Letters to The Editor — July 13, 2026

Strengthening ties

The strategic partnership between India and New Zealand can prove beneficial for both countries, especially as global uncertainty rises due to the West Asia conflict. Strengthening ties with major economies is vital for India, particularly as the U.S.’s reliability as an ally has come under question. However, the government must ensure that exports outpace imports to maintain a strong and stable balance of payments.

Aanya Singhal,

Noida, Uttar Pradesh

S. Janaki

The passing of S. Janaki marks the poignant end of a golden era in Indian cinema. For over six decades, her versatile voice was the raw, emotional pulse of our everyday lives, dominating South Indian cinema with an unmatched range. Whether delivering complex classical masterpieces such as “Singaravelane Deva” (Konjum Salangai), playful comic numbers, or shifting her vocal modulation to effortlessly sing in a child’s voice, she was the undisputed queen of expression. What truly elevated Janaki Amma to an icon was her ability to dissolve linguistic boundaries. She never needed a government title; her listeners had already crowned her. The nightingale has fallen silent, but her staggering treasury of songs will comfort us for centuries to come.

S. Padmanabhan,

Kochi, Kerala

Janaki Amma’s mastery of the nuances of singing made her one of the most sought-after playback singers, and she dominated the Indian music world for several decades by rendering memorable songs not only in many Indian languages but also in foreign languages. Janaki Amma, who rightly earned the sobriquet “Nightingale of the South”, leaves behind a priceless legacy for us to cherish, enjoy, and remember her by forever.

Tharcius S. Fernando,

Chennai

As someone who grew up listening to her innumerable songs, I will always savour and cherish her timeless gems, especially “Chinna Chinna Vanna Kuyil” (Mouna Ragam), “Machaanai Paatheengala” (Annakili), and “Senthoora Poove” (16 Vayathinile). The legendary singer demonstrated that music is a divine unifier that transcends all man-made barriers and divisions.

B. Suresh Kumar,

Coimbatore

The loss of Janaki Amma stirs profound grief in hearts across India. For generations of listeners, there is a Janaki Amma song in the playlist, for every mood and occasion. Reducing her legacy to the ‘Nightingale of South India’ seems a disservice, especially in a country as vast and culturally diverse as India.

Lakshmi K.S.,

Kochi

Her voice lent emotional depth to thousands of songs across Indian cinema while remaining remarkable for its simplicity and expressive power. Her legacy will endure not only through her vast body of work but also through the timeless emotions her songs continue to evoke.

Maliha Fatima,

Hyderabad

Though S. Janaki sang innumerable songs and won plenty of awards, “Singaravelane Deva” remains a watermark in her outstanding career. The song, set in raga Abheri, is the eternal favourite, tugging at the heartstrings of young and old, transcending time and age boundaries. At a time when song tracks are recorded separately and later synthesised, this immortal composition was a pioneer of the technique. S. Janaki’s vocals and the nadaswaram performance of Karukurichi Arunachalam were recorded separately and blended together later. The breathtaking exchange, in which her voice matched the complex, rapid notes of the nadaswaram note by note, catapulted her to overnight fame.

R. Sivakumar,

Chennai

The passing of South India’s Nightingale, feels like the quiet fading of a voice that cradled our childhoods, gave language to our heartbreaks, and brought a gentle, divine warmth into our homes for over six decades. While we mourn the loss of an icon whose humility was as immense as her talent, we take comfort in knowing that her songs are immortal.

Kshirasagara Balaji Rao,

Hyderabad