Legendary singer S. Janaki was cremated with state honours at a farmhouse in Kaniyanahundi near Mysuru on Sunday evening.

Janaki’s granddaughter Apsara Vydyula performed the last rites as per Telugu Brahmin traditions in the presence of her close relatives, people’s representatives, friends, and a large number of admirers and the general public.

Earlier, Janaki’s mortal remains were brought in a vehicle with police escort to the farmhouse in H.D. Kote taluk of Mysuru district from Maharaja’s College grounds, where it was kept for public viewing.

The last rites were held at the farmhouse belonging to Janaki’s admirer and caretaker Naveen as per the singer’s wishes. Janaki’s late husband Ramprasad was from Mysuru and the singer had chosen to make Mysuru her home in the last few years. Both Janaki’s husband and their only son Murali Krishna had predeceased her.

Ms. Apsara thanked the government for the state honours and public homage. On Janaki, Ms. Apsara said her grandmother was one of a kind with remarkable talent, and was special for the whole world. “I will remember her more as a grandmother, who was so kind and generous. She was full of love and laughter with a child-like spirit. She was a unique soul,” Ms. Apsara said.

The cremation was attended by Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, MLAs T.S. Srivatsa and Anil Chikkamadu, Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru Lakshmikant Reddy, Superintendent of Mysuru Mallikarjun Balandandi and Mysuru Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Yukesh Kumar.

Several personalities from the Kannada film industry including chairperson of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce S. Jaimala and veteran actress Bharathi Vishnuvardhan and noted music composer Hamsalekha also attended the cremation.

Extensive arrangements had been made at the farmhouse with barricades erected from the approach road to the place of cremation. Adequate police personnel had been deployed to maintain security at the venue. 

Demands for memorial

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said he would discuss with the film industry how to memorialise Janaki in Mysuru for posterity. “She was a nightingale of Indian cinema. She won four national awards and 33 state awards. We have also honoured her with the Rajyotsava Award. I offered her family members to airlift the mortal remains to Hyderabad or Chennai, if they so wished. But they said she wished to be cremated in Mysuru only. She spent her last days here, and we will discuss with the film industry and decide how to honour her memory,” he said.

Earlier in the day, music director and lyricist Hamsalekha and chairperson of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and actor Jaimala pitched for ways to memorialise the legacy of Janaki in Mysuru. 

Mr. Hamsalekha said the music industry is keen on setting up a meditation centre and music school at the farm in Kaniyanahundi, where she was cremated. He appealed to the State government to extend its support to the venture.

“A memorial in her honour will be a befitting tribute to her contribution to the world of cinema,” he said.

Ms. Jaimala pitched for a study centre on music at the University of Mysore. “Such a centre will facilitate studies in Janaki’s singing and her long and illustrious career as a playback singer in multiple languages,” she said. 

Film actors and musicians from across the entertainment industry paid rich tributes following the demise of the legendary playback singer S. Janaki on Saturday. They hailed her extraordinary contribution to Indian music and humility.

Actor Rajinikanth said how the singer delighted generations of people with her honey-sweet voice. Actor and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan said her death had caused an inconsolable sorrow for many. “The song will forever keep resounding, but where shall I seek that love?” he remarked. “Will forever remember your blessings,” composer Anirudh Ravichander said in his message.

Playback singer Chinmayi Sripada wrote on X that Ms. Janaki was “a Goddess.” Recalling an event in Australia over two decades ago, she said: “She sang a song live on stage where she sounded like a child, a woman, and a man. I was backstage wondering who the male singer was until I learned she was singing it all.”

Playback singer Mano said he had the opportunity to sing over 1,000 songs with her and described recording with her as an experience in itself. He added that her encouragement to young singers was immense. Carnatic vocalists Ranjani, Gayatri said, Ms. Janaki had a voice that transcended generations, languages, and genres, and she brought unparalleled emotion, charisma and soul to every song she sang. “While millions cherished her as an iconic playback singer, musicians will always marvel at her impeccable shruti, effortless gamakas, diction and her versatility. She had an enviable range and mastery across genres,” they added.

