Playback story: S. Janaki died in Mysuru on Saturday at the age of 88. The music world mourned his death. Called the “Nightingale of South India,” Janaki’s glorious legacy spans over six decades. With his unforgettable voice, he sang thousands of songs that touched millions of hearts across generations. His versatile skills ranging from melodious songs to folk songs earned him great respect as a playback singer in India. Many tributes came to him from all over the country in appreciation of his great contribution to Indian music.
PM Modi calls S. Janaki’s death an ‘Irreparable Loss’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the veteran singer through a heartfelt message on social media. His statement read: “The passing away of renowned playback singer S. Janaki Amma is an irreparable loss to the world of music and culture. Her songs in various languages are popular across generations. They give voice to every emotion with unparalleled grace as well as versatility. Her melodies will continue to captivate listeners for years to come. My heartfelt condolences to his family, countless admirers, and the entire music fraternity in this hour of sorrow. Om Shanti.” The Prime Minister’s message reflects the great respect that S. Janaki has earned through her extraordinary musical journey and the indelible mark of her timeless songs.
A voice that crosses languages and generations
S. Janaki was born on April 23, 1938 in Guntur district of present day Andhra Pradesh. From a young age, he showed exceptional musical talent. He was professionally trained in music and won a singing competition organized by All India Radio when he was just 18 years old. She made her playback singing debut in Tamil with the song ‘Vidhiyin Vilayattu’ but soon expanded to Telugu and many other languages. Interestingly, he sang in six languages during his debut year and has recorded more than 40,000 songs in 17 different languages to date.
Unforgettable legacy of: S Janaki that will continue to inspire
Some of S. Janaki’s evergreen songs are ‘Singara Velane Deva’ from the film ‘Konjum Salangai’ and the evergreen song ‘Annakili Unnai Theduthe’ from the film ‘Annakili.’ Some of the best music composers who worked with him were MS Viswanathan, Ilaiyaraaja, AR Rahman, and Anirudh Ravichander. S. Janaki keeps reinventing herself with every new generation she sings about. He not only rendered playback songs, but also composed songs for a Telugu movie. Although he is no longer with us, his immortal voice and invaluable contribution to Indian music will remain with us forever through songs we cannot do without.