Playback singer S Janaki. | Photo Courtesy: The Hindu Illustration by Soumyadeep Sinha
Playback singer S. Janaki (88), who died on July 11, 2026 (Saturday), had the rare ability to express every shade of human emotion – happiness, longing, sorrow, devotion, romance, mischief and maternal affection – with astonishing ease. His songs are deeply rooted in the cultural memory of South India.
During a career spanning more than six decades, he worked with successive generations of composers, starting with T. Chalapathi Rao, who introduced him to films, and later in the Tamil film industry with MD Parthasarathy, G. Worked with Ramanathan, MB Srinivasan, KV Mahadevan and MS Vishwanathan.
His remarkable journey in Tamil cinema gained further momentum with the rise of maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who chose him for memorable songs. his first film Annakili (1976)A milestone in Tamil film music completed 50 years In 2026.
Janaki also left an indelible mark in the music of AR Rahman, lending her voice to unforgettable Tamil songs like. Ottagathai Kattiko (gentle Movies), Gopala Gopala (Kadhalan Movies), nenginyl nenginyl (Uyire film) and Margazhi Thingal Allava (Confluence Movies).
She won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer four times. one of them came to honor Senthura Poove from hit tamil movie 16 VayathinileDirectorial debut of Bharathiraja, who passed away recently.
One of Janaki’s best early recordings was Singara Velane Deva from the movie Konjum Salangai. He shared musical space with Nagaswaram player Karukurichi Arunachalam. The song remains a standard for its seamless blend of Carnatic and film music. Although Janaki and Arunachalam recorded their parts separately, it emerged as a masterpiece.
was another unforgettable gem Chinnanchiriya Vannparavai from the movie kumkumamThe raga is based on Darbari Kanada. The song demonstrated his remarkable ability to bring out the subtleties of Carnatic ragas within the framework of film music.
In the film starring Kamal Haasan Sakalakala VallavanJanaki’s playful presentation Nethu Rathiri Yamma The emotions of a couple yearning for intimacy were perfectly depicted and it became one of the defining songs of the decade. her sensual presentation Eng Idupalagi In Thevar Magan Further highlighting his versatility. Ilaiyaraaja is often said to have considered Janaki as one of his most expressive singers, able to effortlessly translate his musical ideas into unforgettable performances. Their partnership produced countless classics that continue to enthrall music lovers.
songs like Azhagiya Kanne from the movie uthiripukkal Poignantly portraying the helplessness of a mother, it remains deeply moving even today. Chinna Chinna Vanna Kuyil From the film directed by Mani Ratnam Mouna Ragam The feelings of a young woman in love are beautifully depicted. In MogamulFilm adaptation of T. Janakiraman’s famous novel, Janaki’s Presentation sollayo va tirandhuBased on Raga Shanmukhpriya, unrequited love expressed with rare emotional intensity.
Born on April 23, 1938 in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, Janaki learned the intricacies of Carnatic music while taking music lessons with her elder sister. Vamanan writes, “Since he had a natural gift for singing, the music teacher Pettisamy came forward to train him. Although the teacher died within a year, he had acquired a strong enough foundation to win second prize in the All India Radio Music Competition.” Thirai Isai Alaigal.
She came to Chennai in search of opportunities in the film industry and recorded two songs under T. Chalapathi Rao for the film vithiyin vilayattu. Recalling that turning point, Janaki later wrote in a souvenir released to celebrate the silver jubilee of Chalapathi Rao’s career: “I did not know Tamil, but Chalapathi Rao had the courage to entrust me with two songs full of compassion. Chalapathi Rao is responsible for my achievements.”
S. Janaki (1938-2026) – The voice that belonged to every state. in pictures
If music is an art that enriches the aesthetic sphere, then S Janaki was the undisputed queen. Strange that in the showbiz arena, she preferred to be a normal person in her conduct. Accessible and perhaps taking his talent and success for granted, the way he presented himself in the public sphere had the aura of a saint.
Veteran playback singer S Janaki with singer PB Srinivas. During a career spanning more than six decades, he worked with successive generations of composers, starting with T. Chalapathi Rao, who introduced him to films, and later with MD Parthasarathy, G. Worked with Ramanathan, MB Srinivasan, KV Mahadevan and MS Vishwanathan. Photo: Special Arrangement
S. Janaki was a versatile singer with equal ease in classical compositions, romantic tunes, folk songs, comedy songs and emotionally charged duets.
Kannada film directors (from left) Bhagavan, KSL Swamy (Ravi), Rajan and Sivaram and playback singers S. Janaki, PB Srinivas, P. Susheela and Vani Jayaram were honored by Sri Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejavar Math at a function organized by Lotus Software Park and Sri Rama Seva Mandali, Chamarajpet in Bangalore on May 14, 2008.
