Janaki

Janaki, often hailed as the "Melody Queen of South India" and "Nightingale of the South," is a legendary Indian playback singer born on April 23, 1938, in Pallapatla, Andhra Pradesh. With a career spanning over five decades, she has recorded more than 20,000 songs across multiple languages including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and several others. Known for her extraordinary voice modulation and emotional versatility, Janaki has been a favorite of composers like Ilaiyaraaja and singers like S. P. Balasubramanyam, forming some of the most beloved musical collaborations in South Indian cinema.

Starting her career in 1957 with songs in Tamil and Telugu films, Janaki quickly rose to fame with her soulful renditions and immense linguistic range. Besides singing, she has also contributed as a lyricist and composer in Tamil and Telugu films. A devoted follower of Lord Krishna and Shirdi Sai Baba, she has recorded numerous devotional songs as well. Her awards include four National Film Awards and more than thirty state awards, cementing her legacy as one of India’s finest and most influential playback singers.