Composers of Voice – S Janaki and Music Directors!!

             This article is a brief analysis of Music directors who composed golden melodies in vocals of S Janaki. She sang for many of the from her first composer Pendyala to “Kolaveri boy” Anirudh. Starting the list with around 200 music directors . Will be adding more in future. Dubbing movies were not considered for this analysis.

             Music director Pendyala introduced her to Telugu and Kannada cinema while she sang her first song in Malayalam to SN Ranganathan. She recorded her first Tamil song for T Chalapati Rao and was singing frequently to greats like Aswathama, M Venkataraju, SP Kodandapani, Master Venu during her initial days. She sang rarely to Legendary composers like Pendyala, S Rajeswara Rao, S M Subbiah Naidu, S Dakshinamurty, Devarajan, P Adinarayana Rao, T Chalapati Rao etc.. but had memorable hits in their music.

             Her first popular combination was with M S Baburaj. Though she sang around 130 songs ( a number less compared to her songs with many other music directors), this combination occupies a great place in her music journey and in history of Malayalam Film Music as well. Her talent was initially recognized by Baburaj and he portrayed it in a melodious way! Later on, she went to record many great songs to almost all music directors of Malayalam cinema. Dakshinamurthy is another music director who encouraged her much during initial days in Malayalam cinema. She rendered maximum number of songs to Shyam followed by At Ummer in Malayalam. She also gave memorable hits to Raghavan, MK Arjunan, Raveendran, M G Radhakrishnan, Johnson and many more…

             In Kannada cinema, G K Venkatesh established her as a versatile artist with his challenging compositions. Rajan Nagendra regularly composed melodies in her vocals. She also gave hits to Vijayabhaskar, M Rangarao, Upendra Kumar and others as well. Hamsalekha formed a hit pair with her during 90’s.

             In Tamil, it was Ilayaraja for whom she sang maximum number of songs. Without second thought, Ilayaraja experimented with her vocals in several goners of singing. It was a win-win combination that lasted for more than two decades. She recorded memorable melodies for M S Viswanathan as well. She gave hits to Shanker-Ganesh, Chandrabose etc..in 80’s and continued giving hits to A R Rahman, Vidyasagar, Deva, Sirpy and the likes in 90’s.

             In Telugu, She gave memorable hits in music direction of Ilayaraja, Satyam, K V Mahadevan, Chakravarty, Ramesh Naidu among other music directors. She continued her singing in direction of Raj-Koti, Vandemataram Srinivas, Madhavapeddi Suresh in next generation of music directors.

             In Odiya music, she recorded mostly for Akshaya Mohanty, Upendra Kumar and Prafulla kar. Lakshmikanth Pyrarelal and Bappilahri recorded Hindi songs frequently in her voice during 80’s. She also sang for composers like R D Burman, Raveendra Jain, Anu Malik & Anand-Milind. She sang for C Ramachandra, O P Nayyar, Lakshmikant Pyarelal, Bappi Lahri, Usha Khanna etc.. in their South Indian Projects.

             She sang in music direction of Singer turned music directors like Ghantasala, S P Balasubrahmaniam, K J Yesudas, Malaysia Vasudevan, P Leela, B Vasanta etc.. She herself composed music and sang for many private albums and for one Telugu movie “Mouna Poratam”. Likewise, She sang in music of Directors like T Rajendran, K Bhagyaraj & Singeetham Srinivas when they composed music for their movies.

             She sang for father-son composers like S Rajeswara Rao – Koti & Vasurao, RK Sekhar – A R Rahman, Ilayararaja – Karthik Raja & Yuvan Shanker Raja, Deva – Srikanth Deva, TV Raju – Raj and the likes.

             It was for Ilayaraja and Salil Chowdhury that she sang in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi! Likewise, She rendered compositions of M S Viswanathan, K V Mahadevan, Rajan Nagendra in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam and for Bappi Lahri in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada.In terms of number of songs and popular hits, it was Ilayaraja for whom she sang maximum number of songs. In Terms of longevity, it was for V Dakshinamurty of Malayalam cinema that she rendered her first song during late 50’s and last song in 2008.

             Below is list of music directors and one random pick from their compositions. Same songs are added in the playlist. Few songs are not available in Youtube and will be added in future!

             In addition to composers listed here, she worked with Bollywood composer Ravi, Malayalam music director Sarath, Telugu composers like Garimella Balakrishna Prasad, L Krishnan, S Vasu Rao, Gangadhar etc.. for her private albums.