Actor Radikaa Sarathkumar said “a powerhouse of talent is silent today”. Actor-politician Kushboo said: “Your laughter, your child like innocence, your voice, your motherly hugs, your love. Just can’t get enough of it. You have given me an identification. Your expressions through your voice made me work harder but I couldn’t match up to your magic behind the screen.”

Actor Simran said her absence left an irreplaceable void, but her songs would continue to live in our hearts forever. “Some voices become a part of our lives forever, and Janaki-amma’s was one of them. She gave life to emotions through her music and created memories that generations will cherish,” she said.

Actor Y.G. Mahendran said a rare kuyil had gone silent but the world would never stop singing her songs and will never stop singing her praise.

A voice steeped in melody, and one that is burnt into the collective memory of millions, fell silent on Saturday. S. Janaki, always referred to as Janaki Amma, a suffix born out of respect and bequeathed to her spontaneously over the years, breathed her last at Mysuru.

In these weeks of departures, be it Bharathiraja and K. Bhagyaraj, Janaki’s move into the mists of time, is the latest blow. Her sound remained intrinsic to most Indians, especially south of the Vindhyas. Be it Tamil, Kannada, Telugu or Malayalam, every fan from these Dravidian languages will have a favourite Janaki song, and one that made them believe that she belonged to their State.

Janaki sang in Hindi and Sinhala too, but it was in the South Indian languages that she carved a niche. Her rendition was infused with love and pathos and was often a hat-tip to bygone times. Be it Thenum vayambum in Malayalam, Chinna thayaval in Tamil, Naguva nayana in Kannada or Puvvu navennu in Telugu, she captured the emotion, the context, and the relevance of the song within the screenplay and made them eternal.

Be it solo endeavours or singing in tandem, Janaki remained unique. Along with Kamal Haasan, she performed the duet Sundari neeyum from the 1990 blockbuster Michael Madana Kama Rajan, a number that draws in listeners even now.

To hold her own space while singing with S.P. Balasubrahmanyam (SPB) and K.J. Yesudas, and to garner the respect of her peers all through her career, revealed Janaki’s dominance in her acoustic space in celluloid. If music is an art that enriches the aesthetic zone, Janaki was the undisputed queen.

Strangely, in the showbiz field, she preferred to be a commoner in her demeanour. Accessible and perhaps treating her talent and success lightly, there was a saintly aura in the way she presented herself in the public domain.

To sing so many lyrics under multiple music directors, and to gain that overwhelming affection whenever the All India Radio announcer mentioned that the song to be played was sung by Janaki, are a reflection of her longevity. That she was intrinsic to the lead-singer’s cast for music composer Ilaiyaraaja’s debut in Annakili, is another feather in her glittering cap.

SPB’s demise was personal to many; Janaki’s will be too. When K.S. Chithra, another legend in female playback singing, speaks about Janaki, the respect and affection are overwhelmingly evident. As the nightingale leaves at 88, there are memories to savour, and songs to cherish, even as some relief can be derived from the fact that the finest of art is eternal, and through her magical vocal chords, Janaki lives forever.

The melodic gem Naguva Nayana from Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983) depicts the charm of old Bengaluru and finds a special place in the hearts of those who grew up in the city before its rapid transformation. S. Janaki’s graceful rendering and her striking chemistry with S.P. Balasubrahmanyam create a nostalgic comfort hard to beat.

The song is a reminder of the legacy Janaki, who passed away in Mysuru on Saturday (July 11), leaves behind. With the passing of the playback singing great at 88, a vital chapter in the history of Kannada cinema comes to an end.

“She displayed extraordinary talent in singing songs across genres,” director Yogaraj Bhat told The Hindu. He added, “She used to be addressed as ‘amma’ by everyone, and today, with her death, it feels like we have heard the last line of her lullaby. However, her music is eternal.”

Among the tributes that poured in from the Kannada music and film fraternities, one sentiment stood out: her extraordinary versatility. When Kannada cinema music witnessed the birth of youthful romantic music with Premaloka (1987), Janaki was at the forefront. Her expression of love in the song Idu Nanna Ninna Prema Geethe Chinna was marked by youthful energy.

