Veteran playback singer Suman Kalyanpur passed away on Sunday, May 31, at the age of 89. Known for her melodious voice that often drew comparisons to the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, Kalyanpur leaves behind a rich legacy in Indian music.
Born as Suman Hemmady on January 28, 1937, in Dhaka (then part of undivided India), she rose to fame with her remarkable contributions to Hindi and Marathi music. Her repertoire included not just film songs but also bhajans, ghazals, and Marathi abhangs and bhavgeets.
Suman completed her schooling at St Columba in Mumbai before pursuing art at the JJ School of Art. But her true passion lay in music. She trained under renowned maestros like Pt Keshavrao Bhole and Ustad Khan Abdul Rehman Khan. This strong foundation helped shape her distinct style.
Throughout her career, she captivated audiences with hit songs across various genres. Fans cherished her ability to bring emotion to every note she sang.
The news of her passing has sent shockwaves through the music community and among fans who admired her talent for decades. Many remember how easily one could mistake Kalyanpur’s voice for Mangeshkar’s—a testament to her extraordinary vocal prowess.