Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has asked the Karnataka government to conduct the last rites of playback singer S. Janaki with full official honours in Mysuru on Sunday (July 12, 2026). The singer, one of India’s most celebrated voices, died on Saturday (July 11, 2026) at the age of 87.
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Mr. Naidu expressed grief over the death of the singer, who hailed from Repalle in Andhra Pradesh’s Bapatla district. He described her passing as an irreparable loss to the world of music and said her voice would continue to inspire generations.
Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, who called her a gem among Telugu female singers, said in a post on X that her voice was incredibly melodious, and that she had won the National Award four times and the Nandi Award 10 times as Best Female Playback Singer. Telugu people, he said, would never forget her songs in films such as Nireekshana, Srivariki Premalekha, Swathimuthyam, Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari, Pratighatana and Anthapuram.
YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also condoled her death. In a message, he said he was deeply saddened by the passing of the singer, whose voice transcended generations and touched millions of hearts across languages. “Indian music has lost one of its brightest stars, but her melodies will live on forever. Rest in peace, Amma,” he said.
Human Resource Development Minister Nara Lokesh said S. Janaki, widely acclaimed as the “Nightingale of South India”, had rendered more than 48,000 songs during her career. He said her voice had entertained millions of listeners for decades and that her contribution to Indian film music would remain eternal. Describing it as a matter of pride that she was born on Telugu soil, Mr. Lokesh called her death an irreparable loss to the film industry and conveyed his condolences to her family.
Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh said her six-decade musical journey, during which she rendered nearly 50,000 songs in various Indian languages, had earned her a permanent place in the hearts of millions. Her talent and soulful voice, he said, won her acclaim as the “Gaana Kokila” and the “Nightingale of South India”. Mr. Durgesh conveyed his condolences to her family and admirers.
Bharatiya Janata Party Andhra Pradesh president P.V.N. Madhav also mourned the singer’s death. He recalled that Ms. Janaki had a film career spanning more than six decades, singing nearly 50,000 songs in Telugu and several other Indian languages. He said she had won four National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer and 31 awards from various State governments. He conveyed his condolences to her family and admirers.
S. Janaki was regarded as one of the greatest playback singers in Indian cinema. Her career spanned over six decades, across multiple Indian languages.
Published - July 12, 2026 03:09 pm IST
