Dear Editor,
The golden era of Indian artistes is lingering on the threshold of a fading twilight. Engulfed in the long shadow of refined Indian artistry comprising voices, vocals and vintage, there remain only but a few darlings who have gracefully traversed the iconic age of candour courtesy, charismatic challenges and couth culture. An entertaining memory lane from the 1930’s endowed with the talented personalities featuring songs and music for the black and white movies in particular, have set sail after completing their musical sojourn on this earthly abode.
A name synonymous with the auspices of a good disposition, Suman Kalyanpur, a legendary playback singer from the filmy world of Bollywood, was born as Suman Hemmady on 28th January 1937 in Kolkata but brought to Dhaka (now Bangladesh), at the age of 3. She was bred in Bombay from 1943. This flower, interested in painting and music, burgeoned into a student initially learning classical music from Pandit Keshav Rao Bhole of Pune’s Prabhat Films, a close family friend. She later had other Gurus.
The versatile maestro who sang in over ten languages including Hindi, got her first chance to sing publicly for the All-India Radio in 1952. Her opportunity to break into the film industry was in 1953 in the Marathi Film, “Shukrachi Chandni.” Singing a lullaby in 1954, “Koi Pukaree Dheere Se Tujhe” from the movie “Mangu,” Suman Kalyanpur made her debut in the Hindi film world. She then sang “Mohabbat Kar Lo Ji Bhar Lo Aji Kisne Rokha Hai” with Mohammed Rafi and Geeta Dutt for the film Aar Paar.
This veteran singer who became popular in particular in the 1960’s and 1970’s, spanning a recording three-decade famous career, perhaps was thankful to Talat Mahmood who was impressed with her singing after listening to her in a musical concert. Agreeing to do a duet with her, the film industry sat up and took notice of her and from then on, she blossomed into that velveteen voice with over 3,000 recordings to her credit.
Suman Ji sang duets with all the big-time playback singers and joined the elite group of India’s maestros with distinction including the romantic Mohammed Rafi, the sentimental Mukesh, the rollicking Kishore Kumar, the classical Manna Dey, the emotional Talat Mahmood and the sensational Hemant Kumar. This touching description qualifies the performing arts of Suman Ji’s capabilities.
Despite her unique gift, she was overshadowed with her touch, tone and tenderness similar to Lata Mangeshkar and often mistaken for this close semblance. This provided a limited negativity but an advantage when Lata’s “feud” and reluctance to sing with Rafi ji for a while, opened a flood gate of performances because of her nuanced voice with Lata ji.
With the advent of award-winning stars from the big screen, Suman Kalyanpur stamped her authority as one of India’s favorite past time singers in Baat Ek Raat, Dil Ek Mandir, Dil Hi to Hai, Sanjh Aur Savera, Noor Jehan, Saathi, Pakeeza etc. Suman ji performed a rare duet with Lata ji with the classical song “Kabhi Aaj Kabhi Kal” from the 1959 movie “Chand.” In quite an entertaining scene, Balraj Sahni and Meena Kumarie witnessed the explosive, expressive and exclusive dancing ordeal by Helen and Sheila Waz.
Her visit to Guyana would shed tears in remembering her fantastic, feathery and famous finesse while performing the crazed twister Aajkal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche, the moving Na Na Karte Pyaar, the electrifying Tumse Ho Hasinha, the thrilling Rahen Na Rahen Hum, the romantic Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aye, the emotional Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiyya, the melodious Mera Pyar Bhi Tu Hai, the classical Manamohan Man Mein Ho Tumhi etc.
This never forgotten voice of exquisite exuberance and soft somberness was the recipient of numerous prestigious awards including; the three times Sur Sringar Samsad for the best classical song in Hindi movie; the Lata Mangeshkar Award by the Government of Maharashtra (2009); Ga Di Ma Award by Ga Di Ma Pratishthan; Mirchi Music Lifetime Achievement Award (2022); Padma Bhushan by the Government of India on 26th January 2023 and the Maharashtra Bhushan Ma Ta Sanman Puraskar by Maharashtra Times (2024).
The voice of the world fell quiet when Suman Kalyanpur bade us farewell on 31 May 2026 at her residence in Lokhandwala at the beautiful age of 89. She expired from age related issues while listening to her own recordings. Despite her often-mistaken voice for Lata ji, Suman Ji made her indelible articulation in her own resonating manner, silently but distinctly distinguishable in her own romantic, royal and resonating right.
Thank you Suman Kalyanpur ji for providing music lovers with your refreshing and rich recordings which will remain remnants of the haunting past of Indian melodious appeasement in a delicate era, dedicated and devoted to the cultural preservation of refined idolized musical artistry.
Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall.
