Manna Dey was originally born Prabodh Chandra Dey on 1st May 1919. He is considered as one amongst the leading playback singers of Hindi cinema as well as regional Indian films particularly Bengali. Manna Dey was born to Purna Chandra (father) and Mahamaya Dey (mother). The man behind his unconditional love for music was inculcated by his youngest paternal uncle Sangeetacharya (meaning "Venerable Teacher of Music" in Sanskrit) K. C. Dey. Dey has accompanied his uncle in numerous musical programmes.

Manna Dey received his early education from a small pre-primary school named Indu Babur Pathshala and thereafter he attended Scottish Church Collegiate School and Scottish Church College. He obtained his graduation from Vidyasagar College. In his childhood, Manna Dey was very much occupied with sports like wrestling and boxing. He excelled in both the games. His days at Scottish Church College were his heydays; he entertained his companions with his tuneful voice. And by the time, he started receiving training under the great tutelage of his uncle, Krishna Chandra Dey, and Ustad Dabir Khan, Manna Dey had already started participating in competitions. For three successive years, he took part in three different categories of inter-collegiate singing competitions and every time fetched the first position.

In the year 1942, Manna Dey accompanied Krishna Chandra Dey to Mumbai . After moving there, he started working as an assistant under Krishna Chandra and then onwards under Sachin Dev Burman. Later on he achieved the honour of being the assistant to noted music composers as well. But soon enough he started working independently and began composing music for many successful Hindi films. Simultaniously he underwent training from Ustad Aman Ali Khan and Ustad Abdul Rahman Khan in Hindustani classical music. In the year 1943, with the movie, Tamanna, Dey started persuing his career fulltime in playback singing. He sang a duet with Suraiya and the music of the song was given by his uncle Krishna Chandra Dey. The song became a hit and Manna Dey was a star overnight.

Later, in 1950, Manna Dey sang for the movie, Mashal. He sang the song `Upar Gagan Vishal` under the music direction of Sachin Dev Burman. In 1952, he lend his voice for a Bengali and a Marathi movie. Both the movies were made with the same name and storyline- Amar Bhupali. The movie placed him on the seat of a leading playback singer. Along with the legendary Bhimsen Joshi, he recorded a popular duet, Ketaki Gulab Juhi. He also sang duets of different genres like, Yeh Dosti Hum Nehi Torenge (Sholay) and Ek Chatur Naar (Padosan)along with Kishore Kumar.

He has worked with Hemant Kumar in Bengali films also. He has lend his voice for a popular duet (with Lata Mangeshkar), "Ke Prothom Kachhe Esechi" for the movie, "Sankhyabela". Manna Dey can be justifiably said to have pioneered a new musical genre in Indian music wherein Indian classical is blended with pop culture. He has also left a lasting impression on Rabindra Sangeet. Till date, he has recorded more than 3500 songs. He has sang for films like, Tamanna in the year 1942; Ram Rajya in the year1943; Jwar Bhata in the year 1944; Kavita in the year 1944; Mahakavi Kalidas in the year 1944; Vikramaditya in the year1945; Prabhu Ka Ghar in the year 1946; Valmiki in the year 1946; Geetgobina in the year 1947; Hum Bhi Insaan Hai in the year 1948; Mashaal in the year1950; Awaara in the year 1951; Do Bigha Zamin in the year 1953; Hamdard in the year 1953; Parineeta in the year 1953; Chitrangada in the year 1953; Boot Polish in the year 1954; Shree 420 in the year 1955; Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje in the year 1955; Devdas in the year 1955; Basant Bahar in the year1956; Chori Chori in the year 1956; Mother India in the year1957; Madhumati in the year 1958; Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi in the year 1958; Kala Bazaar in the year 1960; Kabuliwala in the year 1961; Bandini in the year 1963; Dil Hi To Hai in the year 1963; Meri Surat Teri Aankhen in the year 1963; Taj Mahal in the year 1963; Haqeeqat in the year 1964; Bhoot Bangla in the year 1965; Waqt in the year 1965; Love in Tokyo in the year1966; Teesri Kasam in the year1966; Pyar Kiye Ja in the year 1966; Upkaar in the year 1967; Raat Aur Din in the year1967; Aamne Samne in the year 1967; Palki, Nawab Sirajdoula, Boond Jo Ban Gaya Moti in the year 1967; Padosan in the year 1968; Mere Huzoor in the year 1968; Neel Kamal in the year 1968; Ram aur Rahim in the year 1968; Ek Phool Do Mali in the year1969; Chanda aur Bijli in the year 1969; Jyoti in the year 1969; Mera Naam Joker in the year 1970; Anand in the year 1970; Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong in the year 1971; Jane Anjane in the year 1971; Lal Patthar in the year 1971; Buddha Mil Gaya in the year1971; Paraya Dhan in the year 1971; Reshma Aur Shera in the year1971; Bawarchi in the year1972; Seeta Aur Geeta in the year1972; Shor in the year1972; Zindagi Zindagi in the year1972; Avishkaar in the year1973; Dil Ki Rahe in the year 1973; Hindustan Ki Kasam in the year1973; Sampurna Ramayan in the year 1973; Saudagar in the year1973; Zanjeer in the year 1973; Bobby in the year 1973; Resham ki Dori in the year 1974; Us Paar in the year 1974; Himalaya Se Ooncha in the year 1975; Sanyasi in the year1975; Sholay in the year 1975; Ponga Pandit in the year1975; Jai Santoshi Ma in the year1975; Das mkambati in the year 1976; Mehbooba in the year 1976; Amar Akbar Anthony in the year 1977; Anurodh in the year 1977; Ninu in the year 1977; Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki in the year 1978; Satyam Shivam Sundaram in the year 1978; Jurmana in the year 1978; Abdullah in the year 1980; Choro Ki Baraat, Kranti, Karz in the year 1980; Laawaris in the year 1981; Prahaar in the year 1990.

Acknowledging Manna Dey`s talent, he has been conferred many laurels like- National Award as Playback singer for the Bengali film Nishipadma, in the year 1970; National Award as Playback singer for the Hindi Film Mera Naam Joker in the year 1971; Padma Shri Award by Government of India in the year 1971; Lata Mangeshkar Award awarded by Government of Madhya Pradesh in the year1985; Michale Sahittyo Puraskar awarded by Renaissance Sanskritik Parishad, Dhaka in the year 1988; Shyamal Mitra Award by Mithun Fans Association in the year 1990; Sangeet Swarnachurr Award awarded by Shree Khetra Kala Prakashika, Puri in the year 1991; P.C.Chandra Award by P.C.Chandra Group & others in the year 1993; Kamala Devi Roy Award by Kamala Devi Group in the year 1999; Anandalok Lifetime Award by Anandabazar Group in the year 2001; Special Jury Swaralaya Yesudas Award for outstanding performance in music in the year 2002; Alauddin Khan Award by Government of West Bengal in the year 2003; National Award as Playback singer by Government of Kerala in the year 2004; D. Litt Honouris Causa by Rabindra Bharati University in the year 2004; Life Time Achievement award by Government of Maharashtra in the year 2005; D.Litt Honouris Causa by Burdwan University in the year 2005; Padma Bhushan Award by Government of India in the year 2005.

At one time, illustrious singer Mohammad Rafi, told reporters: "You listen to my songs. I listen only to Manna Dey`s songs". Such kind of comment is undoubtedly a huge honour for an artist like Manna Dey. According to musicians Sachin Dev Burman and Anil Biswas, Manna Dey is a versatile singer who can sing songs of any musical genre. He has been conferred the title, the National Singer of India. This mystifying man was married to Sulochana Kumaran from Kerala on 18th December 1953 and the couple have two daughters: Suroma and Sumita. Presently he resides in Bangalore and still today he travels on a wide scale on invitations.