We have reached the fourth and final part of the series covering Suman Kalyanpur’s association with the actresses of Hindi cinema across the decades.
Before we proceed, let me share an anecdote about her. It was shared in her comments by a fellow blogger Anitaji, in one of the earlier parts of the series. Though I was aware of it, and it’s very much connected with the topic of the series, I completely forgot to add it. So I thank her for reminding me about it.
Suman Kalyanpur in her biography mentioned that she hardly knew who lip-synched to her songs on screen. Because of the busy schedule and household responsibilities, she was unable to watch the movies she sang for. That was interesting! How could she have managed to do it in the era of extreme popularity of her songs?
Continuing our list. We have enjoyed so far till the year 1967. This part is interesting as we will come across a few surprises! At least I think so….
31. Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke – Brahmachari (1968) with Rafi / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
It was Suman Kalyanpur’s only song for the movie, in fact the only song in the movie to incorporate a female voice. The song however became immensely popular and still continues to be. So after a jazz based song in Farz (1967), it was a rock n roll song in this movie. Though these were the Indian fusion versions of the original western styles, it needed that particular vibe to fit to the style. And she did that well.
She sang for Mumtaz in the movie, and very interestingly the leading lady Rajshree had no song to lip sync to! She had sung earlier for Mumtaz in Boond Jo Ban Gayi Moti (1967). Mumtaz had an interesting journey from a mere junior actor to the leading lady of Hindi cinema with high popularity and fan following.
32. Mera Pyar Bhi Tu Hai – Saathi (1969) with Mukesh / Naushad – Majrooh
The song was picturised on Vyjayanti Mala and Rajendra Kumar. While I was about to add one of the duets from Suraj or Chhoti Si Mulaqat, I remembered this beautiful duet from Saathi (1969). As her association with Shankar Jaikishan was already highlighted in the previous posts, I chose this one. Naushad seldom offered her songs, off hand I could recollect Palki and Saathi. She did full justice on both the occasions, blending with Naushad’s style of compositions. The song also had a sad duet version, sung by the same singers.
33. Suno Jee Tum Tum Bade Woh Ho – Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi (1970) with Kishore Kumar / R D Burman – Rajendra Krishan
Suman Kalyanpur’s association with R D Burman wasn’t much popular though they did give a few memorable songs that were unfortunately not very popular. We had a solo by the combo on the previous list. This one is picturised on Leena Chandavarkar and Sanjay Khan. I’ve no idea of their association other than this film. Suman Kalyanpur picks up the exact vibe of this playful romantic duet. I think the couple onscreen is married and this could be a song immediately after the marriage.
34. Kamdev Jaisi Teri Suratiya – Tum Haseen Main Jawan (1970) / Shankar Jaikishan – Indeevar
In this beautiful song, Suman Kalyanpur sings for Hema Malini. Though I’m not much of a fan of the songs from this movie, this one does stand out for me. It has a typical SJ touch, which they were rapidly losing as the decade turned to the 70s. This is of course my personal opinion.
Coming to the song, it has a gentle and smoothly flowing melody. Suman Kalyanpur’s expressions are spot on! Her voice exudes shyness, affection and feeling of love and care to her beloved, played by a dashing looking Dharmendra.
35. Ek Thi Nindiya – Seema (1971) / Shankar Jaikishan – Gulzar
The song is a beautifully penned lullaby by Gulzar. The poet personifies Sleep as the sister of the evening and the one who is born at night. The calmness in the first half of the song and the hard hitting facts in the second half find themselves expressed well by Suman Kalyanpur. The song is lip synched by Simi Garewal, who was a popular actress of the 70s and the 70s. Though she had a charm of her own, she couldn’t make it to the first rung actresses.
Suman Kalyanpur continued her association with Shankar Jaikishan throughout the 70s, though barring the initial few years, the films had no memorable songs and her songs with SJ in the late 70s largely went unnoticed.
