Celebrated music director Devi Sri Prasad on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, penned an emotional tribute to legendary playback singer S Janaki, who passed away on 11 July 2026 at Apollo BGS Hospitals, Mysuru, following multiple cardiac arrests. The tribute, shared on his Instagram page, came as the Indian film industry continued to mourn the loss of a singer who recorded over 48,000 songs across several Indian languages in a career spanning decades.

Devi Sri Prasad's Tribute

In his post, Devi Sri Prasad wrote: 'Words can not justify the greatness of this legend S Janaki amma. Only her songs can.' He recalled a personal encounter with the singer that left a lasting impression on him — an occasion when he had the privilege of holding her hand and walking her down a stage.

'She said, ‘I love your song ‘KEVV KEKA’. Though it is supposed to be an item song, what a lovely melody it has got.’ That gave me goosebumps,' he wrote. He described her childlike innocence and 'extremely non-judgemental love and respect towards music' as nothing short of divine, calling her 'the most versatile female singer who did a 1000 per cent justice to whichever song she sang.' He concluded: 'Thank You dearest Janaki Amma. You will live forever in our hearts.'

Notably, Devi Sri Prasad is himself preparing for a new chapter — he is set to make his acting debut in the upcoming film 'Yellama', making his tribute all the more poignant as someone straddling both sides of the creative world.

Hospital Statement on S Janaki's Passing

Apollo BGS Hospitals, Mysuru, issued an official statement detailing the circumstances of her death. According to the hospital, S Janaki was admitted on 11 July 2026 at 12:49 PM in a critical condition and was immediately shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The hospital stated: 'Advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated immediately in accordance with standard medical protocols. Despite resuscitative efforts, she experienced multiple cardiac arrests and could not be revived.' She was officially declared deceased at 7:30 PM on 11 July 2026. She was 88 years old.

The Legacy of S Janaki

A four-time National Award winner, S Janaki is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished playback singers in Indian cinema history. Her voice graced films across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, and several other languages — an extraordinary range that few performers have matched. The sheer volume of her recorded output — over 48,000 songs — places her in a category of her own.

This is not the first time the industry has rallied to honour her legacy; she had been celebrated extensively during her lifetime with lifetime achievement awards and tributes from multiple film industries. Her passing, however, marks the end of an irreplaceable era in Indian playback singing.

Industry Mourns a Singular Voice

Tributes from across the Indian film fraternity have poured in since her passing on Saturday. Devi Sri Prasad's post is among the most personal — reflecting not just professional admiration but a genuine human connection that the singer inspired in those who worked alongside or were influenced by her. Her ability to bring warmth, technical precision, and emotional depth to every genre she touched has been cited repeatedly by contemporaries and successors alike.

As India comes to terms with the loss, S Janaki's vast catalogue ensures that her voice will remain a living presence in households, temples, film halls, and concert stages for generations to come.