Veteran singer Suman Kalyanpur, who gave her voice to hits such as “Na Na Karte” and “Tumne Pukara”, passed away on Sunday (May 31, 2026) evening at her residence due to age-related issues.

Kalyanpur was born as Suman Hemadi on January 28, 1937. She remained active as a playback singer from 1954 to 1988, singing in multiple languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Bengali and Odia.

Her entry into the film industry came after ghazal singer Talat Mahmood heard her at a public event, and then reportedly, asked her to sing for his film. Her first song was ‘Koi Pukare Dhirese Tujhe’. She later sang Marathi songs with lyrics penned by G. D. Madgulkar.

Kalyanpur went on to work with several prominent singers including Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh and Hemant Kumar. She is best known for songs such as ‘Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche’ from Brahmachari (1968), ‘Na Tum Hamen Jano’ from Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962), ‘Na Na Karte Pyar’ from Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965), ‘Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye’ from Rajkumar (1964), ‘Dil Ek Mandir Hai’ from Dil Ek Mandir (1963), ‘Mera Pyar Bhi Tu Hai’ from Saathi (1968), ‘Parbaton Ke Pedon Par Sham Ka Basera’ from Shagoon (1964), and ‘Behna Ne Bhai Ki Kalai Se’ from Resham Ki Dori (1974).

Her popular Marathi songs include ‘Sang Kadhi Kalnar Tula Bhav Mazya Manatala’, ‘Ketkiyy Bani Tithe Nachala Mor’, ‘Visarsheel Tu Saare’, ‘Are Sansar Sansar’, ‘Navika Re Vara Vahe Re’, ‘Pivli Pivli Hald Lagga’, ‘Nimbonichha Zadamage’, and ‘Rimzhim Zharti Shravandhara’.

Last rites conducted with full State honours

Several Union Ministers, political leaders and members of the cultural fraternity paid tribute to Kalyanpur, as her death drew grief from listeners across the country.

The last rites of Suman Kalyanpur were performed at 2 p.m. at the Santacruz (Pawan Hans) crematorium. The Maharashtra government had ordered that her funeral be conducted with full State honours in recognition of her contribution to Indian music and cinema. Officials said the ceremony included a guard of honour and floral tributes from police personnel.