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When I was young, I used to hate S.Janaki amma’s songs. Before you start hyperventilating, let me explain. As a student of music, I am someone who gets an inordinate amount of pleasure in singing my favourite songs. And when it comes to Janaki amma’s songs, I couldn’t. The possessor of a mellifluous voice that belies the concept of vocal range, the notes she could hit left me in awe; so was the innate sweetness it possessed. As I grew up, I started to listen to her songs in silence, merely admiring how heavenly her voice sounds.
There are artistes who define a particular period with their work. For example, we say MSV, Ilayaraja and A R Rahman. When it comes to singers, it was P Susheela until S Janaki and Vani Jayaram took over the reins. For years, she has belted out songs of all kinds with artistes of varying generations, for all situations. Even age wasn’t a deterrent to her singing prowess. From 16 Vayathile’s “Sendhoora Poove” that won her a national award to Velaiyilla Pathadhari’s “Amma Amma”, the charm in her voice hasn’t faded. And as she sang her last concert on Sunday, here are a list of ten hits that you will love listening to from the Janaki brand of music.
Sendhoora Poove
One cannot miss this beautiful melody from 16 Vayadhinile when you talk about S Janaki. The song fetched Janaki her first National Award and is a classic from the Janaki-Ilayaraja stable. The duo is one of the most popular combinations of Tamil music, giving many numbers that a music lover will cherish for life.
Naadham En Jeevane
Another lovely number from Janaki and Ilayaraja is from the movie Kadhal Oviyam. The best way to describe this song is to borrow a line from its lyrics: “Paarai then oorudhe” (The rock secretes honey).
Chinna Thaayaval
This movie is a collaboration of Mani Rathnam, Rajinikanth, Ilayaraja and Vaali. An emotional number that describes the separation of a mother and her son, the song is bound to tug at your heartstrings.
Kaatril Endhan Geetham
There is a reason why Janaki-llayaraja is one of the most memorable jodis of Tamil music. Composed for the movie Jhonny, this song features Sridevi and Rajinikanth.
Inji Idupazhaghi
An evergreen favourite from the blockbuster Thevar Magan, this song won Janaki another National award. Pictured on Kamal Haasan and Revathy, the song has Janaki singing with the Ulaganayagan.
Thendral Vandhu Theendum
This song is a duet that is etched in the minds of every person that listens to Tamil music. Composed by Ilayaraja and sung by himself along with Janaki, this song is bound to brighten up your day.
Sippi irukudhu
A gem from K Balachander’s Varumayin Niram Sigappu, this number has Janaki singing to the tunes of MS Viswanathan. A unique song in terms of presentation, this had a back and forth conversation between Kamal Haasan and Sridevi, that flows along with the song.
Ponmeni Uruguthey
If you think melodies are Janaki’s forte, you’re mistaken. Janaki amps it up in this raunchy number from Balu Mahendra’s Moondram Pirai in the year 1982. The year also had her sing “Nila Kayudhu” and “Nethu Rathri Yamma” in Sakalakalavallavan.
Oho Megham Vandhadho
With Chennai experiencing heavy showers, this is a song that is a timely listen right now. From Mani Rathnam’s Mouna Ragam this song will leave you smiling, whether it’s lilting Janaki, Revathy dancing in the rain or Raja’s happy music.
Machana Pathingala
The song is another classic Ilayaraja composition which was scored for the 1976 movie Annakili. The simple tune along with Janaki’s stellar rendition makes this evergreen song a delight to listen to. Just plug in your earphones and lose yourself in the melody.
On iemalayalam.com: K S Chithra opens up about taking forward the legacy of S Janaki
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