Irreparable loss: PM Modi, President Murmu pay tribute to playback legend S Janaki
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu paid tribute to playback singer S Janaki after her death in Mysuru at 88. They acknowledged her contribution to music and praised her six-decade legacy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu paid heartfelt tributes to legendary playback singer S Janaki, who died in Mysuru on Saturday at the age of 88. Fondly known as the "Nightingale of South India," the veteran artiste enjoyed a remarkable career spanning more than six decades, during which she lent her voice to thousands of songs across multiple Indian languages.
PM Modi shared a post on X and acknowledged Janaki's extraordinary contribution to Indian music and the timeless legacy she leaves behind through her unforgettable songs. “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 (sic),” he wrote.
President Droupadi Murmu offered her condolences in a post on X and celebrated the singer’s legacy. “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 (sic),” she wrote.
Janaki’s career
Popularly known as Janaki Amma, the legendary singer made headlines in 2013 when she declined the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour. She had then said that the recognition had come too late in her career and expressed hope that her contribution to Indian music would one day be acknowledged with the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award.
She was born on April 23, 1938, in Pallapatla, Repalle Taluka, in Guntur district of the then Madras Presidency (now in Andhra Pradesh). Her father, Sistla Sreeramamurthy, was an Ayurvedic doctor and teacher. She spent much of her childhood in Sircilla and gave her first stage performance at the age of nine. While she learnt the basics of music from Nadaswaram exponent Paidiswamy, she never received formal training in classical music.
Over a career spanning more than six decades, Janaki delivered countless memorable songs across multiple Indian languages. Among her most celebrated tracks are Singara Velane Deva from Konjum Salangai and Annakili Unnai Theduthe from Annakili. She collaborated with some of India's greatest music composers, including MS Viswanathan, Ilaiyaraaja, AR Rahman, and Anirudh Ravichander, continually reinventing herself for successive generations of listeners.
Beyond playback singing, Janaki also composed music for a Telugu film, further showcasing her versatility as an artiste.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu paid heartfelt tributes to legendary playback singer S Janaki, who died in Mysuru on Saturday at the age of 88. Fondly known as the "Nightingale of South India," the veteran artiste enjoyed a remarkable career spanning more than six decades, during which she lent her voice to thousands of songs across multiple Indian languages.
PM Modi shared a post on X and acknowledged Janaki's extraordinary contribution to Indian music and the timeless legacy she leaves behind through her unforgettable songs. “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 (sic),” he wrote.
President Droupadi Murmu offered her condolences in a post on X and celebrated the singer’s legacy. “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 (sic),” she wrote.
Janaki’s career
Popularly known as Janaki Amma, the legendary singer made headlines in 2013 when she declined the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour. She had then said that the recognition had come too late in her career and expressed hope that her contribution to Indian music would one day be acknowledged with the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award.
She was born on April 23, 1938, in Pallapatla, Repalle Taluka, in Guntur district of the then Madras Presidency (now in Andhra Pradesh). Her father, Sistla Sreeramamurthy, was an Ayurvedic doctor and teacher. She spent much of her childhood in Sircilla and gave her first stage performance at the age of nine. While she learnt the basics of music from Nadaswaram exponent Paidiswamy, she never received formal training in classical music.
Over a career spanning more than six decades, Janaki delivered countless memorable songs across multiple Indian languages. Among her most celebrated tracks are Singara Velane Deva from Konjum Salangai and Annakili Unnai Theduthe from Annakili. She collaborated with some of India's greatest music composers, including MS Viswanathan, Ilaiyaraaja, AR Rahman, and Anirudh Ravichander, continually reinventing herself for successive generations of listeners.
Beyond playback singing, Janaki also composed music for a Telugu film, further showcasing her versatility as an artiste.
