S. Janaki, the timeless voice of Indian cinema, passes away at 88 in Mysuru

MYSURU: One of Indian cinema’s most cherished voices has fallen silent, but its echo will linger for generations. Legendary playback singer S. Janaki, fondly known as Janaki Amma and the Nightingale of South India, passed away on Saturday at the age of 88 after suffering a cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment at Apollo BGS Hospitals in Mysuru.

According to the hospital, Janaki was admitted on July 11 in a critical condition and was immediately shifted to the intensive care unit. Despite continuous monitoring and advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation following multiple cardiac arrests, doctors were unable to revive her. She was declared dead at 7.30 pm.

Her mortal remains were kept at Maharaja’s College Grounds in Mysuru on Sunday to allow the public to pay their last respects before her final rites at her family’s farm in Kaniyyanahundi village in H.D. Kote taluk. Thousands of admirers, musicians and political leaders gathered to bid farewell to one of India’s most celebrated playback singers.

Janaki’s career spanned nearly seven decades after she made her playback debut in 1957 with the Telugu film MLA. Over the years, she recorded thousands of songs in nearly 20 Indian languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, Odia, Bengali, Punjabi, Urdu and Tulu, becoming one of the rare artistes whose popularity transcended linguistic and regional boundaries.

Her collaborations with legendary composers, particularly Ilaiyaraaja and playback singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, produced countless classics that continue to resonate across generations. Her rendition of “Senthoora Poove” from 16 Vayathinile earned her one of four National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer, while she also amassed an unprecedented 33 State Film Awards across multiple languages.

Janaki’s influence extended well beyond South Indian cinema. Her ability to effortlessly move between classical compositions, romantic melodies, devotional music and contemporary film songs established her as one of the country’s most versatile vocalists.

She was honoured with several prestigious awards, including the padma bhushan, although she famously declined the honour in 2013, saying the recognition had come too late. She additionally received the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award and an honorary doctorate from the University of Mysore.

Condolences poured in from across the country as political leaders, musicians and actors remembered her extraordinary contribution to Indian music.

Narendra Modi said, “The passing of the distinguished playback singer S. Janaki Amma is an irreparable loss to the world of music and culture. Her songs in various languages were popular across generations. They gave voice to every emotion with unparalleled grace as well as versatility.”

Droupadi Murmu described her as a musical icon whose extraordinary singing enthralled generations over a career spanning more than six decades.

Former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote that Janaki’s voice “found a home in every Malayali heart”, adding that every song she sang became part of people’s memories and lives.

N. Chandrababu Naidu called her “a daughter of Telugu soil” who built an unparalleled musical legacy spanning more than six decades.

Veteran actor Kamal Haasan mourned her passing with an emotional message, while composer Ilaiyaraaja remembered her as “a very hard worker” who often matched and sometimes surpassed the effort he invested in composing music.

Playback legend K. J. Yesudas recalled her unmatched technique and emotional expression, saying she stood perfectly still before the microphone while creating performances that became masterclasses in vocal artistry.

Tributes also arrived from actors including Rajinikanth, Trisha Krishnan, Karthi, Venkatesh Daggubati, Rishab Shetty and singers including Shweta Mohan, all praising not only her unmatched artistry but also her humility and generosity.

Her granddaughter, Apsara Vydyula, said the family was grateful for the extraordinary life Janaki lived and the immeasurable joy she brought to millions through her timeless music, adding that to them she would always remain a loving grandmother whose warmth and kindness would never be forgotten.

From the haunting melodies of Malayalam classics to evergreen Tamil, Telugu and Kannada hits, Janaki’s voice became the soundtrack to countless lives. Though the singer has taken her final bow, the music she left behind ensures that India’s Nightingale will continue to sing for generations to come.