Maharashtra leaders mourn Suman Kalyanpur

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde on Sunday mourned the death of veteran playback singer Suman Kalyanpur, remembering her as one of India’s most celebrated voices whose songs shaped generations of music lovers.

While Fadnavis described her passing as the loss of a divine voice that enriched India’s musical heritage for more than six decades, Pawar said it marked the end of a golden era, and Shinde called her an enduring symbol of Indian light classical and film music.

Kalyanpur, who gave her voice to hits such as “Na Na Karte” and “Tumne Pukara”, passed away on Sunday evening at her residence due to age-related issues, a close friend said. She was 89.

Fadnavis said Kalyanpur initially trained in painting but found her true calling in music, going on to establish herself as one of the most respected playback singers in the country. Her sweet voice and command over classical music made her songs immensely popular, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s, he said.

The chief minister said that Kalyanpur made an indelible contribution not only to Marathi music but also to Hindi, Bengali and Odia songs. Born in Dhaka in the then-undivided India and later settled in Mumbai, she was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for her contribution.

Fadnavis said Kalyanpur’s work in playback singing, devotional music and emotional songs significantly enriched India’s musical legacy. Her timeless songs will continue to live on in the hearts of listeners, he said.

“Though her immortal songs will remain with us forever, the absence of the gentle and graceful Sumanji will always be felt,” the chief minister said.

Calling her death a major loss to the cultural and music fraternity, Fadnavis expressed condolences to the Kalyanpur family and her countless admirers.

NCP SP chief Sharad Pawar expressed grief over the demise of veteran playback singer Suman Kalyanpur, saying her death marks the end of a golden era in Indian classical and light music.

In a condolence message, Pawar said the news of Kalyanpur’s passing was deeply saddening and described her as an artiste who enriched Indian music with her melodious, soulful and emotionally moving voice.

He said her immortal songs in Hindi, Marathi and several other regional languages had captivated generations of listeners and left an enduring impact on India’s musical landscape.

Pawar said that Kalyanpur’s contribution to Indian music would be remembered for years to come and that her songs would continue to resonate with music lovers across the country.

“The passing of Suman Kalyanpur marks the end of a golden chapter in Indian classical and light music,” he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that with the passing of the veteran singer, who reigned over Indian music with her timeless, sweet melodies, the “Suman” (flower) of music has withered, and India’s music world has suffered a great loss.

He said Kalyanpur was not merely a singer but represented a golden era of Indian light classical and film music. With her deeply expressive and melodious voice, she immortalised thousands of songs in Marathi, Hindi and other languages. The purity and emotive quality of her voice struck directly at the hearts of listeners, he said.

The devotional songs and fishermen’s (Koli) songs she sang still feel equally fresh. Despite having no formal musical legacy behind her, she built an unshakable place in the world of music through her talent and rigorous practice, Shinde added.

“Suman ji passed away at around 8 pm at her residence in Lokhandwala due to old age. She passed away peacefully. For the last few days she was listening to her own songs,” Mangala Khadilkar, who authored the acclaimed Marathi biography ‘Suman Sugandh’ on the singer, told PTI.

Some of her popular songs are “Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche”, “Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhin Se”, “Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye” and many others.