Suman Kalyanpur outshines Lata Mangeshkar

4 October 2010

Haal-e-dil unko sunana tha sunaya na gaya

suman_kalyanpur Suman Kalyanur had to remain in the shadows of Lata Mangeshkar because of her uncanny similarity to Lata’s voice. Many of her songs are indistinguishable from Lata’s style, either because she was subconsciously imitating her style or the music directors were viewing her essentially as Lata’s replacement. Yet there are several songs which bear her special imprint. There is one particular song in which she seems to have clearly overshadowed Lata. I am referring to Haal-e-dil unko sunana tha sunaya na gaya from the film Fariyad (1964).

The beautiful lyric by Kedar Sharma is worth reproducing in full:

Haal-e-dil unko sunana tha sunaya na gaya, sunaya na gaya
Jo zubaan par mujhe lana tha woh laya na gaya
Pyar se seene pe sar rakh ke to dil kadmon par
Apko apna banana tha, banaya na gaya
Khelati aankh micholi rahi nazrein apni
Jinko palkon mein chupana tha chupaya na gaya
Ek hi waar mein haathon se jigar cheen liya
Haye jis dil ko bachana tha bachaya na gaya

 

Here is my rough English translation:

The turmoil of my heart I wanted to tell but could not
Words were simmering inside me but I could not bring them to lips
Putting my head in your lap with love and heart on your feet
I wanted to make you mine but could not
Hide and seek my eyes played on and on
But the one I was to hide in my brows I could not
With one wave of your hand you swept me away
Alas my heart I wanted to save but could not

The song has been wonderfully composed by Snehal Bhatkar, and Suman Kalyanpur’s singing has ethereal beauty. This should surely rank as one of the great songs of the golden era where everything – lyrics, music and the voice are superb.

Suman Kalyanpur sings Haal-e-dil unko sunana tha

Now let us hear Lata Mangeshkar singing Haal-e-dil yun unhe sunaya gaya, aankh hi ko zuban banaya gaya from the film Jahan Ara (1964).

Haal-e-dil yun unhe sunaya gaya
Aankh hi ko zuban banaya gaya
Zindagi ki udaas raaton ko
Aapki yaad se sajaya gaya
Ishq ki woh bhi ek manzil thi
Har kadam par fareb khaya gaya
Laakh toofan samet kar yaa rab
Kis liye ek dil banaya gaya

 

Lata sings Haal-e-dil yuun unhe sunaya gaya

Rarely do you come across a song which seems so clearly as a rejoinder to another song. My conjecture is Lata must have been so astonished to hear Suman Kalyanpur’s beautiful Haal-e-dil that she would have been dying to outdo this song. Thus you have Lata’s own Haal-e-dil written by another top lyricist Rajendra Krishna, and composed by the King of Ghazal, her own Madan Bhaiya. Yet you feel Lata is trying too hard, and it is Suman Kalyanpur’s song that lingers in your memory.

This song was no flash in the pan. Leaving aside her Lata-type songs, there are several others which have similar beauty and her distinct style that leave a lasting imprint. Here is a list of some of Suman Kalyanpur’s all time great solos:

Suman Kalyanpur’s best solos:

Song Film Music director
Apne piya ki main to bani re joganiya Kan Kan mein Bhagwan (1963) Shivram
Ai ji ho dekha pyaar tumhara Dekha Pyaar Tumhara (1963) Raj Ratan
Behna ne bhai ki kalayee se pyar bandha hai Resham Ki Dori (1974) Shankar Jaikishan
Bujha diye hain khud apne hathon Shagun (1964) Khayyam
Chhodo chhodo mori baiyan Miyan Biwi Raazi (1960) SD Burman
Dagabazi piya tere dil mein hai Aulad (1968) Chitragupta
Dil gham se jal raha hai Shama (1961) Ghulam Mohammad
Mere mehboob na ja Noormahal (1965) Jaani Babu Qawwal
Na tum humein jano na hum tumhe jane1 Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962) SD Burman
Sharabi sharabi ye saawan ka mausam Noorjehan (1967) Roshan
Ye phoolon ka gazra ye solah singar ho Sara Jahan Humara (1961) Babul
Yun hi dil ne chaha tha2 Dil hi to hai (1963) Roshan

1. This song has also been sung by Hemant Kumar.

2. There is also a duet with Mukesh on the same tune – Chura le na tumko ye mausam suhana, mentioned later.

Suman Kalyanpur earned more fame for her duets, especially with Rafi, many of which became roaring hits such as, Na na karte pyar tumhi se kar baithe (Jab Jab Phool Khile, 1965, Kalyanji Anandji), Kya kahne masha allah nazar teer aapki (Ji Chahta hai, 1964, Kalyanji Anandji), Itna hai tumse pyar mujhe (Suraj, 1966, Shankar Jaikishan), Aaj kal tere mere pyaar ke charche har zaban par (Brahmchari, 1968, Shankar Jaikishan), Tumse O hassena kabhi mohabbat (Farz, 1967, Laxmikant Pyarelal), Tujhe dekha tujhe chaha tujhe pooja maine (Chhoti Si Mulaquat, 1967, Shankar Jaikishan), Tumne pukara aur hum chale aye (Rajkumar, 1964, Shankar Jaikishan) etc. One can uncharitably say that these songs came her way fortuitously because of some rift between Rafi and Lata during that period. But even if you take out all the songs which may sound Lata-ish, you still have a large number of duets in which she adds something distinct, beautiful and everlasting. While many of her duets with Rafi are breezy in SJ or LP style, there are several others which are extremely soulful and melodious. Her duets with Mukesh are of rare beauty. Here are some of her best duets with male singers:

Suman Kalyanpur’s best duets with male singers:

Song Film Music director
Aapne huzur mujhe kya se kya bana diya (with Rafi) Fariyad (1964) Snehal Bhatkar
Aapse humko bichade hue ek zmana beet gaya (with Manhar) Vishwas (1969) Kalyanji Anandji
Ae jaane tamanna ae jaane bahar (with Rafi) Ji Chahta Hai (1964) Kalyanji Anandji
Agar teri jalwa numayi na hoti (with Rafi) Beti Bete (1964) Shankar Jaikishan
Ajahun na aye balma (with Rafi) Sanjh Aur Savera (1964) Shankar Jaikishan
Ankhiyon ka noor hai tu (with Mukesh) Johar Mehmood in Goa (1965) Kalyanji Anandji
Baad muddat ke ye ghadi aye (with Rafi) Jahan Ara (1964) Madan Mohan
Chura le na tumko yeh mausam suhana (with Mukesh) Dil Hi To Hai (1963) Roshan
Din ho ya raat hum rahen tere saath (with Rafi) Miss Bombay (1964) Hansraj Bahal
Jab se hum tum baharon mein (with Rafi)3 Main Shadi Karne chala (1962) Chitragupta
Haan maine bhi pyar kiya (with Mukesh) Boond Jo Ban Gayee Moti(1967) Satish Bhatia
Kusum rang lenhga (with Rafi) More Man Mitwa (1966) Dattaram
Manmohan man mein ho tumhi (with Rafi and SD Batish) Kaise Kahun (1964) SD Burman
Mano ya na mano meri zindagi ki bahar ho (with Mukesh) First Love Dattaram
Mera pyar bhi tu hai ye bahar bhi tu hai (with Mukesh) Saathi (1968) Naushad
Parbaton ke pedo par (with Rafi) Shagun (1964) Khayyam
Raat suhani jag rahi hai (with Rafi) Jigari Dost (1969) Laxmikant Pyarelal
Thahariye hosh mein aa loon to chale jaiyega (with Rafi) Mohabbat Isko Kahte Hain (1965) Khayyam
Tujhe pyar karte hain karte rahenge (with Rafi) April Fool (1964) Shankar Jaikishan
Tumhi mere meet ho tumhi mere preet ho (with Hemant Kumar) Pyase Panchhi (1961) Kalyanji Anandji
Wo dekho dekho dekh raha tha papiha (with Mahendra Kapur) Fariyad (1964) Snehal Bhatkar
Ye kisne geet cheda (with Mukesh) Meri Soorat Teri Aankhen (1963) SD Burman
Ye mausam rangeen samaan (with Mukesh) Modern Girl (1961) Ravi

3 There is also another version of this duet sung by Mukesh and Kamal Barot.

Suman Kalyanpur had a special niche in folk based songs she sang with other female singers. Her songs with female singers occupy a special place in Hindi film music, and they easily rank among the best of the type.

Suman Kalyanpur’s best songs with female singers:

Song Film Music director
Dil gaya to gaya dilruba mil gaya (with Shamshad Begum) Shama (1961) Ghulam Mohammad
Phulwa band mahke dekho lahke daali daali (with Geeta Dutt) Hum Bhi Insaan Hain (1959) Hemant Kumar
Kauni rang mungawa kawani rang motiya (with Sudha Malhotra) Heera Moti  (1959) Roshan
Khushiyan Hazar le ke dil ka qarar le ke (with Usha Mangeshkar) Lal Bangala (1966) Usha Khanna
Garjat barsat saawan ayo ri (with Kamal Barot) Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) Roshan
More saiyan gulabyia ke phool (with Minoo Pushottam) Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal (1965) Roshan
Na na na re na na haath na lagana (with Minoo Prushottam) Tajmahal (1963) Roshan

It is sad that a singer with such enormous talent did not get her due; her similarity with Lata’s voice became her curse. Yet her best is no inferior to any singer’s best, and she is one of the great singers of the golden era.

{ 235 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Arvind October 5, 2010 at 2:50 pm

Absolutely fascinating. I have been reading your blog, but this is the first time I am posting my comment. First, my compliments for your excellent blog and bringing alive the music of the golden era which gave us such an unforgettable joy.
Suman Kalyanpur’s Haale dil unko sunana tha sunaya na gaya and Lata’s Haale dil yun unhe sunaya gaya are both incredibly beautiful. Both are among my all time favourites, and I never thought in terms of ranking them. I would say both are brilliantly written by Kedar Sharma and Rajendra Krishna, brilliantly composed by Snehal Bhatkar and Madan Mohan and beautifully sung by Suman and Lata. Thanks a lot for giving the two songs together.
Having said that, I must say there is one major omission in your article. Your list does not include Sanwariya re apni Meera ko bhool na jana from the film Aanchal, music by C Ramchandra. This is easily Suman Kalyanpur’s one of the greatest songs.

2 AK October 5, 2010 at 4:07 pm

@Arvind: Thanks a lot Arvind for your nice words. I could not agree with you more that Saanwariya re apni Meera ko bhool na jana should have been there in the list. Thanks for refreshing my memory. With such an impressive knolwledge of songs of that era, you must comment more often. It will only enrich the site. By the way, you might recall this song had two versions – a happy and a sad version – both sung by Suman Kalyanpur.

3 Dharm October 7, 2010 at 12:53 am

Till now,I had a feeble idea about Suman Kalyanpur Ma’am!
Thanks for the incredible information Arvind Sir!
I am Lata didi’s fan but Suman Kalyanpur has outperformed her in this melodious song.
If its a coincidence that both songs are so strikingly similar, then its okay.
But if Lata didi had intentionally done this to sate her desire of being the queen of melody, then this time she would have understood that nobody is perfect.
Not even she!
Finally, there is one singer, who, if Lata didi had not been there in industry for some reasons, whatsoever,
would have delivered the pure melody to the golden period of songs.

4 Dharm October 7, 2010 at 12:57 am

THANK YOU SIR!
I am no one to compare both these great singers but I feel Suman ma’am
deserves recognition for her contribution to SONGS OF YORE!
I feel sorry for my comments on Lata didi.
I am sorry Lata didi!

5 Dharm October 7, 2010 at 1:01 am

AK Sir, I am so grateful to you!

6 AK October 7, 2010 at 4:35 pm

@Dharm: I am gratified that you enjoyed it. I should make it clear again that it was my pure conjecture that Lata sang her Haal-e-dil yun unhe sunaya gaya as a rejoinder to Suman Kalyanpur’s Haal-e-dil unko sunana tha sunaya na gaya. Incidentally both the films, Fariyad and Jahan Ara, are of 1964. My article in no way intends to reduce Lata Mangeshkar. The respect I have for her you can see from my other article ‘Lata Mangeshkar vs Noorjehan’. She would forever remain a class apart.

7 Dharm October 7, 2010 at 8:39 pm

Hi Sir!!!

There is something I want to share with you.
Once I came across an article about Suman Kalyanpur.
In it,this was disclosed that Suman Kalyanpur sang “AAJA AAYI BAHAR” song of Sadhna Shivdasani ji’s film “Rajkumar”.
The song being my soul favourite, persuaded me to search for Suman Kalyanpur Ma’am.
Though later,it turned that it was Lata didi’s song!
But yesterday I downloaded “Haal e dil” songs and found out that Suman ji and lata didi are both Great.
Have a lovely day Sir!

8 Dharm October 7, 2010 at 8:47 pm

@ AK SIR!
I forgot to wish you lovely nights!
Have a soulful life sir!

9 AK October 8, 2010 at 10:16 am

@Dharm:
Thanks for your greetings. But you did not tell me which Haal-e-dil you liked more, or you think both are so good you would not like to make a comparison?

Mixing up between Lata Mangeshkar and Suman Kalyanpur is quite common. Many of the songs I have listed I crosschecked for the article, otherwise I would have mistaken them for Lata songs.

10 Dharm October 8, 2010 at 12:24 pm

@ AK SIR
Definitely so true!
With such a striking resemblance, confusion is obvious!
Sir, let me know if you have written any othe article about any topic what so ever!
I yearn to read it!
Thank you Sir!

11 Subodh Agrawal October 11, 2010 at 8:32 am

Dear AK. Thanks a lot for drawing attention to one of the most talented and most neglected singers. Personally I am a great fan of hers and my favourite in her repertoire is Sharabi Sharabi Yes Sawan Ka Mausam. In this song, particulary, her voice comes into its own and can’t be mistaken for Lata’s.

12 AK October 11, 2010 at 11:58 am

@Dharm: I thought you read my article on my blog https://www.songsofyore.com. In that case you would find at least half a dozen other articles. I would love to have your comments on each.

13 AK October 11, 2010 at 12:04 pm

@Dear Subodh:

Thanks for your comments. I entirely agree with you on Sharaabi sharaabi ye saawan ka mausam. She was very unique and distinctly different from Lata. Her performance is all the more creditable because this song stood out in the face of a great Lata song in the same film you would surely recall, Raat ki mehfil sooni sooni.

14 Dharm October 12, 2010 at 12:12 am

@ AK SIR,
thanks for being so sarcastic at me!
I have to go a long way to understand these internet terms-
Blog, forums etc.
I had least idea that you are the one who has written the other articles.
But. . . . .

Anyways, had I been aware of this,
I would have not troubled you!

15 AK October 12, 2010 at 11:14 am

@Dharm:

Please trust me I was not at all sarcastic. I was somewhat confused. Now that you know this is my blog, I value and respect your comments and other readers like you.

16 Prabhu November 25, 2010 at 12:06 am

Amazing, just amazing. Hats off for your choice, you are genius. Dear how you have not included in best solos title song of Jahan Pyar Mile and in best duets category title song of saanj au savera and the beautiful duet from bheegi raat aise tau na dekho kah behak jayen kahin hum, without these songs your article is incomplete chum.

17 AK November 25, 2010 at 12:12 pm

@Prabhu:
Thanks a lot, and thanks for adding those gems to the list. Just shows the bottomless treasure of the music of the Golden Era.

18 Meenu December 30, 2010 at 12:37 pm

I really wonder, why people get confused between Lata’s voice and Suman’s voice. They sound similar but there is lot of difference if you carefully listen.
I can easily identify suman’s songs (she sung with name suman hemadi and kalyanpur)
Lata’s voice is more strong and uniform like printout comming from the printer, whereas Suman’s voice is thin and shivers when she raise her voice;
e.g in song ‘Hale dil… during raising her voice sunyaa na gyaa..
I think only LATA did justice to the Madan mohan compositions and no one else not even Suman. Suman was always second choice if LATA was not available. If Milk is not available then compromise with butter milk kind of adjustmnets.

