Janaki’s early life in Telangana village shaped her interest in film music

The news of the passing of legendary singer S Janaki, or ‘Janaki amma’ as she is fondly referred to by generations that grew up listening to her voice, came as a shock on Saturday evening. She was 88 years old. Hers is a voice that transcended language barriers, contributing immensely to the Indian music landscape for over six decades.

Her career in Telugu cinema began in 1957 with the film MLA, when she sang ‘Nee Aasa Adiyaasa’ and ‘Idenandi Idenandi Bhagyanagaramu’ to Pendyala Nageshwar Rao’s music. The same year saw her record songs across languages, including Kannada and Tamil, showcasing her linguistic prowess. Her early Telugu films included Kutumba Gowravam, Anna Thammudu and Bava Maradalu.

‘Neeli Meghalalo’ from Bava Maradalu, which had music by Pendyala Nageswara Rao, is among the early songs that showcased her range as an artiste, with music lovers hailing her as a ‘melody queen’. Her collaborations with renowned music composers of the era, from K.V. Mahadevan to M.S. Viswanathan and later Ilaiyaraaja led to some of the most memorable songs. Who can forget the melodious ‘Sirimalle Puvva’ from Padaharella Vayasu, echoing the thoughts of innocent love?

Her voice in Ilaiyaraaja’s compositions went on to become an integral part of some of K. Viswanath’s iconic films in the years to come. S Janaki and S.P. Balasubrahmanyam’s rendition of ‘Mounamelanoyi’ in Sagara Sangamam remains timeless for how it encapsulates tender, unspoken love and longing. In the same film, the devotional fervour with which she sang ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ gave the song a distinct quality. Years later, she would sing the folk-infused melody ‘Suvvi Suvvi’ for the director’s Swathi Muthyam and the classically-steeped ‘Aakasamlo’ for Swarna Kamalam.

Among the romantic numbers that defined Telugu cinema of the 1980s and 1990s, ‘Guvva Gorinkatho’ from Khaidi No. 786, ‘Yamaho nee yama yama andam’ from Jagadeka Veerudu Atilokasundari, and ‘Jilibili Palukula’ from director Vamsy’s Sitara, and ‘Manchu Kurise Velalo’ from Abhinandana would remain popular among most music lovers. She won the National Award for her Telugu song “Vennello Godari Andham” for the 1984- film Sitara.

Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, BRS working president KT Rama Rao, members of the Telugu film fraternity including Chiranjeevi recalled her contribution and fond memories of her songs and association.

Telangana connection

S. Janaki’s timeless voice has resonated in all Telangana homes for more than six decades, but many are unaware that the legendary singer spent part of her childhood in the then-backward textile village Sircilla in the old Karimnagar district over six decades ago.

The discovery of this little-known chapter of her life has added a new emotional dimension to her bond with Telangana, making her enduring legacy even more special for the State’s people. It resonates deeply with people in the State because it shaped her early love for cinema and music although she was born in what is now Andhra Pradesh. She has recalled in one her interviews that this was where her fascination with cinema deepened, as she frequently watched films in local theatres.

For generations of Telugu moviegoers, she was much more than a playback singer. She was the voice of love, devotion, heartbreak, celebration and nostalgia. Whether it was a romantic melody, a classical composition, a devotional hymn, a folk song or a deeply emotional solo, Janaki brought an authenticity that few singers could match.