S. Janaki, the voice for every emotion, leaves
Legendary playback singer S. Janaki, whose extraordinary voice dominated South Indian cinema for decades and whose songs continue to resonate across generations, passed away in Mysuru on Saturday (July 11, 2026). She was 88 years old.
As with classical compositions, romantic tunes, folk songs, comic numbers and emotionally charged duets, Janaki displayed a versatility matched by few. Janakiamma, as she was known in the industry and to her fans, rendered songs in 18 languages and could even sing in a child’s voice effortlessly. She studied Carnatic music and released the album Thyagaraja kritis.
She carved a niche in the Tamil film industry 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 KV Mahadevan and MS Viswanathan. Her remarkable journey in Tamil cinema gained momentum with the advent of maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who chose her for memorable songs in his debut film Annakili (1976), a landmark of Tamil film music that completed 50 years in 2026.
Janaki won the National Film Award for Best Female Singer for “Senthoora Poove” from 16 Vayathinile, the directorial debut of Bharathiraj, who passed away recently.
Unforgettable Gems
One of her best early recordings was ‘Singara Velane Deva’ from Konjum Salangai, in which she shared musical space with legendary nagaswaram maestro Karukurichi Arunachalam. Set in raga Abheri, the song remains a benchmark for the seamless fusion of Carnatic music and film music. Although Janaki and Arunachalam recorded their portions separately, the resulting composition created a magical effect.
Another memorable gem was ‘Chinnanchiriya Vannaparavai’ from Kumkumam, set in raga Darbari Kanada, which showcased the depth and sweetness of her voice and her ability to convey the nuances of Carnatic melodies.
Janaki’s playful rendition of ‘Nethu Rathiri Yamma’ in Sakalakala Vallavan perfectly captured the emotions of a couple yearning for intimacy and became one of the most popular songs of the decade. She was equally popular in the Telugu and Malayalam film industries.
Celebrated collaboration
Mr. Ilaiyaraaja is often said to have considered Janaki as one of his most distinctive singers, able to effortlessly translate his musical ideas into memorable performances. Their collaboration produced a number of classics that continue to be celebrated by music lovers.
In Mogamul, the film adaptation of T. Janakiraman’s famous novel, Janaki’s rendition of ‘Sollayo Vaai Thirandhu’, based on raga Shanmukhapriya, elevated the piece to an enduring classic, reflecting her rare ability to combine classical delicacy with emotional depth.
Janaki’s granddaughter Apsara Vydyula said on Instagram: “She left us peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family. While our hearts are heavy, we are also filled with gratitude for the extraordinary life she lived and the immeasurable joy she brought to millions through her timeless music.” She added: “To the world, she was an iconic voice whose songs became part of countless memories. To us, she was a loving grandmother whose warmth, humility, kindness and grace will remain with us forever.”
The pride of the native village
In the village of Pallapatla in Bapatla district of Andhra Pradesh, where Janaki was born, residents recalled their association with the iconic singer with pride and nostalgia. Sambasiva Rao Vogiboyina (50) told The Hindu that Janaki spent her early childhood in the village before her family moved elsewhere. He said the family owned a large ancestral house in Pallapatla, which remained standing in a dilapidated condition until a decade ago. According to him, the family also continues to own some property in the village.
Mr. Rao said Janaki had planned to visit Pallapatla to attend the consecration and re-opening of the renovated village temple. However, the visit could not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Telugu film director Dileep Raja, a native of Tenali in Guntur district, said Janaki was the only legendary playback singer who hailed from the coastal region around Repalle, making her a permanent source of pride for the people of the area.
Published – 11 July 2026 21:00 IST