19 chetana p vakade January 4, 2011 at 3:04 pm

I recently read biography of Sumanji and as i discovered the beautiful songs she has sung(which i assumed to be sung by Lataji), I was shocked. Both have the divine touch, but luck has favoured Lataji on the fame and recognition front. Ofcourse, on the personal front, Sumanji has led a very satisfactory family life, is also a wonderful cook, can draw beautiful sketches , does lovely flower arrangements and has never ever complained on the bitter episodes of her singing career. Her Marathi songs also merit the likeness to Lataji. It is her bad luck that she is referred to as Prati-Lata. She shines in her own light and we ought to acknowledge this fact and give her due credit.

20 Prakash January 11, 2011 at 5:45 pm

I have been looking for a complete biography of Suman Hemady Kalyanpur and am yet to see a complete one – evenhe one in wikipedia is patchy!
I also notice that your article does not include one of SK’s great duets from Sakhi Robin ‘tum jo aao tho pyaar ajaye’ along with the great Manna Dey. Is this because the film had music by Robin Banerji who is almost forgotten?

21 chetana p. vakade January 17, 2011 at 7:47 pm

Sumanji’s biography has been written by Mrs Mangala Khadilkar in Marathi. The name is “Suman Sugandh”. She also conducts a stage show by the same name, where many songs are sung by well-known artists. The song you mention is included in this biography. The many other songs listed perhaps have not been heard by us even as they have seldom been broad-casted on AIR.

22 AK January 19, 2011 at 2:54 pm

@Prakash
I should thank you for mentioning Tum jo aao to pyar aa jaye. Can one ever believe that this song was from a film called Sakhi Robin and composed by someone called Robin Banerji, and enacted on the screen by some actors called Ranjan and Shalini (or Nilofar?). One very singificant aspect of the golden era is that there are a large number of such unforgettable melodies composed by now forgotten music directors, and in the most vague films with unknown actors. I may some time do a series on such songs.

23 AM February 25, 2011 at 9:47 pm

Superb article. Painstaking research. A few corrections, though:

– Pyase Panchhi had KJAJ’s music, not Hemant Kumar.
– Agar Teri Jalwa Numayi is from Beti Bete.

@Prabhu: The title song of Saanjh Aur Savera is sung by Rafi & Asha.

In 1980, a movie called Ramu To Deewana Hai was released. Surely it was post-dated as it has a few Mukesh numbers who, by that time, had left us. In this film, there are a couple of Suman Kalyanpur songs, viz.

– Ramu To Diwana Hai – Suman Kalyanpur
– Tu Sab Se Haseen Hai Dilruba – Mukesh, Suman Kalyanpur

I wonder what you guys think of these?

24 AM February 25, 2011 at 10:41 pm

During that phase in the 60s when Lata and Rafi were unable to sing together, a lot of duets were recorded pairing Rafi with Suman. These happen to be the most well-known of all Suman songs. Shankar Jaikishan, who were the reigning kings of film music in that era, used this combo to a great effect. In fact, they not only used Suman with other male singers but composed some rather nice solos for her also.

Here is a list of some songs featuring Suman composed by SJ:

1963 Dil Ek Mandir Dil Ek Mandir Hai Duet with Rafi
1963 Dil Ek Mandir Juhi Ki Kali Meri Laadli Solo
1963 Dil Ek Mandir Palanhaare Ram Hai Raakhanhare Solo
1964 April Fool Keh Do Keh Do Jahaan Se Kehdo Duet with Rafi
1964 April Fool Tujhe Pyar Karte Hain Karte Rahen Duet with Rafi
1964 Beti Bete Agar Teri Jalwa Numayi Na Hoti Duet with Rafi
1964 Rajkumar Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye Duet with Rafi
1964 Sanjh Aur Savera Ajhun Na Aaye Baalam Sawan Beeta Duet with Rafi
1964 Sanjh Aur Savera Chand Kanwal Mere Chand Kanwal Solo
1965 Janwar Mere Sang Ga Gungunaa Koi Geet Solo
1966 Suraj Itna Hai Tumse Pyaar Mujhe Duet with Rafi
1966 Budtameez Pehla Pehla Pyaar Hai Yeh Pehla Solo
1966 Teesari Kasam Duniya Banane Waale Kya Tere Solo
1967 Chhoti Si Mulaqat Tujhe Dekha Tujhe Chaaha Tujhe Duet with Rafi
1968 Brahmachari Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche Duet with Rafi
1969 Baalak Sun Le Baapu Ye Paighaam Solo
1969 Jahan Pyar Mile Chale Ja Chale Ja Chale Ja Solo
1970 Pehchan Aaya Na Humko Pyar Jatana Duet with Mukesh
1970 Tum Haseen Main Jawan Kamdev Jaise Teri Suratiya Solo
1970 Pehchan Woh Pari Kahan Se Laaun with Mukesh & Sharda
1971 Jaane Anjaane Aao Hilmil Ke Naacho Re Aaya Apni Duet with Manna Dey
1971 Yaar Mera Dil Ki Kitab Kori Hai Kori Rehne Do Duet with Rafi
1971 Duniya Kya Jaane Meri Pooja Na Thukrana Solo
1971 Patanga Tose Najariya Ladaayi Jawani Haaye Solo
1971 Seema Ek Thi Nindiya Do The Naina Solo
1971 Andaz Hai Na Bolo Bolo Papa Ko Mummy Se with Rafi, Sushma Shreshtha & Pratibha
1972 Rivaaj Main Teri Prem Diwani Meera Solo
1972 Rivaaj Pyara Pyara Sabse Nyara Aanewala Solo
1973 Chori Chori Chori Chori Jo Hona Tha Wo Ho Gaya Duet with Manhar Udhas
1973 Chori Chori Dilbar Aa Ja Laga Loon Tuhje Main Duet with Mukesh
1973 Door Nahin Manzil Bezubaan Dil Shor Na Maacha Solo
1974 Insaaniyat Mere Yaar Ki Yaari Dekh Ke Duet with Rafi
1974 Resham Ki Dori Behna Ne Bhai Ki Kalayi Se Solo
1975 Saazish Woh Bade Khushnaseeb Hote Hain Duet with Mahendra Kapoor
1975 Sanyasi Tu Mera Din Hai Main Teri Raat Duet with Mukesh
?? ?? Hum Khoob Jaante Hain Kya Dil Mein with Rafi & Geeta Dutt

25 AK February 28, 2011 at 11:58 am

@AM
I have to profusely thank you for:
i) Pointing out the errors (since corrected)
ii) The list of SJ composed songs for Suman Kalyanpur, one of which was particularly enlightening for me. That was Duniya bananewale kya tere mann mein samayee from Teesri Kasam. The last stanza in the female voice after Mukesh’s full three stanzas was there in the movie, but perhaps not released on records – one always heard it as a Mukesh solo. I never gave a thought who would be the singer, perhaps taking for granted that it would be Lata Mangeshkar. This is quite interesting, given that the film also had great solos by Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.

26 dr anand dixit April 14, 2011 at 12:54 pm

a beutiful voice and soul,her duets with rafisaab are ammezing,unfrgetable. unfortunately the music directors had not used her full potential still we can use her voice but…..

27 AK April 15, 2011 at 12:50 pm

dr anand dixit
You are so right. Recently I was trying to think of the best Rafi-Lata duets, especially by Shankar Jaikishan, Raf-Suman Kalyanpur duets crowded my mind, and I had to make some efforts to keep them away to identify Rafi-Lata duets.

28 K R Vaishampayan May 8, 2011 at 10:37 pm

Hello AK,
I fully agree with you. LATA has no parallel and any comparison is out of question. YET ! A big NO…Lat or anyone for that matter is not and can not be END ALL. Lovers like us appreciate all [and of course criticize too] Point is: it is futile running down someone. Every singer / songstress of yesteryear have left their indelible mark on our ears. And that can’t be wiped out.
With warm regards and season’s greetings – KRV

29 K R Vaishampayan May 8, 2011 at 10:44 pm

Hello AK,
That reminds me 2 soulful duets
• ” Saath ho tum aur raat jawaan” by Mukesh & Lata. Music composer’s name is given as: Surdikar.
• ” Pyar ka aalam” by Rafi and Usha Khanna yodels in Pyar kaa aalam in between.
Will you be able to throw some light.? Please do.
With Warm Regards & Season’s Greetings – KRV

30 AK May 9, 2011 at 11:15 am

@KR Vaishampayan
Welcome to my blog.
Lata Mangeshkar is incomparable and a class apart. No question about that. However, I found Haal-e-dil sung by Suman Kalyanpur and Lata Mangeshkar, with some variation, quite interesting. Hence this article.

You have mentioned two great songs and my special favourites.

1. Saath ho tum aur raat jawan is from (1961), lyrics Shailendra and music by Suhrid Kar. It is a beautiful duet by Mukesh and Asha Bhosle. They have sung some heavenly duets, you might remeber Humse hoti mohabbat jo tumko from Mohabbat Isko Kahte Hain (1965) composed by Khayyam, and the title song from Wo subah kabhi to ayegi, again unmistakably Khayyam .

Suhrid Kar seems to be a very rare composer. Off hand I can not recall his any other movie.

2. Phir aane laga yaa wohi pyar ka mausam. I think you mean this song. This is from the film Ye Dil Kisko Dun (1963), composed by Iqbal Qureshi. Iqbal Qureshi is another underrated composer who gave terrific music in a number of films, but in the overcrowded talent scene of the golden era, he remained confined to B-grade movies. When I hear them I feel like doing a series on such forgotten composers who gave unforgettable melodies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlPRDv_HAyc

31 Bharat dhule July 6, 2011 at 11:31 pm

I think,I found what I was in search regarding Maam Sumanji !!

32 AK July 16, 2011 at 11:38 pm

Dear all:
The reason I am coming back to my own blog is that I just dicovered a beautiful Suman Kalyanpur solo. I am surprised I missed it and all the commentators also, who came up with several of her songs, missed it. I could not help posting it here for everyone’s enjoyment.

Suman Kalyanpur sings Beet hue din kuchh aise hi hain from First Love (1960), music by Dattaram

33 arvind July 28, 2011 at 11:16 pm

anil ,to add to the list…………jo ham pe guzarti hai tanha,kise samjhayen………..from mohabbat isko kahte hain.
http://youtu.be/Un37gI54e0E

34 AK July 28, 2011 at 11:40 pm

@arvind
Again a great song which we all missed. Thanks for adding it.

Jo hum pe guzarti hai by Suman Kalyanpur from Mohabbat Isko Kahte Hain, music Khayyam

35 jitender kumar gambir August 10, 2011 at 6:25 pm

Agar Music Director chahte to suman ji bhi aaj lata ji or asha ji ke barabar ki singer ban sakti thi pata nahi M.D ku lakeer ke fakeer the.. ye baat samjh me nahi aati. verna aaj tasveer kuch or ho sakti thi

36 jitender kumar gambir August 10, 2011 at 6:27 pm

But suman kalyanpur one of the great singer of golden Era. suman ji ke yogdaan ko bhulaya nahi ja sakta.

37 Wajid Shaikh September 7, 2011 at 11:15 pm

Salute to you sir.
I am a fan of Suman Kalyanpur and I was trying to collect her songs but here you have provided a treasure of her gems. Not only that but also the other related informations and perfact comments on it.
Also I fully agree with your comments that Suman Kalyanpur outshines Lata Mangeshkar with Haal-e-dil unko sunana tha sunaya na gaya.
It is the fact that Sumanji didn’t get the place what she deserve and that is the great loss of the music and Music lovers.

38 Ajay September 13, 2011 at 8:36 am

Very informed and informative article. Thanks for compiling such a fine list. It is quite exhaustive nad comprehensive. A veritable gift for music lovers like me. Now most of these will go on my iPod.

39 sameer September 13, 2011 at 6:15 pm

guys please dont mistake me, little bit of similarities are there between lataji and sumanji but at the same time a lot of difference found between their voices, whenever i hear the song of sumanji i can easily make out its her and not lataji, the difference is when she raises her voice and goes for a higher pitch, her voice gets shivering and u will feel some sought of discrepancy, and latajis voice its like a perfect tuning and pitch. Please listen carefully both voices and u can justify it.

40 AK September 14, 2011 at 1:04 pm

@Wajid Shah, Ajay
Thanks a lot for your generous compliments. I am happy that you found what you were looking for. As a matter of fact, I am myself discovering a number of hidden gems through this blog.

41 Ajay September 19, 2011 at 1:29 am

Perhaps to the list of duets you may want to add “Tumjo aao to pyar aa jaaye” from Sakhi Robin with Music by Robin Chatterjee and “Na jaane kaha hum the” from Zindagi Aur Khwab with Music by Datta Ram.

42 AK September 19, 2011 at 12:08 pm

@Ajay
Prakash earlier mentioned about the lovely duet Tum jo aao to pyar aa jaye (comment #20). Fortunately its video is also available. Here it is:

Tum jo aao to pyar aa jaye by Manna Dey and Suman Kalyanpur from Sakhi Robin, music Robin Banerji

I do not know how Na jane kahan tum the got left out. It is a major omission. Thanks for poiting it out. Here is the song:

Na jane kahan tum the by Manna Dey and Suman Kalyanpur from Zindagi Aur Khwab, music by Dattaram

43 shubhalaxmi khot vaidya January 2, 2012 at 7:14 pm

thanks a lot for this invaluable info.i am an ardent fan of suman kalyanpur and feel that she was at the right place , but at the wrong time !!!, when lataji was ruling the music world., yet the music directors of that era could have done justice to this melodious singer. She did deserve even better.

44 shrikant gautam January 21, 2012 at 5:28 pm

Superb article on my favorite singer.

45 suhani pahwa January 30, 2012 at 12:45 pm

suman kalyanur one of the great singer of indian cinema. un ke sath sab ne hi naainsafi ki chahe wo music directors ho ya media sab ne un ki undekhi ki pata nahi ku……….

46 anjali trasi February 6, 2012 at 1:06 pm

Suman Kalyanpur created a niche for herself in the music world.She has given us some songs which will be cherished forever.Though it is a belated greetings yet it comes from the heart,HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ,SUMANJI.

47 MOIZ February 8, 2012 at 5:44 pm

Excellent! Sir, I’ll be obliged if you or any of your reader answers my following query.
During the 60s, there was a rift between Lata & Rafi during which they did not sing togather.What was this period ? ( exact or roughly ). Thanks!

48 AK February 9, 2012 at 10:07 am

About mid-60s for a few years, when you see SJ promoting Sharda (Titli udi ud jo chali) etc. and you also see more Rafi-Suman Kalyanpur duets. But I think the break was not absolute. Even during the period of the said rift, you do get Rafi-Lata duets. The rift is said to be because Lata Mangeshkar wanted Rafi’s support on the issue of singers also getting some share of royalty from the record companies. A simple and contented person that Rafi was, he had no desire for this fight. His view was that once a singer has been paid for his singing, that should be the end of the matter.

49 Arunkumar Deshmukh February 9, 2012 at 10:53 am

Moiz ji and AK ji,
Due to a rift on the royalty issue,Lata and Rafi stopped singing together for a period of about 3 years,from 1963 to 1966.As AK ji says there were 3 duets of Lata Rafi even in 1964 (from Ayee milan ki bela and Leader),but they were recorded before their rift.
Their first duet after the rift was over was ” Tum bin sajan barse naina” from Gaban-1966 (MD-S/J).
-Arunkumar Deshmukh

50 MOIZ February 10, 2012 at 3:01 pm

Thanks for the info AK ji & AD ji both of you!-moiz.

51 Smita February 15, 2012 at 12:45 pm

Thanks AK ji for the info. But the list of her songs is too short. Mangala Khadilkar has written a book about Sumanji i.e. SUMAN SUGANDH, it means fragrance of flowers . The book contains the story of her life and at the end the lisr of all the songs in hindi, marathi & other languages, and also non filmy songs. The list is too long.

52 AK February 16, 2012 at 4:55 pm

@Smita:
I would love to read Suman Sugandh. I hope it is in Hindi. I am sure she would have sung several hundred songs, the article was meant to mention some of her best songs.

53 RAJESH KUMAR February 24, 2012 at 1:34 pm

dear sir
i do not agree with u as they both have their own potential lata ji is lata ji and suman ji is suman ji.
both the songs u uploaded are different type of singing style and raag so this is not the right measuring.

