CHENNAI: Legendary playback singer S Janaki, popularly known as the Nightingale of south India, has passed away in Mysuru on Saturday (July 11) at the age of 88. The news was confirmed by her granddaughter, Apsara, on social media.
According to sources, she developed breathing issues last night and was subsequently admitted to the hospital. Known for her versatility, Janaki recorded over 48,000 songs in multiple languages, predominantly the South Indian languages of Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam.
She is survived by her husband, V Ramaprasad, son, V Muralikrishna, and daughter-in-law Uma Muralikrishna, a Bharatanatyam dancer.
Janaki’s voice was a familiar thread in Indian cinema for more than six decades, weaving through lullabies, poignant melodies, and lively folk tunes. From her early years to her peak, she made every song come alive, captivating audiences across generations. Superstar Rajinikanth was one of the firsts in Indian film industry to condole her demise on social media.
Born on April 23, 1938, in Pallapatla village in the Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, Janaki was the daughter of Ramamurthy and Sathyavathi. Her musical journey began early, with training under the esteemed Nadaswaram maestro Paidiswamy.
Her first big break came in 1956 when she was recognised for her talent through an All India Radio (AIR) music competition. The award, presented by then-President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, paved the way for her contract singer position at AVM Studios, setting the stage for an incredible career in playback singing.
Janaki made her debut in Tamil playback singing with the movie Vidhiyin Vilayattu, the music for which was composed by T Chalapathi Rao. In a remarkable feat that foreshadowed her versatility, she recorded a Telugu duet with legendary singer Ghantasala the very next day. Within just a year, she had recorded close to 100 songs across six different languages.
The turning point in Tamil cinema was the film Konjum Salangai. The timeless melody Singara Velane Deva, set to music by SM Subbaiah Naidu and featuring an iconic Nadaswaram performance by Karukurichi Arunachalam, is considered a masterpiece of Tamil film music.
However, it was Ilaiyaraaja’s Annakili that solidified Janaki’s place in the hearts of the masses. The entire film’s soundtrack was a massive success, and the song Annakili Unnai Theduthe remains one of her most unforgettable contributions.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Janaki became the dominant voice for most leading heroines in Tamil cinema. During this time, recording four to five songs a day was a routine occurrence.
Her musical legacy is not confined to Tamil cinema; Janaki has an impressive discography of over 16,000 songs in 17 languages. This includes Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, Sinhala, Sanskrit, Odia, Gujarati, Konkani, Tulu, Badaga and Punjabi. The range of her vocal abilities and her sustained high quality across so many languages is unparalleled.
Beyond playback singing, Janaki was also a composer of devotional music in Tamil and Telugu. She even lent her compositional talents to the Telugu film Mouna Poratam, demonstrating her diverse musical skills.
Despite her legendary status, the singer according to her colleagues and contemporaries, was known for her grace and humility in her personal life. While her voice has fallen silent, her music will continue to live on, resonating in the hearts of millions.
1977 – 1st National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for Tamil song "Senthoora Poove" from 16 Vayathinile
1981 – 2nd National Film Award for the Malayalam song "Ettumanoor Ambalathil" from Oppol.
1984 – 3rd National Film Award for the Telugu song "Vennello Godari Andam" from Sitara
1992 – 4th National Film Award for the Tamil song "Inji Iduppazhagi" from Thevar Magan
State & Lifetime Honours
1970s–2000s – Won 33 State Film Awards, including:
6 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards
Kerala State Film Awards
Andhra Pradesh (Nandi Awards)
Karnataka State Film Awards
Odisha State Film Awards
Kalaimamani Award – Honoured by the Government of Tamil Nadu for her contribution to music
Honorary Doctorate – Awarded by the University of Mysore in recognition of her contribution to Indian music
2013 – Declined the Padma Bhushan, saying the honour came too late and that South Indian artists had not received equal recognition.
• Singara Velane Deva – Konjum Salangai (1962)
• Senthoora Poove – 16 Vayathinile
• Machaanai Paatheengala – Annakkili
• Annakkili Unnai Theduthey – Annakkili
• Poovarasampoo – Kizhakke Pogum Rail
• Indha Poovilum – Murattu Kaalai
• Kaatrukku Enna Veli – Avargal
• Vasantha Kaala Kolangal – Thyagam
• Entha Poovilum – Murattu Kaalai
• Inji Iduppazhagi – Thevar Magan
• Poojaikku Vandha Malare Vaa – Paadha Kaanikkai
• Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen – Avalukendru Oru Manam
• Thookam Un Kangalai – Aalayamani
• Kuyiley Kavi Kuyiley – Kavikuyil
• Amma Amma – Velaiyilla Pattathari (2014)
Mounamelanoyi – Sagara Sangamam (Telugu)
Aakasam Enatido – Nireekshana (Telugu)
Thumbi Vaa – Olangal (Malayalam)
4Unaroo Unaroo – Ammaye Kaanaan (Malayalam)
5Anjanakkannezhuthi – Thacholi Othenan (Malayalam)
6Baanallu Neene – Bayalu Daari (Kannada)
Yaava Janmada Maitri – Gowri (Kannada)
Shiva Shiva Ennada Nalige – Hemavathi (Kannada)
Nagu Endide – Pallavi Anu Pallavi (Kannada)
Sirimalle Puvva – Padaharella Vayasu (Telugu)