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Words :  H. S. Billimoria

Suman Kalyanpur was born as Suman Hemmady in 1937 in Dhaka, now in Bangladesh. Her family moved to Mumbai when she was six years old and all her musical training took place in Mumbai. Suman sang her first song in 1954 for the film ‘Darwaza’, along with Talat Mehmood. After that, her career never looked back and to date she has sung nearly 700 songs in different languages.
Suman Kalyanpur’s voice had a striking similarity to Lata Mangeshkar’s. This was both an advantage and a disadvantage. Playback singing of the 60s and 70s was dominated by Lata, who could ensure that Suman would not get a chance. The advantage was that when Lata had her clashes with music directors like Shankar Jaikishan and SD Burman, Suman Kalyanpur became their first choice.
In fact, Shankar Jaikishan made the maximum use of Suman Kalyanpur and any compilation of her top hits would naturally include a number of SJ films including duets with Mohammed Rafi.

We list below 20 of her most melodious and successful numbers:

Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar from Brahmachari (1968)
This duet by Mohammed Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur was probably Suman Kalyanpur’s most popular song ever. The music of Brahmachari won Shankar Jaikishan the award for best music directors in 1968. Both Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz have danced to this lively number with aplomb. Hasrat Jaipuri wrote the lyrics.

 

Chale Ja, Chale Ja from Jahan Pyar Miley(1969)
The title song of the movie was a big hit. This number has been separately sung also by Mohammed Rafi. Both solos were picturised on Shashi Kapoor and Hema Malini. According to Suman Kalyanpur, this is her favourite number.

 

 

Tujhe Dekha from Chhotisi Mulaqat (1967)
Chhotisi Mulaqat featured the unique pairing of Uttam Kumar and Vyjayantimala. Even though the film flopped, the music was a huge hit. This Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur duet is extremely melodious and was picturised on Uttam Kumar and Vyjayantimala.

 

 

Dil Ek Mandir Hai from Dil Ek Mandir (1963)
Sridhar’sDil Ek Mandirwas a runaway hit featurig the trio of Rajendra Kumar, Meena Kumari and Raj Kumar. It had fantastic music by Shankar Jaikishan. The title song is a Suman duet with Rafi and was a big hit. In addition to that teack, the movie also had another lively Suman solo, which was titled, Juhi Ki Kali.

 

 

Tumne Pukara Aur from Rajkumar (1964)
This is an extremely popular duet picturised on Shammi Kapoor and Sadhana. Playback was provided by Suman Kalyanpur and Mohammed Rafi.

 

 

Behna Ne Bhai Ki from Resham ki Dori(1974)
The Rakhi is very sacred for most Indians and this Rakhi song by Suman Kalyanpur became an instant hit and can be heard on the radio even today. This song won Suman Kalyanpur a nomination for the best playback singer in 1974 at the Flimfare Awards. The song was picturised on Dharmendra and Kumud Chhugani and was written by Indeevar.

 

Dil Ki Kitaab from Yaar Mera (1971)
Yaar Mera was a flop but this duet with Rafi was extremely melodious and hit the charts when the film was released.
Jeetendra and Rakhee performed the song on the screen.

 

 

Ek Thi Neendiya from Seema (1971)
Picturised on Simi Garewal, this lori (lullaby) has been beautifully rendered by Suman Kalyanpur and. Lyrics have been provided by Gulzar and music by Shankar Jaikishan.

 

 

Bezubaan Dil from Dur Naheen Manzil (1973)
This Sanjeev Kumar film had  two Suman Kalyanpur numbers.Bezubaan Dil has some very meaningful lyrics by Anjaan, who worked with Shankar Jaikishan for the first time.The second number, which is the title song, suffers from very poor recording.

 
O Chori Chori from Chori Chori(1974)
The title song ofChori Chori (not to be confused with Raj Kapoor’sChori Chori) was rendered with elan by Suman Kalyanpur and Manhar Udhas. Lyrics have been provided by Gulshan Bawra. The song was performed on screen by Sanjay Khan and Radha Saluja.

