Thousands Pay Last Respects to Legendary Playback Singer S. Janaki in Mysuru
Mysuru witnessed a solemn outpouring of grief on Sunday as thousands of people gathered at the Maharaja’s College grounds to pay their last respects to legendary playback singer S. Janaki, who passed away on Saturday evening at the age of 88.
The singer’s mortal remains were brought from a private hospital to her residence in Bogadi late Saturday night, and then to the college grounds on Sunday morning. The Mysuru district administration arranged for the body to be kept on a raised platform to allow fans, admirers and the general public to pay homage. A steady stream of mourners, including people from different parts of Karnataka, filed past to catch a final glimpse of the singer who had enthralled audiences for over six decades.
Among those present were Janaki’s daughter-in-law, Uma Murali Krishna, and granddaughters, Amruthavarshini and Apsara Vydyula. Janaki’s husband, Ramprasad, and their only son, Murali Krishna, predeceased her.
Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce Chairperson and yesteryear actress S. Jayamala, who paid her respects, noted that Janaki had sung a record 48,000 songs in 20 languages. Renowned music composer Hamsalekha, accompanied by his wife Latha Hamsalekha, offered floral tributes.
Speaking to reporters, Hamsalekha expressed the music industry’s desire to set up a meditation centre and a music school at the farmhouse where Janaki’s last rites were later held with full State honours, pending consent from her caretaker Naveen and family members. He said such a memorial would honour Janaki’s contribution to cinema and align with her wish to have her final resting place in Mysuru. Hamsalekha also felt that the loss of her son earlier this year had deeply affected her health.
Jayamala, describing Janaki as “Mysuru’s daughter-in-law,” called for a Study Centre on Music at the University of Mysore to immortalise her legacy. She highlighted Janaki’s versatility in adapting to different voices to lend authenticity to her songs.
Other dignitaries paying respects included Minister for Urban Development Yathindra Siddaramaiah, MLAs T.S. Srivatsa, Harish Gowda, and Anil Chikkamadu, former Minister B. Sriramulu, playback singer Vijay Prakash, actress Tara, actor Sadhu Kokila, and others. Children from a Kannada reality show sang a song in her memory at the venue.
Mysuru City police made elaborate security arrangements, deploying regular police, KSRP, CAR, and commando units at the venue.
