Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 1: Veteran playback singer Suman Kalyanpur, celebrated for timeless songs such as Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhin Se, Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye and Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche, passed away at her residence in Mumbai on Sunday evening due to age-related ailments. She was 89.

According to her close friend and noted writer Mangala Khadilkar, Kalyanpur breathed her last at around 8 pm at her residence in Lokhandwala.

“Suman ji died at around 8 pm at her residence in Lokhandwala due to old age. She died peacefully. Over the last few days, she had been listening to her own songs,” Khadilkar said.

Kalyanpur rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s and earned widespread acclaim for her melodious voice. She established herself as one of the leading playback singers of her era and carved a distinct identity alongside legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar.

Among her most popular songs were Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche, Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhin Se and Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye, which continue to be cherished by music lovers across generations.

During her illustrious career, Kalyanpur recorded songs in several languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Assamese, Kannada, Bengali and Odia. Besides film music, she was also known for rendering devotional songs, ghazals and thumris.

Although her voice was often compared with that of Lata Mangeshkar, Kalyanpur consistently dismissed such comparisons. In an interview in 2022, she had described Mangeshkar as a close friend.

“Everyone loved her songs, and she will remain immortal. We recorded a duet together for the film Chaand. Every time I met her, it felt like meeting a close friend. I believe she felt the same,” she had said.

Kalyanpur's last rites will be performed at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Mumbai on Monday between 11.30 am and noon.

She is survived by her daughter, Charu.