Mysuru: The much-awaited S. Janaki Musical Nite was a resounding success as Mysureans gathered in large numbers to pay their respect to the singing legend, who bid goodbye to singing, from the magnificent Manasagangothri stage, the seat of learning.

S. Janaki, touching 80, enthralled the audience with her melodious voice, singing as though she was a 20-year-old at Manasagangothri Amphitheatre here last evening. The fund-raising event organised by the S. Janaki Charitable Trust and S. Janaki Furnitures and Timbers saw the other legends of cinema in attendance. There was much bonhomie and banter as the yesteryear stars like Jayanti and Bharathi joined the singing sensation on stage.

There was also Music Director Rajan of the Rajan-Nagendra fame on the stage for a short time as he sat immersed listening to the tunes he had scored.

She began her concert invoking Lord Ganesha from the 1986 movie ‘Preethi,’ song ‘Gajavadana neene gunasagara.’ The bhakti mood continued in the next song ‘Poojisalende hoogala tande,’ from the 1974 movie ‘Eradu Kanasu,’ followed by ‘Aaseya Bhava Olavina Jeeva Ondagi Bandide,’ from the movie ‘Mangalya Bhagya,’ which had the audience in raptures wanting for more.

It is Janaki Amma who was responsible for my growth. Though I wanted to see her, it had not been possible. Today, I have been fortunate to meet her. Let God give her healthy and a long life.”

—Veteran Actress Bharathi Vishnuvardhan

The repertoire of songs from films like ‘Narada Vijaya’, ‘Jedara Bale,’ Nanda Deepa’s ‘Gaaligopura,’ all super hits during their time, which people continue to cherish even to this day, had the spectators longing for more. She also sang a few songs from Tamil and Telugu films.

Fans galore: More than 10,000 people with fans from as far as Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh witnessed the Musical Nite.

However, a few of the fans were disappointed with the seating arrangements. Padma Raman, a senior citizen, who had come all the way from University Layout near R.T. Nagar told Star of Mysore, “I had paid Rs.900 since it was a charity show and came all the way. I had requested the organisers when they had come with the ticket to my house that I could not climb the steps and should be accommodated in a convenient place. But, when I reached the venue at 4.30 pm, no one obliged me. I was made to go all the way to the top where the entrance was and I had to come down the flight of stairs with great difficulty.”

JD(S) MP C.S. Puttaraju, MLCs Appaji Gowda and K.T. Srikantegowda, Corporator K.V. Mallesh, humorist and former St. Philomena’s College Principal Prof. M. Krishnegowda, veteran actor Rajesh, actors Pratima Devi, Shylashree, Harini Rao, Anirudh, Sharan, BJP leader Dr. B.H. Manjunath and others were present.

My heroine is S. Janaki. She has made me a star by singing for me in my movies. However, it is not right that she is bidding adieu to singing. Amma should be singing and I should be listening.”

—Veteran Actress Jayanthi

I will not sing anymore…

This is my last performance. I will not sing in the future anywhere, said the singing sensation S. Janaki. Since the last ten years, Naveen and Praveen of S. Janaki Furnitures and Timbers had been requesting me to sing in Mysuru. Since I was busy, I was not able to perform. However, the time has come today and this is my last programme, she said. “I will be turning 80 shortly. From 1957 till now I have sang more than thousand songs in the last 60 years. I will not be able to sing as I used to sing. I will try to sing to the best of my ability. Thousands of people have gathered here to shower their love and affection and it has brought me immense happiness,” said Janaki.

Do not videograph: Please do not videograph this programme on your mobile phones and upload it on social media. I have fans even abroad and I do not want them to think how badly Janaki is singing. I will earn a bad name, she appealed to the audience.