54 Niraj Sandhiv February 26, 2012 at 1:49 pm

I Have Been Listening To Suman Kalyanpur Only. I Call Her My Ammaji Ever Since My Biological Mum Migrated To New Zealand With My Siblings. Suman Is My Mums Most Favourite Singer And So I Hear Her Whenever I Feel Like. I Am A Tertiary Student And I Believe Ammaji Is Very Special To Me. To Me She Will Always Be The BEST !!!

55 bhagwan thavrani February 29, 2012 at 4:04 pm

two solo’s of her imeediately come to my mind :
1. chaand kanwal mere chaand kanwal, chup chaap so ja yun na machal

SAANJ AUR SAVERA- SHANKAR JAIKISHAN

2. nigaahen na phero chale jaayenge hum

BLACK PRINCE – DULAAL SEN

both have their own unique flavour and are my all-time favourites.

56 AK March 1, 2012 at 10:30 am

@bhagwan thavrani:
This is the first time I am hearing these songs, and I have fallen in love with Nigahein na phero, and Suman Klayanpur. This song should rate among her best, I am surprised why it has remained hidden. This also has a Rafi version. But I find Suman version better, which is an exception to my rule about Twin songs. The only reason I could think of its obscurity is its uncanny similarity to Maine chand aur sitaron ki tamannna ki thi. But a great song all the same. Dulal Sen is also new to me. Was he ever assistant of N Datta?

Nigahen na phero by Suman Kalyanpur/Rafi from Black Prince

57 Padmanabh K. Joshi March 1, 2012 at 10:45 am

Very interesting feature on a great singer Suman Kalyanpur. I woud like to add few songs not mentioned in the article: Juhi Ki Kali Meri Ladli & Dil Ek Mandir Hai (Film Dil Ek Mandir), Chand Kanwal Mere Chand Kanwal (Film Sanj Aur Savera)

58 AK March 1, 2012 at 1:07 pm

@Padmanabh K Joshi
Perceptive readers/ listeners like you have mentioned these songs in their comments (#24 and #55).

59 bhagwan thavrani March 6, 2012 at 11:44 am

can anyone tell me where this book SUMAN SUGANDH on suman kalyanpur can be had ?
or at least the contact number of author who can tell us the publishers name / address ?
hopefully, the book is in hindi…

60 Smita March 9, 2012 at 1:12 am

@ AK & Bhagvan Thavrani
The book SUMAN SUGANDH by Smt. Mangala Khadilkar is in Marathi It’s Navchaitanya Publications.
Smt Khadilkar’s Contact Nos. 26372166 / 9820453110
Her E-mail – umangk@mtnl.net.in
I am mentioning some of her famous songs here.
1. na jane kaha tum the na jane kaha hum the (jindgi aur khwab)
2.na tum hame jano na hum tumhe jane (BAAT EK RAATKI)
3.tumne pukara aur hum chale aaye (RAJKUMAR)
4. aise to na dekho ki bahak jaye kahi hum (BHEEGI RAAT)
5.na na karte pyar tumhise kar baithe (JAB JAB PHUL KHILE)
6. mere mehbbob na ja aajki raat na ja (NOOR MAHAL)
7.dilne phir yaad kiya (DILNE PHIR YAAD KIYA)
8. rahe na rahe hum mahka karenge (MAMTA)
9.ha maine bhi pyar kiya pyarse kab (BUND JO BAN GAYEE MOTI)
10.man mera tuzko mange dur dur tu bhage (PARAS)
11. panime jale mera gora badan panime (MUNIMJI)
12. barkha bairan jara tham ke barso (SABAK)
13. meri kali kalutike nakhare bade (APNE RANG HAJAR)
14. Allah karam karna maulah tu raham karna (DADA)
15. din ho ya raat hum rahe tere sath yeh hamari merji (Ms. BOMBAY)
16. Baad Muddatke Yeh Ghadi Aayee (JAHA AARA)

61 Niraj Sandhiv March 10, 2012 at 5:20 am

1. Zara Thaher Jaao – Khuda Kasam
2. Dil Ki Kitab Kori Hai – Yaar Mera
3. Narazagi yeh Aap Ki – Unees Bees
4. Hum Ne Mana hupe Sajan – Dada
6. Raat Suhaani Jaag Rahi Hay – Jigri Dost
7. Yoonhi Dil Ne Chaha Tha Rona Rulana – Dil Hi Toh Hai
8. Chura Le Na Tumko Yeh Mausam Suhana – Dil Hi Toh Hai
9. Mumkin Hay Naiyya Se Patwar Cheen Le Koi – Yadon Ki Zanjeer
10. Chale Ja Chale Ja Chale Ja – Jahan Pyar Mile
11. Itna Hai Tumse Pyar Mujjhe – Suraj
12. Mera Pyar Bhi Tu Hai – Saathi

62 dr chel March 26, 2012 at 3:47 am

NO COMPARISON!!
IVE LIVED TO LISTEN INDIAN FILM N NON FILM MUSIC FR THE FORTIES FIFTIES SIXTIES AND UP TO THE PRESENT!!
Lataji’s has stood the test of time!!
She has been the first choice for all music directors except op nayyar!
Again op nayyar got the contract for the second and third rate films only!! He gave SK a break when he fell out with asha but he soon dropped SK!!
When lataji was riding high with laxmikant pyarelal, Shankar Jaikishan did give SK several lata style songs but they too returned to lataji eventually in the 70s!
Even RD Burman gave the cream of his compositions to Lataji! That in itself tells volumes!!
Suman Kalyanpur got her fair share as the singer of 3rd choice!
Even today Lataji is a magnet to the producers and music directors of the north n south!! There are no queues for SK!!
Sk got a break with a few songs here n there only! No big banners or music directors would take the risk of Sk for all the songs in their films

63 DHANANJOY DAS March 27, 2012 at 8:39 am

Fantastic information/collection.

64 DHANANJOY DAS March 27, 2012 at 9:20 am

No question or doubt about Lataji’s talent and that most of the music directors gave most of the songs to Lataji. Does this mean Suman Kalyanpurji was in any ways inferior to Lataji. NO . NOT AT ALL. People say, Lataji did not allow music directors to take Sumanji.Not only Sumanji was a victim – there were many more budding/ established good singers who could not rise / come into limelight because of Lataji and those music directors who were scared to take any singers other than Lataji.This was utterly UNFAIR. See how many younger singers are doing fantastically well . If you hear old songs of Lataji recently sung by SHREYA GHOSAL( and some other singers) , you may not find any difference in quality of voice OR RATHER appreciate that Shreya ‘s voice is equally good if not better. There were and are many such singers in India equally good or may be even better than Lataji. I say this with great respect to Lataji. Please note I have no intention to belittle or disrespect Lataji. She is great and will always remain in our heart as QUEEN of melody.WAQT WAQT KI BAAT HAI. What injustice was done in the past towards the younger singers can not be repaired. This was an irreparable loss to the music industry and music lovers.

65 M.D.Bhasin March 29, 2012 at 1:07 am

Howcome a song be sung better than Lata if it is measured with a yard-stick called Lata. We all tend to find the Lata’s flawlessness in the songs sung by every other Lata style female play-back singer of Indian sub-continent–great and not so great, old and new. And then term it “like Lata” and some times even “better than Lata” if it is practically flawless. But, only Lata remains the legend, prejudice excluded.

66 S balakrishnan March 31, 2012 at 10:26 pm

Talentwise Sumanji was on par with Lataji. But she became a victim of the machinations of you-know-who. Also, there were too many restrictions on her which prevented her from realizing her full potential. People in the know of things will know what I mean. But even with a relatively limited repertoire she has given some evergreen nuggets.

67 Arman April 2, 2012 at 9:17 pm

surprisingly no mention of her most famous duet
guess

aaj kal tere mere pyar ke charche

68 AK April 3, 2012 at 6:46 pm

It is not possible to forget this song. I have mentioned this in the writ-up between the list of solos and duets.

69 Suresh Maloo June 6, 2012 at 4:12 pm

Dear Sir,
You all will excuse me for what I have to unveil, to do justice with this debate.

I keep side with M. D. Bhasin Saheb, and agree with him that “Lata Is Lata”, none is near her, whatever be her way to remain in limelight. i consider this to be my fortune that I find her singing still, may not be as melodious.

It was in 1960′ that Lata Dee had some serious differences with Rafi Saheb, overthe issue of sharing of Royalty conceded by the film producers to the music composers. Lata Dee wanted Rafi Saheb to support her to get her (the singers) one-half of the amount of the royalty. Rafi Saheb believed that a playback singer’s claim on the filmmaker ended with the payment of the agreed fee for the song. During the recording of “tasviir terii dil me.n” (Maya, 1961), Lata ji argued with Rafi Saheb over a certain passage of the song. Rafi Saheb felt belittled, as Music Director Salil Chowdhury ji sided with Lata ji. The situation worsened when Lata ji declared that she would no longer sing with Rafi Saheb. Rafi Saheb stated that he was only as keen to sing with Lata ji as she was with him. Later, at the insistence of S. D. Burman Da, the two decided to reconcile and started singing duets. Personal level differences still continued.

I may be excused to mention here that it was because of this incident that Suman ji was able to sing duets with Rafi Saheb, that you may say are memorable (or whatever qualification you attach). While I am satisfied with the melody of the songs, I wish to cry for what could have the beauty/melody of the songs had tese been sung by Lata Dee.

I beseech forgiveness for making this special remarks that this the strict musical restriction imposed by the music composers that make a song memorable. Singers are numerous, but the decision, who will sing and how, makes the whole difference. The same song when performed on stage by any singer (be it Lata Dee or Rafi Saheb) without the composer’s ‘Bandhish’ could not result in so powerful melody, even though the it accompanies similar music.

The music lovers can never estimate the loss that they have suffered for this controversy. To conclude, I feel highly indebted to all those composers (the list is too long) for taking Lata Dee for singing songs (Solo’s or duets with Rafi Saheb, Manna Daa especially) composed by them to let me submerge into the ocean of melody.

70 S.V.Murthy July 4, 2012 at 11:29 pm

I THINK “SUMAN JI” (KALYANPUR) IS TRULY A LEGEND , I JST LUV HER VOICE QUALITY SHE HAD, HER VOICE HITS MY HEART & MIND ALL THE TIME WHENEVER I HEAR HER LOVELY SWEET MELODIES. “LATA JI” IS ALL A LEGEND BUT “SUMAN JI” SOME HOW WAS BIT NEGLECTED IN THOSE DAYS EXCEPT FOR FEW OR ELSE SHE WOULD HAVE THE BEST FEMALE SINGER. I REALLY FEEL VRY SORRY FOR HER , NEVER MIND SHE HAS SHOWN THE WORLD WITH HER SWEET BEAUTIFUL VOICE THAT SHE COULD HV ALSO BECOME MORE POPULAR AND WOULD HV SUNG MORE THAN WHAT “LATA JI” HAS SUNG.

71 S.V.Murthy July 4, 2012 at 11:33 pm

I NEVER EVR FORGET WHEN I LISTEN TO SONGS / MUSIC / OLD MELODIES THAT IS 1) ITNA HAI TUMSE PYAR MUJHE MERE RAJDAAR (SURAJ) DUET ALONG WITH “RAFI JI” 2) DIL NE PHIR YAAD KIYA DUET ALONG WITH RAFI JI, MUKESH JI. MY TEARS JST SOME OUT WHEN I HEAR TO SUCH MELODIES.

72 Dr Virendra Singh Godhara August 7, 2012 at 12:12 pm

With reference to Suman Kalyanpur, I want to share with my friends a purely personal nostalgia. In my adolescence, in late fifties, I happened to see a semi-mythological, semi-historical movie, ‘Maya Machhinder’ with music directio of Ram Lal Hira Panna (known so because of wearing a diamond in one ear and emerald in another). A song by Suman Kalyanpur in the movie came close to my heart and stays there till date. This one never came in the list of her popular songs and and except those who bought its 78 rpm gramophone record in late fifties or early sixties could never get it as it was included in no EP, LP, cassette or CD. It is not available on You Tube or other music sites either. This song was, ” Saal solahwan laaga, Ladakpan bhaga, chunariya phar-phar udtee jaye…” Brittle, as they were, after losing 78 rpm record, I could never hear the song for several decades, and probably this craving would have gone with me, but my friend Kushal Gopalka, Music Lover of Mumbai, dug it from archives of someone and presented me in a CD. I confess my ignorance of the pocedure otherwise I would have uploaded it for my friends of ‘Songs of Yore’. Can anyone help?

73 AK August 7, 2012 at 3:14 pm

It must be in mp3 form. You can mail it to me as attachment at ak@songsofyore.com, and I would take care of the rest.

74 RS August 16, 2012 at 5:27 am

I believe the song Tere bin soone nain hamaar from Meri Surat Teri Aankhen is sung by Rafi and Lata and not Suman as you have cited. The other duet Ye kisne geet cheda from this film is sung by Mukesh and Suman.

Very informative post and comments. I discovered several gems I had not heard before.

75 AK August 18, 2012 at 3:15 pm

Thanks for the correction. It was an inadvertent error.

76 shalini September 13, 2012 at 10:19 pm

I read all the comments and somehow I come to the conclusion that there is a great feeling of fearnes of lata. It is like the most people are afraid to write something negative of her as inthis case that sumanji is better than her. I listen to the song,’to sabse haseen hai dilruba’ from ramu to diwana hai each day maybe at least 60 times still it is like honey to my soul, I can’t have enough of this sweet song.I heard that sadly this film never released, could you give me information of the cast deepa rani and chandru, please? Thank you.

77 Suresh Maloo September 21, 2012 at 9:49 pm

At the very outset I beseech apology for my expressions that follow.

With reference to the comments of subscribers, I really appreciate their inclination towards Suman Dee. I humbly feel that the opinions of people are in no way due to fear. It is in the same way that others are fondly attached to Suman Dee. If one thinks that there is some thing negative in Lata Dee, it may be his/her personal opinion.

Lata Dee is the pride of the nation for her excellent voice quality and singing capabilities (she may not be holding on to these, of late). For these reasons she remained the first choice of so many Music Composers, we must kindly consider.

I personally feel that every one has a role to play in the creation of the Almighty. And, every one is unique, in some way Suman Dee is different (if not better, for which she was preferred over Lata Dee, for singing so many melodious songs) from Lata Dee.

My humble submission, everyone is justified in falling under fan following of a Super-Star, but he/she should better not be so critical about other Stars and their fans, while expressing opinion publicly.

This all is without prejudice, and also not with a view to offending anyone, kindly note.

78 Mukesh Kumar October 1, 2012 at 10:56 pm

Yes, Lataji and Sumanji both these Singers have similar voices, and may be due to some or other reassons Lata got the Lion’s share. Thank God this didn’t happen in case of Sunil Gavaskar & Sachin Tendulkar and they happened to be in different era.
But even after having sung so many melodious songs, Suman Kalyanpurji might never got her share for the songs which she had sung, because people may take the song to be sung by Lataji.
Barring from a single song (“BBC”) directly sung by Sumanji is available on the You Tube, you will not even got a single concert or Stage performance of Sumanji’s on the internet. So to many people Suman Kalyanpur is unknown.
So the need of the hour is to up-load all the information, concert and each & every moment of Suman Kalyanpuri’s available among us to a common platform of internet. Justifyably next generation must know who is Suman Kalyanpur. And even at this age why not some daring music director come up and let her sing once again in a new hindi movie.

79 CD October 20, 2012 at 4:45 pm

Congratulations for this great work. Suman Kalyanpur truly deserved much better professionally than what she received. But she had a very happy and fulfilling personal life and as it happens very often, at the highest professional level one has to make a choice and sacrifice the one or the other…!
On another note, I am truly surprised that no one seems to remember what was probably her first song in Hindi films and an absolute masterpiece: “Koi pukaré dheerésé tujhé” from the film “Mangu” (1954) music by Mohammed Shafi who was later replaced by O.P.Nayyar.
“Nanhisi gudiya aafat ki kudiya” was another beautiful lullaby she sang for Robin Banerjee in the film “Masoom” (1960).

80 AK October 20, 2012 at 10:51 pm

Thanks a lot for introducing us to two of her forgotten gems.

