For many years, legendary playback singer S. Janaki lived a quiet life in Mysuru. Many of the city’s residents had no idea that one of India’s greatest voices had chosen to spend her final years among them. Only after her death at a private hospital in Mysuru, on 11 July 2026, did the city fully realise that the woman celebrated as the “Nightingale of South India” had been living in its midst.
As news of her passing spread, social media was flooded with tributes. Fans across India shared photographs and clips of their favourite songs in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and several other languages she had sung in over a career spanning more than six decades.
Born in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, S. Janaki recorded more than 45,000 songs in numerous Indian languages, making her one of the most celebrated playback singers in Indian cinema. After spending decades in the limelight, she chose the cultural capital of Karnataka for a life away from public attention.
Janaki making Mysuru her home surprised even members of the city’s artistic community. Mysuru-based artist Yogananda L, known for his celebrity portraits, said he learnt about her residence in the city only after her death. “I came to know only yesterday that she lived in Mysuru,” he said. “Had I known earlier, I would have done a live painting of her.”
Music director Harikavya, who runs a production studio in Mysuru, said he had heard from fellow musicians that S. Janaki lived somewhere in the city but never knew where. Only a handful of residents had occasional glimpses of her during her evening walks in the Prashantnagar locality off Bogadi Road.
Lakshmi Narayana Yadav, a photographer who lives in the same neighbourhood, recalled seeing the singer on several occasions during her evening walks. In one of the interactions, she said that the University of Mysore was the first institution to confer an honorary doctorate on her. It's also in Mysuru that she gave her final public performance at the open-air theatre in Manasagangotri, where she announced that she was stepping away from stage performances when her voice was still in good condition.
Those close to the family said Janaki was deeply affected by the death of her only son, guitarist Murali Krishna, who died due to health complications in January this year. The personal loss left her emotionally fragile during her final months.
Kannada songs occupied a special place in S. Janaki’s extraordinary musical journey. She recorded thousands of songs in the language and remained one of the most loved voices in Kannada cinema. In recognition of her contribution, the Karnataka government announced a state funeral for the singer.
Arrangements were made for the public to pay their last respects at Maharaja’s College Grounds in Mysuru, where thousands of admirers queued up to bid farewell to the singer whose songs had been part of their lives for decades.
Family members remained beside her mortal remains throughout the public viewing as mourners filed past, many capturing the final moments on their mobile phones. Political leaders, film personalities and musicians placed wreaths, while many fans were in tears.
Among those who paid their last respects were Mysuru district in-charge and Urban Development Minister Yatheendra Siddaramaiah and noted Kannada music director Hamsalekha. Religious heads from various institutions also visited, while students from music schools offered floral tributes and sang some of her most cherished Kannada songs.
Her last rites will be at her farmhouse in Kaniyanahundi village on H.D. Kote Road.
