President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday condoled the demise of legendary playback singer S. Janaki, paying rich tributes to one of India’s most celebrated musical icons whose career spanned more than six decades.
Fondly known as the “Nightingale of South India,” S. Janaki passed away at the age of 88 after suffering age-related health complications. She breathed her last at Apollo BGS Hospital in Mysuru, bringing to an end an extraordinary musical journey that earned her recognition as one of India’s finest and most prolific playback singers.
President Murmu described the veteran singer as a musical icon whose extraordinary voice captivated generations of listeners.
“In the passing of the legendary playback singer S. Janaki Amma, India has lost a musical icon. Her extraordinary singing enthralled generations. Her illustrious career spanned more than six decades, during which she recorded thousands of songs in nearly 20 Indian languages including Hindi, Odia, Tulu, Urdu, Punjabi and Bengali. Her timeless music will always remain valuable. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family and countless admirers,” the President said.
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan said S. Janaki’s demise was an irreparable loss to the nation’s artistic heritage. He praised her uniquely expressive voice and exceptional versatility, noting that she enthralled audiences for over six decades with thousands of songs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and several other Indian languages.
He said Janaki displayed remarkable mastery across classical, devotional and folk music, leaving an indelible mark on every genre she embraced. Her songs, he added, transcended linguistic and regional boundaries, touching millions of hearts and leaving behind a legacy that would continue to inspire artists and music lovers alike.
Expressing his grief, PM Modi described her passing as an “irreparable loss” to the world of music and culture.
“The passing of the distinguished playback singer S. Janaki Amma is an irreparable loss to the world of music and culture. Her songs in various languages were popular across generations. They gave voice to every emotion with unparalleled grace as well as versatility. Her melodies will continue to enchant listeners in the years to come. My heartfelt condolences to her family, countless admirers and the entire music fraternity in this hour of grief. Om Shanti,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed deep sorrow over her passing, describing her as one of India’s most revered cultural icons.
“Deeply saddened by the demise of legendary playback singer S. Janaki Amma Ji. An ethereal voice, Janaki Ji breathed life into songs that became timeless classics across various languages. One of our nation’s most revered cultural icons, she leaves behind an irreplaceable void in the world of music. My thoughts are with the bereaved family, friends and admirers. Om Shanti,” Shah said.
S. Janaki was among India’s most accomplished playback singers, recording more than 48,000 songs in nearly 20 Indian languages during a career that stretched from 1957 to 2017. She won four National Film Awards and 33 State Film Awards, establishing herself as one of the most decorated singers in Indian cinema.
She made her playback debut in the Tamil film Vidhiyin Vilayattu in 1957 and began singing for Malayalam cinema the same year. Through her dedication to mastering the language’s pronunciation, accent and nuances, she became one of the most beloved voices in Malayalam films and emerged as the dominant female playback singer in the industry from the 1970s onwards.
Her granddaughter announced the veteran singer’s demise through a social media post, marking the end of an era in Indian playback music.
With a career defined by extraordinary versatility, emotional depth and timeless melodies, S. Janaki leaves behind a rich musical legacy that continues to resonate across generations and languages, securing her place among the greatest voices in the history of Indian music.
(With agency inputs)