 

Mere Yaar Ki Yaari from Insaniyat (1974)
A Shashi Kapoor-starrer, this movie has a duet by Mohammed Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur. The foottapping song is racy and full of zest. Hasrat Jaipuri provided the lyrics and Shankar Jaikishan the music.

 

 

Ajhum Aaye Balma from Sanjh aur Savera (1964)
This is an extremely melodious duet picturised on Mehmood and Shobha Khote. Hasrat Jaipuri wrote the lyrics.

 

 

Na Tum Hume Jaano from Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962)
This is the best song SD Burman has composed for Suman Kalyanpur. The filmBaat Ek Raat Ki, starring Dev Anand and Waheeda Rahman, was  highly successful andNa tum was the top hit number from this film. Releasing in 1962, this film showcased Suman Kalyanpur’s singing talent to the musical world. In the duet version, Hemant Kumar joins Suman Kalyanpur.

 
Tumse O Haseena from Farz(1967)
Laxmikant Pyarelal rarely used Suman Kalyanpur. This Farz duet with Rafi was one rare occasion and it proved to be a hit number.

 

 

Na Na Karte from Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965)
Jab Jab Phool Khilehad fantastic music by Kalyanji Anandji and this duet by Rafi and Suman picturised on Shashi Kapoor and Nanda was a big hit. It was a little overshadowed, however, by other hit numbers in the film.

 

Mera Pyaar Bhi Tu Hai from Saathi (1968)
Naushad used Mukesh and Suman Kalyanpur to render this beautifully composed romantic number from Saathi, a Rajendra Kumar, Vyjantimala and Simi Garewal starrer. Majrooh Sultanpuri provided the lyrics.

 

 

Main Ek Paheli Hoon from Ek Paheli (1971)
This Feroz Khan-Tanuja starrer had good music by Usha Khanna and the title song by Suman Kalyanpur was the favourite track.

 

 

Title song from Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya(1966)
Sonik Omi provided the hit music for this Darmendra-Nutan starrer. The title song sung by Rafi, Mukesh and Suman Kalyanpur was an instant hit.

 

 

Mere Mehboob from Noor Mahal (1965)
A little-known film,Noor Mahal had some unforgettable melodious from Jani Babu. This solo by Suman Kalyanpur was the best.

 

 

Tu Jungle Ki Morni from Raja Saab(1969)
This follow-up toJab Jab Phool Khilewas a big flop. However, the Rafi-Suman duet writtten by Anand Bakshi and tuned by Kalyanji Anandji was the saviour.

 

Other songs that could make this list are Suman’s duets with Rafi inApril Fool(1964),Kahdo Kahdo Jahaan Se Kahdoand Tujhe Pyar Karte Karte,and a duet fromBeti Bete(1964), Agar Tera Jalwa. Also, the title song of Badaltey Rishte(1978) sung by Suman with Rafi and Kishore.

Suman’s sonorous solo,Main Teri Prem Deewani fromRivaaj (1972), written by Neeraj with the tune by Shankar Jaikishan, is a classic example of how Suman’s voice resembled Lata’s.

Words :  H. S. Billimoria

One may wonder why we have covered Helen, who is not a singer, in our retro music section. The reason is that songs composed for Helen and enacted by her followed a certain style whereby they could be immediately identified as a Helen number. It did not matter whether the music director was Shankar Jaikishan, Kalyanji Anandji or RD Burman.

Playback for Helen’s songs was performed by a number of singers. One would have thought that Asha Bhosle’s voice matched Helen’s the most. However, a number of Helen’s hit songs and dances have been rendered by Lata Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar and Sharda.

Helen was not the first dancer to take the Hindi film industry by storm. That privilege belonged to Cuckoo Moray, an Anglo-Indian dancer who ruled the world of Hindi Films in the 40s and 50s. Being French Burmese in origin, Helen was very fair and slightly oriental in appearance. This suited postindependence Hindi films that were looking for ‘the vamp with the golden heart’.

