The legendary playback singer S. Janaki, whose extraordinary voice dominated South Indian cinema for decades and whose songs continue to resonate across generations, died in Mysuru on Saturday (July 11, 2026).She was 88 years old
Equally at ease with classical compositions, romantic melodies, 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, has rendered songs in 18 languages, and could even sing effortlessly in a child’s voice. She was trained in Carnatic music and released an album of Thyagaraja kritis
In the Tamil film industry, she carved out a place for herself 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 K.V. Mahadevan and M.S. Viswanathan. Her remarkable journey in Tamil cinema gathered further momentum with the rise of maestro Ilaiyaraaja, who chose her for memorable songs in his debut film Annakili (1976), a landmark in Tamil film music that completed 50 years in 2026
Janaki won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Senthoora Poove” from 16 Vayathinile, the debut directorial venture of Bharathiraja, who passed away recently
Unforgettable gems
One of her finest early recordings was “Singara Velane Deva” from Konjum Salangai, in which she shared musical space with the legendary nagaswaram maestro Karukurichi Arunachalam. Set in the raga Abheri, the song remains a benchmark for the seamless blend of Carnatic music and film music. Although Janaki and Arunachalam recorded their portions separately, the final composition created a magical effect
Another unforgettable gem was “Chinnanchiriya Vannaparavai” from Kumkumam, set in the raga Darbari Kanada, which showcased the depth and sweetness of her voice and her capacity to express the nuances of Carnatic tunes
In Sakalakala Vallavan, Janaki’s playful rendition of “Nethu Rathiri Yamma” perfectly captured the emotions of a couple longing 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 regarded Janaki as one of his most expressive singers, capable of effortlessly translating his musical ideas into unforgettable performances. Their collaboration produced numerous classics that continue to be celebrated by music lovers
In Mogamul, the film adaptation of T. Janakiraman’s celebrated novel, Janaki’s rendition of “Sollayo Vaai Thirandhu”, based on the raga Shanmukhapriya, elevated the composition into an enduring classic, reflecting her rare ability to combine classical finesse with emotional depth
Janaki’s grand daughter Apsara Vydyula, posted on Instagram, saying, “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.”
Native village’s pride
In Pallapatla village of Andhra Pradesh’s Bapatla district, 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 had spent her early childhood in the village before her family migrated elsewhere. He said the family owned a large ancestral house in Pallapatla, which remained standing in a dilapidated condition until about 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 participate in the consecration and reopening of a renovated village temple. However, the visit could not materialise 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 to have hailed from the coastal region around Repalle, making her an enduring