Sno Music Director Song Movie
1 SN Ranganathan Irul Moodukayo Minnunnathellaam Ponnalla
2 R Diwakar Thalalentu Rayara Sose
3 Pendyala Nee Aasa Adiyasa MLA
4 T Parthasarathy Kannukku neere Magadhala Nattu Mary
5 V Dakshinamoorthy Kannil Kannil Danger Biscuit
6 K Raghavan Unarunaroo Ammaye Kanaan
7 G Devarajan kaanaan nalla kinavukal Bharya
8 MB Sreenivasan Nirangal than nritham Parasparam
9 Br Lakshmanan Thaaraakumaarikale Snaapaka Yohannaan
10 MS Baburaj Thaliritta kinakkal than Moodupadam
11 BA Chidambaranath Kaliyaakki Enne Kaliyaakki Murappennu
12 R Sudarsanam Kalpaka Poonchola Thirichaadi
13 KV Mahadevan Samaja varagamana Sankarabharanam
14 P Adinarayana Rao Ade Ade Pade Pade Amma Kosam
15 MS Viswanathan Ippadiyor Thalattu Avargal
16 T Chalapati Rao Naane Veene Mavana magalu
17 Aswadhama Entha Madhura seema Devanthakudu
18 TV Raju Niddura pora saamy Kodalu Diddina Kapuram
19 Saluri Rajeswara Rao Pagale vennela Pooja Phalam
20 T K Ramamurthy (MSV-TKR) En annai saida paavam Sumaithangi
21 Joseph, Vijayakrishna Murthy Kalala alalapai Gulebakavali katha
22 M Venkata Raju Jaya Gowri Jagadeeswari M Venkata Raju
23 G K Venkatesh Karedaru kelade Sanaadi Appanna
24 B Gopalam Ee dinam naa manam Bikari Ramudu
25 Master Venu Mroguna ee veena Muralikrishna
26 A A Raj Poove Nee Thaniyaatha Thaagam
27 R Govardhanam Kallallo neerendulaku Constable Kuthuru
28 Veda Nilayaaga Veesudhe manamaalai
29 SM Subbiah Naidu Singaravelane deva Konjum Salangai
30 Saluri Hanumanta Rao Oh Veena cheli Chandrahaasa
31 TG Lingappa Ee Samaya Anandamaya Babruvahana
32 Susarla Dakshinamurty Naravara O Kuruvara Narthanasala
33 P Kalinga Rao Hosathu Olume Tharanga
34 T R Papa Neerundu Arut perum jothi
35 RK Sekhar Pathividarnoru Anatha Shilpangal
36 Pukazhenthi Lokam Muzhuvan Snehadeepame Mizhi Thurakku
37 Job Njaanurangaan Pokum Thommante Makkal
38 Vijayabhaskar Bharata Bhushira Upasane
39 AT Ummer Orumayil peeliyay Aniyatha Valakal
40 MK Arjunan Yamune Rest House
41 M Ranga Rao Haarale Naa Haarale Sotu Geddavalu
42 Shyam Mounaraga Panikili Sudhikalasam
43 Ilayaraja Mounamelanoyi Sagara Sangamam
44 KP Udayabhanu Vilola Hrudaya Nizhalukal Roopangal
45 Rajan Nagendra Jeeva Veene Hombisilu
46 L Vaidyanathan Siva Siva ennada Hemavathi
47 Ramesh Naidu Manasa thullu padake Srivariki Premalekha
48 Satyam Nee Kowgililo thala dachi Karthika Deepam
49 Chakravarthy kalalo pettani muddulu pettu Athaku Yamudu ammayiki mogudu
50 V Kumar Nalla Vazhvu vanthathu Ellam avale
51 Upendrakumar Mooka hatthiyu Dharmasere
52 Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan Vellum Peyar thaane Kandar Alangaaram
53 Shankar Ganesh Pattu Vanna rosavam Kanni paruvathile
54 Kannur Rajan Aaviral Nulliyal Swantham Sharika
55 KJ Joy Aararo Aariraro Aradhana
56 MG Radhakrishnan Nadha Neevarum Chamaram
57 Raveendran Thenum Vayambum Thenum Vayambum
58 Johnson Ponnurukum Pookkalam Koodevide
59 Raghu Kumar Kanna guruvayoorappa Ponthooval
60 Gangai Amaran Oru kathal enbadu Chinna thambi periya thambi
61 Chandrabose Ennai pathi nee Shanker Guru
62 Chandra Sekhar Thappuko Thappuko Police venkatasami Yamakinkarudu
63 J V Raghavulu Gumma Gumma Maha Manishi
64 Krishna Chakra Kasilone puttanu Hero
65 Narendranath Pattu Pattu Malli Pattu Paila Pacheesu
66 Jerry Amaldev Manjani Kombil Manjil Virinja Pookkal
67 Vijaya Krishna Murthy Baaro Illi vaaro Sri Chamundeshwari Pooja Mahime
