"Softness of nature, voice...": Author Mangala Khadilkar remembers legendary singer Suman Kalyanpur

Acclaimed Marathi author Mangala Khadilkar who penned the biography Suman Sugandh on legendary singer Suman Kalyanpur paid an emotional tribute to the late artiste recalling her humility musical sensitivity and enduring contribution to Indian musicSpeaking about her association with Kalyanpur Khadilkar said she felt fortunate to have documented the singers life and journeyMy name is Mangala Khadilkar I am fortunate that I was able to write about her she told ANIReflecting on the process of writing the biography Khadilkar noted that information about Kalyanpur was not easily accessible at the timeThere are many storiesBecause that biography was written when YouTube was not there Google was not there People had very little knowledge about her because she was a very quiet person Khadilkar recalledAccording to the author Kalyanpur rarely spoke about herself but eventually opened up during the course of their interactionsBut we forced her to break her silence So she broke her silence At that time all rasiks and all of us were very happy There are many stories she saidKhadilkar particularly remembered Kalyanpurs extraordinary attention to detail while singingRecently we sang one of her songs There is a word in that song I dont remember all the words but she had sung that particular word so softly There is a beauty in the expression of a young couple That is how that word comes She used to sing every word with a lot of thought That is why her songs were different she saidThe author stressed that Kalyanpurs style could not be compared with anyone elsesI will not say that it was like somebody elses singing Her songs were different They were her own songs she saidDescribing the singers artistic personality Khadilkar spoke about the unique blend of qualities that defined Kalyanpurs musicIn Marathi we say Apna Komal Aatmabhaan In Hindi I would say there was a softness of nature a softness of voice and a softness of singing style All three were present in her she saidSo whatever was created with the combination of all three was so beautiful that there are no words for it she addedKhadilkar also recalled a touching moment from Kalyanpurs final days when a song associated with her musical training was played beside her hospital bedWhen we kept a mobile phone near her bed and played that song we asked Suman Tai who sang this song Who composed this song It was very difficult for her to speak she recalledHowever when the conversation turned to her guru Kalyanpur responded immediatelyBut when it came to her guru she opened her eyes and looked at us for a moment She said Guru Abdul Rehman Khan Khadilkar saidCalling the moment deeply moving the author said it reflected the singers lifelong reverence for her teachers and musicAt that time the gratitude towards the guru and the gratitude towards music was completely filled within her she saidKhadilkar concluded by highlighting Kalyanpurs lasting legacy in Indian Bhaavsangeet and film musicOur Indian Bhaavsangeet has reached great heights Whatever she has left behind through her singing is a heritage of immense value she saidDrawing a connection between generations of singers she added We sing songs of Lataji and Ashaji and the next generation will sing songs of Suman Tai That is the beauty of itSuman Kalyanpur one of Indias most respected playback singers is remembered for her soulful voice and timeless melodies that continue to resonate with music lovers across generationsLegendary playback singer and Padma Bhushan awardee Suman Kalyanpur was laid to rest with full state honours in Mumbai marking a solemn farewell to one of Indian musics most celebrated voices The last rites of the iconic singer who passed away at the age of 89 were performed at the Santacruz Pawan Hans crematoriumCondolences poured in from across the country following her demise Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed grief over the demise of veteran singer Suman Kalyanpur remembering her as an artist whose melodious voice and soulful renditions left a lasting impact on Indian music and cinema In a condolence message the Prime Minister said Kalyanpurs songs earned her a special place in the hearts of music lovers across generationsAnguished by the passing of the popular singer Suman Kalyanpur Ji Her melodious voice and soulful renditions enriched our cultural world Through her songs she created a special place among music lovers and admirers of Indian cinema PM Modi wrote on XThe Prime Minister also conveyed his condolences to the singers family friends and admirersCondolences to her family and admirers Om Shanti he addedUnion ministers political leaders and members of the cultural fraternity also paid tribute acknowledging her enduring contribution to Indian cinema and music Kalyanpur had a remarkable career spanning more than three decades remaining active from 1954 to 1988 Over the course of her journey she established herself as one of the most respected playback singers in the country Her versatility allowed her to lend her voice to songs in multiple languagesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever