The world of Indian music is mourning the loss of veteran singer Suman Kalyanpur, a voice that quietly yet powerfully shaped the golden age of film music. Known for lending her vocals to several timeless classics, Kalyanpur died on Sunday evening at her residence in Mumbai.
She was 89.
Confirming the news to PTI, Mangala Khadilkar, author of the acclaimed Marathi biography Suman Sugandh, said, “Suman ji passed away at around 8 pm at her residence in Lokhandwala due to old age. She passed away peacefully. For the last few days she was listening to her own songs.”
Kalyanpur rose to prominence during the 1960s and 1970s, earning widespread admiration for her melodious singing style. At a time when the Hindi film music industry was dominated by legendary
voices, she carved out a distinct identity and built a loyal following through her memorable performances.
Over the years, she delivered several enduring hits, including “Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche”, “Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhin Se” and “Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye”. Her contribution, however, extended far beyond Hindi cinema. She recorded songs in multiple languages such as Marathi, Assamese, Kannada, Bengali and Oriya, among others.
Apart from film songs, Kalyanpur also explored a wide range of musical forms, including devotional music, ghazals and thumris, showcasing the versatility that defined her long career.
Although listeners often drew comparisons between her voice and that of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, Kalyanpur consistently chose not to engage with those comparisons. Instead, she spoke warmly about Mangeshkar and their friendship.
In an interview with PTI in 2022, she had said, “Everyone loved her songs, and she will be immortal. We recorded a duet together for the film ‘Chaand’. Every time I met her, it felt like I met a close friend. I believe she felt the same.”
Kalyanpur is survived by her daughter, Charu.
Her last rites are scheduled to take place on Monday at the Pawan Hans crematorium between 11.30 am and 12 pm.
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