S Janaki Swaranjali

Among the playback singers of South Indian cinema, S Janaki enjoys a respectable position for her contribution to film music in various languages. If the success of her musical nite presented recently at the Ravindra Bharati was any indication, she still captivates the audience with her mellifluous songs - even after three decades of her career in films.

The publicity done prior to the programme, organized under the banner of 'Swaranjali', drew music-lovers in large numbers from the twin cities. The original spacious venue - Lalitha Kala Thoranam - had to be changed at the last minute due to continuous rains. And the new venue, Ravindra Bharati, is too small to seat the huge turnout fans. The programme eventually commenced at 9 p.m. and the audience stayed on beyond midnight.

On occasion, Janaki was warmly felicitated in appreciation of her completing three decades of playback singing by the State Home and Cinematography Minister Mr. Devender Gowd. The Minister for Roads and Buildings Mr. K Vijaya Rama Rao and the Minister for Information and Cultural Affairs Mr. Siva Prasad also attended the function.

Her fans included her own colleagues like SP Bala Subramanyam, Sailaja and Mano, who rendered songs with her. Gangadhara Sastry, a local artiste, also sang a few songs. Musical composers Koti and Madhavapeddi Suresh were also present.

Janaki began with the song 'Sirimalle Puvva', that won her the first National Award. The song is from the film 'Padaharella Vayassu'. The selection of songs ranged from semi-classical to folk. She sand few lines from her debut song, 'Nee Leela Paadeda Deva' in which she competes with the nadeeswaram. Some songs from known musicals like 'Sankarabharanam' and 'Saptapadi' also figured. 'Govullu Tellana', a song in which she has to mimic a six year-old boy, was a perfect rendition, which received a reverberating applause.

Another notable number was 'Sirimalle Puvvalle Navvu', in which she had to merely laugh in rhythm, while Balu rendered the song. Other interesting numbers were: "Venne;;p Godavari Andam" scored by Ilayaraja and 'Dheera Magadheera' from from 'Oke Okkadu' (along with Nagur Babu), scored by AR Rehman.

Another never-to-miss song was 'Duryodhana Dussaasana' from the film 'Prathighatana', which was a memorable presentation from her.

The programme was sponsored by SITI channel and Imaami.

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