In October 1984 in Thiruvananthapuram, Chief Minister K. S receiving the award from Karunakaran. Janaki. She received ten Kerala State Film Awards for Best Playback Singer during a 14-year period between 1970 and 1984. Photo: Special Arrangement
S. with singer Bala Saraswati at a function organized in his honor in Hyderabad on 8 September 2011. Janaki. Her career in Telugu cinema began in 1957 with the film MLA, when she sang ‘Nee Aas Adiyasa’ and ‘Idenandi Idenandi Bhagyanagaramu’ in the music of Pendyala Nageswara Rao. The same year he recorded songs in various languages, including Kannada and Tamil, showcasing his linguistic ability.
S Janaki during a stage performance with veteran singer KJ Yesudas in Kerala. Known for her versatility, Janaki recorded over 48,000 songs in multiple languages, primarily 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 selected for the Padma Bhushan. However, he refused to accept it. He said that if the government wanted to recognize his work, it should have given him the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna. He said that he is not interested in any other award apart from Padma awards.
Playback singers Swarnalatha, Srinivas and S. at the ‘Unity of Light’ concert at Taramani, Chennai on 21 February 2003. Music director AR Rahman performed with Janaki. In the Tamil film industry, he carved a niche for himself at a time when P. Susheela and many other leading singers were at the peak of their careers, and worked with renowned music directors including KV Mahadevan and MS Vishwanathan.
Janaki won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Seenthura Poov” from 16 Vayathinile, the first directorial debut of Bharathiraja, who passed away recently. His remarkable journey in Tamil cinema gained further momentum with the rise of maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who chose him for memorable songs in his debut film Annakili (1976), a landmark achievement in Tamil film music, which completed 50 years in 2026.
Famous playback singers (from right), PB Srinivas, S Janaki and SP Balasubramaniam, who were presented with Chi. Udayashankar Memorial Awards for 2002, 2003 and 2004 respectively, seen after receiving the award at a ceremony in Bangalore on 19 March 2005. Janaki lent her voice to iconic songs for every famous composer of Kannada cinema.
S. Janaki and Dr. P.B. Srinivas was performing a bhajan and ghazal benefit show at Vani Mahal, Chennai on 4 February 2006 in aid of Ellen Sharma Memorial Primary School. If music is an art that enriches the aesthetic sphere, then Janaki was the undisputed queen.
S Janaki with singer BK Sumitra. Singing so many songs under so many music directors, and receiving that tremendous affection whenever the All India Radio announcer mentioned that the song being played was sung by Janaki, is a reflection of his longevity.
Playback singer S. Janaki and K.J. Yesudas.
S Janaki paying tribute to PB Srinivas, who passed away, at his residence. Be it a solo effort or singing together, Janaki remained incomparable. Holding her own while singing with SP Balasubramaniam (SPB) and KJ Yesudas and commanding the respect of her peers throughout her career reflects Janaki’s dominance in her acoustic field in celluloid.
S Janaki, right, late Tamil director Bharathiraja, left, and renowned music director Ilayaraja, centre. Janaki won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Senthura Poov” from Bharathiraja’s directorial debut 16 Vayathinile. In these weeks of departure, whether it was Bharathiraja or K. Bhagyaraj, Janaki’s departure into the mist of time is the latest shock.
Playback singer and composer, KP Dayabhanu, sharing a light moment with S Janaki in Thiruvananthapuram. His debut in Malayalam playback remains controversial. Often g. Minnalappadayali, directed by Vishwanath and released in 1959, is cited as his debut film. But according to music historians, the song Irul Moodukayo En Vaazvil from the crime-thriller Minnunnathelam Ponnalla, released two years earlier, marked the real beginning of his Malayalam journey.
S. at the silver jubilee celebration of the Ganamrit Group held at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Auditorium, Madras on July 2, 1989. Presenting a gift to Janaki, the then President R. Janaki Venkataraman, wife of Venkataraman. YG Parthasarathy and others are also seen in the picture.
S Janaki during the grand felicitation and tribute to the great Padmavibhushan Panditji Hariprasad Chaurasia who is celebrating his 80th birthday, in Hyderabad on July 22, 2018. Janaki also sang in Hindi and Sinhala, but made her mark in South Indian languages.
S Janaki singing in Mysore at an open-air theater organized by the S Janaki Charitable Trust. He spent part of his childhood six decades ago in Sircilla, a backward textile village in Telangana’s old Karimnagar district. The discovery of this little-known chapter of his life has added a new emotional dimension to his relationship with Telangana, making his enduring legacy even more special to the people of the state.
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published – July 12, 2026 12:03 PM IST
