Veteran playback singer S Janaki, one of Indian cinema's most celebrated voices, was mourned by the nation's top leaders after she passed away on Saturday at the age of 88. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu led the tributes, remembering her unparalleled contribution to Indian music that spanned over six decades.
Prime Minister Modi described Janaki's 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 posted on X.
President Droupadi Murmu hailed Janaki as a "musical icon" whose timeless songs would continue to endure. "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 wrote.
S Janaki passed away at her residence in Hyderabad following age-related health complications. Revered as the 'Nightingale of South India,' Janaki enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades and recorded tens of thousands of songs across multiple Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi. Known for her remarkable vocal range, emotive singing and impeccable diction, she remained one of the most influential playback singers in Indian cinema.
A recipient of four National Film Awards and numerous state honours, Janaki retired from playback singing in 2016 after leaving behind a monumental musical legacy. Following news of her demise, tributes poured in from across the film fraternity, with actors, filmmakers, musicians and political leaders remembering her as one of the greatest voices Indian cinema has ever produced.