Legendary playback singer S Janaki, one of the most influential voices in the history of Indian cinema, passed away on Saturday at the age of 88 due to age-related ailments.
Widely celebrated as the Queen of Expression and Modulation, Janaki enjoyed a remarkable career spanning several decades and recorded thousands of songs across multiple Indian languages. She was a contemporary of legendary singers such as SP Balasubrahmanyam and leaves behind an unparalleled musical legacy.
Members of the Telugu film industry have paid heartfelt tributes to the iconic singer.
Megastar Chiranjeevi wrote, “Janakamma was not just a singer. She was an extraordinary artist who transformed emotion into melody. Every song she sang is a memory, an emotion and a lifelong bond. Today, we have lost one of the greatest icons of the music world. But her voice will continue to resonate for generations, inspiring countless people and serving as the soundtrack to our lives.”
Pawan Kalyan described Janaki as “a truly priceless gem” whose voice was “exceptionally melodious.” He recalled that the legendary singer won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer four times and the Nandi Award ten times.
“Having rendered more than 50,000 songs in several Indian languages, she will be cherished forever. The songs she sang in films such as Nireekshana, Srivariki Premalekha, Sitara, Swathi Muthyam, Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari, Pratighatana and Anthahpuram will always be loved,” the Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister wrote.
Nandamuri Balakrishna described Janaki’s passing as an irreparable loss.
“She entertained millions of music lovers for decades with her melodious voice. The many timeless songs she sang not only for the films of my father, the late Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), but also for my own films, will continue to be cherished by audiences forever. Our family shared a close bond with her that spanned several decades,” the Akhanda and Daaku Maharaaj star wrote.
Condolences from across the Indian film industry continue to pour in as artists, musicians and fans remember one of the greatest playback singers the country has ever produced.
Also Read: S Janaki Passed Away At 88: The Voice That Became The Soul Of Indian Cinema
