Janaki Garu Was the Queen of Music, Says Playback Singer Sunitha

Veteran playback singer S. Janaki, fondly known as the "Nightingale of South India," passed away today at the age of 88, leaving the Indian music fraternity in deep mourning.

Paying an emotional tribute, Telugu playback singer Sunitha described Janaki as the "Queen of the Music World." "With her incredibly versatile voice, Janaki garu transcended generations and worked with almost every legendary music director in South India—from S. Rajeswara Rao, K.V. Mahadevan, M.S. Viswanathan, and P. Dakshina Murthy to Ilaiyaraaja and A.R. Rahman. She was truly the queen of the music world," Sunitha said.

Recalling her personality, Sunitha said, "She was a child at heart and had a hearty laugh whenever she heard a good joke. She mesmerized music lovers for over six decades with her soulful voice and recorded thousands of songs in several Indian languages. People admired not only her extraordinary singing but also her unwavering dedication to music."

Sunitha said Janaki always lived life on her own terms. "If she didn't like a song, she would politely decline without hesitation. She always followed her heart and went on to sing thousands of memorable songs in Telugu cinema," she added.

Calling Janaki a "singer par excellence," Sunitha praised her unmatched versatility. "She had an exceptional gift for mimicry, which enabled her to effortlessly sing in the voices of children, elderly women, and different characters—something very few singers could ever achieve."

Sharing a fond personal memory, Sunitha said, "Whenever someone called out 'Janaki' in a funny tone, she would instantly mimic that voice. She was jovial, witty, and an exceptionally warm human being."

One of Sunitha's most cherished memories was Janaki's affectionate gesture.

"Just a month ago, she called me into her room during a show, gave me money, and asked me to buy a saree of my choice. Later, when I wore it, she was so happy to see me in it," she recalled, her voice choking with emotion.

Sunitha also remembered the invaluable advice she received from the legendary singer."Whenever I complained that I wasn't getting enough songs, she would tell me to live in the moment and not worry unnecessarily. If I ever said I didn't like the lyrics of one of my songs, she would gently remind me that a playback singer should never blame a song because singing it was our responsibility. That wisdom has stayed with me."

She added that Janaki led a quiet life after the tragic demise of her son. "She was deeply affected by the loss and carried that grief within her. She was never quite the same again and preferred to stay away from the limelight," Sunitha said.

Noted filmmaker and music composer S. V. Krishna Reddy described Janaki as an "unmatched singing genius." "She always wore a smile, even during public functions. That reflected her innocence and goodness. A genuine smile comes only from a pure heart," he said.

Although he never had the opportunity to have Janaki sing for any of his films, Krishna Reddy considers her one of India's greatest playback singers.

"She stood shoulder to shoulder with legends like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. Her versatility was unmatched, and her repertoire is filled with timeless classics. She was a disciplined and thoroughly trained singer. Young playback singers have so much to learn simply by listening to her songs," he concluded.

Revanth Reddy Mourns Demise of Veteran Singer S. Janaki; Terms it an Irreparable Loss

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow over the passing of legendary playback singer S. Janaki, stating that her departure leaves an irreplaceable void in the Indian film industry and the hearts of millions of music lovers.

In a condolence message, the Chief Minister highlighted Janaki’s extraordinary contribution to the South Indian film music landscape, noting that her melodious voice has left an indelible mark on generations of listeners. He remarked that her unique ability to bring out the Navarasas (nine emotions) to perfectly fit any cinematic context kept audiences spellbound for decades.

Revanth Reddy recalled the veteran singer's prolific career, during which she recorded over 50,000 songs in 17 languages, including Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi, earning numerous national accolades. He added that it is a matter of immense pride for the Telugu people that the iconic artist hailed from the region.

Offering his deepest sympathies to the grieving family members, the Chief Minister prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace