Veteran playback singer S Janaki, fondly known as the Nightingale of South India, passed away at the age of 88. She breathed her last at Apollo Hospital in Mysuru after battling age-related ailments. Popularly called Janaki Amma, the legendary singer had declined the Padma Bhushan—India’s third-highest civilian honour—in 2013, saying the recognition had come too late. She had also expressed that her decades-long contribution to Indian music deserved the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award. Over the course of her illustrious career, Janaki received four National Film Awards and an unprecedented 33 State Film Awards across multiple languages.Janaki began her illustrious playback singing career in 1957 and went on to become one of India’s most celebrated voices. Over the decades, she forged iconic collaborations with composer Ilaiyaraaja and legendary playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, delivering countless timeless songs across multiple Indian languages. She has sung in more than 20 languages all through her career but since the last few years was battling health issues.Her immense contribution to Indian music earned her several prestigious honours, including the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award and the Padma Bhushan. She was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Mysore in recognition of her exceptional contribution to the field of music.Janaki married V Ramaprasad in 1959. Following his demise, she made Hyderabad her home, where she spent her later years.