Music composer Gurukiran calls her “the queen of South Indian music”. “She was Ilaiyaraaja’s favourite. It’s a commendable achievement, because Ilaiyaraaja is a meticulous perfectionist. Those days, there was no process of pitch correction. So, to maintain such a high quality is proof of her talent. We were lucky to be born in her era,” he says.

Part of Kannada culture

With the song Jotheyali from Geetha (1981), Janaki became an inseparable part of Kannada culture. The song, buoyed by Janaki’s heartfelt rendering, is a hit at any festival celebrating the State and the language.

“She is a great role model for the next generation of playback singers,” says lyricist V. Nagendra Prasad, who notes, “Despite not being a Kannadiga, she learnt the language. She had the ability to provide the right expression for the lyrics. She was also blessed with great texture, helping her sing several children’s songs.” Songs such as A Aa E Ee Kannadada Aksharamale, Sihimuttu, Sihimuttu Innondu were among the songs she rendered in the voice of a child.

Composer R.P. Patnaik was surprised by one of her unique abilities. “You wouldn’t see any expression on her face when she sang. Any expression, including mimicry, emerged from her throat,” he explains.

Retro hits

Kannada retro hits have a strong presence of Janaki, says film historian K. Puttaswamy. “Her song Gaaligopura Ninnashatheera from Nanda Deepa (1962), Yaava Janmada Maithri from Gowri, and Bhuvaneshwariya from Mareyada Haadu were some of her solo classics.”

Janaki lent her voice to iconic songs for every renowned music composer in Kannada cinema. If it is Gaganavu Ello for Vijay Bhaskar in Puttanna Kanagal’s Gejje Pooje (1969), then it is A Aa E Ee Kannadada for Ranga Rao in the movie Karulina Kare (1970). Under the composition of the celebrated duo Rajan-Nagendra, one of Janaki’s memorable songs is Ellu Hogalla from Gandhada Gudi (1973).

For the legendary G.K. Venkatesh, Janaki’s evergreen number is Malenaada Henna in the classic Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu (1974). Ee Bandhana — M. Ranga Rao’s composition — is a love anthem from Janaki for the romantic tragedy Bandhana (1984). The song features K.J. Yesudas, who shared a long and successful musical partnership with Janaki.

Even the great Janaki was also challenged, he recollects. “She had confessed in a reality show that Shiva Shiva Ennada from S. Siddalingaiah’s Hemavathi (1977) was one of her toughest renditions she had ever sung.”

Leaders and politicians across political parties mourned the death of veteran playback singer S. Janaki and paid heartfelt tributes to her.

On X, Vice-President of India C.P. Radhakrishnan said her songs transcended linguistic and regional boundaries, uniting millions through the universal language of music.

“S. Janaki-amma’s passing is an irreparable loss to the world of music and to the nation’s artistic heritage. Through her immense contribution to Indian music, she left behind a legacy that will continue to inspire artists and music lovers alike,” the Vice-President said.

In his message, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay said the demise of Ms. Janaki brought immense sorrow.

“Having sung thousands of songs in various languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, and more, she has left an indelible mark on the music world. The recipient of countless prestigious awards, including multiple National Film Awards, she will forever remain etched in the hearts of fans through her sweet voice, exceptional ability to convey emotions and unwavering dedication to music,” he said.

DMK president M.K. Stalin said her demise was a great loss, not only to the people of Tamil Nadu, who would continue to let her “nectar-like” songs resonate in their homes from the radio to Spotify, but also to the people of south India and the Indian film industry as a whole.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami said she rendered many songs as a playback singer across 20 Indian languages, including Tamil, securing an indelible place in the hearts of the people.

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the passing of Ms. Janaki, the unparalleled playback singer of Indian cinema and the nightingale of Kannada films, had delivered a profound shock.

He added that her embodiment of simplicity inspired and nurtured countless singers, and her vocal charm would forever remain immortal in the cultural sphere of Karnataka.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said: “A daughter of Telugu soil, she built an unparalleled musical legacy spanning over six decades, touching generations with her timeless voice.”

YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said Indian music had lost one of its brightest stars, but her melodies would live on forever.