S. Janaki’s demise: Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, singer P. Susheela pay rich tributes

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Recalling their long musical association, Ilaiyaraaja described Janaki as an exceptionally hardworking artiste.

Updated - July 12, 2026 05:29 pm IST - CHENNAI

(from left) Bharathiraja, Ilaiyaraaja and S. Janaki | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Film music director Ilaiyaraaja said veteran playback singer S. Janaki (who passed away on July 11, 2026) had proved through every song she sang that she was second to none in talent.

In a recorded video message posted on social media on July 12, the legendary music composer said he was deeply saddened by Janaki’s death. “The news came as a great shock to me. It is painful to know that she endured countless personal tragedies in her life. Many great composers and musical geniuses across the world have gone through immense hardships,” said Ilaiyaraaja, who collaborated with Janaki for thousands of songs, beginning with Annakili, his debut film released in 1976.

S. Janaki who had the voice for every human emotion

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Recalling their long musical association, Ilaiyaraaja described Janaki as an exceptionally hardworking artiste. “Just as I strove relentlessly to make the fullest use of every instrument in my compositions, Janaki amma always put in more effort than I expected whenever I taught her a song,” he said.

Ilaiyaraaja also praised her talents beyond playback singing, noting that she was a gifted composer who had written and composed several devotional bhajans. “Her death is a great loss to Indian film music,” he said.

Janaki’s talent cannot be matched: P. Susheela

(from left) Singers S. Janaki and P. Susheela during a function at Hyderabad on April 4, 2007 | Photo Credit: G. Krishnaswamy

Playback singer P. Susheela paid an emotional tribute to S. Janaki, saying no singer in Tamil cinema could match her versatility and expressive voice.

In a recorded video message, Ms. Susheela said Janaki had rendered innumerable songs of every genre and emotion. “There is no one who can match her. Unfortunately, we do not have singers of her calibre today,” she said.

Recalling their long association, she said, “We were fortunate to have worked together. Tamil Nadu was blessed by your arrival.” Ms. Susheela singled out the Tamil song Singaravelane Deva as one of Janaki’s greatest achievements. “No one else could have rendered Singaravelane Deva the way she did. That song took her to the pinnacle of playback singing,” she said.

Ms. Susheela said, “May God grant her whatever she desired. I wish she is born again, but perhaps one lifetime is enough.”

Published - July 12, 2026 04:44 pm IST

Tamil cinema / film music

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