Legendary playback singer S Janaki was cremated with full state honours at her farmhouse in Kaniyanahundi, Mysuru, on Sunday evening. The iconic singer passed away at the age of 88 on Saturday after suffering from respiratory problems while undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
The Karnataka government accorded full state honours during her final journey. As announced by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, a police contingent presented a gun salute while the national anthem was played to honour the singer’s extraordinary contribution to Indian music.
Granddaughter Performs the Final Rites
In a touching and symbolic moment, S Janaki’s granddaughter Apsara Vydyula performed the last rites by lighting her grandmother’s funeral pyre while Vedic hymns were chanted.
She also carried the traditional earthen pot and walked around the burning pyre as part of the final rituals. Her decision to perform the last rites broke a long-standing tradition in which these rituals have generally been carried out by male family members.
Apsara is the daughter of Murali Krishna, S Janaki’s only son, who passed away earlier this year on January 22.
Thousands Gather to Pay Their Final Respects
Before the cremation, S Janaki’s mortal remains were kept at Maharaja’s College Grounds in Mysuru, allowing the public to pay their final respects.
Thousands of admirers visited the venue throughout the day. Several actors, actresses, playback singers and members of the South Indian film industry also paid tribute to the legendary singer.
Mysuru district in-charge minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah represented the Karnataka government during the ceremony and offered floral tributes.
Karnataka Government Pays Tribute
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar expressed deep sorrow over the singer’s passing and described her as one of India’s greatest musical icons.
He also said the Karnataka government would explore ways to preserve S Janaki’s legacy so that future generations could continue to celebrate her remarkable contribution to Indian music.
“One of India’s most iconic personalities, the legendary playback singer known as the ‘Gana Kogile’ (Nightingale of Song), Janaki, is no longer with us. She served the film industry in several languages for nearly 50 years,” the Chief Minister said.
A Musical Journey That Spanned More Than Six Decades
S Janaki was born on April 23, 1938, in Pallapatla village in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district. Later, she made Mysuru her home, and according to her wishes, her last rites were held in the royal city.
She began her playback singing career at the age of 19 with the Tamil film Vidhiyin Vilayattu in 1957. Over the next six decades, she became one of India’s most celebrated playback singers.
Janaki recorded more than 48,000 songs in around 20 Indian languages, including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Odia, Tulu, Urdu, Punjabi and Bengali. She also sang songs in English, Japanese, German and Sinhala.
Although she achieved immense popularity across South India, she is widely believed to have recorded the highest number of songs in Kannada cinema.
Her unforgettable duets with legendary singers P B Srinivas, S P Balasubrahmanyam and Dr Rajkumar continue to be cherished by music lovers.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her remarkable career, S Janaki received numerous honours for her contribution to Indian music.
She won four National Film Awards and 33 state film awards, making her one of the most decorated playback singers in the country.
She was also honoured with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Mysore, the Kalaimamani Award from the Tamil Nadu government and the Rajyotsava Prashasti from the Karnataka government.
In 2013, she declined the Padma Bhushan, saying the honour had come too late in her career. She had also expressed her belief that her lifelong contribution to Indian music deserved the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour.
A Legacy That Will Live On
Fondly known as “Janaki Amma” and celebrated as the “Gana Kogile”, S Janaki leaves behind a musical legacy that has inspired generations of singers and entertained millions of listeners across India.
Her timeless songs continue to remain an important part of Indian cinema, ensuring that her voice will live on for generations to come.