In today’s weekend blog, I am writing about one female singer of Bollywood who never got her due and recognition. What was her fault her voice sounded like Lata Mangeshkar and Lata was at the top during her singing career, so she was always known as poor man’s Lata, and if Lata is not available then call her. You must have guessed her name by now, yes I am talking about SUMAN KALYANPUR. It is fact that she suffered in her career due to her voice being like Lata Mangeshkar. In fact, if she was born after one generation, she should have attained the success which she deserved.
She was born Suman Hemady on 28 January 1937 in Dhaka, as her father who used to work in the Central Bank of India was posted there. Her family hails from Udupi dist. in Karnataka. As a child, she was interested in music and was trained by known classical singers. She first song for All India Radio in 1952, and also sang for a Marathi film. Her first Hindi film song was for Mangu in 1954. After this, she became a regular playback singer, but most of her films were B grade. From the late 50s, she started getting assignments with top music directors. She has sung for composers like Shankar Jaikishan Roshan, Madan Mohan, Kalyanji Anandji, Sd Burman, Naushad, N Datta, Hemant Kumar, Chitragupt, SN Tripathi, Ghulam Mohd, and Laxmikant Pyarelal. She sang over 140 duets with Mohd Rafi. Shankar Jaikishan, Roshan has used her voice many times for their composition. She has sung with most of the singers in her era.
She married a Mumbai-based businessman Ramanand Kalyanpur in 1958, she has one daughter who is settled in the USA.
I am listing below some hit songs of Suman Kalyanpur which are my favourite. The songs are listed in random order with their YouTube link.
1 Apne Piya Ki Main To Bani Re Joganiya– 1963- Kan Kan Mein Bhagwan (film), Bharat Vyas (Lyrics) Pandit Shivram (Music Director). On-screen Anita Guha with Mahipal.
2 Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche Har Juban Par-1968- Brahamchari (F), with Mohd Rafgi (S) Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On–screen Shammi Kapoor & Mumtaz.
3 Dil Ek Mandir Hai, Pyar Ki Jisme Hoti Hai Pooja– 1963- Dil Ek Mandir (F), With Mohd Rafi (S),Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan. On-screen, it is a background song.
4 Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhi Se Kar Baithe– 1965-Jab Jab Phool Khile (F), with Mohd Rafi (S), Anand Bakshi (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On-screen Shashi Kapoor and Nanda.
5 Parbaton Ke Pedhon Par Sham Ka Basera Hai– 1964- Shagun (F), with Mohd Rafi (S), Sahir Ludhianvi (L), Khayyam (MD). On- screen Waheeda Rehman & Kamaljeet.
6 Na Tum Hamen Jaano, Na Hum Tuhen Jaane-1962- Baat Ek Raat Ki, Majrooh Sultanpuri(L), SD Burman (MD). On- screen Waheeda Rehman.
7 Aap Se Humko Bichhade Hue Ek Zamana Beet Gaya-1968-Vishwas (F), with Manhar Udhas (S), Gulshan Bawra (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD). On-screen Jeetendra& Aparna Sen.
8 Rahen Na Rahen Hum Meheka Karenge-1966- Mamta (F), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), Roshan (MD). On-screen Ashik Kumar & Suchitra Sen.
9 Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye, Jaan Hatheli Pe Le Aaye-1964-Rajkumar, Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On-screen Shammi Kapoor & Sadhana.
10 Juhi Ki Kali Meri Laadli, Naazon Ki Pali Meri Laadli– 1963- Dil Ek Mandir (F), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen Meena Kum ari.
11 Ajhun Na Aaye Balma Saawan Beeta Jaye-1964– Saanjh Aur Savera(F), with Moha Rafi (S), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On- screen Mehmood and Shobha Khote.
12 Tumse o Hassena Kabhi Mohabbat Na Maine Karni Thi-1967- Farz (F), with Mohd Rafi(S),Anand Bakshi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On- screen Jeetendra & Babita.
13 Yeh Mausam Rangeen Sama, Thehar Jara o Jaanejaan-1960- Modern Girl (F), with Mukesh (S), Gulshan Bawra (L), Ravi (MD). On-screen Pradeep Kumar & Saeeda Khan.
14 Din Ho Yaa Raat Hum Rahen Tere Saath, Yeh Hamari Marzi– 1957- Miss Bombay (F), with Mohd Rafi (S), Prem Dhawan (L), Hansraj Bahl (MD). On-screen Ajit & Nalini Jaywant.
15 Mere Mehboob Na Ja, Aaj Ki Raat Na Ja– 1962-Noor Mahal- Jaan Nabu (L & MD). On-screen Chitra
There are many more hit songs of Suman Kalyanpur, but I limited the list to 15 numbers.
Waiting for your views/comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
30th April 2021.
R. N. Mungale.
I like Suman Kalyanpur’s songs very much.