Koi pukare dheere se tujhe by Suman Kalyanpur from Mangu (1954), lyrics Saba Afghani, music Md Shafi

Nanhi si gudiya aafat ki pudiya by Suamn Kalyanpur from Masoom (1960), lyrics Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, music Robin Banerjee

81 mumbaikar8 October 27, 2012 at 5:16 am

Thanks for the article.
It is very interesting
I would like to add one more very good song to the list,
the song is “Yeh din din hai khoosi ke” a duet with Manna dey.
I am not 100% sure but most probably the film is Madhu.

82 AK October 27, 2012 at 11:02 am

Mumbaikar8
Thanks a lot for mentioning this outstanding duet. It is from the film Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai.

Ye din din hain khushi ke by Manna Dey and Suman Kalyanpur from Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai (1963), lyrics Shailendra, music Dattaram

83 mumbaikar8 October 27, 2012 at 10:15 pm

Thanks for coming up with the right movie name…..

I wish I had enough time to go through all the blogs.
Will go through all of them one at a time.

Thanks once again, for the wonderful site

84 AK October 28, 2012 at 9:50 am

Hope you get time to go through all the posts. One contribution which latecomers can make is to point out if any of the videos have been taken out by the YouTube. This is a recurring problem with YT, but fortunately they take out one, there would be five more available of the same clipping. So once I know I can replace them.

I am happy that you liked the site. Welcome to the growing Songs of Yore family.

85 N N Sivaram November 9, 2012 at 1:45 am

Very informative article but misses many Suman gems which have since been highlighted by others. Suman sang some wonderful duets with Rafi when they had the rift. Lata was so worried by these hits that she soon made up with Rafi saheb. If the rift had continued a bit longer there is little doubt than Suman Kalyanpur would have become as famous as Lata as she was as cersatile as Lata, if not more. Lata was also a political person who did not tolerate competition. The way she treated Vani Jairam is proof enough of her vindictive nature.

86 arvind November 25, 2012 at 12:25 pm

sharing “…ek jurm karke hamne chahatha muskrana…”
by suman kalyanpur from the movie “…shama….”

87 AK November 25, 2012 at 11:36 pm

Beautiful song Arvind. Thanks a lot for refreshing our memory. This song is a proof that Suman Kalyanpur was also recognised as a great singer in her own right, and not just as a replacement for Lata Mangeshkar.

88 Sureh Maloo November 26, 2012 at 9:43 am

I appreciate and thank you for the comment “Suman Kalyanpur was also recognised as a great singer in her own right, and not just as a replacement for Lata Mangeshkar”
I enjoy both with falling into controversy who is better. This could be felt only when both sing the same song and the person who listens to has the capability to comment upon.
Thank God the industry did not have too many singers, else there would too many judgements. You may agree, fan following blocks our vision to appreciate others.
Having said and done all I love the forum that enriches us in so many ways. Let us keep this spirit of loving all, with out prejudices.

89 Sureh Maloo November 26, 2012 at 9:46 am

Please read: “I enjoy both without falling into controversy…” in my above comments.

90 ASHOK M VAISHNAV November 28, 2012 at 9:58 am

A few days back I got to watch a TV show by Javed Akhtar. In that show, on S D Burman, Javed Saa’b was all praise for a rare simplicity in a lullaby in Hindi Films. He observed that mothers of our that era must be great exponents of music, by the standards that the lullabies manifested tunes, compositions, ‘harkats’ and all that only a master can express so fluently that a child would go to sleep.
That reference struck me an equally difficult, an extremely high-octave, superbly orchestrated Suman Kalayanpur song – Chand Kanwal Mere Chand Kanwal from Sanjh Aur Savera – http://youtu.be/azhmLIQgLeo
Apart from the composition skills of SJ, we listen to a great range that Suman Kalayanpur has rendered in this song. The scales can be considered even higher for the great male singers like Rafi or Mahendra Kapoor,
The song has several references in the discussions to the main article herein. But, the way the song connected me up with that remark by Jaaved Saa’b has compelled me to share my ‘instant’ liking of this song. Thanks for bearing with me.

91 Sureh Maloo November 28, 2012 at 11:26 am

The comments of Ashok M Vaishnav reminds us of a gem from the treasures of Suman Kalyanpur, and I vouch for her singing capabilities.
But, it fail to add anything to the forum caption is “Suman Kalyanpur outshines Lata Mangeshkar.” The forum is mot about how beatifully she sang. We do not need to remember all her songs, one by one, to compare her with Lata Dee, without bringing out a similar song by Lata Dee, and then coming out with the aspects of singing to discuss them to establish superiority of Suman Dee over Lata Dee.
Shri AK, the moderator, may please excuse me for this observation.

92 ASHOK M VAISHNAV November 28, 2012 at 12:15 pm

OK, let me, now, add my views a bit further, even at the risk of courting a possible backlash:
Film already has songs by Lata Mangeshkar. So, it is difficult to judge decision of SJ to field Suman Kalyanpur for this song. May be, Lata Mangeshkar was known for her displeasure to sing in very high octaves, so she either may have opted out from the song, and SJ had to fall back upon Suman Kalayanpur. Or maybe, SJ thought that (only) Suman Kalyanpur could really do the justice to the tune.
Of course, there could be a third possibility of song originally would have been planned to be be picturised , not in lead heroine, hence choice of Suman Kalyanpur – as in Aj Hu Na Aaye Balama.

93 AK November 28, 2012 at 10:53 pm

Mr Suresh Maloo, Mr Ashok Vaishnav
I don’t think anyone can seriously suggest that Suman Kalyanpur was superior to Lata Mangeshkar. Lata Mangeshkar is the ultimate. Period. My somewhat provocative title was with reference to a particular song and a very simlilar song, sung by the two singers, and I found the Suman Kalyanpur’s version superior to Lata Mangeshkar’s. But it has to be understood it is my opinion. It is neither a judgment nor is it assumed that others should share my views. Having said that, as I searched for her songs for this article and came to know of many more from the readers’ comments, my respect for her has gone up manifold. It is also heartening to see that she has so many earnest and knowledgeable fans. When I started SoY, it was स्वान्तः सुखाय. Now it has grown into a big family, and we are together discovering, reliving and learning more about songs and the artistes of our great legacy. There never was the intent to pull down anyone, everyone who gave us memorabe songs, is worthy of our respect.

94 Sureh Maloo November 29, 2012 at 11:26 pm

I regret for my unpolished expression. You had to play the role of mediator unnecessarily.
Kindly allow me to reserve my right to be impartial on such debates which lead us to nowhere.
I am among the admirers of Suman Dee, but shall never ever try to compare her with Lata Dee, and vice versa. For me, both these celebrities are living legends on the horizon of times. None stands as competitors to another in my heart. I am fond of good music compositions, and that is all.
I will appreciate an email communication (you have my mail id) should you have any thing to accomplish further.

95 ASHOK M VAISHNAV December 1, 2012 at 10:15 am

@Shri AKji,
Even as Thanks are due, every time, any time and all the the time, for providing invaluable insight to a the hidden gems of the Yesteryear Hindi film songs.
Obviously, different people like (or dislike) these songs and do have quite strong views.
Airing these divergent views on this platform certainly adds value to the original articles, it is also appreciated that each of the participant manifests restraint in respecting the point of view of the others.
However, You play a perfect moderator in terms of smoothing the rough edges in such ‘lively’ discussions.
@ Suresh Maloo
Apart form what I have stated in my views here before, I will only a small clarification form side: We are all expressing our views on the subjects that can best be classified as “history’, and, have our own views , more as those who love/ like the subject. By and large,none of us have any professional or commercial interest.
I avoid crossing the limits of the rough edges of my personal views, but have been increasingly tested the limits. This has been possible only because of the sagacity of all those who interact on this platform.

96 Shashika December 2, 2012 at 10:12 am

Dear friends, please does any one have the lyrics for Sumanji’s song Meri Pooja na Thukrana from the film Duniya Kya Jaane. I wish to sing it at a satsang soon and I remember this song was very beautiful. I cannot even find the audio on the net. If any one has the lyrics please do inform me. Thanks in advance, Shashika

97 Rahela December 2, 2012 at 12:25 pm

Wonderful topic!

I absolutely adore Suman’s voice and several of her songs would feature in my list of classics from the Golden Age of HFM. I was surprised the following duets were not included in the lists here:

Mujhe Yeh Phool Na De (Rafi) – Ghazal
Dil-e-Betaab Ko (Rafi) – Palki
Ke Jaan Chali Jaaye (Rafi) – Anjaana

98 AK December 2, 2012 at 10:04 pm

Rahela,
The last two are quite well known songs. Since several readers have given comprehensive lists, it is indeed surprising that no one mentioned it. Mujhe ye phool na de is not very commonly known. It is a very pleasant song with beautiful Madan Mohan composition.

Mujhe ye phool na de from Ghazal

99 mumbaikar8 January 3, 2013 at 7:17 am

I came across this facinating Lata Suman song and immediatly thought of this article.
The most surprising part of this song is that Lata is in the back seat which is very unusual.

Kabhi aaj kabhi kal kabhi parson from Chand, music Hemant Kumar

100 Arunkumar Deshmukh January 3, 2013 at 6:21 pm

AK Ji,
After I wrote to you,I remembered about another duet of lata and Suman.
Film- Gazal-1964
MD-Madan Mohan
Lyricist-Sahir L.
Song- Unse Nazarein mili aur Hizab aa gaya…
Singers-lata,Suman and Chorus.
HFGK has given a note that ” It seems this song was filmed in the film in the voices of Lata and Minu Purushottam and the same was included in film’s LP also ” (approx. transalation from original Hindi comment in HFGK).
The original duet’s record No. is given as N-54715
I tried on You Tube but could not get this duet there.
This is for your info.
-Arunkumar Deshmukh

101 AK January 3, 2013 at 6:44 pm

@mumbaikar 8
So for the time being, this remains the only Lata Mangeshkar-Suman Kalyanpur duet available in public domain. It is absolutely fantastic, and it is surprising that it has remained hidden for so long. Thanks for bringing it to our notice, and thanks to the person who has uploaded it on the YT.

@Arunkumar Deshmukh
Thanks a lot for your clarification. Now I would also be on the lookout for the second duet.

102 Arunkumar Deshmukh January 3, 2013 at 8:12 pm

AK Ji,
Mumbaikar8 ji has really done a great job of bringing this to our notice,though it was hosted by 2 different persons,since last 2 years,on the You Tube.No one had recognised its importance,so thanks to
Mumbaikar 8 ji.
-AD

103 mumbaikar8 January 3, 2013 at 11:23 pm

Its my pleasure to participate on this site

104 ratul January 12, 2013 at 8:41 am

Following is one of her gems she sang with Bhupenda:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1q-o2JIqWo

105 AK January 12, 2013 at 11:04 pm

Ratul, it is an outstanding Assamese folk song. The YT does not identify the female singer, who does sound like Suman Kalyanpur. Could you please give some more details about this song?

106 ratul January 15, 2013 at 1:02 pm

The song was composed by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika in 1965 – sung by Bhupenda and Suman Kalyanpur. Its a love song.

Below is another beauty by Suman Kalyanpur in Assamese. This was composed by Dr. Hazarika in 1968:

http://music.raag.fm/Assamese/songs-14228-Suman_Kalyanpur-Various

107 ratul January 24, 2013 at 4:56 pm

I invite you all music lovers to listen to this – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1q-o2JIqWo

And appreciate how great a communicator was Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.
You guys might say I am biased – I am bisaed because Bhupenda stood for humanity.

108 Pawan January 26, 2013 at 12:58 pm

It is high time Suman Kalyanpur was honoured with a life time award by the film industry and given due recognition. I think we music lovers should make it happen . AK, please start a social media campaign we all will join. Thanks for reminding us about her, whom everyone in the industry knows but just passes by and leaves her forgotten !

109 AK January 27, 2013 at 6:10 pm

Pawan , very well said. Suman Kalyanpur does deserve an award worthy of her. Wikipedia mentions that Maharashtra governmnet honoured her with the prestigious Lata Mangeshkar award in 2010. It is silent on Padma awards, so I am not sure whether she got any or not – I would have to check up on this. This year’s Padma awards list includes Sudha Malhotra. It must be the famous singer. It is a pleasant surprise that someone remembered her after so many years. That gives us hope for Suman Kalyanpur. If a recommendation is put up for her at the right time with citation, through Maharshtra government or some other credible institution or individual, I have no doubt she should figure in Padma Bhushan list. Many in SoY family would know someone in the right quarters who can pursue it. Let us pursue that to see her name figure prominently in the next awards. Since no one questions the merit of the case, and it is more a case of oversight, I guess this would be more effective than a campaign on social media.

110 N Venkataraman January 28, 2013 at 12:39 pm

Akji,
I wholeheartedly endorse your suggestion. Today is 28th January. Today is Suman Kalyanpur’s birthday and she has completed 76 years. Let us pay our humble tribute to her on this occasion.

111 AK January 28, 2013 at 8:08 pm

I join you in conveying our best wishes on her birthday, wishing that her next birthday would bring some good news.

112 Pawan January 29, 2013 at 1:48 am

Many thanks for the information Venkataraman ! I agree with AK that this can be better addressed by a pointed approach to the right people, as it is clearly an oversight. I join you and all in SoY family, in wishing her a Very Happy Birthday and shall endeavour to seek due recognition for her by writing to media channels and newspapers highlighting her work. I am sure AK you will permit reference of this blog which will be very enlightening, as most her hit/popular songs are assumed to be Lata’s.

Secondly, government awards may not be easy to come by, but now we have Filmfare, Stardust, Screen, IFFA etc – at least one of them could be influenced ? It would be worth a spirited effort to see one of these, honouring her in front of millions of TV audience !

113 Shashika January 29, 2013 at 10:21 am

Namaskaar everyone, I am Shashika from S.Africa and now settled in Mumbai for my singing. I ALWAYS LOVED SUMANJI and wondered what happened to her. There is a song Meri Puja Na Tukrana which is not to be found nowadays which I used to sing in my younger days. I am sad to learn that she has not been duly awarded for her singing and definitely I want to be part of the team that makes sure she gets her due credit. Oh I would love to meet her, she is for me the epitome of Mother Saraswathi.

114 ASHOK M VAISHNAV January 29, 2013 at 1:30 pm

In an upload on YT, http://youtu.be/0AwQCgomB_M, following update can be seen, on the occsion of her birthday:

“On Tuesday, in the run-up to her 75th birthday, veteran playback singer Suman Kalyanpur will be felicitated by the Saraswat Cultural Forum.

The event conceived, authored and compered by Mangala Khadilkar will start at Tilak Smarak Mandir in the city at 7 pm. The function is being organized under the umbrella of the Mumbai-based Kanara Saraswat Association.”

115 Raj Sharma February 22, 2013 at 12:56 pm

I am an old timer with an uncommon taste of things. I saw movies till 1970 where after nothing was needed as I remain absorbed in this arena. Suman Kalyanpur, Roshan, Madhubala and Sahir are my favorite artists.
I am quite emotive about Suman. There is a lot of information on her rivalry with Lata. But the ladies have refrained from the popular belief. Suman’s voice is humane while I feel Lata sings like a machine without any mistake ! You will feel emotions working in Sumans voice.
I appreciate this wonderful blog where you will find almost all the under dogs who have fascinated you but otherwise they are not seen much.
I have to request this authoritative and knowledgable blogger to write sections on Bharat Bhushan and Shakila. His forceful writing may bless us with the informaion we have been longing for.

116 AK February 22, 2013 at 2:41 pm

Welcome Sharmaji,
You will find a lot of like minded people here. Thanks a lot for you kind words. My interest is music and music personalities primarily. But I would keep your request about Bharat Bhushanand Shakeela in mind to cover them at some approriate time.

117 Kiran Deshpande February 25, 2013 at 4:28 pm

Sumanji is no doubt a good singer.But she cannot be compared with Lataji.Sumanji has at times vibrations in her voice. Lataji is 100% perfect.One cannot find any flaw in her voice.Once the Lata-Rafi conflict was resolved,music directors preferred Lata-Rafi duets in stead of the former jodi. So let us enjoy songs sung by Sumanji withour comparing her with Lataji.

