Whether or not it was a loss to the world of football or wrestling, it was certainly a huge gain to the world of music. And the credit goes to Manna Dey's uncle and mentor K C Dey, a singer and composer himself.

Manna Dey's adolescent pranks included shoplifting at sweet shops and swiping pickles from the roofs of neighbouring houses.

All these and more are included in Manna Dey's autobiography Memories Come Alive, recently launched by veteran filmmaker Mrinal Sen at a function in Kolkata last Tuesday. The book launch coincided with the singer's 89th birthday.

Manna Dey, who has wowed listeners for over six decades, was enjoying every minute of the occasion, which provided him an opportunity for a walk down memory lane.

The autobiography recounts Manna Dey's early days in Mumbai where he had worked as an assistant to his music director uncle and to legendary composers like Sachin Dev Burman. He recalls the trying days he had gone through in a bid to make his presence felt as a playback singer in Hindi movies.

The book is interspersed with interesting anecdotes like Manna Dey's kite duels with Mohammed Rafi, his acquaintance with Raj Kapoor, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Pulak Bandopadhyay and Sudhin Dasgupta.

However, the man, who has won hearts and awards with his classics for decades, has remained as modest as ever.

Referring to his autobiography, he said, "I'm no writer. I've just reminisced some of my experiences."