Padma Bhushan awardee Suman Kalyanpur dies at 89

Veteran playback singer Suman Kalyanpur, whose voice graced generations of Indian music lovers, passed away on Sunday evening at her residence in Mumbai. She was 89. According to her close friend and biographer Mangala Khadilkar, the Padma Bhushan awardee died peacefully around 8 p.m. due to age-related ailments.

Kalyanpur’s career spanned more than six decades, establishing her as one of the most respected voices in Indian playback singing. She was renowned for her melodious tone and classical finesse, delivering timeless hits across multiple languages. Her popular songs include "Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche," "Na Tum Hamein Jaano," "Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhin Se," and "Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye." She also sang numerous Marathi classics such as "Ketakichya Bani Tithe," "Sang Kadhi Kalnar Tula," and "Nimbonyachya Jhadamaghe."

Born as Suman Hemmady in Dhaka in 1937, she later settled in Mumbai. After initially studying painting, she dedicated herself to music and trained under noted musicians including Pt. Keshavrao Bhole. Her early career took off in the 1950s, and she rose to prominence during the 1960s and 1970s, carving a niche alongside contemporaries like Lata...