NEW DELHI, June 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed deep grief over the passing of veteran playback singer Suman Kalyanpur, paying tribute to her immense contribution to Indian music and describing her songs as a treasured part of the country’s cultural heritage.
Suman Kalyanpur passed away at the age of 89 on Sunday evening, May 31, at her residence in Lokhandwala, Mumbai. Her demise was caused by age-related ailments.
According to her close associate, she passed away peacefully while listening to her own songs.
In a message posted on social media platform X, the Prime Minister said the legendary singer’s voice had touched generations of listeners and left an enduring legacy in Indian music.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of legendary singer Suman Kalyanpur Ji. She enriched Indian music with timeless songs that touched countless hearts across generations. Her contribution to Indian music will remain an enduring part of our cultural heritage. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family, admirers, and the entire music fraternity,” Modi said.
Suman Kalyanpur, one of the most celebrated voices of Hindi cinema, was known for her melodious singing career that spanned several decades. She recorded thousands of songs in multiple Indian languages and earned widespread admiration for her versatility, clarity of expression and classical grounding.
Born in 1937, Kalyanpur emerged as a prominent playback singer during the golden era of Indian cinema in the 1950s and 1960s. She worked with some of the biggest composers and lyricists of the time and sang alongside leading singers, including Mohammed Rafi. Her songs became immensely popular for their emotional depth and lyrical beauty.
Among her best-known Hindi film songs are “Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche,” “Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhi Se Kar Baithe,” and several memorable duets with Rafi that remain favourites among music lovers. Her distinctive voice and effortless style earned her a special place in the history of Indian playback singing.
Apart from Hindi cinema, Kalyanpur also lent her voice to Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati and other regional-language songs, building a vast and diverse musical repertoire. Over the years, she became known for devotional, classical and film music alike, winning admiration from audiences across the country.
Her death marks the end of an era in Indian music, with tributes pouring in from political leaders, artistes and admirers who remembered her as one of the defining voices of post-Independence Indian cinema. Music historians regard her body of work as an important chapter in the evolution of Indian film music, and her songs continue to be cherished by generations of listeners.
With her passing, India has lost one of its most accomplished and respected playback singers, whose timeless melodies will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come. (UNI)
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