Mumbai, June 2: The film industry is often seen as a glamorous realm, where only the most talked-about names endure the test of time. However, many talented artists have left a lasting impression yet faded into obscurity. Suman Kalyanpur was one such artist whose enchanting voice captivated music lovers for decades, but she did not receive the recognition and respect she truly deserved.
Suman Kalyanpur passed away at the age of 89 in Mumbai. It is surprising that only one artist, Suresh Wadkar, attended her funeral. The absence of major figures from the film and music industry raises the question: Does the cinema world forget its veteran artists too quickly, or is this simply the nature of the industry? Only singer Suresh Wadkar was present to bid her farewell.
Her career faced significant challenges, particularly due to a fallout with composer Nayyar Sahib. Ironically, her debut film featured three songs recorded in her melodious voice, but Nayyar removed two, leaving only the lullaby “Koi Pukare Tujhe Dheere Se” in the film. She later had the chance to sing in the film “Ar-Paar,” but Nayyar did not provide the expected support. Consequently, Suman decided to stop singing for Nayyar’s films altogether.
When a dispute arose between Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi, Suman received several duet opportunities with Rafi. However, once their conflict was resolved, her chances of singing dwindled significantly. This marked the decline of her career, and she struggled to find quality singing opportunities afterward.
Lata Mangeshkar once noted that Suman was a highly talented singer, but her voice closely resembled her own. Suman did not attempt to differentiate her voice, which limited her opportunities. During the era of Sudha Malhotra and Asha Bhosle, Suman’s voice was well-received, but circumstances changed, and her singing gradually faded from the limelight. In contrast, after the passing of Lata Mangeshkar and more recently Asha Bhosle, many from the industry attended their funerals. Unfortunately, Suman did not receive the same recognition in death, with only Suresh Wadkar present at her final farewell.
Suman Kalyanpur was born on January 28, 1937, in Dhaka, then part of undivided India. She received formal music education in Mumbai. Interestingly, she had no plans to enter the film industry; she was studying painting at the J.J. School of Art in Mumbai when her singing caught the attention of renowned singer Talat Mahmood, opening the doors to Hindi film music.
In 2023, the Government of India honored her with the Padma Bhushan, acknowledging her long and significant contribution to music. However, her fans believe she deserved this recognition much earlier.
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