‘More than an idol, she became family’
For Kannada playback singer Anuradha Bhat, Janaki Amma’s voice has been part of her life for as long as she can remember. Her earliest memories are inseparable from songs that echoed through radios and television sets during her childhood.
“I grew up listening to her songs on the radio and television with complete fascination. As a little girl, I actually believed she lived inside the radio. I would hold it close to my ears and even look inside it, hoping to find the magical voice that had captured my heart.”
That fascination gradually turned into admiration. Bhat began writing down Janaki’s lyrics, practising her songs and dreaming of one day singing with the same grace and emotional depth. She found herself captivated not just by the legendary singer’s versatility across languages, but also by her flawless diction and ability to bring every emotion to life.
Life eventually came full circle when Bhat became a playback singer herself. A conversation with veena artiste Veena Varuni unexpectedly led to a conference call with Janaki.
“Later that same day, Janaki Amma called me herself. She asked me to sing over the phone, listened patiently and appreciated my voice. I shared Shankara with her, and she affectionately told me, ‘You look beautiful, and you sing beautifully too.'”
What began as an unforgettable interaction slowly blossomed into a deeply personal bond. According to Bhat, Janaki affectionately encouraged her to think of her as “Amma” or even “Ajji”. Away from the recording studio, she discovered a woman with a playful curiosity, someone who enjoyed composing music, experimenting with photo edits and sharing them with childlike excitement.
“She would happily send me pictures where she had blended her own face with Lord Krishna and as a devotee as well, and then ask with a laugh, ‘See this… how is it?'”
When those messages suddenly stopped arriving a few months ago, Bhat sensed something had changed. The news of Janaki’s passing soon confirmed her fears.
“I will forever miss her affectionate messages, her encouragement and the warmth with which she embraced me. I feel deeply grateful that life allowed me not only to grow up inspired by her divine voice but also to experience her love and kindness personally.”
A legend who chose simplicity
Playback singer Ramya Vasishta remembers Janaki Amma through a different lens, one shaped by numerous stage performances and personal interactions over the years.
Despite being one of India’s most celebrated playback singers, Janaki never carried the aura of a star, Vasishta says. Instead, she radiated remarkable simplicity.
“She would invariably be dressed in a plain white cotton sari, with sacred vibhuti on her forehead, carrying herself with a grace that was both dignified and deeply spiritual.”
Vasishta often joked that someone who had sung for cinema’s biggest heroines deserved to dress like one too.
“I would say, ‘You have sung for countless heroines and given life to some of the most beautiful romantic songs ever composed. You are a heroine yourself! Why don’t you dress like one? Wear a grand Kanjeevaram sari with rich borders, adorn yourself with exquisite jewellery and jhumkas, and look every bit the star that you are.'”
Janaki’s reply, however, perfectly reflected the values she lived by.
“She would respond with that unforgettable smile, followed by a gentle giggle in her sweet, childlike voice. Then, with characteristic humility, she would look at me and ask, ‘Is it in my dressing or is it in my voice?'”
For Vasishta, that one question summed up the woman behind the legend.
As tributes continue to pour in from across the country, memories like these offer a glimpse of the person beyond the iconic voice. They paint a portrait of an artiste who not only transformed Indian film music but also left an enduring impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her personally. For Anuradha Bhat and Ramya Vasishta, Janaki Amma will always be remembered not just as one of India’s greatest singers, but as a warm, affectionate and deeply humble soul whose legacy extends far beyond the songs she sang.
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