Thousands pay their respects to singing legend S. Janaki
Thousands of people filed past a raised platform in the Maharaja’s College grounds in Mysuru on Sunday, paying their last respects to the singing legend
Thousands of people filed past a raised platform in the Maharaja’s College grounds in Mysuru on Sunday, paying their last respects to the singing legend S. Janaki, who passed away on Saturday. The mortal remains of Ms. Janaki were shifted from a private hospital in the city to her residence in Bogadi late on Saturday night before being brought to Maharaja’s College grounds on Sunday morning. The Mysuru district administration made arrangements to keep the singer’s body on a stage in Maharaja’s College grounds to facilitate her fans, admirers, and the general public to pay their homage. A steady stream of mourners, including people from different parts of the State, reached the Maharaja’s College grounds to catch one last glimpse of the singer, who had regaled her audience for over six decades. Also present on the occasion were Ms. Janaki’s daughter-in-law, Uma Murali Krishna, and granddaughters, Amruthavarshini and Apsara Vydyula.
Ms. Janaki’s husband, Ramprasad, and their only son, Murali Krishna, predeceased her. Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce Chairperson and yesteryear actress S. Jayamala, who was among the dignitaries offering their last respects to the departed singer, said Ms. Janaki had sung a record 48,000 songs in 20 different languages. Renowned music composer Hamsalekha, accompanied by his wife Latha Hamsalekha, reached the venue and offered floral tributes to the mortal remains of Ms. Janaki. Speaking to reporters later, Mr. Hamsalekha said the music industry in Karnataka is keen to set up a meditation centre and a music school at the farmhouse where her last rites were later held with full State honours. If Ms. Janaki’s caretaker, Naveen — in whose farmhouse the last rites were held — and her family members consent, the music industry would take the initiative to set up the meditation centre and music school as a memorial to the departed singer.
As Ms. Janaki wished to have her final resting place in Mysuru, Mr. Hamsalekha said a memorial in her honour would be a befitting tribute to her contribution to the world of cinema. Though Ms. Janaki, who died at 88 years, had lived a full life, Mr. Hamsalekha felt she would have lived for a few more years had she not been taken over by the sorrow of losing her son earlier this year. Meanwhile, Ms. Jayamala said a memorial for Ms Janaki was fine, although there was a need for the University of Mysore to set up a Study Centre on Music in memory of the legendary singer. Jayamala described Ms. Janaki as “Mysuru’s daughter-in-law”, who chose to spend her last days in Mysuru. Mysuru was clearly very close to her heart. Hence, a Study Centre on Music at the University of Mysore would immortalise her singing.
The BriefWire