Having sung thousands of songs across multiple languages for nearly half a century, when the Government of India conferred the Padma Bhushan upon S. Janaki in 2013, she rejected the award, describing it as having come too late for her.

S. Janaki (1938-2026): Recalling the singer’s pan-India career

When the Government of India announced the Padma awards on the eve of Republic Day in 2013, S. Janaki was chosen for the Padma Bhushan. However, she refused to accept it. “I am not finding fault with anyone for this late recognition. I have no grouse against the government. I was happy that the government has honoured me,” she said.

“I should have been given the highest civilian award of Bharat Ratna if the government wanted to recognise my work. I am not interested in any other awards like the Padma awards,” she noted. She further added that the government should show some more consideration to the artists from the southern parts of the country in recognising their talents and contributions, The Hindu had reported.

She pointed out that she was around 75 years old and that it is better to honour artists while they are alive rather than posthumously.

When she spoke to The Hindu after rejecting the Padma Award, she questioned: “After singing some 40,000 songs in 17 languages and getting four national and several state awards, I felt what they have given me now, after being in the field for 55 years, is too little. I think I deserve more, don’t I? P. Leela was given a Padma award posthumously. Why can’t the Government recognise people’s contribution when they are alive?”

Thirteen years after expressing these views, she passed away though her question remains unanswered.