36. Man Mera Tujhko Maange – Paras (1971) / Kalyanji Anandji – Indeevar
Suman Kalyanpur sang for Rakhi in this song. Rakhi became a popular actress of the 70s after her debut in the late 60s with Dharmendra. This is from the earlier part of her career. I won’t call it a great song. The tune and the lyrics are ordinary. Suman Kalyanpur doesn’t get to do anything special in it. I added it as one of the representative songs she sang for Rakhi.
37. Paani Mein Jale Mora Gora Badan – Munimji (1972) / Usha Khanna – Hasrat Jaipuri
This is the first surprise that I was talking about. The song was known to me, but I hadn’t watched it till recently. The song is filmed on Jayashree T and Ramesh Dev. The former is swimming near a river, trying to seduce the latter, who looks more than happy at the hint. The picturisation seems a bit bold for the period. Jayasree T was a Marathi actress, who became a popular dancer and played supporting characters in Hindi films.
It’s not a common scenario for Suman Kalyanpur to sing such kind of songs. Still she performs it well with good sound modulation and apt expressions. Alas! Despite being a versatile singer, she was always to remain in second rung.
38. Tum Chahe Humko Pasand Na Karo – Badaltey Rishtey (1978) with Kishore Kumar / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Anjaan
The song features the on-screen pair of Reena Roy and Rishi Kapoor. I was keen on finding a Reena Roy song as she would later lip-sync to Suman Kalyanpur’s swan song in Hindi films, a couple of years later.
The song portrays a nok-jhonk between the lovers, the charming hero finally managing to coax an angry heroine. The faux anger and later the confession of love are portrayed effortlessly by Suman Kalyanpur. Suman Kalyanpur’s duets with Kishore Kumar are generally not very popular and are just a handful.
39. Sata Sata Ke Khush Hote Ho – Saajan Bina Suhagan (1978) / Usha Khanna – Indeevar
While I was tempted to add the title song from Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya where Suman Kalyanpur sang for Nutan, I decided to highlight this lesser known solo picturised on Nutan. Suman Kalyanpur had a couple of songs in Dil Hi To Hai (1963), but none was retained in the movie, if I’m correct. Both the songs are however still very popular.
The song portrays a plea of a mother for her daughter. The agony and despair is portrayed well by Suman Kalyanpur. But it’s not an outstanding song.
40. Mumkin Hai Naiya Se – Yaadon Ki Zanjeer (1984) with Kishore Kumar / Rajesh Roshan – Indeevar
To end the list I’ve Shabana Azmi and Shashi Kapoor as an on-screen romantic pair. Though the film was started in the late 70s, its release was delayed by several years as per information available on the internet. So it could be one of her last released Hindi film songs that were recorded much earlier.
The playful romantic number is sung with apt expressions by both the singers. The lyrics are good too. In the 80s when the western beats were taking up the front space, there was a setback to melody. This song belongs originally to the earlier decade that’s why it stands out.
Before I sign off
It was a fabulous journey going through Suman Kalyanpur’s Hindi film songs in a chronological way. What I noticed the most was the sweetness and delicacy of her voice never aged with time. It sounded as fresh as it did in the 50s and the 60s. But despite being delicate, it was not weak at all. We have listened to her ghazals in the non film song post and experienced the strength in her voice in spite of the delicate touch.
An era ended…
One more of the golden era voices departed forever…
Sumanji, you will be remembered for your beautiful and delicate voice that also excelled in expressions and technicality. You used to modulate the voice as per situations, we laughed with you, we shared the grief of the character when you sang a melancholy song for her (I want to mention, Jo Humpe Guzarti Hai from Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hain – 1965 in this context), we were happy when you sang joyous songs spreading lots of happiness across the world. We will miss you……..
Disclaimer –
Mehfil Mein Meri, claims no credit for any image, screenshots or songs posted on this site. Images on this blog are posted to make the text interesting. The images and screenshots are the copyright of their original owners. The song links are shared from YouTube, only for the listening convenience of music lovers. The copyright of these songs rests with the respective owners, producers and music companies.
