Indian Music Industry Mourns Suman Kalyanpur

MUMBAI- Legendary playback singer Suman Kalyanpur, whose career spanned more than seven decades and whose songs captivated generations of listeners across India and beyond, passed away in Mumbai on May 31 at the age of 89. Her final rites were held in Mumbai on June 1.

Born Suman Hemmadi on January 28, 1937, Kalyanpur was often regarded as a contemporary of legendary singers Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. She carved out a distinguished place in Indian music with her melodious voice, recording thousands of songs across Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati and several other Indian languages.

Her voice was frequently compared to that of Lata Mangeshkar because of their striking similarity. In an earlier interview with DD News, Kalyanpur said people often mistook her songs for Mangeshkar’s.

Offering a light-hearted explanation, she joked, “Perhaps God blessed both of us in the same way. The only difference is that she arrived before me.”

Among Kalyanpur’s best-known songs are ‘Na Tum Hamein Jano’, ‘Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche’, ‘Na Na Karte Pyar’, ‘Dil Ek Mandir Hai’, ‘Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye’ and ‘Behena Ne Bhai Ki Kalai Pe’. She was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2023 in recognition of her contribution to Indian music.

Following her death, tributes poured in from political leaders across Maharashtra and India. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari paid tribute to Kalyanpur, remembering her melodious voice, her enduring appeal across generations, and her immense contribution to Indian music. (IANS)

Stay informed about The Music Industry with the latest news, artist updates, album releases, streaming trends, concerts, and business developments across the United States. Explore in-depth coverage of the people, companies, and innovations shaping the music landscape in the U.S. and beyond.