Continuing the series on Suman Kalyanpur’s association with Hindi film actresses across the decades, let begin today’s post.
As I said in the previous post, Suman Kalyanpur was regularly singing for Dattaram since 1960 and had good songs in various films. It could have led to her entry into Shankar Jaikishan camp, where she was offered a solo and a duet in the film Dil Ek Mandir (1963). In the coming years she sang a number of songs under the baton of Shankar Jaikishan. Though it mainly had her duets with Rafi, there were also solos.
It was also the period when the rift between Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar began to manifest and Suman Kalyanpur got more opportunities to sing with Rafi. And it was during this period that she sang for the prominent leading actresses of Hindi cinema. There were a few composers like Khayyam, who offered her songs in the capacity of the main female singer of the film. So we find films like Shagoon (1964) and Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hain (1965) where she sang for Waheeda Rehman and Nanda respectively.
Without a further ado, let’s move on to the song list. I’ll continue the song numbers as an extension to the previous post.
11. Yeh Din Din Hain Khushi Ke – Jabse Tumhe Dekha Hai (1963) with Manna Dey / Dattaram – Shailendra
Suman Kalyanpur sang for Dattaram in quite a few films. While most of the songs are not popular, the songs are actually good. A few Hindi film songs have paid a cost for being there in so called B grade films. They remained in the dark, away from the masses despite being good. Look how melodious and energetic the tune and this song is! Geeta Bali received her playback in this movie, though Suman Kalyanpur got a small part.
Geela Bali was a natural and spontaneous actress, but she couldn’t get many opportunities.
12. Apne Piya Ki Main To – Kan Kan Mein Bhagwan (1963) / Pandit Shivram – Bharat Vyas
Anita Guha was one of those good actresses, who never made it to the so called first rung of Hindi film actresses. Her career was almost restricted to mythological and religious movies. Many of her films had good songs.
It’s one of Suman Kalyanpur’s popular songs and her expressions are so apt. The orchestration and the tune are good too.
13. Nazar Ko Sambhalo – Cobra Girl (1963) with Mukesh / S N Tripathi – Prem Dhawan
It’s one of my favourite songs. It would have been on the list, let any of the actresses would have been there in it. The song is picturised on Raagini and Mahipal. Though the film was well known, the songs were good. Just listen to this one, without getting biased to the so-called B grade status of the film. It was a costume drama. S N Tripathi never compromised with melody, though he too never made it to the first rung of composers.
14. Yeh Kisne Geet Chheda – Meri Surat Teri Aankhen (1963) with Mukesh / S D Burman – Shailendra
After Miya Bibi Raazi (1960) and Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962), S D Burman again offered a song to Suman Kalyanpur. The song is still very popular and is picturised on Asha Parekh and Pradeep Kumar. The opening aalap itself is sung with such a finesse that it creates a dreamy aura. The orchestration is so amazing! The flute, mandolin, guitar and saxophone all used with such brilliance. The song lingers in the air and settles forever in our minds. Suman Kalyanpur’s delicate voice suits it so well.
After her debut with Shammi Kapoor in the musical blockbuster, Dil Deke Dekho (1959), Asha Parekh rose to fame and popularity. Her career graph was upgoing throughout the 60s.
15. Agar Teri Jalwa Numai Na Hoti – Beti Bete (1964) with Rafi / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
Suman Kalyanpur got to sing her only song for the film, though it became as popular as the other songs of the movie. She sang for B Sarojadevi, who was a popular actress from South India. In the same year Suman Kalyanpur sang the popular song, ‘Chand Takta Hai Idhar’ for the film, Dooj Ka Chand, under the baton of Roshan.
Is it only me or you can also hear a little quiver in Suman Kalyanpur’s voice at high notes? Is it possible that she did it deliberately to stamp her own identity? That quiver used to be absent in her earlier recordings of the late 50s and the early 60s.
16. Bujha Diye Hain Khud Apne Haathon – Shagoon (1964) / Khayyam – Sahir
Suman Kalyanpur was the chosen voice for Waheeda Rehman in the movie. She had 2 solos and one duet with Rafi in the movie. All her songs can be included in her best Hindi film songs. If Waheeda Rehman succeeds in conveying her agony to us, then at least half of it can be credited to the singer. Suman Kalyanpur poured her heart out for the song. The song has a strange mixture of sorrow, helplessness and determination, which are well conveyed by her.
Waheeda Rehman received Suman Kalyanpur’s playback in many films like Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962), Shagoon (1964), Palki (1967) to name the prominent ones.
17. Keh Do Keh Do – April Fool (1964) with Rafi / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
The song is picturised on Saira Banu and Biswajeet. Saira Banu became popular after her debut in 1961 opposite Shammi Kapoor. Her movies from the 60s were popular and the majority of them had great songs.
In the movie, Suman Kalyanpur had a couple of duets with Rafi. I chose this duet because unlike many of her other duets with Rafi, she got to sing 2 verses. It is a playful romantic song that depicts the confession of love by the lovers.
18. Baad Muddat Ke Yeh Ghadi Aayi – Jahan Ara (1964) with Rafi / Madan Mohan – Rajendra Krishan
As compared to other composers, Madan Mohan rarely offered songs to Suman Kalyanpur. This song is difficult to sing, as one should be aware of the nuances of the Raag. Being a trained classical singer, Suman Kalyanpur sang it with ease.
The song is picturised on Mala Sinha and Bharat Bhushan and belongs to the film based on the life story of Jahan Ara. It is said that Suman Kalyanpur’s singing was very much appreciated in this song. Perhaps her classical base wasn’t known to many. As per available information, the song is primarily based on Raag Chhayanat, with some overlapping of Raag Yaman.
19. Ajhun Na Aaye Baalma – Saanjh Aur Savera (1964) with Rafi / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
This wonderful semi classical song was very popular and still popular among the masses. It was picturised on the comic side characters, played by Mehmood and Shubha Khote, but it is more popular than the songs picturised on the main lead pair. Shubha Khote is a talented actress who despite being confined to supporting roles, made her presence felt. Here’s a post published on her birthday.
Suman Kalyanpur is neck and neck with Rafi as far as the singing goes. Enjoy this mesmerizing performance by the singers.
And, in the last position, I’ve a surprise for you. I am sure you would never have imagined Suman Kalyanpur offering playback to this actress. And to add to the surprise, the actress was herself a playback singer in her early days. Let’s go to the song at once.
20. Mujhe Tumse Mohabbat Hai – Qawwali Ki Raat (1964) / Iqbal Qureshi – Shewan Rizvi
The song is picturised on Tuntun, who was a former playback singer in the late 40s and the early 50s. She used to sing by the name of Umadevi and her major Hindi film songs were under the baton of Naushad, who was also the one who introduced her. Here’s the post on the blog dedicated to her songs.
It’s not a particularly good song. And the video with skipping and jumping of words, interferes as well. But it would be the only occasion where Suman Kalyanpur sang for Tuntun.
I end today’s list. I’ll be back with the next installment soon.
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.
