Mysuru: Legendary South Indian playback singer S. Janaki passed away on Saturday following a heart attack at a private hospital in Mysuru. She was 88 and had been battling age-related ailments.
Born on April 23, 1938, in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, Janaki carved an unparalleled legacy in Indian cinema by singing more than 48,000 songs in over 20 languages. She was especially admired for her flawless Kannada pronunciation, expressive singing, and remarkable ability to adapt her voice to suit different characters and emotions.
Her timeless collaborations with legends such as Dr. Rajkumar and S.P. Balasubrahmanyam produced several unforgettable classics that continue to resonate with music lovers across generations.
During her illustrious career, S. Janaki received four National Film Awards, 33 State Film Awards, the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, the Tamil Nadu Kalaimamani Award, an honorary doctorate, and the Padma Bhushan in 2013 in recognition of her immense contribution to Indian music.
Having lived in Mysuru for the past several years, she performed her final public concert in 2018.
Condolences poured in from across the film and music industries, with artists, political leaders and fans remembering her extraordinary contribution to Indian music. Her granddaughter Apsara thanked the Karnataka government for deciding to accord the legendary singer state honours during her final rites.
