We are visiting Suman Kalyanpur’s association with actresses of Hindi cinema. So far we have seen the late 50s and early 60s in two separate posts. Today we will move on to the mid and late 60s.
As I said in the previous post, the mid 60s were a peak period in her career and I consider it as the busiest part of her Hindi film career. During this time, she had an opportunity to sing for big banners and be associated with a few of the first rung actresses of Hindi cinema. In addition her other film assignments obviously continued in this period.
All her duets included in today’s post are with Rafi. It’s time now to visit the list.
21. Tumhe Dil Se Chaha – Chand Aur Suraj (1965) with Rafi / Salil Chowdhury – Shailendra
This was perhaps the only film of Suman Kalyanpur with Salil Chowdhury. She obviously made the best of it. Her enthusiastic and energetic rendition spreads waves of joy. Look at her expressions! Full of love and happiness!
Suman Kalyanpur sang for Tanuja. But it was not the first occasion when she sang for her. Suman Kalyanpur had sung for Tanuja earlier for the film, Hamari Yaad Aayegi (1961). Starting her career with home production, Chhabili (1960) Tanuja had a mixed career in the 60s and the 70s. I like her looks as well as her acting, and no doubt she is fabulous!
22. Meri Saheliyan Byahi Gayi Saari – Teesra Kaun (1965) / R D Burman – Anand Bakshi
This may not be a well known song, but it’s one of the rare light hearted songs she sang for Hindi films. A beautiful girl talks about her unmarried status and mentions concerns about it. The song then goes on adding the mentions of marriages and their married life of her friends. Pure fun to watch and to listen to!
The song is picturised on Kalpana, who rose to fame after the release of Professor (1962). Though later her career only occasionally had notable films like Teen Deviyan (1965).
23. Sun Re Sun Albele – Tarzan Comes to Delhi (1965) / Dattaram – Anand Bakshi
Have you ever thought of a connection between Suman Kalyanpur and a club song? Or a connection between Helen and Suman Kalyanpur? Well! Helen mostly had Asha Bhosle as her on-screen voice, but Suman Kalyanpur did sing for Helen. And there’s a surprise! One song is a Mujra from Aulad (1965) and the other the present club song. There could be a few more, though I couldn’t remember any! Forget the grade of film, enjoy Helen and her fabulous dance with Suman Kalyanpur’s sweet voice. She’s at home with the rendition.
Helen is one of the most popular dancers and actresses of Hindi cinema. Though primarily remembered for her dances, she is a good actress too. Whenever she got a sizable role to her credit she lived up to the mark.
24. Jo Humpe Guzarti Hai – Mohabbat Isko Kehte Hain (1965) / Khayyam – Majrooh
While Suman Kalyanpur’s romantic duet, Thehriye Hosh Mein Aa Loon, would be the most popular song of the movie, I preferred this melancholy song for today’s list. The pathos is unparalleled. We can actually feel the pain and agony in her voice, and she does full justice to the composition.
The song is picturised on Nanda. Nanda was the daughter of Master Vinayak, a popular actor, director. She debuted in the 50s and slowly became one of the most popular actresses of Hindi cinema in the 60s and the 70s, always maintaining her grace and dignity.
25. Mere Mehboob Na Ja – Noor Mahal (1965) / Jani Babu Qawwal – Saba Afghani
Now this is a song that’s almost like an identity of Suman Kalyanpur. Having grown up in the late 80s and early 90s, I’ve watched it in Rangoli quite frequently. As a child, we used to sing it during powercuts carrying a lit candle. The song creates an aura of mystery and horror and continues to haunt the listeners. It seems the song had a few versions with different verses and all were included in the movie. The tune, orchestration and the high pitched parts of the verses all add to the haunting aura of the song. The song is based on Raag Shivramjani.
It is picturised on Chitra, who was an actress confined almost to the B grade stunt movies.
26. Mere Sang Gaa – Janwar (1965) / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
Shankar Jaikishan gave her an opportunity to sing a few solos, and this one stands out prominently. Her expressions, tone and range can be easily seen in the song.
It’s a wonderful semi classical song with a good dance performance by Rajshree. She was the daughter of V Shantaram and Jayashree. She was a child artist in V Shantaram’s film, Subah Ka Taara (1954). After acting in films in the early 60s, she married and settled in the U S.
27. Rahe Na Rahe Hum – Mamta (1966) with Rafi / Roshan – Majrooh
For decades I was unaware of the existence of this duet version of the popular solo by Lata Mangeshkar. The song is picturised on Suchitra Sen and Dharmendra. Suchitra Sen played a double role. The solo version is picturised on Suchitra Sen, the mother, while the duet version on the daughter.
The song has only one stanza, and it’s a very short song. Nevertheless, the singers make it a memorable song.
28. Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai Yeh – Badtameez (1966) / Shankar Jaikishan – Hasrat Jaipuri
The song depicts the confession of love, in a typical SJ styled orchestration. Full of energy and vigour. And Suman Kalyanpur’s expressive voice adds the required emotions to it.
The song is picturised on Sadhana, who was associated with Suman Kalyanpur right from her debut film, Love In Simla (1960). Later there was the popular duet, Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye from Rajkumar (1964). But for today’s list, I chose this beautiful but a bit less popular solo.
29. Sharabi Sharabi Yeh Sawan Ka Mausam – Noor Jahan (1967) / Roshan – Shakeel Badayuni
Suman Kalyanpur sang for Meena Kumari a couple of solos for this movie. The popularity of this song completely overshadowed the other solo, which according to me is equally wonderful. Here, the song describes the monsoon with image evoking lyrics. The song surely finds a place in the best Hindi film songs by Suman Kalyanpur.
In comparison to the other actresses, Meena Kumari frequently received playback by Suman Kalyanpur. Right from Zindagi Aur Khwab (1961), and Dil Ek Mandir (1963) to Bheegi Raat and Noorjahan.
30. Tumse O Haseena – Farz (1967) with Rafi / Laxmikant Pyarelal – Anand Bakshi
Suman Kalyanpur sings for Babita in this film. Though it was her only song for the movie, it’s equally good and one of her popular duets with Rafi. Later, she sang for Babita in Anjana (1969) for Laxmikant Pyarelal again and in Pehchan (1972) for Shankar Jaikishan.
The next and the final part of the series will be published soon.
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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.
