at the moment will prove healthy for the industry. Which song has been your favourite?

I have been a very good student of music, and so I cannot differentiate between my own songs.

Who is your favourite music director?

My favourite is Madan Mohan, Shankar Jaikishan, Burman Sahab, and C Ramachandra. I am a great admirer of individual art.

Who among your contemporaries do you consider the best? Mohammad Rafi. No doubt about it.

Not Kishore Kumar?

You cannot compare the two. They are two different artistes. Do you think that the old age music will come back?

Definitely. How can we forget our roots?

Sometimes you like singing for one particular hero. Do you have any favourites?

Balraj Sahni Sahab was my favourite. I used to love him as an actor. He was a very graceful actor. Then I liked singing for Raj Sahab (Raj Kapoor) because he was so versatile. We have had wonderful times together. I would say an actor and director like him would never be born again.

Is there any song you relate with him?

Well I have sung many songs for him. However, I think the best would be Dil Ka Haal Sune Dil Wala………..(trills to the memorable mast song). What about western songs?

I love western songs. During college days, they used to say I sound like Pink Cross. My favourites are Pink Cross, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and Jim Reeves. I have sung them all.

If you were told to sing for someone today, would you sing?

Why not? Definitely. The whole trouble is that if I am asked to sing for Aamir Khan, I will not because he is like my grandson. But if I am asked to sing for Anupam Kher, I will. He is a very versatile actor and I think if he is given a meaningful song, he will put all his efforts into it. And I'll put my heart and soul in it.

We always remember something from our times. Is there anything you miss?

This is a very difficult question. I will never say the old times were better. Yes, there are certain things, which have changed, like the way of working. The way we used to work is no longer followed. This troubles me a lot.

They say there is a lot of rivalry in the music industry. Did you have to face that?

Plenty. Without healthy rivalry, you cannot perform well and you cannot deliver.

What do you hope for India as far as music is concerned?

I think Indian music today has already reached out to the world. In time you will see that India is number one because we have melody, rhythm and colour in our music. There is a regional flavour that marks our music. Each region has it's own colours. You won't find the same in any other part of the world.

You have sung in almost every style till now. Do you think you have missed something?

What have I missed? Tell me. I have even sung the twist song. I have sung Yuk Chaturnath; I have sung Laga Chunri Mein Daag. What is left? I sang for Mehmood and made all his songs hits. Source:Internet