Hundreds of people gathered on the roadsides of Mysuru with folded hands as a mark of respect as the mortal remains of legendary playback singer S Janaki were taken for the final rites. The singer, who passed away at the age of 86, was accorded state honours by the Karnataka government.
Final Journey Through Mysuru
The funeral procession started from her residence in Kuvempunagar and wound its way through major thoroughfares of the city, including KRS Road and the Mysuru Palace premises. Fans, artists, and political leaders lined the streets to pay their last respects. Many were seen weeping as the cortege passed by.
State Honours and Tributes
The Karnataka government declared a day of mourning and ordered the national flag to be flown at half-mast at all government buildings. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "S Janaki was not just a singer but an institution in herself. Her contribution to Kannada cinema and music is unparalleled." The state police presented a gun salute as a mark of respect.
The singer's body was kept at her residence for public viewing for two hours before the final journey. Thousands of fans, including many from the film industry, queued up to catch a last glimpse of the iconic singer.
Ashes to Be Immersed in River Cauvery
According to family sources, the ashes of S Janaki will be immersed in the River Cauvery at Srirangapatna on Monday morning. The family has requested privacy during the ritual. The singer had expressed a wish that her ashes be scattered in the river, which holds special significance in her life.
Legacy of a Legend
S Janaki, born on April 23, 1938, in Pallapatla village in Andhra Pradesh, recorded over 48,000 songs in multiple languages including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi. She was the recipient of several awards, including the Padma Shri in 2013 and the Karnataka Ratna in 2022. Her soulful voice defined an era of Indian cinema.
Mysuru, which she called home for decades, will always remember her as the "Nightingale of the South." The city has lost a cultural icon, but her music will echo forever.
