S. Janaki (1938-2026)— the voice that belonged to every State | In pictures
S. Janaki, the legendary singer who had sung in 18 languages, predominantly in South Indian languages, passed away in Mysuru on Saturday (July 11, 2026)
S. Janaki, the legendary singer who had sung in 18 languages, predominantly in South Indian languages, passed away in Mysuru on Saturday (July 11, 2026), aged 88. Well-known for her versatility, S. Janaki won the Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Senthoora Poove” from 16 Vayathinile, the debut directorial venture of Bharathiraja, who passed away last month. During a career spanning more than six decades, she worked with successive generations of composers, beginning with T. Chalapathi Rao, who introduced her to films, and later M.D. Parthasarathy, G. Ramanathan, M.B. Srinivasan, K.V. Mahadevan and M.S. Viswanathan. Having sung thousands of songs in multiple languages for nearly half a century, S. Janaki rejected the Padma Bhushan when it was conferred upon her in 2013, describing the award as having come too late for her. Janaki sang in Hindi and Sinhala too, but it was in the South Indian languages that she carved a niche. Her rendition was infused with love and pathos and was often a hat-tip to bygone times. If music is an art that enriches the aesthetic zone, S. Janaki was the undisputed queen. Strangely, in the showbiz field, she preferred to be a commoner in her demeanour. Accessible and perhaps treating her talent and success lightly, there was a saintly aura in the way she presented herself in the public domain. Veteran playback singer S. Janaki with singer P.B. Srinivas. During a career spanning more than six decades, she worked with successive generations of composers, beginning with T. Chalapathi Rao, who introduced her to films, and later M.D. Parthasarathy, G. Ramanathan, M.B. Srinivasan, K.V. Mahadevan and M.S. Viswanathan. Photo: Special Arrangement S. Janaki was a versatile singer who had an equal ease with classical compositions, romantic melodies, folk songs, comic numbers, and emotionally charged duets. Kannada film directors (from left) Bhagwan, K.S.L. Swami (Ravi), Rajan and Shivram and playback singers S. Janaki, P.B. Sreenivas, P. Susheela and Vani Jayaram being felicitated by Sri Vishvesha Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar Mutt at a function organised by Lotus Software Park and Sri Rama Seva Mandali, Chamrajpet in Bangalore on May 14, 2008.
S. Janaki, receiving an award from K. Karunakaran, Chief Minister, in Thiruvananthapuram in October 1984. She had received ten Kerala State Film Awards for Best Playback Singer during the 14-year period between 1970 and 1984. Photo: Special Arrangement S. Janaki with singer Bala Saraswathy at a function held to felicitate them, in Hyderabad on September 8, 2011. Her career in Telugu cinema began in 1957 with filmMLA, when she sang ‘Nee Aasa Adiyaasa’ and ‘Idenandi Idenandi Bhagyanagaramu’ to Pendyala Nageshwar Rao’s music. The same year saw her record songs across languages, including Kannada and Tamil, showcasing her linguistic prowess. S. Janaki during a stage performance with veteran singer K.J. Yesudas in Kerala. Known for her versatility, Janaki recorded over 48,000 songs in multiple languages, predominantly the South Indian languages of Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. Photo: Special Arrangement When the Government of India announced the Padma awards on the eve of Republic Day in 2013, S. Janaki was chosen for the Padma Bhushan. However, she refused to accept it. She stated that she should have been given the highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, if the government wanted to recognize her work. She expressed that she was not interested in any awards other than the Padma awards. Music director A.R. Rahman with playback singers Swarnalatha, Srinivas and S. Janaki performing at the 'Unity of Light' concert at Taramani in Chennai on February 21, 2003. In the Tamil film industry, she carved out a place for herself at a time when P. Susheela and several other leading singers were at the peak of their careers, and worked with renowned music directors, including K.V. Mahadevan and M.S. Viswanathan. Janaki won the Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Senthoora Poove” from 16 Vayathinile, the debut directorial venture of Bharathiraja, who passed away recently. Her remarkable journey in Tamil cinema gathered further momentum with the rise of maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who chose her for memorable songs in his debut film Annakili (1976), a landmark in Tamil film music that completed 50 years in 2026. Noted playback singers (from right), P.B. Srinivas, S.
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