Singer S. Janaki concert in Mysuru. File.
| Photo Credit: M.A.SRIRAM
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).Equally at ease with classical compositions, romantic melodies, folk songs, comic numbers and emotionally charged duets, Janaki displayed a versatility matched by few.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 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.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.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.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. Published - July 11, 2026 09:00 pm IST
