Suman Kalyanpur: A Legacy of Marathi Music and Versatility Suman Kalyanpur, the celebrated Marathi singer, passed away at the age of 89, marking the end of an era in Indian music. Born on 28 January 1937 in Dhaka, then part of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), she hailed from a family deeply rooted in music. Her father, Shankar Rao Hemadri, and mother, Sita Bai, were instrumental in nurturing her early talent. Suman’s journey began in her childhood, where her home became a hub for artistic expression, with visits from notable figures like playwrights Mohan G. Rangnekar and Keshav Rao Bhosle. Her musical education started under the guidance of Yashwant Dev, who introduced her to film music. Despite initial challenges, her voice captivated composer Muhammad Shafi, who cast her in his film Mangoo, marking her debut. Suman’s versatility shone through as she mastered multiple languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Urdu, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Kannada, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, and Marathi. Her repertoire spanned ghazals, bhajans, and film songs, earning her a reputation as a multifaceted artist. In the 1950s, Suman entered a competitive music scene dominated by legends like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. Yet, she carved her niche by delivering soulful performances that resonated with audiences. Her Marathi songs, such as Rimzim Zharate Shraavan Dhara and Omkar Pradhan Rup Ganeshacha, became classics. She also contributed to Hindi cinema, with notable works like Mangoo and Kala. Suman’s contributions were recognized with prestigious awards, including the State Best Supporting Actress Award for Marathi cinema and the Lata Mangeshkar Award in 2010. Her autobiography, Suman Sugandh, published in 2009, chronicled her life and career, authored by noted writer Mangala Khadilkar.#suman_kalyanpur #shankar_rao_hemadri #sita_bai #mohan_g_rangnekar #kesav_rao_bhosle
