As the veteran playback singer Suman Kalyanpur was bid farewell in Mumbai, the music and film industry were notably absent from her last rites. Only playback singer Suresh Wadkar paid his respects at the Pawan Hans crematorium, while the industries largely stayed away. Kalyanpur, survived by her daughter Charu, received full state honors with her mortal remains draped in the Indian tri-color.
Suman Kalyanpur, born on January 28, 1937, was a highly respected playback singer in Indian cinema, known for her melodious voice and extensive career spanning decades. Collaborating with renowned composers like Shankar–Jaikishan, O. P. Nayyar, and Kalyanji–Anandji, she gained fame in the 1950s and 1960s, recording songs in various Indian languages. Her duets with Mohammed Rafi were particularly beloved, creating timeless songs that are still cherished.
Despite the rift between Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur’s career flourished during the golden era of playback singing. Her voice, characterized by sweetness, clarity, and emotional depth, set her apart. Singing in multiple languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Assamese, Kannada, and Bengali, she also delved into devotional songs and ghazals, leaving a lasting legacy in classic Indian film music.