Helen’s popularity crossed all segments – front benchers to back benchers. To her credit, she was pretty, graceful and never vulgar. This made for immediate success. There were plenty of imitators but none had the  combination of looks and talent that Helen had. In the s60s and early 70s, no film was complete without a dance by Helen.

Helen was also an accomplished actress. However, her dancing prowess proved to be a hindrance. Everyone wanted Helen to dance and never thought of giving her roles to perform. Helen, therefore, had to start with lead roles in B-grade films like Aaya Toofan (with Dara Singh) and Cha Cha Cha (with Chandrasekhar). This ultimately led to some powerful supporting roles in films like Gumnaam and Lahu Ke Do Rang.

As far as dancing was concerned, Helen paired best with Shammi Kapoor. China Town, Junglee, Pagal Kahin Ka and Teesri Manzil are good examples. Helen faced competition from dancers like Madhumati, Bela Bose, Laxmi Chhaya and others but no one came close. Madhumati had the advantage of also looking a bit like Helen. There were others like Shashikala and Bindu, but they were essentially typecast as vamps and were not great dancers.

Helen has also danced when the hero has sung. Such songs, howsoever popular they may have been, have not been included as there was no female playback. Examples are Aai Aai Aa Suku  Suku from Junglee, Taali Ho from China Town, Mehbooba from Sholay and Hum Kalle Hai from Gumnaam.

Today, Helen is 77 and leading a comfortable retired life. Blessings of her countless fans who have enjoyed her performances have no doubt helped her.

Words :   H. S. Billimoria
Song and dance have been all important in Hindi cinema of the 50s to the 80s. Films used to run, not because of their intrinsic content, but because of the songs and dances that they featured. Also every producer wanted at least one dance with Helen, who was the favourite of both the front and back benchers. Helen arrived at a time that was just right – Hindi cinema was moving to colour, music was assuming great importance and the masses wanted light, frothy entertainment. Helen was half Burmese and half French and had a complexion and figure that was the envy of the heroines of that time. And boy, could she dance! No wonder she is an icon even today.

Helen’s songs have been rendered on film by a variety of singers with Asha Bhosle being almost a regular. However, others like Lata Mangeshkar, Usha Mangeshkar and Sharda have also given playback to Helen’s songs and dances. Here is our pick of her best 20.

Tu Mungada, Mungada from Inkaar (1977)
One would have thought that a Westernised disco number would be Helen’s most popular hit. Surprise, surprise. A Marathi lavni number from Raj Sippy’s Inkaartakes the honours. The song was rendered by Usha Mangeshkar and composed by Rajesh Roshan. The picturisation, in a dance bar, on Helen and Amjad Khan is also good.

 

Aa Jaane Jaan from Inteqam (1969)
Inteqam was produced by Sadhana, who was also the heroine of the film. The best track in the film, however, was this club number beautifully composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal and rendered by Lata Mangeshkar.

 

Piya Tu from Caravan(1971)
Caravan had some fantastic music from R D Burman. Helen’s  disco number, however, was clearly the best. Piya Tualso sees Asha Bhosle at her seductive best. One of RD Burman’s best compositions.

 

Huzurewala from Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi (1966)

This Biswajeet Sharmila Tagore film was a surprise hit. OP Nayyar’s music was a big plus. Huzurewala was rendered by Asha Bhosle and Usha Mangeshkar and has been picturised on Helen, Madhumati and Manohar Deepak.

 

O, Tumko Diya, Dil Diya from Shikari(1963)

An F C Mehra film,Shikari saw music director GS Kohli at his best. This song was rendered by Lata Mangeshkar and Usha Mangeshkar and was picturised on Helen and Ragini.

