S. Janaki reflects on rejecting the Padma Bhushan, stating she deserved the Bharat Ratna for her musical legacy.
VideosFor nearly five decades, S. Janaki’s voice defined Indian cinema. She sang tens of thousands of songs across multiple languages and became one of the most celebrated playback singers in the country.
But in 2013, when the Government of India announced the Padma awards, something unexpected happened.
S. Janaki was selected for the Padma Bhushan. Instead of accepting it, she turned it down.Updated - July 12, 2026 06:16 pm IST
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Pallapatla mourns legendary singer S. Janaki, celebrating her childhood and enduring musical legacy that touched generations…
Janaki's early life in a Telangana village inspired her legendary career in film music.
Veteran playback singer S Janaki, fondly known as the Nightingale of South India, passed away at the age of 88. She breathed her…