68 C Aswath Olume Poojaginde Anupama
69 Vijay Anand Devi Devi Naan Aadamai Illai
70 SP Venkatesh Chippy Poo Bhasuram
71 Mohan Sithara Naamavum roopavum Aalavattam
72 Vidyasagar Malare Mounama Karna
73 Hamsalekha Cheluve ondu kelthini Premaloka
74 Raj Koti Guvva Gorinka tho Khaidi no 786
75 MM Keeravani Oyamma laali Amma
76 Madhavapeddi Suresh Oho Oho Bujji pavurama Brindavanam
77 Vandemataram Srinivas Pullalamantivi kada ra Osey Ramulamma
78 Manoj Gyan Aagayam Oru Iniya Udhayam
79 Deva Thenamara thoppukulle Therku theru macha
80 Sirpi Malligai Poo azhagil Annai Vayal
81 A R Rahman Errani Kurra daanni Kathalan
82 Yuvan Shanker Raja Vaa Vaa Poove Vaa Rishi
83 Karthik Raja & Ilayaraja Ninaikkindra padhayil Aatma
84 Bharani AsainthadumKaatrukkum Paarvai Ontrey Pothumey
85 S A Rajkumar Suryane Mayee
86 Iniyavan Partha paravayil Partha paravayil
87 Devendran Mukkalaina Swapnam Raguluthunna Bharatam
88 Shaik Iman Koduka Koti Lingesha Coolanna
89 T Rajendra Vasantham Aadivara Rayil Payanangalil
90 Baghyaraj En Kannukkoru Aararo Aariraro
91 Singeetham Srinivas Thangaaliyagi Hode Samyuktha
92 Laxmikant Pyarelal Prabhu more avgun Sur Sangam
93 Usha Khanna Maanasa Manivenuvil Moodal Manju
94 Kanu Ghosh Etho Raavil Naazhikakkallu
95 Salil Chowdhary Sandhye Madanolsavam
96 Bhaskar Chandavarkar Dantha Gopura Ninte Rajyam Varana
97 C Ramachandar Emani Padunu Ee Veena Nijam Chebithe nammaru
98 OP Nayyar Oohala Ooyalalo Neerajanam
99 Jaidev Par Kya Boloon
100 RD Burman Mouname Priya Chinni Krishnudu
101 Bappi Lahri Yaar bina chain kaha re Saheb
102 Lakshmikant Pyarelal Toone mera doodh piya hain Aakhri Rastha
103 Raveendra Jain Tere sar pe mera Prathighaat
104 Anumalik Main teri Tangewali Mard
105 Anand Milind Kya tan Kya man Who Phir aayegi
106 Aditya Pudwal Enthenta Daya needi Sai Mahima
107 Prafulla Kar Nei Ja re megha Gowri
108 Akshaya Mohanty Se ta bhakata Shree Jagannath
109 Baudeb Rath Bata Bhooli Asila Ki Sakhi Gopinath
110 Ghantasala Enaleni Anandam ee reyi Paramanandayya Sishyula Katha
111 M Balamuralikrishna Nadilaa sagede jeevitham Thodu
112 AM Raja Kalayum neeye Then Nilavu
113 Anasuya Devi Koodisida Hanake Barabahudu Kalla Bhakta Kabeer
114 SP Balasubrahmanyam Manasulaku Laali pata Oh Bharya Katha
115 KJ Yesudas Kaala Megha Azhakulla Saleena
116 P Leela Neelo Naalo okate raktham Chinnari papalu
117 S Janaki Yaala Yaala Yaalaga Mouna Poratam
118 B Vasanta Endo Ello Noduva Dinavu Raja narthakiya rahasya
119 Malaysia Vasudevan Kanavugale Samanthi Poo
120 G Anand Toli saari telisindi Gandhinagar rendava veedhi
121 P Bhanumati Bangaru Ooyalalo Varasuralu
122 MA Majeed Maadappiraavalle Bhoomiyile Maalakha
123 Jaya Vijaya Nalina Vanathil Seemanthini
124 Alleppey Usman Maalaakhamaare Kochumon
125 LPR Varma Thenilanji Sandhyaavandanam
126 Prathap Singh (Pradeep Singh)` Kulikazhinju Mulkkireedam
127 Job, George Maakanda Pushpame Nidhi
128 Bhagyanath Thennale Thennale CID In Jungle
129 PK Sivadas, V K Sasidharan Ezharaveluppinunarnnu Kaamuki
130 KK Antony Bharathavamsa Baalya Prathijna
131 PK Sivadas Marakkaanum Piriyaanum Periyar
132 Vedpal Verma En Chundil Raaganombaram Kaadu
133 Peter Rueben Bhaaratha Naadin Bindu
134 ML Srikanth Thulasi Vivaaha Naalil Maanasaveena
135 Joshi Mulmudi Choodiya Taxi Driver
136 Cochin Alex Pathiraakkuliril Kaamalola
