Jun 01, 2026 9:30pm IST
Composers Anu Malik and Prasad S. remember Suman Kalyanpur: ‘Her Voice Was Unique’
Padma Bhushan Suman Kalyanpur passed away on May 31 at the age of 89 due to age-related ailments. She is survived by her daughter Charul, who lives in the US. Apart from Hindi and Marathi, Kalyanpur also sang in Bengali, Kannada, Assamese, Odia, and other languages. Besides being a playback singer, she was known for her renditions of ghazals, devotional and classical songs.
Her vocal resemblance to Lata Mangeshkar was often spoken about. During her career, she worked for eminent music composers, including Shankar-Jaikishan, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, SD Burman and Sardar Malik, among others. Some of her popular Hindi tracks include “Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche,” “Na Na Karte Pyar” and “Dil Ek Mandir Hai.” Her Hindi film career spanned from her debut in the 1954 film “Mangu” (under Mohammed Shafi) to the 1984 releases “Yaadon Ki Zanjeer” (under Rajesh Roshan) and “Waqt Ki Pukar” (with Bappi Lahiri).
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Recalls Anu Malik, “I spent a part of my childhood in Sumanji’s home because my late father, Sardar Malik, composed a lot of songs with her. She was very fond of me and would give me toffees. Her voice had a romantic and melodic charm of its own, but I remember even my father mistaking her voice for Lataji's voice in “Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche” (“Brahmchari”), and so did I in so many songs I love.”
The composer tells Variety India, “I am glad she was honored with the Padma Bhushan, but I regret that her voice wasn’t used more by composers, and that includes me. She sang just one song for me, “Phool Raahon Mein Bikhar Jaate Hain,” which was filmed on Poonam Dhillon in “Aapas Ki Baat” (1981). She blessed me and said that I would go far.”
Composer Prasad S. of the recent “Krishnavataram Part 1: The Heart (Hridayam)” shares, “My father (musician and arranger) Prabhakar Sashte, informed me of her passing, and this news has saddened me deeply. She has been a part of his long career with Shankar-Jaikishan, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, and others. She had a unique voice, even if it was sometimes mistaken for Lataji’s. Her songs across Hindi and Marathi languages are iconic, which include the Marathi songs “Navika Re Vara Vahe Re,” “Ketakichya Bani Tithe Nachla Mor,” both composed by Ashok Patki.”
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