Veteran singer S. Janaki cremated with State Honours in Mysuru
Legendary playback singer S. Janaki was laid to rest with full State honours on Sunday at a farmhouse near Mysuru, fulfilling her wish to have her final rites performed in the city where she had spent her final years.
Thousands of admirers paid their respects after her mortal remains were placed for public homage at Maharaja’s College Grounds before the funeral procession moved to Kaniyanahundi village. Her granddaughter, Apsara, performed the last rites according to family traditions.
Janaki passed away on Saturday evening at the age of 88 after being admitted to a private hospital in Mysuru with age-related health complications. Doctors said she suffered multiple cardiac arrests despite intensive treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described her death as a major loss to Indian music, while leaders and members of the film fraternity paid tribute to her extraordinary contribution to playback singing.
A close associate said Janaki had developed a deep attachment to Mysuru and had expressed a desire for her final rites to be conducted there.
Born in Andhra Pradesh in 1938, Janaki began performing at a young age before making her playback debut in 1957. Over more than six decades, she recorded over 48,000 songs in nearly 20 languages and earned numerous honours, including four National Film Awards and several State awards, leaving behind one of the richest musical legacies in Indian cinema.