118 Raj Sharma February 26, 2013 at 1:46 pm

I have utmost regards to what Kiranji has said. AK’s modest attitude has touched my heart. AK, I solicit your personal feelings about what is so special in Ghulam Mohammed’s music that I feel he is unique among the Bollywood lot. I feel you can create a great profile on him.
And well why a blogger with the talents of AK would keep a low profile for himself. I want to know more about you, dear AK.
Wish you glory and your blog more popularity.

119 AK February 26, 2013 at 7:24 pm

Sharmaji,
Thanks a lot for your very kind words. By God’s grace and good wishes of people like you. SoY has attracted a large number of very committed and knowledgeable followers.

I entirely agree with you on Ghulam Mohammad. What a coincidence that in my most recent post on Talat Mohammad-Asha Bhsole duets I mentioned about him that he was senior to Naushad in the industry, and getting paid more. Ironically he had to become Naushad’s assistant. It is said that many of Naushad’s famous songs were composed by him, which might be possible. At least some of Talat Mahmood’s best songs are composed by him. SoY would surely have more on him. It is a huge ocean. While I have some structure in mind, but by and large I am doing whatever takes my fancy.

I am gratified that you want to know about me. I have sent you a mail.

120 Meenu March 21, 2013 at 12:52 pm

Suman is a good singer but LATA is far ahead than suman in quality of voice , technique in everything. I can clearly differentiate LATA’s and suman’s voice. I wonder how people get confused? There is no similarity at all!

121 arvind April 8, 2013 at 2:01 pm

SK singing NAZAR KA MIL KE JHUK JAANA for shakila in NEELI AANKHEN (1962).
http://youtu.be/9Sf0vyregP0

122 Rockzid April 22, 2013 at 12:45 am

I stumbled on your blog quite by chance and I am glad that I did.Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Here is a Suman Kalyanpur rarity that I really love “Man Gaye Woh Tarana” from Chalaak (1973) with music by Ganesh and filmed on actress Alka.
YouTube link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJUU1C_iAjU.

How about a write up on Mala Sinha, much underrated actress who is yet to be honoured with the Padma award.

123 suhas July 20, 2013 at 1:05 pm

I like your blog….thanks a lot…

124 upendra vyas August 28, 2013 at 11:48 am

very nice all this collection

125 Jignesh Kotadia November 21, 2013 at 12:18 am

Recently i came across by this gem first time… Saahir’s pen is supreme as alwayz…khayyam’s tune and sumanji’s voice made it a perfect piece.

”Zindagi zulm sahi, jabar sahi, gham hi sahi
Dil ki fariyaad sahi, rooh ka maatam hi sahi

Hum ne har haal mein jeene ki kasam khaai hai
Ab yahi haal muqaddar hai to shikwa kyon ho
Hum saleeqe se nibha denge jo din baaqi hai
Chaah ruswa na hui, dard bhi ruswa kyon ho”

Kya baat kya baat kya baat
Only the genius Saahir can do this magic. What majaz cud do in single song, Saahir has done in every song !! It’s obvious that lata’s voice and saahir’s words have lifted HFM to a sublime level. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd0d52WW2mQ

126 Jignesh Kotadia November 21, 2013 at 12:34 am

this song is mentioned by Dr. Virendra singh Godhara in comment no. 72. Now it is available on YT. Very nice song.

As he mentioned in his comment the MD’s name is ‘RAMLAL HEERAPANNA’ !!! First time heard name ! How many such obscure names are still hidden in history ? Thanx to YT for resusciting such completely lost names. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lN49la4Bkc

127 Jignesh Kotadia November 21, 2013 at 11:07 am

‘Hum ko taqdeer se bewajaha shikayat kyun ho,
Isi taqdeer ne chaahat ki khushi bhi di thi,,
Aaj agar kaampti palkon ko diye hai aansoo,
Kal thirakate hue honton ko hansi bhi di thi..’

WahWahWahWah
Poetry to koi Saahir se sikhe

(stanza of ‘zindagi zulm sahi’ from SHAGOON, 1964)

128 mumbaikar8 December 3, 2013 at 11:53 pm

AK,
I think, this is one more Lata Suman duet, right now it is my assumption, because all over the internet the singer is Lata, distinctly it has two singers and if I am not mistaken the other singer is Suman .
Can you please confirm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0dBRTGsHc5k

129 AK December 4, 2013 at 4:09 pm

Mumbaikar8,
It does sound two singers to me, and the other could very well be Suman Kalyanpur. I have referred it to some experts, let me see what is their verdict.

130 mumbaikar8 December 4, 2013 at 6:41 pm

AK,
It seems Suman but could be Aarti Mukherji.
Let’s wait for the expert verdict.

131 siya January 15, 2014 at 9:44 am

having a sweet voice and having musical talent are 2 completely different things.
Those who are rooting for Suman Kalyanpur here do listen to the song aj hu na aye baalama sawan beeta jaye. in particular pay minute attention to the lines badara ko Chanda gale se lagaye aur bhi mera Mann lalachaye. listen how rafi sings Mann vs how suman sings Mann.
I rest my case.

132 K R Vaishampayan January 15, 2014 at 12:37 pm

With due respect SIYA…the difference in singing Mann by Rafi and Suman is more of style and complimenting in a duet.
Of course, each singer has his/her limitations and strong points and they tend to render the words to express the right emotions – vis a vis context, to the best of their ability within their limitations.
A bit of imperfection and unstable voice timber of SUMAN endeared her to those who root for her. However, it is nobody’s claim / over claim that she is Better than Lata or Aasha. In fact, each one of them…be that Lata, Aasha, Suman, Sudha Malhotra, Shamshad, Mubarak…had their very own specific attributes.
Ergo…as an avid music lover, I rather enjoy the diverse variety that film music presents us. Hope, you will agree.
Regards – K R Vaishampayan [alias-KRV]

133 Canasya January 15, 2014 at 5:58 pm

I have not seen the movie. But the following video suggests that Suman is probably giving playback for the pupil and Rafi for the music teacher. SJ might have instructed Suman accordingly (remember ‘Sawan ka mahina’ from Milan). Language would also be part of Suman’s handicap.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV2fid6gIj8

Just to illustrate how difficult it is to correctly pronounce words from a language other than mother tongue for even a legendary singer like Rafi listen to ‘Jahan daal daal pe’ from Sikandar-e-azam (MD: Hansraj Behl; Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan). He says ‘Bramha’ twice in the beginning in place of ‘Brahma’! (I like the song though).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-50qe9qrUDk

134 Pawan January 15, 2014 at 6:43 pm

I agree with KRV, as the music director decides the variations in rendering the same word/line by male and female singers and not the individuals. They are deliberate and many current and past songs can serve as examples.

There is no dispute in who has better voice or talent. The point is Suman also excelled and was very close to Lata in both. However, the recognition is no where close to that, hence praises are bound to come for a person whose songs are often mistaken as sung by Lata.

135 AK January 15, 2014 at 10:24 pm

Mumbaikar8,
I should gave come back to you earlier. Some knowledgeable people I referred to confirm that it is only one singer Lata Mangeshkar. They say it is not uncommon for the same singer to give playback for two actors in the same song.

136 AK January 15, 2014 at 10:56 pm

Siya, KR Vaishampayan, Pawan
I think it is quite clear no one was trying to suggest Suman Kalyanpur is equal to or better than Lata Mangehskar. Therefore, any averment that she is a lesser singer is unnecessary. The point was, as has been mentioned by many readers, that (i) Her similarity to Lata Mangehskar was remarkable, which was her strength as well as handicap, and (ii) Suman Kalyanpur did not get her due commensurate with her talents.

Canasya,
I don’t think Ajahun na aye balma has any similarity to Sawan ka mahina. In the latter song, Sunil Dutt was a serious teacher. Here Mahmood has taken the disguise of the music teacher to befool Shobha Khote’s mother to be near her. Initially, Shobha Khote is also taken in by the disguise, but once she recognises her lover, she also winks and continues the charade. But this also does not explain the difference in pronunciation of ‘mann’. It is simply a musical detail for composition.

You make an interesting point about ‘Brahma’ and ‘Bramha’. I never gave a thought to it, nor would have ever noticed it. The two words, when spoken, are indistinguishable. After uttering these words many times, I find the natural tendency is to pronounce ‘Bramha’. You can try it with other people.

A very common mistake most people do is in pronouncing Sanskrit words ending with a consonant with अकार. For example, सुखाय, हिताय, परित्राणाय etc. in which the last ‘ya’ has to be stressed. Then, complex sandhi can be a nightmare. Interestingly, in French if a word ending with a soft consonant is followed by a word staring with a vowel, while speaking they are joined like a Sanskrit ‘sandhi’ (but not in writing unlike Sanskrit).

137 mumbaikar8 January 15, 2014 at 11:57 pm

Ak,
Thanks for the reply.
I still hear two singers
but let us go by their verdict.

Canasya,
This is an interesting article about usage of Brahma and Bramha.
Rafi and Hansraj Behl were no Sankrit scholars so they should not be blamed for this mistake.
http://satyansharma.wordpress.com/2010/08/17/brahma-vs-bramha/

138 AK January 16, 2014 at 10:45 am

Mumbaikar8,
I am with you on the two singers.

Interesting article. But what is striking is the kind of stuff you get on the internet. There is nothing which is not there. At the cost of repetition, there is never any doubt that the correct form is ‘Brahma’, but this is a word which naturally comes out as ‘Brahma’ when you speak it.

139 K R Vaishampayan January 16, 2014 at 2:31 pm

Dear AK,

Thanks for your reply. I think we have no differences what-so-ever and both of us love music with may be different perspectives.
As regards ‘pronunciations’ especially of Sanskrit words…I simply shudder and agree with you.
The North Indians pronounce it ‘under’ correctness while those from the south tend to over pronounce it – like in: LATHA instead of LATA…and so on.
Remember RISHI KAPOOR wooing the pony with Sanskrit to impress Nitu Singh??? chanting – ” OM TASAYA VITOOR VARENIUM…”
Hope, you do remember. Have a good time. Regards – KRV

140 AK January 16, 2014 at 3:51 pm

KRV,
But why did you suddenly go on hibernation? Good to have you back. The whole yearwise review of the best songs – I have done 1955 and 1953 already – was your provocation, and you had disappeared.

141 Arunkumar Deshmukh January 18, 2014 at 9:30 pm

AK ji,

Ref your comment No.136,para for canasya,

the correct name is SHUBHA KHOTE and NOT Shobha Khote. I find many people calling her Shobha,which is not right.

-AD

142 AK January 18, 2014 at 10:29 pm

Arunji, Thanks for the correction

143 Rakesh Srivastava March 11, 2014 at 4:09 pm

It was sheer phase of luck that while searching for more information on forgotten composer Jamal Sen, I came across your blog and fell in love, immediately. You have rightfully satiated appetite of music connoisseurs & fulfilled a long felt need of such useful information about old songs, singers & composers who have now faded out into oblivion. My sincere salute and kudos to you.
I went through few of your articles. I wish, I could read all but it would take time. I read your article on Suman Kalyanpur (SK) and comments thereon only yesterday and noted that this nice article was posted way back in Oct, 2010 with sporadic comments spread over till now. I thought all the loopholes, if there were any, must have been plugged-up by now during the span of last 40 months. But I feel that some room has been left for me to poke my nose into. Here are some songs which do not get there mention. …………… How about including these sweet melodies which would certainly delight you and readers equally?

1- Avinash Vyas
Chali jaye re jeevan ki gari (with Badrinath Pawar)-Royal Mail
2- Ajit Merchant
Raat ne gesu bikhraye (with Manna Dey)-Sapera
3- Babul
Aankhon mein shokhi (with Manna Dey)-Reshmi Roomal
4- Bipin Datta
Main is maasoom chehre ko (with Rafi)-Baghi Shahzada
5-Dattaram
i. Ye nasheeli hawa chha raha hai nasha (with Manna Dey)-Neeli Aankhen
ii. Kehti Hai kuchh jhuki jhuki nazar (Zindagi aur Khwab)
6- Ghulam Moahammed
i. Mere mehboob tujhe pyaar karoon ya na karoon -Shamaa
ii. Insaaf tera dekha ai saaqi-e-maikhana-Shamaa
iii. Yaas ke dar pe jhuka jaata hai sar (with Rafi)-Shamaa
7- Kalyanji Anandji
i. Kabhi honthon se-Geet
ii. Tu jangal ki morni to main bagana mor (with Rafi)-Raja Saab
iii. Man mera tujhko mange-Paras
8- Khaiyam
Mehfil mein aap aaye jaise ki chaand aaya (with Mubarak Begum, Jagjit Kaur)-Mohabbat isko kehte hain
9-Laxikant Pyarelal
i. Na jaane kaise pal menin badal jaate hain -Badalte Rishte
ii. Aa hum ahd-ewaf kar den (with Rafi)-Do Bhai
10- N Dutta
Mohe laa de chunariyaa lal (with Geeta Dutt)-Chaandi kee deewaar
11- Pandit Shivram
Chamke chaand poonam ka (with Mukesh)-Mahasati Behula
12- Ravi
Zara si baat pyar ki (with Rafi)-Salaam Memsaab
13- Robin Banerjee
Iradha na tha aapse pyaar ka (with Rafi)-Aandhi aur Toofan
14- Rajesh Roshan
i. Teri palkon mein (with Rafi)-Jay-Vejay
ii. Naaraazgi yeh aap ki (with Rafi)-Unnees-Bees
15- Roshan
i. Aaja rasiye more man basiya-Commercial Pilot Officer
ii. Chaand takta hai idhar (with Rafi)-Dooj ka chaand
iii. Maine ai jaan-e-wafaa tum se mohabaat ki hai (with Rafi)-Bedaag
16-Sardar Malik
i. Tere hun O sanam, tu jahan main wahan (with Rafi)-Bachpan
ii. Ab main jaaoon kahan, kahan jaaoon-Bachpan
iii. Baharaon se poocho-Mera Ghar Mere Bachhe
17- Salil Choudhary
Tumhe dil se chaha tumhe dil diya hai-Chaand aur Sooraj

18- S. Mohinder
i. Tum mard nikaaloge ghoonghat (with Rafi)-Reporter Raju
ii. Rain Jhoomti Dil ko choomti (with Rafi)-Reporter Raju
19. SD Burman
i. Khwab hai wohi ka wohi-Maiyan Bibi Razi
ii. Main shola hoon (with Rafi)-Benazir
20. SN Tripathi
Tum hi keh do tumse mujhko itna pyaar kyon (with Mahendra Kapoor)-Pareeksha
21- Sapan Jagmohan
Jeevan hai ek bhool-Chetna
22- Usha Khanna
i. Ai zindagi ke saathi jaana na zindagi se-Fareb
ii. Mera tumhara saath ho (with Rafi)-Ek Paheli

144 AK March 12, 2014 at 3:52 pm

Rakesh Srivastava,
I am overwhelmed by your generous praise, and awesome additions. Thanks a lot. The SoY owes a great deal to the knowledgeable and passionate readers, too.

The first song in your list Chali jaye ri jeevan ki gaadi does seem to be your great favorite, because you had mentioned it earlier in my post on Kamal Barot, thinking it to be sung by her, and from Rocket Girl. I wish one could find it. Sudhir Kapurji, whom I have referred to help us with Kamal Barot songs, confirms the co-ordinates of the song you have given here.

I hope you are able to browse through my other posts.

Some of the songs in your list have appeared on this blog in other posts, some are very rare and not available on YT as of now. Let me go through them, and I would try to post some which are best of the lot.

145 AK March 13, 2014 at 8:10 am

Rakesh Srivastava,
I should thank you again for adding some fabulous songs of Suman Kalyanpur. Some I heard for the first time. Here is the first installment of the songs. I will come back again with more from your list. They need to be enjoyed at leisure.

Ankh mein shokhi lab pe tabassum by Manna Dey and Suman Kalynapur from Reshmi Roomal (1960), music Babul

)

Main is masoom chehre ko by Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur from Baghi Shehzada (1964), music Bipin Dutta
Rafi giving playback for Kishore Kumar! I had not heard this song before.

)

Ye nashili hawa aa raha hai maza by Manna Dey and Suman Kalyanpur from Neeli Aankhein (1962), music Dattaram

)

Kahti hai jhuki jhuki nazar by Suman Kalyanpur from Zindagi Aur Khwab (1961), music Dattaram

)

Insaaf tera dekha by Suman Kalyanpur from Shama (1961), music Ghulam Mohammad

)

Mere mehboob tujhe pyar karun ya na karun by Suman Kalyanpur from Shama

)

Yaas ke dar pe jhuka jata hai by Suman Kalyanpur from Shama

)

Mehfil mein aap aye jaise ki chand aya by Suman Kalyanpur and Mubarak Begum from Mohabbat Isko Kahte Hain (1965), music Khayyam

)

146 AK March 14, 2014 at 11:02 am

Rakesh Srivastava,
I come back with the second installment from your exhaustive list. I heard them over in YT. The first song in your list is already in public domain, thanks to your interest, and you have already seen it. About two songs by Rajesh Roshan, YT gives the female singers as Lata Mangeshkar in one case, and Hemlata in the other. You may like to check up on this. From the rest, the ones I found most fascinating I am posting here. Thanks a lot for introducing us to some absolutely songs, many of which I am heard for the first time.

Mohe la de chunariya laal by Suman Kalyanpur and Geeta Dutt from Chaandi Ki Deewar (1964), music N Datta

Chamke chaand poonam ka by Mukesh and Suman Kalyanpur from Mahasati Behula, music Shivram

Zara si baat pyar ki zuban se phisal gayi by Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur from Salaam Memsaab (1961), music Ravi

Irada na tha aapse pyar ka by Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur from Aandhi Aur Toofan (1964), music Robin Banerjee

Interesting. Does it sound like Ye wada karo chaand ke saamne from Rajhath?

Chaand takta hai idhar by Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur from Dooj Ka Chaand (1964), music Roshan

What a sweet Roshan composition!

Maine ae jaan-e-wafa tumse mohabbat ki hai by Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur from Bedaag (1965), music Roshan

Tere hum O sanam by Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur from Bachpan (1963), music Sardar Malik

Tumhein dil se chaha tumhein dil diya hai by Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur from Chaand Aur Suraj (1965), music Salil Chaudhary

Tum mard nikaaloge ghoonghat by Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur from Reporter Raju (1962), music S Mohinder

Interesting qawwali muqaabla picturised on the comedian Birbal (?) and unknown lady (?), with the lead actors in the audience. There is a short parody of Gham dire mustaqil at 3.o1.

Khuli hai ankh magar khwab hai wohi by Suman Kalyanpur from Miyan Biwi Raazi (1960), music SD Burman

This is a beautiful SD Burman composition, sung so melodiously by Suman Kalyanpur as a mujra song performed on stage, accompanied by kathak dancers. The tabalchi in drag is gets so excited that he throws off his/her veil and reveals himself as Mehmood. I would classify it as an extremely melodious song with discordant picturisation.

Mera tumhara sath to sadiyon ka sath hai by Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur from Ek Paheli (1971), music Usha Khanna

Isn’t this inspired heavily from Ye raat ye fizayein phir aayein ya na aayein from Batwara?

147 Rakesh Srivastava March 14, 2014 at 2:58 pm

Thanks for posting my likes.You are right,Jay Vijaya song is sung by Lata.But Unnees Bees song is by Suman only as verified from Hindi Geetmala and YT.Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21_Ze-ehY84

148 mumbaikar8 March 14, 2014 at 6:48 pm

AK,
Now that the Ganga has started flowing again let me wash my hands in bahti Ganga adding few more songs. I hope, I am not repeating any.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=l5kBda3cQ3U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=4SyFG57Ve0A
One more qawwali
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2g2Z11mvr_Q
Beautiful duet, male singer sounds like so much Manna Dey
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Or0PEfHYoZ0
With Sardar Malik in another B grade Movie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0iK7p1x3oE&feature=player_detailpage
With another unsung music director Bulo C Rani
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=x7EpUtzsW2k

149 AK March 15, 2014 at 7:57 pm

Mumbaikar8,
It is never too late to join, especially when you come up with such beautiful songs. #2 Itne bade jahan mein apna bhi koi hota from Dark Street composed by Dattaram is one of her most melodious, and deserved to be mentioned here. The qawwali Yun miley ki mulaqaat ho na saki (#3) is excellent. In #4, Dil gaya dil gaya from Tilasmi Duniya (1962), music Suresh Talwar, YT mentions Shyam Kumar as the male singer, though I can’t believe that it could be the same Shyam Kumar who sang Tu mera chaand main teri chaandni in Dillagi (1949). To me the voice sounds more like Rafi. It would need more examination. The last two songs Naina ne dekhe unke main (Maharani Padmini) and Matwala saawan aya (Shri Ganesh) have the usual sweetness of Suman Kalyanpur.

150 arvindersharma April 7, 2014 at 11:59 am

Listen to these hidden gems which come to my mind instantly as I was going through this article.
1. Meri preet mera pyar kahe aaj baar baar from Tirthyatra.
2. Kar singaar aayi hoon dwar from Kailashpati.
3. Main hoon akeli kis kis ko from Mai Shadi Karne Chala.
and a duet with Rafi
Taaron ki chhaon tale shama parwane jale from Zarak Khan (note the similarity of this song with ‘Yun mile ke mulaqat’ from Sarfarosh, music in both the songs given by S.Mohinder).

151 AK April 7, 2014 at 2:48 pm

Sharmaji,
You have awesome collection of songs! I could locate only two from your list, both worth mentioning:

Kar singaar ayi hun dwar from Kailashpati, music Avinash Vyas

Taron ki chhaon tale from Zarak Khan, music S Mohinder

152 Salim April 9, 2014 at 3:44 pm

Thank you for a goldmine of a website. One thing I have noticed that many people rely on youtube for sampling of old songs – I myself perforce have to do so. But one good soul pointed out to me the fault – most videos of old films run faster than the original film – a fact which I had sensed and suspected but did not pinpoint when videos first came out; but now I know it for a surety. It is best to hear old songs from pure audio sources. We can hear the song in its correct speed in Youtube uploads which are based on such audio sources (and not video source). Since then I have been on a re-discovery voyage of old songs. Sheer bliss.

153 AK April 9, 2014 at 5:17 pm

Salim,
Plus the fact that the sound quality of audio uploads on YT is invariably better than videos of the same song.

Welcome to SoY and thanks for your appreciation.

154 AK April 16, 2014 at 3:52 pm

Sharmaji,
Ref your comment #150. A very generous wizard Sudhir Kapurji has uploaded Meri preet mera pyar boley aaj baar baar on Atul’s site.

155 arvindersharma April 16, 2014 at 5:24 pm

It is the era of internet that you get such a fast response to any query.
I was around 17 when I first heard this song played in Rajdhani Express (it was a very melodic cassette containing songs such as ‘Humse na poocho’, ‘Unse pyar ho gaya’ and ‘O naar albeli’-a very rare Geeta no.from ‘Nagpadmini’)
I had never heard any of these songs before.
I was so enamoured by the sweetness of these songs, that I acquired all but two (‘Meri preet’ and ‘O naar albeli’) over the years.
Years passed on but I never lost hope.
Thankfully, with the advent of HFGK, I was able to obtain these two songs only after around 35 years of wait.
And it is a matter of days now, sometimes only seconds, to listen to a rare no.
Such availability takes away that feeling of anxiety and excitement in waiting, something which belonged to the era we all are nostalgic about.
But then this era has its own benefits too, such as me having discovered you.

156 arvindersharma April 16, 2014 at 5:39 pm

Thanks Sudhir Ji and AK ji for the upload.
My apologies for overlooking this.

157 AK April 16, 2014 at 7:46 pm

Sharmaji,
I am delighted too to interact with a music lover like you.

158 arvindersharma April 16, 2014 at 8:06 pm

That pleasure AK Ji, is entirely mine.

159 arvindersharma May 30, 2014 at 9:39 pm

It gives me immense pleasure to unearth gems from my collection, songs which must have been popular with the music lovers in their hey days.
I would like to share a few of my favourite Suman Kalyanpur songs, all of which I find very breezy and lively, as under :
Jhoom ke piya ki gali, choom ke khushi me chali, aa rahi aa rahi hoon from ‘Jai Bhavani’, music S Mohinder,
Kateele kateele nasheele nasheele kaise ye din aaye, sakhi ri mera man udd udd jaye
from ‘Zindagi Ya Khwab’, music Dattaram,
Khadi thi baghiya me hairaan, ki aaye sainyaa beimaan, ki meethi meethi karejwa me peer hoye re from ‘Bekhabar’, music S Mohinder,
Chhalbaliya jaadu kar gayo, haye kya karun from ‘Rooplekha’, music Nashaad,
Mujhe kabhi kabhi sapna ye aaye, ki Shyam meri galiyon me bansuri bajaye from ‘Mera Qusoor Kya Hai’, music Chitragupta and
Aankh sharmane lagi, zulf lehrane lagi from ‘Captain Sheroo’, music S Mohinder.
(This song could have also sneaked into the ‘Zulf’ category).

160 AK May 31, 2014 at 12:24 pm

Sharmaji,
And what gems you have presented. I can’t thank you enough for Jhoom ke piya ki gali. This great favourite of mine had gone completely out of my consciousness. I am hearing it after about four decades. But I was surprised it sounded so much like Chitragupta’s composition, whereas I don’t think S Mohinder had any connection with him.

Jhoom ke piya ki gali ghoom ke khushi mein chali from Jai Bhawani (1961), lyrics GS Nepali, music S Mohinder

Have I started imagining similarities? Kateele kateele sounded like Salil Chaudhary to me.

Another favourite of mine you have added:

Aankh sharmane lagi from Captain Sheroo (1963), lyrics Naqsh Layalpuri, music S Mohiner

161 arvindersharma June 1, 2014 at 11:33 pm

AK Ji,
Thanks for your nice comments. Incidently, I always had the feeling that ‘Jhoom ke piya ki gali’ was composed by Roshan, another great exponent of melody, the tune somehow in my mind always related to the songs, ‘Mero sainya gulabiya ka phool’ from ‘Nayi Umar Ki Nayi Fasal’, ‘Sajan salona maang lo ri koi’ from ‘Dooj Ka Chand’ and ‘Na na na re na na’ from ‘Tajmahal’. Misconceptions sometimes get so rooted in your mindset.
Now I’ll mention yet another favourite duet of mine from Guest House, music by Chitragupta, sung by Suman Kalyanpur and Usha Mangeshkar,
Nikla hai gora gora chand re sajanwa, kar ke jatan koi aa ja.
I’ll have to sheepishly admit that I was searching this song in your article, Lata with Chitragupta, Suman sounds so much like Lata in the song.

162 Rakesh Srivastava June 2, 2014 at 9:02 pm

Arvindersharma Ji,
I am short of words to express my thanks for referring the Jai Bhawani song.This song was very popular in radio era around 1960s and was my favorite too.However with the passage of time, I forgot the words and every thing else about this song(I was in my childhood those days). I could only hum its tune.I am not a good singer so could not express and ask any one to help locate this song when nothing was known except the tune.Just out of curiosity, I opened this song today through
your post and lo and behold,it was what I was striving for all through these fifty odd years.Thank you Sharma ji.You have made a dumb speak and express himself.Thank you AK ji and long live the Internet, for helping us do what we do.

163 arvindersharma June 3, 2014 at 12:13 am

Rakesh Srivastava Ji,
I am at loss of words after going through your post and can simply thank you for the same.I personally understand what goes through a fellow music lover’s mind when he is unable to trace a song when it is there in his mind and there is no means to catch up with it.
We can simply thank all those great gifted people who created these great melodies, which we are enjoying today.
And Rakesh Ji, we must thank AK Ji and his fellow contributions, who painstakingly create such knowledgeable articles for all of us to enjoy and contribute.
Regards,
Arvinder Sharma

164 arvindersharma July 15, 2014 at 11:38 pm

One more round of Suman Kalyanpur songs.
It was to her credit that she could sing classical compositions with ease as she beautifully rendered ‘Choro choro more bainya sanware’ from ‘Miyan Biwi Raazi’ under the baton of SDB.
Some more are as under :
Dil tod ke jana hai from ‘Hamari Yaad Aayegi’, music Snehal Bhatkar.
Hamari Yaad Aayegi-
Dil Todke Jana Hai- Suman Kal…: http://youtu.be/lRf3KTGGfGM

Baar baar gayi re haar mai sakhi ri from ‘Krishnavtar’, music by Suresh Kumar.
Krishnavatar- Baar Baar Gayi Re Haar- Suman Kalya…: http://youtu.be/oJNrGJQD4iA

Toone churali mere maathe ki bindiya from ‘Rooplekha’ music Chitragupta.
Rooplekha- Tune Churali Meri Mathe Ki Bindiya- Su…: http://youtu.be/zuwI6NHBHV4

Three beautiful solos :
Aayi hoon badi door se from ‘Sakhi Robin’, music Robin Bannerjee
“AAYI HOON BADI DOOR SE”BY SUMAN KALYANPUR,MUSIC …: http://youtu.be/iem7QMIiikY

Ja ja, ja re beimaan from ‘Hercules’, music by N Dutta
Hercules- Ja Ja Re Beimaan- Suman Kalyanpur: http://youtu.be/yj5WIBZpI1Y

Itni bedardi se rootha mora baalma from ‘Rooplekha’, music by Chitragupta.
ITNI BEDARDI SE ROOTHA MORA BALMA ,SUMAN KALYANPU…: http://youtu.be/WT6rUZPw_8Q
To my ears, this song brings faint memories of ‘Choro choro more bainya’.

Two beautiful duets with Mukesh :
Shama se koi keh de from ‘Jai Bhawani’, music S Mohinder
shama se koi kah de..mukesh-suman kalyanpur-jai b…: http://youtu.be/8ieACqWbuKU

Taaron ki thandi chhainyan from ‘Naag Devta’, music by S N Tripathi, a rare and a very sweet song
taron ki chhaiyan..suman kalyanpur-mukesh-qamar j…: http://youtu.be/0_9SCFqEXcs

Seven duets with Rafi
Tumhi ne dil mera chheen me from ‘Airmail’, music by Sardul Kwatra, another good composer who enriched the Punjabi film music.
When you begin to listen to this song, at once O P Naiyyar comes to mind. But hearing Suman, you get confused how lata could be there in an OPN song. It’s only afterwards that you understand that is is the work of another music director.
Tumhi Ne Dil Mera Mohd Rafi Suman Kalyanpur Film …: http://youtu.be/7AU5TZjonIs

Chand hain taare bhi hain Aur ye tanhai hai from ‘Rooplekha’, music by Chitragupta is another must listen gem by the master.
rooplekha ”’ chand hai tare hain aur ye tanhai h…: http://youtu.be/MfDH9sMmQvE

Meri zindagi tere pyar me hum kahan kahan se guzar gaye from ‘Ji Chahta Hai’, music by Kalyanji Anandji.
Meri Zindagi Tere Pyar Mein Mohd Rafi Suman Kalya…: http://youtu.be/lhzhVucH9js

Chail chhabeela chokra from ‘Hamari Yaad Aayegi’, music by Snehal Bhatkar.
Film Hamari Yaad Aayegi Year 1961 song Chail Chab…: http://youtu.be/tUWdJxwBuoQ

Aate jaate role mujhe chede mujhe baalma from ‘ Ek Sapera Ek Lutera’, music by Usha Khanna
Ek Sapera Ek Lutera – Title Song: http://youtu.be/LqYBLNT3wnQ

Sainya dekh dekh dekh from ‘Police Detective’, music by Chitragupta.
Mohd Rafi & Suman Kalyanpur -Saiyan Dekh Dekh Dek…: http://youtu.be/wk8yMwuukYQ

Tera muskurana bana ek fasana from ‘Pyar Ki Daastan’, music by Nashad
Pyaar Ki Dastaan – Tera Muskurana Bana Ek Fasaana…: http://youtu.be/ey2sBp1gAQE

And finally, a duet with Mahendra Kapoor from ‘Umrqaid’, music by Iqbal Qureshi,
Dil ka fasana
“DIL KA FASANA KOYI NA JANA APNI KUSHI ME”BY SUMA…: http://youtu.be/MNB6_cz-f5Y

165 AK July 18, 2014 at 10:32 pm

Sharmaji,
Thanks a lot for this great list. Shama se koi kah de is my special favourite.

