Anu Malik mourns Suman Kalyanpur, recalls 1981 blessing that shaped career
Synopsis
Anu Malik's tribute to Suman Kalyanpur isn't just a condolence note — it's a window into how a 19-year-old composer in 1981 was blessed by a legend with words he still carries. Kalyanpur, who died on 31 May at 89, leaves behind a catalogue of songs that defined an era of Hindi film music.
Key Takeaways
Anu Malik paid tribute to Suman Kalyanpur on social media on 3 June .
Malik recalled working with her as a 19-year-old composer in 1981 , when she blessed him saying he was ‘melodic' and would ‘go far'.
Suman Kalyanpur passed away on 31 May at the age of 89 .
Born in 1937 , she was known for hits like ‘Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhi Se Kar Baithe' and ‘Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche'.
Singer Anuradha Paudwal also paid an emotional tribute, calling her a legend whose legacy will guide generations.
Music composer Anu Malik on Wednesday, 3 June, penned an emotional tribute to legendary playback singer Suman Kalyanpur, recalling how her blessing as a 19-year-old composer in 1981 shaped the course of his musical journey. The veteran singer, known for a string of evergreen melodies from the golden age of Hindi film music, passed away on 31 May at the age of 89.
Anu Malik's heartfelt note
Sharing a photograph of the late singer on his social media handle, Malik wrote, ‘Suman Ji, we can never truly lose you, because your songs will live on forever in the hearts of music lovers.'
Reflecting on his earliest brush with her, the composer added, ‘As a young composer of just 19 years in 1981, I had the honour and privilege of working with you. I still remember how much you appreciated the tune and blessed me with words that I can never forget: You are melodic in your creations and shall go far.'
A loss felt across generations
Malik went on to mourn the human being behind the voice, writing, ‘Today, I mourn not only the loss of a legendary singer but also a wonderful human being. Your voice, your grace, and your music will continue to inspire generations to come. Rest in peace, Suman Ji. You and your songs will live on forever.'
Earlier in the day, veteran playback singer Anuradha Paudwal also offered her condolences. ‘Heartfelt Shraddhanjali. A legend may leave this world, but their legacy never fades. Your contributions, wisdom, and inspiration will continue to guide generations. Thank you for the memories, the lessons, and the impact you made on countless lives. Rest in peace. You will always be remembered and deeply missed. Om Shanti,' she wrote.
Remembering Suman Kalyanpur's legacy
Born in 1937, Suman Kalyanpur carved out a distinctive identity for herself in an era dominated by titans of Indian playback singing. Her voice, often compared to that of her contemporaries, lent a tender, lyrical quality to compositions that have endured for decades.
Among her most loved numbers are ‘Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhi Se Kar Baithe', ‘Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche', ‘Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye' and ‘Na Tum Hume Jaano' — songs that continue to find new listeners across streaming platforms.
A tribute that crosses eras
The outpouring from Malik and Paudwal underscores Kalyanpur's reach across generations of Hindi film music — from the lyrical romance of the 1960s to the composer-driven 1980s. Tributes from across the music fraternity are expected to continue in the coming days as the industry remembers one of its most graceful voices.
Point of View
A specific blessing, and credits it. That matters because Suman Kalyanpur's place in Hindi film music has long been under-discussed, often flattened into a footnote next to her more famous contemporaries. Her catalogue, from ‘Na Tum Hume Jaano' to ‘Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye', deserves the kind of archival attention that streaming-era listeners are only beginning to give it. The real tribute will be in how the industry preserves and reintroduces her work, not in the obituary cycle alone.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Suman Kalyanpur?
Suman Kalyanpur was a legendary Hindi playback singer born in 1937, celebrated for evergreen songs including ‘Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhi Se Kar Baithe', ‘Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche' and ‘Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye'. She carved a distinctive identity for herself during the golden age of Indian playback singing.
When did Suman Kalyanpur pass away?
Suman Kalyanpur passed away on 31 May at the age of 89. Tributes from across the music industry, including from Anu Malik and Anuradha Paudwal, followed in the days after.
What did Anu Malik say in his tribute to Suman Kalyanpur?
Anu Malik recalled working with Suman Kalyanpur in 1981 as a 19-year-old composer, when she blessed him with the words, ‘You are melodic in your creations and shall go far.' He wrote that her voice, grace and music would continue to inspire generations.
How did Anuradha Paudwal pay tribute to Suman Kalyanpur?
Anuradha Paudwal posted a heartfelt note describing Kalyanpur as a legend whose legacy would never fade. She thanked the late singer for the memories, lessons and impact she had on countless lives, signing off with ‘Om Shanti'.
