Legendary playback singer S Janaki was laid to rest with full state honours in Mysuru on Sunday, a day after her demise at the age of 88. Family members, admirers, members of the film fraternity and the public gathered at the Maharaja College Grounds to pay their final respects to the iconic singer, whose voice defined generations of Indian cinema.
Speaking to the media after the funeral, Janaki's granddaughter Apsara Vydyula reflected on the singer's extraordinary legacy, saying her loss extends far beyond their family. Calling Janaki an unmatched artiste, Apsara said people across the world connected with the emotion and expression in her singing, making her one of the most distinctive voices in Indian music.
Describing the day as heartbreaking, Apsara said Janaki was not only a celebrated musician but also an exceptional human being. She remembered her grandmother as someone who was affectionate, generous and always surrounded those around her with love and laughter. According to Apsara, everyone who knew Janaki personally would remember her as someone truly one of a kind.
She also said she felt privileged to have shared her life with the veteran singer, adding that Janaki's influence went far beyond her public persona. Apsara recalled learning invaluable lessons from her grandmother, whom she described as a gentle, compassionate and resilient woman. She added that Janaki's love for animals was one of the many qualities she deeply admired and respected.
Calling Janaki "God's gift to mankind," Apsara said her grandmother's physical absence would never diminish her presence in people's lives. "She will be greatly missed, but forever, she will live on through her music... We're always together. There is no goodbye," she said.
Janaki passed away on July 11 after suffering a cardiac arrest. She had been hospitalised before her death. Confirming the news on Instagram, Apsara wrote that the veteran singer passed away peacefully surrounded by her family. She also expressed gratitude for Janaki's remarkable life, saying her music had brought immeasurable joy to millions over several decades.
In the same note, Apsara remembered her grandmother as a loving and humble person whose warmth and kindness would remain with the family forever, even as the world celebrated her as one of Indian cinema's most iconic voices.
Following the news of her passing, tributes poured in from across the film industry and political circles. Revered as one of India's greatest playback singers, S Janaki recorded thousands of songs in multiple languages during a career that spanned more than six decades, leaving behind a musical legacy that continues to resonate across generations.