The multilingual singer had been residing for several years at her farmhouse on Bannur Road in Mysuru. Recently, she had shifted to a house in Bogadi. Suffering from age-related health issues, she was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Mysuru on Saturday afternoon and passed away in the evening due to a heart attack, sources said.
The late singer was the recipient of four National Film Awards and 33 different State Film Awards.
She was also an occasional music composer and was referred to as "Nightingale of South India." The language in which she sang the most songs in her career was Kannada, followed by Malayalam.
Janaki began her singing career with the Tamil film Vidhiyin Vilayattu (1957) at the age of 19 and recorded songs in six different languages in the same year.
Her career spanned over six decades until 2016, when she announced her retirement from singing for films and stage appearances. However, she returned in 2018, singing for the Tamil film Pannaadi.
She was active in the music industry for 60 years. She is a recipient of an honorary doctorate from the University of Mysore, the Kalaimamani award from the Tamil Nadu government, and the Rajyotsava Prashasti award from the Government of Karnataka.
Former Karnataka Minister G T Devegowda, who visited the hospital, offered condolences over the passing away of the renowned singer.
Tight security arrangements have been made for the last rites of the playback singer, which are being performed at the Kaniyanahundi farm located on the HD Kote Road in the Mysuru taluk today (July 12).
A total of 455 police personnel, including 4 ACPs, 12 Inspectors, 20 PSIs, 3 KSRP units and 3 Commando Force units, have been deployed. Fans are coming in large numbers to mourn and pay their last respects.
Mysuru City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar says, "We have made all arrangements for the public: entry, exit, traffic management, and VIP visits; everything has been taken care of... The entire government is coordinating on the funeral arrangements, and all departments are in sync and working together."
Earlier on Saturday, Karnataka Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah told reporters that final public tributes will be held in Mysuru after discussing with the family members.
"S. Janaki had expressed her wish that her last rites should be performed in Mysuru. Accordingly, we are fulfilling her wish by conducting the funeral in Mysuru," he said.
"(Karnataka) Chief Minister (DK Shivakumar) himself spoke to me over the phone. He has instructed that the last rites should be performed with full state honours. Everything will be carried out as per the Chief Minister's directions," the Minister added.
President Droupadi Murmu condoled the passing of S Janaki and said the country has lost a musical icon. “In the passing of legendary playback singer S Janaki Amma, India has lost a musical icon. Her extraordinary singing enthralled generations,” Murmu said in a post on X
Her illustrious career spanned more than six decades, during which she recorded thousands of songs in nearly 20 Indian languages, including Hindi, Odia, Tulu, Urdu, Punjabi and Bengali, the president said. “Her timeless music will always remain valuable. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family and countless admirers,” she added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the passing away of singer S Janaki and said her songs gave voice to every emotion with unparalleled grace as well as versatility.
"The passing of the distinguished playback singer S. Janaki Amma is an irreparable loss to the world of music and culture," Modi said in a post on X. The prime minister said Janaki's songs in various languages were popular across generations and gave voice to every emotion with unparalleled grace as well as versatility.
"Her melodies will continue to enchant listeners in the years to come. My heartfelt condolences to her family, countless admirers and the entire music fraternity in this hour of grief. Om Shanti," he said.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also expressed grief. In a post on X, Shivakumar said, "The news of the passing of S. Janaki, the incomparable playback singer of the Indian film industry and the iconic voice of Kannada cinema — fondly known as Ganakogile (Nightingale) — has caused profound shock.
"Through her melodious voice, the multilingual singer Janakamma had carved a permanent place in the hearts of millions. With her demise, the great musical sweetness in the world of music has fallen silent. She encouraged and nurtured many singers and was the very embodiment of simplicity. Her unparalleled voice will remain immortal in Karnataka's cultural landscape. I pray that God grants eternal peace to her soul and gives strength to her family members and countless fans to bear this immense loss," he added.
Legendary singer S Janaki's death on Saturday has left her birthplace in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur district and Telangana's Sircilla district, where she spent her childhood, in profound grief and sorrow.
Fondly known as 'Nightingale of South India', Janaki, who captivated millions with her melodious voice, shared an inseparable bond with Hyderabad. She often remarked that whenever she visited the city, it felt like her own hometown and she appreciated the atmosphere and the people there. Driven by this affection, she purchased a villa on the Shamshabad-Srisailam road some years back.
Janaki was born in Pallapatlam village in Nizampatnam mandal in present-day Bapatla district. At the age of three, her father, a school teacher and an Ayurvedic doctor, shifted to Sircilla near Karimnagar, where she spent the next six years, before moving with her family to Chennai.
In Sircilla, the family lived in a rented house, 'Thimmayya-gari Bungalow', near Venkateswara Temple. During the family's stay, it maintained close bonds with local weaving families. On various platforms, Janaki had recalled memories of singing and playing with neighbours by the Manair stream.
She also recounted travelling to Vemulawada by bullock cart to watch movies and mentioned singing at the shrine of Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy. Even after establishing a name in the film industry, she kept visiting Vemulawada.
Her songs reflect an inseparable connection with both Guntur and Sircilla. Her relatives in Pallapatla village and fans in the united district are reminiscing about those days. The villagers of Pallapatla said they are very proud that Janaki was born in their village, grew up to be a music queen with amazing talent, and gained fame across the country. News of her death has left the village shocked.
In many interviews, Janaki mentioned her connection with Pallapatla village. "At a very early age, I breathed the air of that village, played in that soil. Those memories are still alive in my mind," she had once told.