Tumhi ne dil mera chheen ke, OP Nayyar using ‘Lata’ is an excellent song. Other goods songs are Dil ka fasana, Meri zindagi tere pyar mein, Taaron ki thandi chhainya. Do you think the last song reminds us of Badaraa ki chhaon taley by Mukesh and Suraiya from Lekh (1950), music Krishna Dayal?

Chhail chhabeela chhokra is so different from other songs from Hamaari Yaad Aayegi, and so very unlike Snehal Bhatkar.

166 Rakesh Srivastava July 18, 2014 at 11:41 pm

Sharmaji, So nice of you for unearthing so many obscure songs which were lying long buried in debris of Time.My most favorite song in your list is Tera Muskrana…I remember around early 1960s, this song used to be aired on radio almost daily.This movie had two more good songs sung by Suman Kalyanpur viz. Pyar Aisa Hamara Tumhara & Sun Le Meri Jaan. Thanks for the post.

167 arvindersharma July 19, 2014 at 10:32 am

AK Ji,
Thanks for your kind words of appreciation.
Indeed, Taaron ki thandi chhainyan and Badra ki chain taley have a striking similarly and both of them are lovely songs.
Replying to my last post, your remark regarding the Suman solo song ‘ Kateele kateele nasheele nasheele’ reminding you of a Salil Chaudhary song, made me think of a song set to a similar mood. ‘Jhuk jhuk jhuk jhoom ghata chayi re’ from ‘Chardiwari’, sung by lata, to my ears, quite resembles the song.
Rakesh Srivastava Ji,
Once again, thanks for your pat on the back.
I have really cherished your earlier remarks and once again, I am thanking you for your kind words.

168 Avinash August 30, 2014 at 9:53 am

Regarding Pronunciation of” Bramha’. North Indians pronounce ‘h’ first then’m’. Marathi people say ‘m’ first and ‘h’ next.
Very fine article and equally good comments! Hope to listen all the gems provided by the Blog. Thank you.

169 AK August 30, 2014 at 10:24 am

Avinash,
Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot for your appreciation. Hope you are able to see more of SoY.

The correct form in Sanskrit is ‘Brahma’. North Indians too tend to pronounce ‘m’ first, because that comes involuntarily.

170 Shrayni December 27, 2014 at 9:30 pm

Suman Kalyanpur sang some wonderful Gujarati songs that I hear to this day. Her Gujarati albums are being sold by iTunes and Amazon.
I love her voice immensely.

171 Shashika January 23, 2015 at 9:54 am

Namaskaar, I am searching for the lyrics of a song Mere Puja na Tukrana sung by Sumanji from the movie Duniya kya Jaane. I even purchased the VCD of the movie and the song is removed from the movie. Please if any one can send me the lyrics to my email id will be ver grateful.

172 Dr.S.S.Thakur April 4, 2015 at 2:59 am

Dear Sir,
Suman kalyanpurkar, before her marriage as Suman Hemadi has sung a beautiful duet with Talat Mahmood for the film ‘Darwaza,’ ‘EK DIL DO HAIN TALABGAR BADI MUSHKIL HAI/ KASHMAKASH MEIN HAI MERA PYAR BADI MUSHKIL . I THINK YOU HAVE MISSED IT.

173 AK April 5, 2015 at 4:56 pm

Dr SS Thakur,
You are right. This song seems to have been missed by everyone. A very good addition:

http://youtu.be/nxNFsqr_WdY

174 Ravindra Kelkar April 10, 2015 at 3:06 pm

Dear AKji,
Sorry for coming in so late. I discovered your blog, only last moth, so I have a lot of catching up to do. Very nice article & I agree with you that Suman’s song is a shade better than Lata’s. This again reconfirms my view that the quality of tune is the most important aspect of the song. Lata is a peerless singer, still Suman’s song sounds slightly better due to superior tune by Snehal Bhatkar. I also discovered many unheard songs of Sumanji thanks to the links provided by you & the commentors. I am a maharashtrian & so I have heard many Marathi songs rendered by Lata, Asha & Suman since childhood. So I am posting link to one superb Marathi song sung by Sumanji for a film “Putra Vhava Aisa” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3-vtWptq4Y. I am sure you will enjoy it. Interestingly, the music composer of this song Vasant Prabhu was a big fan of Lata & Asha, but due to the insistence of the producer took Suman for this song & in my opinion, Sumanji has done full justice to the song.
There is so much similarity in the voices of Lata & Suman that many times it is difficult to guess who is the singer. My usual test is that, if a question comes to your mind that “Is this Lata singing?” then the chances are that it’s a Suman song, because in case of a Lata song, generally your mind does not ask this question, you just know it’s Lata singing.
Also just for your information, this movie also had a very beautiful song sung by Talat Mehmood. I am posting the link of that song also –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3Plmbj4Thg. I am sure you will like it.

175 AK April 10, 2015 at 6:45 pm

Ravindra Kelkar,
Thanks a lot for your appreciation, and the link of the two Marathi songs. Both are excellent.

You have discovered a nice way of differentiating between Suman Kalyanpur and Lata Mangeshkar. I have come across some songs where Suman Kalyanpur seems to be faltering on high notes. I have also mentioned these at SoY somewhere. Then you realise she is a shade less than Lata.

176 Padmanabh K. Joshi May 12, 2015 at 12:51 pm

Very interesting article on Suman Kalyanpurji. I totally agree with you. I would like to add one superb melody composed by Shankar-Jaikishan and sung by Sumanji which is missing in her solo song list is: Chand Kanwal Mere Chand Kanwal….Film Sanjh aur Savera with am extra-ordinary lyrics by Janab Hasrat Jaipuri Saheb. The other is title song of Film Dil Ek Mandir sung with Mohmad Rafi. Thanking you.

177 AK May 12, 2015 at 4:44 pm

Padmanabh K Joshi,
Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot for your appreciation. Both the songs you have mentioned are very nice.

178 PKVISHWANATH November 11, 2015 at 9:06 pm

AFTER LATA AND ASHA SU MAN IS THE BEST FEMALE SINGER INDIA E VER HAD WITH SHANKAR JAIKISHAN THEY FORMED A
DEADLY COMBINATION

179 mumbaikar8 December 3, 2015 at 6:18 pm

ksbhatiaji, AK,
Continuing with sweet Suman.
Roshan creating magic with her, as he has done so many times with Lata.
Song from Coffee House Ghir aaye re kare badra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCAxgFeiCp4

180 ksbhatia December 5, 2015 at 11:49 pm

Mumbaikar8;
Here is rarest of the rare sweet song by Suman kalyanpur from the movie Mangu [1954 ] . This is her First song when she was hardly 17 years old . The MD is Mohd Shaffi who composed two songs for the film, the rest were composed by O.P.Nayyar .
Suman , in this song ,sings in a very low tone that beautifully blend with the lyrics and the fine composition . This song was stated to be earlier offered to Lata ji who on her own recommended it to the new comer suman . If this is a correct statement then it is a history .

The song is …..Koi pukare dhire se ….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHfOTzEFnYQ

181 Jignesh Kotadia December 7, 2015 at 12:15 am

Ohh what a wonderful song this is KSBhatiaji !!!
Great Composition by Md. Shafi superbly sung by the teenager Sumanji ..a soothing melody.. aisa lagta hai sunta hi rahu !!

“Koi pukaare dheere se tujhe, aankhon ke taare dil ke sahaare”

an available very good audio quality works here. If an unheard song has a good audio on YT then it needs just a single click on it’s link.
btw i had visited my native Gondal last month in Diwali vacation and fortunately attended an ohfm mehfil with some persons of my dad’s age. one of them had sung a beautiful song of Sumanji, i liked it very much at once. It is from BLACK PRINCE.
Nigaahen na phero chale jaayenge hum
Magar yaad rakhna ke yaad aayenge hum

Later i searched it in this post and found it is mentioned in comments 55 and 56 by Mr. Bhagwan Thavrani and Akji.
who was DULAL SEN ?? bro of Jamal sen ?
any other film of him ?
Black Prince released or not ??
Akji, Arunji, Bhatiaji ?

182 Jignesh Kotadia December 7, 2015 at 12:30 am

Film : Black Prince (released?)
MD : Dulal Sen (?)
Lyrics : Upendra (?)
Singer : two versions, one of Suman one of Rafi

nigaahen na phero chale jaayenge hum
magar yaad rakhna ke yaad aayenge hum
yaad aayenge hum
nigaahen na phero chale jaayenge hum

tumne jadoo kiya hai nazaron se nazaren milaake
aashiyan ab to bana mere pehloo men aake
na daaman chhudana bahek jaayenge hum
yaad aayenge hum
nigaahen na phero chale jaayenge hum

zindagi pyar ki hai fiza iqraar ki hai
ye ghadi teri kasam nahin inkaar ki hai
muhabbat ki duniya men kho jaayenge hum
yaad aayenge hum
nigaahen na phero chale jaayenge hum

bheega bheega hai sama hum tum dono hai yahaan
kyun na kho jaayen sanam dil ki dhadkan hai jawaan
na tadpaao itna ke mar jaayenge hum
yaad aayenge hum
nigaahen na phero chale jaayenge hum

183 ksbhatia December 7, 2015 at 4:46 pm

Jignesh kotadia ji ;
Thanks for liking the Suman kalyanpur song …..Koi pukaare dheere se…..from Mangu . The same happened to me . I kept on listening this lovely song ….. god knows how many times . Its just a case of perfect Ten in each department of the composition . I am not sure even this movie was ever released . There is one movie of the same name as Mangu Dada . I don’t know wheather this one is the same movie [ mangu ] .

The other song ….Nigahen na phero……by Suman ji is another beautiful song which I have listened quite a number of times over radio during mid 60s or so . This composition is also by a less known MD . As this was quite a popular song during that period , it is my guess that the movie [Black Prince ] might have seen the day .

Here is the song…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHN3mBw8ZvE

184 ksbhatia December 7, 2015 at 7:24 pm

AKji,Jignesh Kotadia ji, mumbaikar8 ;
Continuing with the sweet songs of Suman ji ; here are a few more…..
1. Naina na dekhe unke nain…….Maharani Padmini[1964]….Sardar Malik
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0iK7p1x3oE
2. Tu kahan main kahan …..Vazir E Azam ……..Robin Banerji
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0qjZiHyNaE
3. Dekho re aya mausam suhana …..Sakhi Robin ……Robin Chaterjee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkTC4B0t2U8
While above two songs are new to me , the third one I have heard many times over the radio era and has niched a special place in my heart.
The song carries a rustic smell of the good earth as you listen to again and again . Sudha Malohtra ably support Suman ji in this duet .
It is noteworthy to find such songs composed by little known MDs . It will be worth a gold if a separate blog is devoted on ” Gems of the little known MDs .”

185 Jignesh Kotadia December 7, 2015 at 11:42 pm

Bhatiaji
Kya baat hai.. Melody continues.. I liked the Vazir e azam song very much.
But the Mangu song is exceptional among these.

186 Jignesh Kotadia December 8, 2015 at 12:06 am

Bhatiaji
Robin Banerjee ?!
Robin Chatterjee ?!

are both different persons ??
Or if same.. then which is the true name ??

187 arvindersharma December 8, 2015 at 9:27 am

Dear Bhatia Ji and Jignesh,
I would like to add two beautiful songs by Suman Kalyanpur from a film, Bekhabar, music by S Mohinder.
These songs were added recently on YouTube.

Nahi pooch mujhse zaalim, mere dil ka haal kya hai
https://youtu.be/QweFxtxU1r8

Ki meethi meethi karejwa me peer hoe re.
https://youtu.be/22BU27dYBDU
I sincerely hope you will enjoy them.

188 ksbhatia December 8, 2015 at 3:58 pm

Jignesh ji;
@ 185 , I entirely agree with you . It is very difficult to take off Mangu song from my mind . It is simply sweetest among all other songs . I too liked Vazir E Azam song .
@ 186 , I think they are not different ; only up loader of the song has put it wrongly . Now who is the real Robin needs to be traced .

189 ksbhatia December 8, 2015 at 4:13 pm

Arvinder Sharma ;
Good to see you at this site after a long gap . In fact you have contributed the most of Suman ji’s songs and duets on this site . You had already covered the Mangu song ; may be it was not available on Y T at that moment of time .
The two songs posted by you are beautiful . The second song was very popular in the mid 60s….. specially in punjabi circle…that was played during Ladies sangeet , a day before wedding ceremony [ with dholak and chamach / spoon ] , dancing on its rhythm and beats .

190 Ravindra Kelkar December 11, 2015 at 12:23 am

KS Bhatiyaji & other Suman fans,
Mangu & Mangu Dada are two different movies. The movie Mangu was released, late 1954 & Mangu Dada was released in 1970. Both were Sheikh Mukhtar productions.
Also, Robin Bannerji is the correct name of the MD. Robin Chatterji was a sound recordist.
Now coming to the widely held belief that the Mangu song is Suman Kalyanpurkar’s first song. It is true that this was the first song Suman sang independently & got the credit for it. But was it her first hindi film song? I will like to share an interesting information. In Aarpaar, Suman sang along with Rafi & Geeta in the song Mohabbat Kar Lo Jee Bhar Lo. Here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th0uXGyzkR8.
Actually it’s not a duet but a triad. Suman sang the second stanza – “Mohhabat Kya Hai Suno Ji Hum Se Sub Kuchh Hai Usi Ke Dum Se”. Also, from 2nd stanza onwards “Shikayat Kar Lo Jee Bhar Lo” is sung together by Geeta & Suman. This is the only song Suman sang for OP. So you get here a glimpse of how Lata would have sounded under OP. Please note that Aarpaar was released in 1954 & the success of its music possibly resulted in OP replacing M Shafi as a MD for Mangu. Mangu was released some 6 to 8 months after Aarpaar. So I believe, the Aarpaar song is the first Hindi film song by Suman. Unfortunately, the Aarpaar record does not mention Suman’s name in the credits for this song, so this fact remained unknown. OP himself told us that Suman’s parents didn’t want her name to be published on the record for some reasons, possibly because when this song was recorded she was a school going girl.

191 ksbhatia December 11, 2015 at 7:48 pm

Ravindra kelkar ji ;
Many thanks for the clarifications . Surely I agree with all the details you have furnished and I will now take Suman ji’s first song as that of Aar Paar and first solo as Mangu song .
Now as far as Suman ‘s voice is concerned in Aar Paar song ; even it is just one stanza ; it is amazing ! It surely is Lata ji’s reflective mirror voice .

192 Ravindra Kelkar December 11, 2015 at 11:17 pm

Bhatiyaji,
I agree with you. She has sung it very well & very sweetly. Full marks to her.

193 AK December 12, 2015 at 9:18 am

Ravindra Kelkar,
Thanks a lot for this additional information. Mangu was also released in 1954. Therefore, Suman Kalyanpur’s parents’ squeamishness seems to be inconsistent.

194 Ravindra Kelkar December 12, 2015 at 5:49 pm

AK,
It seems to be so. However, 6 to 8 months is a big enough period to change ones perception & it is possible that the parents realized that Suman’s talents need not not be kept under wraps.

195 Prasad January 29, 2016 at 5:58 pm

Very interesting article and collection of Suman’s songs. I am her great fan. Apart from hindi songs I love her Marathi songs. I wish some one shares videos og her live program wherein she sang Marathi songs.
I just shared this article on my FB
https://www.facebook.com/prasad.shukla/posts/1240543592626469

196 AK January 30, 2016 at 8:31 am

Prasad,
Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot for your appreciation.

197 Deepak February 10, 2016 at 10:34 am

Very nice article. It was very interesting to read. Suman Kalyanpur was a good singer no doubt, but she was a clone of Lata and will be known so in history. She managed to get good duet songs, mainly because of Lata’s fight with Rafi and others. Wouldn’t be wrong to call her the poor man’s Lata.

198 Samir February 20, 2017 at 1:58 pm

For those who may still be looking for “Chali jaye jeevan ki gari” (post #143), here is the link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA9fpehjXzE

I have just discovered this blog and for the last week i have been reading nothing else. I thank AK and the wonderful commentators for giving so much joy to all of us.

199 AK February 20, 2017 at 2:49 pm

Samir,
Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot for your appreciation. Thanks for posting the song Chali jaaye jeevan ki gaadi.

We hope you continue your engagement with us.

