S. Janaki Awards and Achievements

This Article I am posting for my friend Abhilash Pudukad, who likes S. Janaki's songs and he is dedicated to collect all her songs.

All India Radio's Awards in 1956 was the beginning of the countless prizes and awards S. Janaki received in her life. She had to lose the first prize as she chose a non classical song. She won innumerable awards during the period from 1960 to 2001. Tamilnadu State Government Award in 1970 was the first of the State awards after which she won many awards at every level and she received an award at an age of 62, competing with the younger generation. She received the highest number of awards as compared to any female singer in Tamil and Telugu. Surprisingly, Karnataka Government didn’t have an award for a singer during her prime time. Pinched by the discrimination, she refused to sing in Kannada for few years during 90′s. Thanks to the Karnataka Government that they accepted the demand and instituted an award for Best Singer, but the same was restricted to native Kannada singers. BR Chaya was the first recipient of the Award. This stipulation was changed later. The whole state rejoiced when Mysore University conferred honorable doctorate for her services to Kannada film music.



She was honored with several awards instituted by various cultural organizations in all the South Indian Languages. It is difficult to list all of them here. Still we tried to list some of the major awards. Here is a comprehensive list of her state awards and national awards only. In addition to these, she received an award for her “Idi Deepalu pettevela” song in ‘Anubhandham’ telugu TV serial.


List of Awards from State Governments.

Sno Language Year Movie
1 Telugu 1980 Sri Vasavi Kanyakaparameswari Mahatyam
2 Telugu 1981 Sapthapadi
3 Telugu 1983 Saagara Sangamam
4 Telugu 1985 Prathighatana
5 Telugu 1986 Aruna Kiranam
6 Telugu 1988 Jaanaki Raamudu
7 Telugu 1994 Bhairava Dweepam
8 Telugu 1997 Thodu
9 Telugu 1998 Anthahpuram
10 Telugu 2000 Sri Sai Mahima
11 Malayalam 1970 Various Films
12 Malayalam 1972 Various Films
13 Malayalam 1974 Various Films
14 Malayalam 1976 Alinganam
15 Malayalam 1977 Madanolsavam
16 Malayalam 1979 Thakara
17 Malayalam 1980 Manjil Virinja Pookkal, Aniyatha Valakal, Chamaram
18 Malayalam 1981 Various Films
19 Malayalam 1982 Various Films
20 Malayalam 1983 Various Films
21 Malayalam 1984 Kanaamarayathu
22 Tamil 1970 Namma Kuzhandaigal
23 Tamil 1977 Padhinaru Vayadinile
24 Tamil 1980 Uthiripookal
25 Tamil 1982 Moondram Pirai
26 Tamil 1983 Kathal Oviyum
27 Tamil
28 Tamil 1999 Sangamam
29 Oriya Jagannath



List of National Awards
Sno Language Year Movie
1 Tamil 1977 Padinaru Vayadinile
2 Malayalam 1980 Oopal
3 Telugu 1984 Sitara
4 Tamil 1992 Thevar Magan




In addition to the awards received as a best female singer, she received several awards from Governments and popular cultural institutions. Some of them are:





Kalaimamani Award from Tamilnadu State Government
Cinema Achiever Award from Karnataka State Government

Honory Doctorate from Mysore University
Sursingar Award
Geeta Dutt Award from Andhrapradesh Government
Special Jury Swaralaya K J yesudas Award
First recipient of P Susheela Award
Madhavapeddi Sathyam Award
Vayalar Award for contribution to Malayalam Music
Bharathidas Award
Singer of the Century Award
Sangeetha Rathna by Sangeetha Kalavedika
Chi Udayashankar Award
Sangeetha Ganga Gayana Award
and the list goes on…………………..




She received the Filmfare Lifetime achivement award in 1997. It was a memorable event with many legendary singers attending the award function and felicitating her. She was elected as the most favourite singer in Kerala and Tamil Nadu in a poll by TV channels, while SPB and KJY were the most favorite male singers in the poll. She received Lifetime Achievement Awards constituted by several Cultural Associations and TV Channels.






She composed music to a telugu movie called “Mouna poratam” which was produced by Ushakiron Movies. She also composed music to some private and devotional albums. She was a lyricist for the film ‘Rushi Kanda poonai’. She released a few private albums with her own lyrics and compositions as well.






Although she was not classically trained, she rendered several songs and is famous for semi classical numbers in movies. She gave concerts for three years in Guruvayur Temple. She rendered five ragas along with the legendary Bala Murali Krishna in a telugu movie. She released some exclusive albums with Caranatic Classical songs, which are best sellers till date.






A rare feat she had achieved in singing is competing with musical instruments.
Shehnai of Bismillakhan in Kannada Movie “Sannadi Appana”
Flute of Hariprasad chourasia in Malayalam and Telugu Movies
Nadhaswaram of Namagiri Petai Krishnan for Malayalam Movie
Violin of M S Gopalakrishnan in Kannada Movie
Nadhaswaram of Karaikuruchi Arunachalam for Tamil Movie
Veena of Gayathri in Tamil Movie

and list goes on…..

Although she received sevaral titles like Sathamanada Gayaki, Gana Kokila, Nadha devadai from various government and non government associations, she always wants to be addressed as S Janaki only without any titles. She says that is how people recognise her and relate to her music.

According to her, singing is God’s gift and appreciation and love from her listeners is biggest award / achievement and nothing equals to the excitement when some really enjoys her singing.