137 Joseph Krishna Oonjaalaattaan Swarnna Medal
138 SD Sekhar Manmadha manjariyil pookkum Ival Oru Naadodi
139 Darsan Raman Orikkalum Abhilaashangale Abhayam
140 Jithin Shyam En Mooka vishadham Thaliritta Kinaakkal
141 Vidyadharan Krishnavarna meni Aagamanam
142 Ben Surendar Azhakinte Mukulangale Vazhikal Yaathrakkar
143 Guna Singh Ninne Marakkukilla Njaan Ninne Marakkilla
144 C Arjunan Oru Vasantham Thozhuthunarnnu Jeevikan Padikkanam
145 Saratchandra Marathe Sindoora Vaanil Chaanchaattam
146 R Somasekharan Maaranicheppile Ithum Oru Jeevitham
147 Mohammed Subair Kallimullukal kallimullukal Kallimullu
148 Vadakara Krishnadas Munamullu konden Kannaadikkoodu
149 Raj Kamal Alliyilam Poo Aazhi
150 Ouseppachan Mailaanchi Nandini Oppol
151 AJ Joseph Ee Ponnu Pootha Kaadukalil Kunjaattakkilikal
152 TK Layan Thinkal Kilee Viswasichaalum Illenkilum
153 Balachandra Menon Theeyum Kaattum Pole Kuruppinte Kanakkupusthakam
154 Albert Vijayan Lallalam Chollum Poonkatte Ente Priyathamanu
155 Berny Ignatius Mayilaay Parannuvaa Mayilppeelikkaavu
156 Kaithapram Omanathingalkkidaavo Thaalolam
157 KJ Vijay Poomani Maaran Diamond Palace
158 KL Sreeram Kanne Kanmani Mazhameghapraavukal
159 S Balakrishnan Ponnum Kudathinu Pottum Venam Aakaashathile Paravakal
160 Jerson Antony Manjuneeril Nananju Onnam Ragam
161 Subhash Kilikal Kilikal Ponu
162 Edwin Abraham Ennunnippoovinu Kanal Kannaadi
163 Joseph Fernandez, B. Gopalam Ee Kannulu chese karunamayudu
164 G Ramanathan Kannan Mananillaye Daivathin Daivam
165 Joy Raja Chinnayya Seetayya Iddaru Khiladeelu
166 Premji Asale Masakesina Reyi Punadi Rallu
167 R Rathnam Aalisu Oo Iniya Bhale Jodi
168 S P Kumar yelu magu Hosa madam
169 B V Karanth Runner Runner Phaniyamma
170 Goochi Vaidi Kailagada Haidange Nammamma Thayi Annamma
171 Kalyan Venkatesh Ninna kannali Prema Yuddha
172 Vasanth Kumar Krishna Karunisubha Broker Bheeshmachari
173 Gnanamani Nayanade Nayana Bhagya Devathe
174 Shivaprasad Jo Jo Malagayya Kanda Shivarathri Mahathme
175 GK Raghu Suy Anno Gaali Bangaarada Panjara
176 Chitti Babu Nanna Hrudaya Veene meeti Sri Raghavendra Vaibhava
177 T Govindarajulu O Radha Ramana Maaya manithan
178 Bandurankan Ilankani Kubera Theevu
179 A Devaraja Devan Vantha Kodugal Illatha Kolam
180 V S Narasimhan Netru Unnai Parthu Aayiram Pookkal Malarattum
181 K H Reddy Chella kiliye Ponnu Vilayadu Bhoomi
182 PS Divakar Aakaashathambalamuttathu Bhoomiyile Maalakha
183 M S Sriram Anukunna Nenani Manchi Roju
184 Anirudh Amma Amma velai illa pattathari
185 Srikanth Deva Kadhal Vaipogamae Perumaal
186 Devadas Kote Toli choope aasa ga Simha Swapnam
187 Sundar C Babu Yaar Inge Sindhu Samaveli
188 KS Binu Anand Kadale Alakadale Uthara Chemmeen
189 Satish Harish Meendum Meendum Baby
190 L Malleswara Rao Ninnu Chusamu Bhakta Ambarisha
191 Parthasarathy Na Kallalo thongi chudu Mohini Sapatham
192 Dhananjay Satpathy Mamata Ra Madhumati Sarami Latika Raktha Golapa
193 T Padman Ananda Samrajya Vidhi Vilasa
194 Bala Barathi Athikalai katre nillu Thalai Vaasal
195 M Abniram Ennamma Ennamma Ennai Thalattu varuvala
196 Ravi Madhu kadaikku Puthiya thendral
197 Dhina Semmozhiye Vallakottai
198 Ooviyan Yaarai ingu kutham solvathu Porkodi Pathaam Vaguppu
199 Muralidharan Uyire ezhunthu vaa Anbe En Anbe
200 Satish Varshan Vizhiyoram vizhiyoram Vellai kagitham
201 Bobby Poonguyilu satham Nesam Puthusu