AMN / Mumbai
Renowned playback singer Suman Kalyanpur, whose melodious voice defined an era of Indian cinema, passed away on Sunday evening (May 31) at her residence in Mumbai. She was 89. Reports indicate that age-related complications were the cause of her death.
Her close friend Mangala Khadilkar confirmed that Kalyanpur breathed her last around 8 p.m., noting that in her final days she found solace in listening to her own songs. “She left the world peacefully,” Khadilkar said. The singer’s funeral was held on Monday morning at Pawan Hans crematorium with full state honours.
Kalyanpur’s voice was often compared to that of the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, yet she carved out her own distinct identity in the music industry. Between the 1960s and 1970s, she recorded hundreds of memorable songs in Hindi and several regional languages including Marathi, Bengali, Kannada, Assamese, and Odia. Her repertoire extended beyond film music to devotional songs, ghazals, and classical compositions.
Among her most celebrated tracks are “Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche,” “Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye,” “Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhi Se,” and “Dil Ek Mandir Hai.” Over her career, she is credited with lending her voice to more than 700 songs across 11 languages.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the singer, describing her as a gifted artist whose songs will continue to resonate for generations.
Kalyanpur’s journey began in the 1950s, with her first Hindi song “Ek Dil Do Hai Talabgaar” for the film Darwaza alongside Talat Mahmood. Despite inevitable comparisons with Mangeshkar, she maintained a warm friendship with the legendary singer, recalling in interviews their camaraderie and shared recordings.
She is survived by her daughter Charu. With her passing, Indian music has lost one of its most graceful and versatile voices, leaving behind a rich legacy that continues to inspire.
PM Modi expresses grief over death of singer Suman Kalyanpur
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed anguish on the passing of the popular singer Suman Kalyanpur. In a social media post, Mr Modi said, Suman Kalyanpur’s melodious voice and soulful renditions enriched the cultural world. He said, through her songs, Suman Kalyanpur created a special place among music lovers and admirers of Indian cinema. The Prime Minister expressed condolences to the family and admirers of Suman Kalyanpur
सुमन कल्याणपुर के गीत (Suman Kalyanpur Songs)
सुमन कल्याणपुर के यादगार गीतों में शामिल हैं-
- जिंदगी इम्तेहान लेती है
- आजकल तेरे मेरे प्यार के चर्चे
- रहें ना रहें हम
- रात सुहानी जाग रही है
- दिल एक मंदिर है।