A lullaby falls silent: Kannada cinema bids farewell to S. Janaki

The melodic gem Naguva Nayana from Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983) depicts the charm of old Bengaluru and finds a special place in the hearts of those who grew up in the city before its rapid transformation. S. Janaki’s graceful rendering and her striking chemistry with S.P. Balasubrahmanyam create a nostalgic comfort hard to beat.

The song is a reminder of the legacy Janaki, who passed away in Mysuru on Saturday (July 11), leaves behind. With the passing of the playback singing great at 88, a vital chapter in the history of Kannada cinema comes to an end.

“She displayed extraordinary talent in singing songs across genres,” director Yogaraj Bhat told The Hindu. He added, “She used to be addressed as ‘amma’ by everyone, and today, with her death, it feels like we have heard the last line of her lullaby. However, her music is eternal.”

S. Janaki and S.P. Balasubramaniam, photographed at a performance in 2004.
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Among the tributes that poured in from the Kannada music and film fraternities, one sentiment stood out: her extraordinary versatility. When Kannada cinema music witnessed the birth of youthful romantic music with Premaloka (1987), Janaki was at the forefront. Her expression of love in the song Idu Nanna Ninna Prema Geethe Chinna was marked by youthful energy.

Music composer Gurukiran calls her “the queen of South Indian music”. “She was Ilaiyaraaja’s favourite. It’s a commendable achievement, because Ilaiyaraaja is a meticulous perfectionist. Those days, there was no process of pitch correction. So, to maintain such a high quality is proof of her talent. We were lucky to be born in her era,” he said.

Part of Kannada culture

With the song Jotheyali from Geetha (1981), Janaki became an inseparable part of Kannada culture. The song, buoyed by Janaki’s heartfelt rendering, is a hit at any festival celebrating the State and the language.

“She is a great role model for the next generation of playback singers,” says lyricist V. Nagendra Prasad, who notes, “Despite not being a Kannadiga, she learnt the language. She had the ability to provide the right expression for the lyrics. She was also blessed with great texture, helping her sing several children’s songs.” Songs such as A Aa E Ee Kannadada Aksharamale, Sihimuttu, Sihimuttu Innondu were among the songs she rendered in the voice of a child.

Composer R.P. Patnaik was surprised by one of her unique abilities. “You wouldn’t see any expression on her face when she sang. Any expression, including mimicry, was emerged from her throat,” he explains.

S. Janaki and Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, photographed in 2017.
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Retro hits

Kannada retro hits have a strong presence of Janaki, says film historian K. Puttaswamy. “Her song Gaaligopura Ninnashatheera from Nanda Deepa (1962), Yaava Janmada Maithri from Gowri, and Bhuvaneshwariya from Mareyada Haadu were some of her solo classics.”

Janaki lent her voice to iconic songs for every renowned music composer in Kannada cinema. If it is Gaganavu Ello for Vijay Bhaskar in Puttanna Kanagal’s Gejje Pooje (1969), then it is A Aa E Ee Kannadada for Ranga Rao in the movie Karulina Kare (1970). Under the composition of the celebrated duo Rajan-Nagendra, one of Janaki’s memorable songs is Ellu Hogalla from Gandhada Gudi (1973).

For the legendary G.K. Venkatesh, Janaki’s evergreen number is Malenaada Henna in the classic Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu (1974). Ee Bandhana — M. Ranga Rao’s composition — is a love anthem from Janaki for the romantic tragedy Bandhana (1984). The song features K.J. Yesudas, who shared a long and successful musical partnership with Janaki.

Even the great Janaki was also challenged, he recollects. “She had confessed in a reality show that Shiva Shiva Ennada from S. Siddalingaiah’s Hemavathi (1977) was one of her toughest renditions she had ever sung.”