The morning today was flooded with messages and tweets about Manna Da’s demise. For once, I was hoping this was yet another false rumour on the social media, just like the one a few months back. The fate disappointed me this time. Manna Da rendered Bhairavi of his life during the wee hours of this morning. Another legend left for heavenly abode, leaving behind a legacy that is unmatched.
A musical journey that started in 1942, spanned 6 decades. During this marvellous ride, Dada gave us some unforgettable melodies that make him immortal. He will reside in the hearts of Indians all over the world with his music.

Manna Da created a space for himself in an era of legends like Mohd. Rafi, Kishor Kumar Mukesh & Talat Mehamood. He carved a niche for himself by blending Classical Music into Film Music. He was the de-facto choice of all Music Directors for Classical based compositions. It is said that he would make Notations for songs before recording, so that he could record it with perfections; something no singer has ever done. Manna Da immortalized many Classical based songs. He also gave us some of the most beautiful romantic, patriotic and funny songs as well. His versatility was beyond imagination.

Numerous such melodies of his are doing rounds in the mind since morning and giving sense of a void that he has left behind. Here is a list of 10 Songs – from 4000 odd songs he sang across various languages – that are close to me. I am too small to apply any rating to his work. However, as a fan of his, this is a tribute to him by remembering his most beautiful creations that he has left behind.

1. Poochho Na Kaise Maine Rain Beetai

A beautiful melody in Raag Ahir Bhairav from the film “Teri Surat Meri Aankhen” composed by S. D. Burman. The pain of an ugly looking Ashok Kumar rendered by Manna Da brings Goose Bump even after 50 yrs.

2. Aayo Kahan Se Ghanshaam

Another marvellous classical based composition by Panchamda in Raag Khamaj comes from the Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s film Buddha Mil Gaya. Listen for the beautiful Style inspired from traditional Thumri.

3. Aye Mere Pyaare Watan

This is one of the best Patriotic Songs ever made in Hindi Film Industry. Manna Da brings the soul to it with his gifted voice. It describes the plight of Indians who are settled in foreign lands but still have their heart back home.

4. Ek Chatur Naar

Only a Genius combo of Panchamda, Kishor Kumar and Manna Da could create a funny song with a strong classical base as Ek Chatur Naar. This remains a cult even today.

5. Ketaki Gulab Juhi

A pure classical Bandish in Raag Basant and Drut Ektaal. It was possibly only Manna Da from the then contemporary playback singers who could even attempt to render this composition along with Pt. Bhomsen Joshi. In fact, it is said that Manna Da was embarrassed with the situation in the film where this song is shown as a competition and the character with Panditji's voice is shown defeated.

6. Zindagi Kaisi hai Paheli

Anand - The film that remains one of the best by Rajesh Khanna and this song truly characterizes the synopsis of the film

7. Kasme Waade Pyaar Wafa

What a composition! From the film Upkaar. “Dete Hain Bhagvaak ko Dhokha, Insaan ko kya Chhodenge” epitomizes the situation we are in today. The depth in Manna Da’s voice made this seemingly negative song immortal.

8. Tu Pyar Ka Sagar Hai

This melodious composition from the Film Seema is still very close to millions even after almost 60 yrs. Such was the power of Music of that era, where Manna Da belonged.

9. Ye Raat Bheegi Bheegi

This is one of the many romantic sweet melodies that Manna Da gave us. Film Chori Chori (1956). I think, next to Mukesh, it was Manna Da who rendered his voice the most for Raj Kapoor.

10. Laga Chunari Mein Daag

And finally the Bhairavi. The amazingly beautiful composition by Roshan, based on a traditional Thumri, is possibly the best Bhairavi in Hindi Film Music. Thousands of Musical “Maifils” so far have concluded with the “Tarana” of Laga Chunari Mein Daag. I had the pleasure of watching Manna Da perform this Tarana live when he was already 92 yrs. Notwithstanding his age, his rendering had the same energy and “lay” as the orginal 50 yrs back.

There are many many more. I know you would expect Pyar Hua Iqaraar hua, Zoharajabi, Yaari hai Imaan and so on. A blog like this is too small a canvas to capture even a glimpse of Manna Da's genius.

Manna Da, I feel fortunate to have lived in a time when I could hear you live, although at your age of 92. Our Music of today desperately needs you back Dada.
Take a re-birth and come back to save us from the septic of Lungees and Pungees.

How would you react if you knew your Facebook account was hacked? Worst, the hacker not only got into your account, but changed the login ID, reset all security, removed alternative emails and phone numbers and left you with absolutely no means to recover your access? Blame your not-so complex password? Not really. Its a flaw in Facebook's legacy security setting which one can exploit. You don't need to be a hacker to do it either. Read on for the step-by-step method to hack into a Facebook account and a way to shield from such an attack as well.
Facebook account of somebody close to me was hacked last early morning. What followed was a deep investigation to recover the account and to know what exactly happened. Thanks to Mr. Hacker, I now know the precise steps how this was done and figured out ways protect against such an attack. Here are the details.

The objective here is not to encourage such hacking, but to create awareness and help you secure your account from such an easy but brutal hack.

Part A: The Hack

Step 1: Log off from Facebook and go to https://www.facebook.com/recover/initiate
Step 2: Enter the user name/email ID/Name of the target account. Click Search
Step3: Facebook gives you the following options to recover the target account.
You will see the Profile pick of the target account on the right. It has been blurred here.
Step 4: Click on "No Longer have access to these?" link at the bottom left.
Step 5: Facebook gives you the option to enter a new email ID to be linked to the target account. Provide your own email ID. Make sure it is not linked to any existing Facebook account. Click continue.
Step 6: Unless you have set in the right security settings, Facebook throws a security question that you would have chosen right at the time of creating the Facebook account. In most of the cases, the answer to this question is anybody's guess. See example below.
Step 7: Assuming you entered the answer correctly, you will be presented with an option to set the new password.
 Step 8: Facebook will now send a link to your email ID (the one you provided in step 5) to link the email ID to the target account. Click on that link.
Step 9: Once you activate the link that you received in your email, Facebook attaches the new email ID and  the password to the account. You still need to wait for 24 Hrs.
Step 10: Wait for 24 hrs. Bingo. You have got access to the account with the new email ID and password that you specified.

Some major concerns in this implementation. I hope Facebook fixes this sometime.

• There is no way to change the security question or the answer to it. If you made a mistake in selecting a very simple question and obvious answer while registering... too bad.
• There are no notifications to the original email ID when somebody tries to add a new email ID, at least during that 24 Hr window.
• It basically assumes everyone in the world is very honest :-)

Part B: Shielding your account from this hack

Part C:  How does this safeguard from the hack?