Thousands pay tribute to S. Janaki at memorial concert in Mysuru

Thousands pay tribute to S. Janaki at memorial concert in Mysuru

Mangalore Today News Network

Mysuru, July 23, 2026: More than 5,000 admirers, along with several celebrities, family members, politicians and music lovers, gathered in Mysuru on Wednesday to pay tribute to legendary playback singer S. Janaki at a memorial concert held as part of her 12th-day remembrance ceremony.

The event, organised at Sa Ra Convention Hall by the S. Janaki Charitable Trust, celebrated the iconic singer’s extraordinary life, legacy and musical journey. The trust was established by her caretakers, Naveen and Pavan.

Veteran actor Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, Shailashree Sudarshan, P.B. Panindar and several prominent personalities attended the programme. Veteran music director Hamsalekha led the musical tribute, with around 15 singers, including Shwetha Mohan, Vani Harikrishna, Shashikala, Indu Nagaraj and Mohan Krishna, performing 35 of Janaki’s timeless songs from her vast repertoire of nearly 48,000 recordings. The performances ranged from Amma Emba Eradakshara to Swathi Mutthina Malehani. Photographs capturing different stages of the singer’s life were also exhibited.

Janaki’s daughter-in-law Uma Murali Krishna, granddaughter Apsara and her husband Ganesh, along with cousin Harisprasad, niece Uttara and other family members, were present. Former MP Pratap Simha, former minister Sa Ra Mahesh and several other dignitaries also paid floral tributes.

The organisers served a traditional lunch to attendees, featuring a plantain leaf meal with dishes including vada, payasa, boondi, malai sandwich, vegetable palya, pulao, rice, sambar and rasam.

According to caretaker Pavan, the trust’s first major event was Janaki’s final public concert at the Open Air Theatre of Manasagangotri, University of Mysore, on October 28, 2017. The trust now plans to organise a grand annual memorial event every December 5 in honour of both S. Janaki and her son Murali Krishna.

S. Janaki passed away at a private hospital in Mysuru on July 11 and was cremated at the farm of her caretakers, Naveen and Pavan, in Kaniyanahundi village of H.D. Kote taluk. More than 500 people attended her 11th-day ceremony on Tuesday.

Memorial planned

Pavan said the trust plans to develop a memorial on half an acre of land at Kaniyanahundi to preserve the singer’s legacy. The proposed memorial will include a museum, a library housing photographs and archival material, a digital repository of her songs and life, and an auditorium where singers can perform her compositions. The trust also intends to seek government support for the project.