Have you heard the song "chodo, chodo meri bainya saware"? It is from a 1960 movie, much forgotten by now. Penned by Shailendra, it is set to music by S.D. Burman. Whose, do you think, is that velvety voice? Lata Mageshkar's? Not really! That soft, gentle voice with the perfect pronunciation and excellent emoting is by Suman Kalyanpur.
The voice quality, the sound texture of Suman Kalyanpur are uncannily similar to Lata Mangeshkar's. Many late 1950's to 1960's songs by Sumanji typically get assigned to Latadi. Such is the uncanny similarity between the two voices. Why, Asha Bhonsale's unique voice is distinctly different!
Did the similarity destroy Sumanji's career? In a way, yes! Obviously she would get fewer opportunities. By definition. Most music directors would settle for Latadi who was at the peak of her singing best.
There is another way to look at the dilemma though. Making the most of what you get. I think this positivity is what Sumanji chose. Each individual song she sang is the perfect most. Her duets with Rafi are simply great.
In other words, this is the way one celebrates what cannot be cured. Often life deals dastardly. Instead of crying over the chances snatched away by crude crooks consciously, one so defi(n)es destiny by giving the bestest to every opportunity that none can overlook one's own unique distinctive quality that just has to stand out. Why cry that the sun set? Instead, celebrate the gentle moon and the dazzling stars that can light up the darkest night of the soul!
Pratima@ "Zindagi imtihaan leti hai." Yes, that is a famous song by Sumanji. Life tests/treats one hard, often most unfairly. Better to pass the tough test/exam with flying colours because, always to remember, many a gems of the purest rays serene never ever got the chance to shine. Always better to concentrate on the givens which many, may be, equally talented, were denied, right?
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