Padma Bhushan Awardee Suman Kalyanpur Passes Away in Mumbai at 89

Veteran playback singer Suman Kalyanpur , one of the most admired voices of Indian cinema’s golden era, passed away at her Mumbai residence on Sunday evening due to age-related ailments, leaving behind a musical legacy that spanned more than six decades. She was 89 .

The singer breathed her last at around 8 pm at her Lokhandwala residence and passed away peacefully, according to author Mangala Khadilkar, who wrote the acclaimed Marathi biography Suman Sugandh . Khadilkar said Kalyanpur had spent her final days listening to her own songs. Her last rites are scheduled to be held in Mumbai on Monday.

Tributes poured in from political leaders, musicians and admirers across the country. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described her death as the loss of a divine voice that enriched India's musical heritage for over six decades. He said Kalyanpur, who initially trained in painting before turning to music, established herself as one of the country's most respected playback singers through talent, discipline and a deep grounding in classical music.

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said her passing marked the end of a golden era in Indian classical and light music, while Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde remembered her as an enduring symbol of Indian film and semi-classical music whose songs touched generations of listeners. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also expressed grief, calling her death a major loss to Indian music.

Born in Dhaka in undivided India and later settled in Mumbai, Kalyanpur built a remarkable career across Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Odia, Kannada, Assamese and several other languages. Honoured with the Padma Bhushan , she became known for her expressive voice, devotional songs, ghazals, light classical compositions and film melodies that remained popular across generations.

Veteran singer Kavita Krishnamurti paid an emotional tribute, describing Kalyanpur as “the last great singer of that era” and praising her unique musical identity, emotional depth and lasting influence on Indian playback singing.

Kalyanpur's career flourished during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, when she worked with leading composers and singers of the time. Her soft, melodious voice often drew comparisons with Lata Mangeshkar, yet she carved out a distinctive place of her own through memorable performances that became part of India's musical heritage.

Among her most celebrated songs are “Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche” , “Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhin Se” , “Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye” , and “Parbaton Ke Pedon Par.” Revered for the purity, sweetness and emotional richness of her singing, Suman Kalyanpur leaves behind an enduring legacy that will continue to resonate with music lovers for generations.