Sridevi – An actress who tasted all flavours of success in her long journey in Indian cinema in different languages..! This article is a study of the beautiful melodies that Janaki amma sang for this extraordinary talent!!
Sridevi played (is playing) a grand Innings as lead actress in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi. Janaki amma sang for her in all 5 languages and they gave us many hits to cherish!
As a child artist, Sridevi started her career in ‘Maa Nanna Nirdoshi’ Telugu movie where Janaki amma gave play back to her. Later on , she sang couple of songs for her when she was child artist. But, Best of their combination started when Sridevi became lead actress. Especially, songs in ‘Padinaru vayadinile’ started a series of all time classic melodies from this combination. Telugu version ‘Padaherlla vayasu’ saw equal if not more success. Sridevi was established as top most heroine in both languages with these movies.
Tamil cinema saw best of this combination. 3 songs from ‘Kavi Kuyil’ – 3 gems with early tunes of Raja sir. Many of the Kamal-Sridevi duets like ‘Perai Sollava’ from ‘Guru’, ‘Radha Radha Nee Enge’ from ‘Meendum Kokila’ were sung by Balu-Janaki and almost all of them are just awesome! and top of all – ‘Chippi Irukkudu’, a classic which is just perfect from Balu-Janaki-Kannadasan-MSV off screen and Kamal-Sridevi on screen won accolades from many! Not only Kamal-Sridevi, but Rajni-Sridevi movies also had absolute gems from SJ where she was paired with KJ Yesudas, SPB, Malaysia Vasudevan to give hits like ‘Hey Padal Ondru(Priya)’, ‘Aagaya Gangai(Dharma Yuddham)’, Sandhana Katre(Thanikattu Raja) ‘ etc .. The starting bit of ‘Aagaya Gangai’ where Janaki amma gave her breath taking Alaap and Sridevi providing a perfect sync for the same on screen is classic example of their coordination.
Then came solos like ‘Angatha Nattil (Neela Malargal)’, ‘Vethala Kiliye (Dheiyva Thirumanangal)’, ‘Enthan Kannil (Guru)’, ‘Naan Vanangugiren’.. but one solo that simply stood test of times and received infinite acoolades for both Sridevi and S Janaki is ‘Katril Endan Geetham’ from ‘Johny’. Raja sir’s magical composition with Janaki amma’s outstanding performance gained more beauty because of Sridevi madam’s magical performance on screen..!
Next to Tamil cinema, Maximum hits from this combination is in Telugu (may be more than Tamil also in terms of numbers). ‘Sirimalle Puvva’ is standard song for Janaki amma in all her concerts from 1978!! Another song which is very close to Janaki amma is ‘Nee Kowgililo Thala Daachi’ from ‘Kartika Deepam’. Janaki amma could not cancel a recording of this song even when her husband was admitted in hospital for a heart attack.She went to recording theatre with a very heavy heart and just poured her heart and soul into lyrics of this song! Sridevi madam did 100% justice to her singing not only in this song but all other songs that Janaki amma sang for her in the movie.This movie had a wonderful alaap by SJ whenever Sridevi appears on screen in this movie.. What an alaap it is!!
Then came songs from movies like ‘Bangaru Kanuka’, ‘Gaja Donga’ etc.. But, Best of Sridevi-S Janaki in Telugu came in form of ‘Jagadeka Veerudu- Athiloka Sundari’, where Janaki amma (along with Balu sir) sang dreamy ‘Andalalo Aho Mahodayam’, divinely romantic ‘Priyathama’ and captivating ‘Yamaho Nee Yama Yama andam’. When you see Sridevi dancing for Sj’s vocals in yamaho nee ‘Nallani katuka petti, gajjelu katti’ – It is perfect blend of a expression from voice and face!! The grace they added to this song is beyond imagination!!
‘Priya’ was a bilingual movie in Tamil and Kannada. In Tamil, Janaki amma sang only one song ‘Hey Padal Ondru’ with KJy sir, but kannada movie had all songs by Sj only .. A solo ‘Darling Darling’, two duets with KJY sir .. All were chart busters..!
