Singer S Janaki Passes Away At 88; Cremated With State Honours

Legendary singer S Janaki passed away at the age of 88 on July 11 due to age-related ailments. The singer was cremated with full state honours on the evening of July 12 at a farmhouse in Kaniyanahundi near Mysuru, with her granddaughter Vydyula performing the last rites. The funeral was attended by family, friends, and various admirers.

Janaki has worked with generations of composers, from M. S. Viswanathan and K. V. Mahadevan to Ilaiyaraaja and A. R. Rahman, and has sung 48,000 songs in 18 languages. Her work has spanned all the South Indian languages: Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

The singer has won four National Film Awards in her 60-year-long career. She won her first National Award in 1977 for the song 'Senthoora Poove' from the Tamil film 16 Vayathinile, followed by a second win in 1980 for 'Ettumanoor Ambalathil' from the Malayalam film Oppol. Her third National Award came in 1984 for 'Vennello Godari Andam' from the Telugu film Sitaara, while her fourth and final win was for the popular 'Inji Idupazhagi' from the Tamil classic Thevar Magan (1992). In 2013, she refused to accept the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award of India, as she felt the honor came "too late" in her career. The move sparked a wider conversation about the need for greater national recognition of artistes from South India.

Tributes for the singer poured in from several technicians and actors from the industry. Chiranjeevi, remembered the singer's deep association with his film songs. "Janakamma garu was not just a singer... she was an extraordinary artist who transformed emotions into melody. Every song she sang is a memory... a feeling... a lifelong bond. Today, we have lost a towering pinnacle in the world of music. But her song will forever resonate as inspiration for generations and as the background score to our lives," he wrote.

Indian music maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who has collaborated with the singer in several iconic compositions across languages, condoled her death by remembering her immense work ethic. "Her death is a deep, massive loss for Indian music," he said.

"May her soul, who delighted generations of people with her honey-sweet voice, attain peace #JanakiAmma," wrote Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and former actor C Joseph Vijay recalled her contributions to the Indian film industry. "The passing of Mrs. S. Janaki, the legendary playback singer who has won the hearts of multiple generations with her unique voice in the Indian film music world, brings immense sorrow. Having sung thousands of songs in various languages including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, and more, she has left an indelible mark on the music world. Recipient of countless prestigious awards, including multiple National Film Awards, she will forever remain etched in the hearts of fans through her sweet voice, exceptional ability to convey emotions, and unwavering dedication to music," he wrote.

"The song will forever keep resounding. Where shall I seek that love, Mother? An inconsolable sorrow exists for many. My deepest condolences to them all," wrote Tamil star Kamal Haasan, referring to Janaki's indelible mark in the industry.

Debuting in 1957 with the Tamil film Vidhiyin Vilayattu, Janaki was born on 23 April 1938 in Pallapatla, of the then Madras Presidency, now in Andhra Pradesh. The veteran singer announced her retirement in 2016, with her final concert being held in 2017 in Mysuru, where was laid to rest.