Suman Kalyanpur Once Reflected on Comparisons With Lata Mangeshkar
MUMBAI — Late playback singer Suman Kalyanpur once reflected on the frequent comparisons between her voice and that of Lata Mangeshkar, saying listeners had often mistaken her songs for those sung by the legendary singer.
In an old interview with DD News, Kalyanpur spoke candidly about how many listeners assumed some of her popular songs had been sung by Mangeshkar because of the similarity in their voices.
Asked whether the constant comparisons with the “Nightingale of India” ever affected her, Kalyanpur responded with humility and humor. She said she never fully understood why their voices sounded so similar, but recalled that even from childhood, people often thought songs sung by her belonged to Mangeshkar.
“Pata nahi kyun aise hain, meri samajh mein nahi aata hai. Magar jab bhi bachpan se main gaati thi, sabhi ko lagta tha ki yeh unka gaana hua hai,” she said.
Kalyanpur then offered a lighthearted explanation for the similarity.
“Shayad hum saath mein gaye honge Bhagwan ke paas maangne kuch aur humko aadha-aadha mila hoga. Aise isliye meri awaaz waise milti hai. Bass woh pehle aa gayi hai,” she joked.
The singer also said she shared a warm relationship with Mangeshkar.
“Bahut achche se milte thi. Bahut achcha humare beech mein rapport rehta tha,” Kalyanpur said.
Kalyanpur built a lasting place in Hindi cinema over a career that spanned several decades. Her best-known songs include “Na Na Karte Pyar Tumhi Se Kar Baithe,” “Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche,” “Ajahun Na Aaye Balma,” “Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye,” “Dil Ek Mandir Hai,” “Mere Mehboob Na Ja” and “Yeh Sama Yeh Khushi Bolo.”
Kalyanpur died May 31 at the age of 89. (Source: IANS)
