31 May,2026 11:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde expressed deep sorrow over the passing of veteran singer and Padma Bhushan awardee. Pic/X (@mieknathshinde)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Eknath Shinde paid tributes to veteran playback singer Suman Kalyanpur following her demise on Sunday.
CM Fadnavis described her passing as the silencing of a "divine and melodious voice" that enriched Indian music for more than six decades.
In his condolence message, Fadnavis said that Kalyanpur's sweet and classically trained voice left an indelible mark on generations of music lovers. Her songs played a significant role in shaping the musical landscape of the 1950s and 1960s, making her one of the most respected playback singers of her time.
He noted that although she initially studied fine arts, her true calling was music, where she went on to build an extraordinary career spanning several decades.
Fadnavis highlighted that Kalyanpur was not only admired in Marathi music but also earned recognition through her work in Hindi, Bengali, Odia and several other Indian languages.
Born in Dhaka, then part of undivided India, she later made Mumbai her home and became one of the most celebrated voices in Indian cinema and devotional music.
The Chief Minister said Kalyanpur's contributions through playback singing, devotional songs and emotional melodies greatly enriched Indian music. He added that her timeless songs would continue to inspire listeners and preserve her legacy for generations to come.
Fadnavis described her as a humble and graceful personality whose absence would be deeply felt by the artistic community and her countless admirers.
Expressing his sympathy to the Kalyanpur family and her vast fan base, the Chief Minister said the country had lost not only a gifted singer but also a dedicated artist whose work would remain immortal in Indian musical history.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde expressed deep sorrow over the passing of veteran singer and Padma Bhushan awardee Suman Kalyanpur, describing her death as a major loss to Indian music.
In his condolence message, Shinde said that with Kalyanpur's demise, the "flower of music has withered", leaving behind an irreplaceable void in the country's cultural and musical landscape.
Paying tribute to her remarkable musical journey, Shinde said Suman Kalyanpur represented a golden era of Indian light and film music. With her sweet, soulful and expressive voice, she immortalised thousands of songs in Marathi, Hindi and several other languages.
He said her voice carried a unique purity and emotional depth that touched the hearts of listeners across generations.
Eknath Shinde recalled some of Kalyanpur's most loved songs, including Shabdavachun Kalale Sare, Tuch Sukhacha Sagar, Ketkichya Bani Tithe and Pakhara Ja Re Ja, which continue to be cherished by music lovers.
He also praised her contributions to devotional music and traditional Koli folk songs, noting that her melodies remain as fresh and relevant today as when they were first recorded.
The Deputy Chief Minister noted that Kalyanpur achieved extraordinary success through her own talent, hard work and dedication, despite not coming from a formal musical background.
He said her contribution to Indian music was recognised nationally when she was honoured with the prestigious Padma Bhushan award.