200 Alok bejai March 12, 2017 at 4:15 pm

Dear AK ji thank you for listing so many wonderful songs by sumanji . I recently came up with a melodious duet of sumanji with Kishore Kumar Do pardesi Anjane se from the film Kashish 1980 .

201 AK March 12, 2017 at 11:50 pm

Alok,
Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot for your appreciation. Nice song you have mentioned.

202 Ananth May 1, 2017 at 11:26 am

That Sumanji had great talent is undisputed. her songs with almost all reputed music directors are testimony. I like songs from “sabak ” Woh jidar dekh rahe hain and Barkha Bairan . Also her marathi songs are really very sweet. Actress sulochana’s song from marathi movie “Annapurna” on ganeshji is very nice. Bhajans like Keshava Madhava are mesmerising. We have hearts big enough Lataji,Ashaji and Sumanji but also Geeta duttji or Shamshad Begum and Sudha Malhotra to name some who have followed to enthrall us.

203 AK May 1, 2017 at 12:20 pm

Ananth,
Welcome to SoY.

204 Ananth May 2, 2017 at 11:00 am

Nigahen na phero by sumanji ,music by G S Kohli is a gem from Black Prince.

205 Ananth May 2, 2017 at 11:29 am

Allah karam karna from Dada (Usha Khanna Music) and Meri Kaali kaluti ke nakhare bade (Apne rang hazar) Laxmi pyare,s music.

206 Dr Rajeshwar Rao July 4, 2017 at 6:21 am

What a lovely site for recollecting old gems!
Thanks for highlighting the singer Suman Kalyanpur, about whom we know so little.
Songs of the 50s and 60s had so much melody and pathos, they are a big part of my memories.
Good to take a stroll down memory lane with the voices of great singers.

207 AK July 4, 2017 at 10:02 am

Dr Rao,
Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot for your appreciation.

208 Kumarapuram V sathyamoorthy December 26, 2017 at 3:32 am

I had been listening to Suman Ji’s songs for the last 6 months and i can say boldly that Suman ji is a great singer in her own right.Many of her songs (solo or duets) are out of this world .To sing with legendary Late Rafi Sabb requires ability of the highiest order .Her duets with Mukesh ji are also so melodious.The song in Naseeb with Kamlesh & Anvar is so melodious that some people state female singer as some body else which is biased.One should be IMPARTIAL in judgement.In my humble opinion Suman ji has outshined her contemporaries .No doubt.

209 AK December 26, 2017 at 9:00 am

Kumarapuram V Sathyamoorthy,
Welcome to SoY. Suman Kalyanpur was indeed a very melodious singer.

210 ksbhatia December 26, 2017 at 3:21 pm

Kumarapuram V Sathyamuroothy ;

Thanks for opening the gates once again of the beautiful songs sung by Suman Kalyanpur where she excelled and jumped the line of control of Lata ji’s songs . At many instances of time she crossed the graph set by Lata ji .

As an example , here once again I recall one of her greatest hidden song [ her first ever song ?] .

Koi Pukare dheere se tujhe……..Mangu.[1954]….Mohd. Shaffi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrOi_YkBuvk

211 Radha January 11, 2018 at 7:31 pm

Seriously, I always think when there is Rafi, there was no need for Kishores, Talats, Mukeshs and Manna Deys. Same goes for Lata.

212 AK January 11, 2018 at 9:42 pm

Radha,
Welcome to SoY. You have some very extreme views.

213 AS June 3, 2018 at 12:48 am

Superb. Missing is “yeh parbaton ke dayare” from Vaasna (stupendous Rafi-Suman duet by Chitragupta (and Majrooh)?)

214 AK June 3, 2018 at 5:52 am

AS,
Welcome to SoY and thanks a lot for your appreciation.

215 Anil Warrier September 5, 2018 at 11:32 am

sharabi-sharabi ye sawan ka mausam
khuda ki qasam khubasurat na hota
agar isame rag-e-muhabbat na hota
sharabi-sharabi ye sawan ka mausam

Roshan ji’s composition and Sumanji’s rendition a perfect melody which still lingers on.

216 AK September 5, 2018 at 7:57 pm

Absolutely.

217 Rakesh Srivastava December 15, 2019 at 2:58 pm

Arvinder Sharma Ji #164
While going down the Memory Lane, went through all rare songs of Suman Kalyanpur , posted by you, on this post got ecstatic again as Jai Bhawani song made us friends !!
One small correction. Roop Lekha song–‘Chand Hai Tare Bhi Hain’ had music by Nashad
Regards

218 Dr Parimal Lawate May 10, 2020 at 5:53 pm

Nice rendering
A big time favourite of mine Sumantai has a great basket of melodies
Her songs in the genre Marathi Bhavgeet are amazing good and melodious

I heard a duet by Mohd Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur From MAMATA – RAHE NA RAHE HUM – Possibly it is one amongst the rare songs sung by both the artistes

219 AK May 10, 2020 at 8:26 pm

Dr Lawate,
Welcome to SoY. Thanks for mentioning the Rafi-Suman duet Rahein na rahein hum. Only Lata Mangeshkar solo is remembered.

220 Tejaswita Mohan June 16, 2020 at 2:04 am

hi
I may have missed if anyone did mentioned this duet by Mohd Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur from the film ‘ Meri Bhabhi’
” Lo hum chale chhod ke
or
this song by three singers Mahendra kapoor, Mukesh and Suman kalyanpur..from film ‘Shriman Satyawadi’
‘Ek baat kahoon vallah..
and a song from ‘Paigham’ which is sung by Suman Kalyanpur and Asha Bhonsle ‘ hum rang rangili roop nagar ki tittliyan’
There is one song written by Gulzar that was sung by Suman Kalyanpur from the film ‘Seema’ that goes ‘Ek thi nindiya do the naina’
Interestingly Gulzar wrote something quite similar for ‘ Masoon’ …”do naina aur ik kahani’ and this was sung bu Aarti Mukherji.
I loved the blog and the responses and reactions!!
thanks AK 🙂

221 Tejaswita Mohan June 16, 2020 at 2:33 am

Oh it’s interesting how one gets absorbed once you start thinking about it!!
few more songs coming to me and I must admit that I am not sure if these are already mentioned above.
Film ‘Kaise Kahoon’, song ‘ manmohan man me ho tumhi…by Md Rafi, Suman K and SD Batish
Film Johar Mehmood in Goa’ song “Ankhiyon ka noor hai tu by Suman K and Mukesh
Film ‘Saazish’ song ‘Wo bade khush naseeb hote hain..by Md Rafi and Suman K
Film Ji chahta hai’ song ‘Kya kehne masha allah by Md Rafi and Suman K
And one of my favorites, Film ‘Man Mandir’ song “munna jayega bazaar’
Film ‘Geet’ song ‘Bansuri banai ke’
Film Suhana Safar song” aha aha aa ye suhana safar
Film ‘Jahan Pyar mile song title track
film Nagin’ song ‘tera mera mera tera mil gaya dil dil se by Kishore kumar and Suman K
and a very famous song from film “Munimji’ paani me jale mera gora badan…
oh god I could go on and on….
but yeah I am not sure how many of these are already mentioned in this blog.

222 Iqbal Patel May 24, 2021 at 8:51 am

AK,
A correction:
Interesting qawwali muqaabla picturized on the comedian Sundar and Jeevan Kala, with the lead actor Feroz Khanin sitting in the audience. There is a short parody of Gham diye mustaqil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIDQu5I296I&ab_channel=UltraBollywood

223 AK May 24, 2021 at 9:22 am

Iqbal Patel,
Welcome to SOY and thanks a lot for the fabulous qawwali you have posted. ‘When women’s rule comes the men would start wearing veil’.

224 Nishigandha June 10, 2021 at 6:47 am

Exactly. Lata is God’s unique creation. Even if he decides to create another Lata, he would not be able to do so. The divine voice .khandani.. voice modulation for every actress, for the legends meemnakumari, Nargis to even priya Rajhans. Anil vishwas, institute of music, used to say if Lata were not there who would have given justice to our tunes. Sajjad Hussain used to say, Lata gati hai baki sab roti hai..

We cannot even imagine someone else in our wildest dreams for the songs in Anarkali and Pakiza.
Suman Kalyanpur was a good singer. But she had her own limitations.
The energy of Lata, her pronunciations everything…just fabulous. I feel so privileged that I took birth in the same country where Lata did.

225 AK June 10, 2021 at 10:18 am

Nishigandha,
Welcome to SOY. We share your admiration for Lata Mangeshkar, though we may be more moderate in our expression.

226 Nishigandha Kurhade June 10, 2021 at 5:06 pm

Exactly

227 Friedrich Ruckensteiner May 18, 2023 at 3:58 pm

Hello, good day.

I live in Europe (Austria) and would need some help please identifying an Indian song.
Someone brought back a music cassette from a holliday in India. It is from the early 80‘s. The cover just said “Geet Gunjan“ (can you translate that to “Ecchoing Songs”?).
I searched for this song without speaking Indian languages and artificial translators don’t help at all.
But I found a song that I think is quite similar to the song I’m looking for. It is a song by Suman Kalyanpor entitled “Yunhi Dil Ne Chaha Tha Rona Rulaana” (from the 1963 film “Dil Hi To Hai”; composer: Roshan).
At first I thought this was actually the right song, but it’s a little different.

My question to you now would be, if you allow, could it be Suman Kalynpur’s song, as it is known that she always sang her film songs in many different (Indian) languages?
You can listen to the audio sample here (it’s only 30 seconds long):
https://voca.ro/1RCANROuAbKb
I would be very grateful if you could at least tell me what you think about it. Or just write me down the short chorus of the song please. I really don’t know who else I could have asked for help.

Thank you so much for your time and best regards, Friedrich R.

228 AK May 18, 2023 at 8:01 pm

Friedrich,
Welcome to SOY. You have posed an interesting query. Let me try to answer it one by one.

‘Gunjan’ means humming sound as of bees or birds. ‘Echoing’ may not be very accurate. But you don’t have to be literal. ‘Humming songs’ sounds nice to me; or ‘Bouquet of songs’, or whatever pleases you.

Chori karat Kanha dhari payi‘ is almost surely not a film song. It seems to be a non-film song (NFS) sung in a light classical style. It does not remind me of ‘Yun hi dil ne chaha tha‘; the underlying melodies are different. In fact, the opening bars remind me of ‘Taqdeer ka fasana jaakar kise sunayein‘:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mfJ7YK0d1c

It could be Suman Kalyanpur if the cover says so; she did sing a number of NFS devotional songs in a light classical style, but I am not 100% certain.

You seem to think it is a non-Hindi song. It is in Brajbhasha, a Hindi dialect, which was the accepted language of poetry before the advent of modern Hindi language. If you have the full song you can check the lyrics. I think it is written by the Bhakti Kaal (Devotional Period) saint-poet Surdas (16th century) who was famous for his evocative poetry describing the child antics of Lord Krishna, the most popular deity of Indian mythology. In this one Kanha (the loving name of Krishna as a child) is caught stealing butter by the cowherdess, and he tries to wriggle out by putting the blame on his friends who have forcibly smeared his face with butter.

229 Friedrich R May 18, 2023 at 9:44 pm

Thank you so much for replying to me. I’m really happy now because part of this song-searching hobby is meeting spirited people like yours. (I knew before Viswanathan Anand that people in your country are highly intellectual.) – What an answer! Thank you a lot for this. Only now can I really start my search. I will try to do the best I can with it and will be very happy to get back to you here if I may.
By the way, the cover said nothing about the singers. I came up with Suman Kalyanpur myself after listening to a lot of Indian music. (I started with Lata Mangeshkar, but was soon pretty sure it wasn’t her. A closer resemblance for me was the voice of Asha Bhosle, but I think her style is different).
And as I said, “AI” already has big problems with Hindi, not to mention other Indian languages. But even the correct written rendition of the chorus is worth its weight in gold! Thanks again for this!

230 AK May 18, 2023 at 10:11 pm

Friedrich,
You are welcome. And thanks a lot for our generous words.

231 Friedrich R. May 18, 2023 at 10:47 pm

You are a genius! Look what I found after a few minutes with your lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmYhnTYC19Y
But of course this is only the beginning and the search will take longer. And it’s going to be very difficult to find the singer from back then, but above all to find proof of the real singer from the 80’s.

232 AK May 19, 2023 at 12:06 pm

Friedrich,
I am happy to hear the full version of Chori karat Kanha dhari payi. The singer is very melodious. The link confirms it is by Surdas and about the child Krishna’s pranks. I don’t know whether you gare getting a hang of it. I hope you are able to get its English translation somewhere.

233 Friedrich R May 19, 2023 at 3:32 pm

At first, just listening to the video, I thought it was a new recording by a different singer – but it’s without a doubt the singer I was looking for, the same Laishram Mema on the cassette tape from the 80’s. And I was able to find her with your help alone – thank you, thank you, thank you!!
You are, without exaggeration, really quite extraordinary!
And you already gave me the whole context of the song as if it were the easiest thing in the world. I am really impressed. –
Because the spoken word is a little different from the written word, I tried something like “Do Di Chaha Tha…” at the beginning of my search. That led me straight to Suman Kalyanpur. But I quickly noticed the inaccuracy and above all the helplessness of the “AI”, which is why I suspected a dialect.
I was surprised too – one wrong letter and you have a completely different meaning.
Laishram Mema was and is also harder to find because she has less internet presence. (But here is a very revealing interview with her. Incidentally, she also mentions cassette recordings: http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Interview_of_Manipuri_Personalities.Laishram_Mema-Interview).
I’ve also listened to Indian music before and I like Krishna Das too, but he’s not Indian by birth. Does he actually sing without an accent?
And in my search I also found the nice song by Asha Bhosle – “Malmali Tarunya Maaze”.
Great to meet new, wise people. And I would like to show my appreciation. I would also like to help you with a song search – but that wouldn’t make any sense, because you’re too good at it yourself.

234 AK May 19, 2023 at 5:10 pm

Friedrich,
I am impressed by your perseverance and happy that you have reached your destination. Yes, the melody and the voice is the same and it has to be Laishram Mema. I am still surprised, the instrumental prelude in your earlier link (voca.ro) is different from that in the YT link. Since melody is the same, the only reason could be that different instrumentalists on two different occasions chose their own preludes.

You are exaggerating in your praise and my contribution. I have been quite open about my illiteracy in music on this blog. In fact I have to show my appreciation to you. I don’t know how comfortable you are with Hindi. Since it is in Brajbhasha, let me try to give its English translation – it is possible someone could do it more elegantly:

I caught Kanha in the act of stealing (butter)
You have harassed me day and night, and now you have landed in my hands.
Now I know you very well.
Catching him by his both hands, she says, where are you going to run now.
(As for my loss), I will get all the butter (from your Ma Jasoda)
(Kanha says), I swear by you, I didn’t eat your butter, my friends ate it all
As he told this lie, he smiled
At this, all the anger of the cowherdess vanished and she embraced Kanha
(The poet) Surdas is blessed to describe this beautiful scene

235 Friedrich R May 20, 2023 at 12:06 am

Thank you for this translation. It is nice and interesting. But even more helpful. – It is clear that I don’t speak or understand Hindi at all. But there is always this underlying interest and fascination that became even stronger since I know for a fact that Sanskrit for example is the oldest spoken language on this earth. Jesus called it the language of the angels because it is quite similar to their tongue. (Angels are those who became such after laying down the earthly burden or were already so before one earth life.) This is not fantasy I imagine or poetry, it is sobern reality.
I also wanted to say about the song that the YT recording is of course musically a little different, one must not forget that the one from the cassette was made about 40 years earlier. More important for me is that you confirmed my opinion. Because I know from experience that it’s even easier to deceive yourself with songs in a foreign language. And then there’s the similarity of the voices (especially Suman’s, haha)!
Yes, and what harms people the most, even adults, is praise. (Because it makes the already vain person even more vain). But what is even more important for a normal person is to share the honest joy of just recognition. This will not hurt anyone very much.
I just came here from another part of the world and asked my questions. But that’s just not how it works nowadays, even though there is this possibility nowadays. Everyone distrusts everyone, no one gives anything for free. In the past, in the most evil times, people at least gave “one for a hundred”.
And now I’m glad that I was allowed to come here once – and not just because of the music.

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