Bangalore: Legendary playback singer Manna Dey died at a city hospital early today after prolonged illness. Manna Dey, 94, who was admitted to Narayana Hrudayalaya five months ago for respiratory problems, died of cardiac arrest at 3:50 am, a senior doctor at the hospital said. His daughter Shumita Deb and his son-in-law Jnanranjan Deb were by his bedside when the end came, his family said. Manna Dey is survived by two daughters, one of whom is based in the US. "We are saddened by his loss, but he died peacefully. His last rites will be performed later in the day," his son-in-law said.

Deb said Manna Dey's body will be kept for public homage at Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bangalore. Born in Kolkata in 1919, Dey, winner of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award was residing in Bangalore after spending more than fifty years in Mumbai. Having recorded more than 3,500 songs in a number of languages including Hindi and Bengali, he had cast a spell on generations of listeners with his romantic ballads, intricate raga-based songs, Qawwalis and fast-paced modern numbers, lending his voice to a number of Hindi and Bengali film stars. His popular tracks include Poocho Na Kaise Maine (Meri Surat Teri Aankhen), Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen (Waqt), Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli(Anand), Yeh Dosti (Sholay) and Ek Chatur Naar (Padosan) and Laga Chunari Mein Daag (Dil Hi Toh Hai) among others.