In late sixties, when a newly-married Rekha Rani Ghosh shifted to 11, Madan Ghosh Lane in north Kolkata, she was told about the legend of the locality — Manna Dey.

“I was in awe of him. Whenever I would spot his car at the entrance of the lane, I would rush into the house,” says Ghosh. Forty years later, Ghosh is still in awe of her illustrious neighbour. But she wants to celebrate his latest achievement — the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema, which was announced today.

“It’s a huge honour, I’m told. I wish I could meet him today. I would have mustered courage to congratulate him,” smiles Ghosh.

A few paces from Ghosh’s house is 9, Madan Ghosh Lane, an address made famous not only by the legendary playback singer but also by his elder brother Pranab Dey and his uncle Krishna Chandra Dey.

“Krishna Chandra Dey was a reputed blind singer of his times. He was the guru of Manna Dey while my father Pranab Dey was a famous Tollywood music director of the 40s for whom Hemant Kumar sang his first song,” says Basudeb Dey, nephew of Manna Dey.

The Dey household is obviously in a celebration mood today. Trays of sweets have been laid out; the drawing room door has been thrown open to visitors. After all, the announcement was anticipated.

“We are extremely happy, but we feel this award should have been conferred on him at least a few years ago,” says Basudeb. “We always play his songs in full volume in our house. No one ever complains. Today, we plan to play all his songs back-to back,” says Manna Dey’s grand-nephew Sandip Dey.

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