The demise of legendary playback singer S. Janaki at the age of 88 has left the Indian film industry and music lovers grieving. Her granddaughter Apsara Vydyula shared the news of her passing, via her social media handle. Soon after the announcement, tributes began pouring in from across the entertainment industry.
Mammootty and Mohanlal pay their respects
Mammootty offered his condolences with a brief but touching message on Facebook. The actor wrote, “Rest in peace.”Mohanlal shared a detailed tribute in which he discussed S. Janaki’s extraordinary musical journey. His post, translated into English, read, “India’s Nightingale, Janakiamma, has left us. She was an ocean of affection who gifted countless unforgettable songs across Malayalam, Hindi, and several other languages and enriched an entire era of Indian music.” The ‘Drishyam’ star added, “A truly blessed singer, she filled the hearts of Malayalis with timeless melodies that continue to resonate across generations. I will always remain indebted to Janakiamma as she was the voice behind the songs of my debut film ‘Manjil Virinja Pookkal’. Through her sweet and soulful voice she gave life to every human emotion—joy, sorrow, innocence, and everything in between. Even after my first film, I was fortunate to be part of many memorable song sequences that she lent her voice to.” “She was a kind-hearted and gentle soul who treated everyone with equal warmth and respect. On a personal level, I shared a close bond with Janakiamma. I pray for the eternal peace of her soul,” Mohanlal concluded.
A voice that became part of Mohanlal’s cinematic journey
Mohanlal’s association with S. Janaki dates back to his acting debut in ‘Manjil Virinja Pookkal’ (1980). Among the most loved tracks from the 1980 release are “Mizhiyoram” and “Manjani Kombil”. Some of the other collaborations include the songs in the films ‘Ninnishtam Ennishtam’ and ‘Kattathe Kilikkoodu’.