 

Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu from Howrah Bridge(1958)

One of Helen’s earlier numbers, this song rendered by Geeta Dutt and composed by OP Nayyar took advantage of Helen’s slightly oriental features and became a big hit.

 

 

Yeh Mera Dil from Don (1978)
This Helen number sung by Asha Bhosle and composed by Kalyanji Anandji has become almost an iconic number having been repeated in Shah Rukh Khan’s Donas well. Helen’s dance in this number amply  demonstrates why she was the number one choice for vampish, seductive numbers.

 

Baat Zara Hai Aapas Ki from Jahan Pyar Miley(1970)
This cabaret number got Sharda her first Filmfare award. Shankar Jaikishan were the music directors of this Shashi Kapoor-Hema Malini starrer.

 

 

O Haseena from Teesri Manzil (1966)
Helen and Shammi Kapoor formed a great dancing pair and this song is living proof of that. Asha Bhosle and Rafi provided the playback and RD Burman composed this scintillating tune.

 

Ho Raasa Sayang Re from Singapore (1960)
This FC Mehra film had some memorable music from Shankar Jaikishan. Helen and Shammi Kapoor performed this number on screen. Rafi and Lata provided the playback.Raasa Sayangis a Malay term indicating a ‘feeling of love’.

 

Is Duniya Mein from Gumnaam (1965)
Helen had a stellar role in Gumnaam and was even nominated for a Filmfare award. This Lata number was beautifully picturised on Helen and Pran. Music was by Shankar Jaikishan.

 

 

Chhodkar Tere from Woh Kaun Thi(1964)
One of the best suspense films from Bollywood,Woh Kaun Thialso had some brilliant compositions by Madan Mohan. This duet on Helen and Manoj Kumar was rendered by Lata and Mahendra Kapoor.

 

Ooi Ma from Parasmani (1963)
This was Laxmikant Pyarelal’s first film and had some memorable music. This dance number has been sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

 

Haay Mere Pass Tu Aa from Shikar(1968)
Helen had two dance numbers in Shikar, the other one being Mein Albeli. Both were rendered by Asha Bhosle. Take your pick.

 

Aaj Ki Raat from Anamika (1973)
Starting with the credits of the film, this seductive cabaret number sung by Asha Bhosle to RD Burman’s music featured Helen, Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri.

 

 

Ae Dil Tu Gaaye Jaa from Bhai Bahen(1969)
Sunil Dutt and Helen feature in this seductive song rendered by Sharda to music provided by Shankar Jaikishan.

 

 

Karle Pyar Karle from Talash (1969)
OP Ralhan’s magnum opus, may have sunk at the box office; however, SD Burman’s music did not disappoint. Asha Bhosle sang this number picturised on Helen and Rajendra Kumar.

 

 

Baithe Hai Kya from Jewel Thief (1967)
Jewel Thief’s music by SD Burman was a winner. This Asha number did not see the success it deserved because the other songs were bigger hits!

 

 

Zara Bachke from Yakeen(1969)
One more sizzling dance number from Helen in a Dharmendra – Sharmila Tagore film with music by Shankar Jaikishan. Asha Bhosle provided the playback.

 

 

Jaane Anjaane from Jaane Anjaane(1971)
A sizzling dance number, this song had Sharda providing the vocals for Helen and Vinod Khanna playing the victim. Music was by Shankar Jaikishan. Of course, there were several other songs e.g.Kahan Chala Re from Hare Kaanch Ki Chooriyan,Aao Na fromMere Jeevan Saathi, Khilta Hai Shabab from Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar, Husnowale Ke Panje fromYaar Meraand the title song from Ek Se Badhkar Ek that could feature in this list. Also, the female duet from Eent Ka Jawab Patthar, Ajanta Ki Moorat sung by Preeti Sagar and Dilraj Kaurcould feature in this selection. Interestingly, this song also had Premnath lend his voice. Since he died before the movie could be completed, the song could not be included in the final cut of the film but was there in the music album.
Make your own selection.