Hoga Masiha Saamne Tere

"Every time I am about to sing, I feel these words are meant for me," he said. And the aalap that followed gave the song, and hence the words, away. You know he is just being modest - as true artists be. For, anyone with a working ear would have never agreed. Not when the words are 'Sur na saje, kya gaoon main?' And never when he is Manna De.

The singing icon was in Hyderabad this weekend as a part of the week-long celebration of Bimal Roy's cinema on the occasion of his centenary. Manna Da - a prominent voice in his films - was being felicitated on this occasion. "I'm not far behind, I am ninety," he said, looking dapper in a crisp suit and the trademark cap. The fortunate audience clapped. "I think I will sing in my own centenary as well." The audience roared this time, and the claps refused to stop. Meanwhile, he was still in that first song from Basant Bahar - at 'Sangeet mann ko pankh lagaye'. My mind was indeed flying, high on the wings of this unexpected encounter. I still could not believe I was standing in front of him as he walked out of the elevator - just a few minutes back. Not sure if I'd get another chance, I asked for an autograph. He looked at the sketch on the paper (the same one as above) and smiled. "Later", he said, and shook my hand. My evening was made - I have lived to shake hands with Manna De.

He sang 14 songs at a stretch - something I have not seen anyone else doing. They were -

Sur Na Saje from Basant Bahaar
Madhushala (it was great to hear him mention Jaidev as 'a genius')
Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke from Do Bigha Zameen
Zindagi, Kaisi Hai Paheli from Anand
Jhanak Jhanak Tori Baaje Paayalia from Mere Huzoor
Ay Meri Zohra-jabeen from Waqt
Ye Raat Bheegi Bheegi from Chori Chori
Sochke Ye Gagan Jhoome from Jyoti
Dil Ki Girah Khol Do from Raat Aur Din
Aaja Sanam from Chori Chori
Coffee House Er Sei Adda Ta (to placate the crowd that kept shouting 'Bangla, Bangla')
Laga Chunari Mein Daag from Dil Hi To Hai
Kasme Vaade Pyaar Wafaa from Upkaar
Ay Mere Pyaare Watan from Kabuliwala

"He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in the year…" the announcement paused and the announcer flipped through her script. "Does it matter?" came from the awardee, in that one second. "Aap log Madhushala sunna chahenge?" a few minutes later it was the time to test the audience. "Are you playing that dholak? I cannot hear it," the musicians were also kept on a tight leash. Throughout the evening, he came across more as the living patriarch of film music than another 90-year old man from the glory days. He did not, however, tell anything to his co-singer when she started her part in Ye Raat Bheegi Bheegi probably a full octave lower than the original song. It was as if he had Usha Uthup, instead of Lata Mangeshkar, for company. A few in the audience groaned - Manna Da just looked at her askance. And when the lady did the same in that magical aalap in Dil ki girah khol do, he did it himself for the remainder of the song. No nonagenarian, not even Manna De, can replicate Laga Chunri Mein Daag. But the grand old man gave it a try and tested his breath. He did not give up until he was satisfied - and the audience nodded in disbelief. I was waiting for the first Antara when he started Ay Mere Pyaare Watan. And when he sang that Aaye in Tere Daaman Se Jo Aaye Unn Hawaaon Ko Salaam, it had that same silken effect as the original.

"Are you really ninety?" I asked him after he signed on the portrait I had printed out. "How is it possible to sing like that?" He smiled.

I could not take a chance- and went up to him on the stage even while the vote of thanks was on. I am glad I did, for, I had a precious 5-minute conversation with the legend. "Keep this garland if you want to," he said, and I just managed to say thanks. From not knowing about the concert to kneeling by his side on the stage and getting his blessings in a few hours, I was indeed a bit too overwhelmed for a proper and more polite exchange of words. Whoever named him Manna was surely a clairvoyant punster - and I was over the moon to have my share of the blessing.