About Suman Kalyanpur

Suman Kalyanpur, born Suman Hemmady, was born on 28 January 1937 in Dhaka, Bengal Presidency, British India, now Bangladesh. Her father, Shankar Rao Hemmady, was a senior bank official. Her family moved to Mumbai in 1943, where she continued her education and musical training.

Although Suman initially had a strong interest in painting and studied at the Sir J. J. School of Art, music eventually became her profession. She received classical vocal training from musicians including Pandit Keshav Rao Bhole, Ustad Khan Abdul Rehman Khan and Master Navrang.

Early Career

Suman Kalyanpur began her professional singing career in the 1950s. Her first film recording was associated with Mangu (1954), where she sang “Koi Pukare Dheere Se Tujhe.� She also recorded an early song for the Marathi film Shukrachi Chandni.

Her voice quickly attracted attention, and she went on to work with some of the leading composers of the era, including Naushad, S. D. Burman, Roshan, Shankar–Jaikishan and Kalyanji–Anandji.

Popular Songs

Some of Suman Kalyanpur's most popular songs include:

• Na Tum Humein Jaano — Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962)
• Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche — Brahmachari (1968)
• Na Na Karte Pyaar — Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965)
• Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye — Rajkumar (1964)
• Rahein Na Rahein Hum — Mamta (1966)
• Parbaton Ke Pedon Par — Shagoon (1964)
• Ajhun Na Aaye Baalma — Sanjh Aur Savera (1964)
• Dil Ek Mandir Hai — Dil Ek Mandir (1963)
• Sharabi Sharabi Yeh Sawan Ka Mausam — Khatta Meetha
• Koi Pukare Dheere Se Tujhe — Mangu (1954)

Association with Mohammed Rafi

One of the most important musical partnerships of Suman Kalyanpur's career was her work with Mohammed Rafi.

The two singers recorded numerous memorable duets, including “Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche,� “Na Na Karte Pyaar� and “Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye.� Their collaborations became an important part of Hindi film music of the 1960s.

She also recorded memorable duets with singers such as Manna Dey, Mukesh and Hemant Kumar.

“Na Tum Humein Jaano�

“Na Tum Humein Jaano� from Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962) is among Suman Kalyanpur's most beloved songs.

The song is remembered for its soft, intimate vocal style and remains one of the classic romantic songs of the golden era of Hindi cinema.

“Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche�

One of her most recognizable recordings is “Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche� from Brahmachari (1968).

Suman Kalyanpur sang the song with Mohammed Rafi. The energetic duet became a major hit and remains one of the most recognizable songs associated with her career.

Marathi Music

Suman Kalyanpur also made an important contribution to Marathi music.

She recorded Marathi Bhavgeet, devotional songs and other forms of light music, establishing a strong reputation beyond Hindi cinema. She also sang in Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi and several other Indian languages.

Musical Style

Suman Kalyanpur was known for her:

• Soft and melodious voice
• Clear vocal tone
• Romantic songs
• Classical-influenced singing
• Bhajans and devotional music
• Ghazals
• Marathi Bhavgeet
• Hindi film playback singing

Her vocal texture was notably similar to Lata Mangeshkar's, which sometimes resulted in listeners confusing the two singers. However, Suman developed her own distinctive identity and recorded hundreds of memorable songs.

Career and Legacy

Suman Kalyanpur's principal playback career flourished during the 1950s through the 1970s. She worked with many of the most important composers and singers of Hindi cinema's golden period.

She recorded music across Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Gujarati, Kannada, Angika, Bhojpuri, Rajasthani, Odia and Punjabi, among other languages.

Her career is especially notable because she established herself during an era dominated by exceptionally prominent female playback singers. Her graceful voice and restrained singing style gave her recordings a distinctive quality.

Awards and Honours

Suman Kalyanpur received several recognitions during her career.

One notable honour was the Lata Mangeshkar Award, presented by the Government of Maharashtra in 2010.

She was also widely recognized for her contribution to Hindi and Marathi music.

Contribution to Indian Music

Suman Kalyanpur occupies an important place in the history of Indian playback singing. Her career produced a large collection of memorable Hindi film songs while her work in Marathi music further expanded her artistic legacy.

Her collaborations with Mohammed Rafi, Manna Dey, Mukesh and Hemant Kumar, along with her work under leading composers, produced many enduring songs. She remained particularly admired for her sweet, controlled and expressive voice.

Birth Details

Full Name: Suman Kalyanpur
Birth Name: Suman Hemmady
Profession: Playback Singer
Date of Birth: 28 January 1937
Birth Place: Dhaka, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Dhaka, Bangladesh)
Years Active: 1953/1954–1988
Languages: Hindi, Marathi and several other Indian languages
Spouse: Ramanand Kalyanpur

Death Details

Date of Death: 31 May 2026