Among the Malayalam songs that came from this combination, Two solos simply stand out…! Salil da’s ‘Swapnadanam (Thulavarsham)’ and AT Ummer’s ‘Neela Jalasayathil (Angeekaaram)’ had a young Sridevi delivering an emotional performance on screen with SJ’s memorable performance off screen. One duet – ‘Yamune Nee Ozhuku (Thulavarsham)’ with KJY-Sj singing Salilda’s tune is simply one of best from this duo… Janaki amma’s gamaka’s at end of charanam are must hear!!
In Hindi, ‘Gori Ke Sajan, Sajan Ki Gori’ is most popular with other hits including ‘Jab Ladki Seethi bajaye’ etc .. ‘Ghayal Ghayal’ from ‘guru’ is an interesting song where Janaki amma got to sing in a very bright manner for energetic Sridevi and in an exhausted way for wounded Sridevi..
Included bilingual versions of ‘Akalai Rajyam’, ‘Guru’ etc but did not include Dubbing songs here. However ‘Yadalo Tholi valape(Erra Gulabhilu)’, ‘Ragile Ee Naa Geetham’ (Naa Pere Johny) and Edo Raagam (Kalyana Ramudu), ‘Nee Navvula lona (Dharma Yuddam), ‘Nee pedavula lona (Ajeyudu)’, ‘Ee Erra Gulabhi (Erra Gulabhilu)’, ‘Manakosam (Vasantha Kokila) are very good melodies in Telugu Dub versions also. Similarly, ‘Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari’ and ‘Oka Radha Iddaru krishnulu’ were equally good in Tamil dubbed versions ‘Kadhal Devathai’ and ‘Hare Radha Hare Krsihna’. Interestingly, ‘Katril Endan Geetham”s Hindi dubbed version was also sung by Janaki amma – ‘Chedi Maine Sargam’.
Really thanks to Sridevi Madam and Janaki amma for all these lovely melodies..! Sharing the best of their combination here.. Shall add more songs in future, if some are missing…
Year | Language | Movie | Song |
1977 | Tamil | Kavikkuyil | Chinna Kannan Azhaikkiraan |
1977 | Tamil | Kavikkuyil | Kuyile Kavikuyile |
1977 | Tamil | Kavikkuyil | Udhayam Varugindradhe |
1977 | Tamil | 16 Vayathinile | Manjakkulichi |
1977 | Tamil | 16 Vayathinile | Senthoora Poove |
1977 | Tamil | 16 Vayathinile | Aattukkutti |
1978 | Tamil | Taxi Driver | Sugaman Sindhanayil |
1978 | Tamil | Rajavuketha Rani | Raja Vandhar |
1978 | Tamil | Ithu Eppadi Irukku | Engum niraintha |
1978 | Tamil | Mudisooda Mannan | Kathal bodai |
1978 | Tamil | Sigappu Rojakkal | Indha Minminikku |
1978 | Tamil | Sigappu Rojakkal | Ninaivo Oru Paravai |
1978 | Tamil | Priya | Hey padal Ondru |
1978 | Tamil | manitharil ithanai nirangalaa | Ponne bhoomiyadi |
1979 | Tamil | Arumbugal | Cheri Kuzhanthaigal. |
1979 | Tamil | Dharma Yuddham | Aagaya Gangai |
1979 | Tamil | Kalyanaraman | Ninaithal Inikkum |
1979 | Tamil | Kavariman | Aduthu ullam aadudu |
1979 | Tamil | Neela Malargal | Angatha Nattil |
1979 | Tamil | Pattakathi Bhairavan | Devadai oru devadai |
1979 | Tamil | Pattakathi Bhairavan | Nenjukulle singakutty |
1979 | Tamil | Pattakathi Bhairavan | Thel Malasih Boot polish |
1980 | Tamil | Guru | Parandhalum Vidamatten |
1980 | Tamil | Guru | Perai Chollava |
1980 | Tamil | Guru | Endhan Kannil |
1980 | Tamil | Guru | Naan Vanangugiren |
1980 | Tamil | Johnny | Katril enthan geetham |
1980 | Tamil | Varumayin Niram Sivappu | Chippi irukkudu |
1980 | Tamil | Varumayin Niram Sivappu | Tu Hain raja |
1981 | Tamil | Bala Nagamma | Neerkodutha |
1981 | Tamil | Dheiyva Thirumanangal | Kandan Vanthan Kanthan Vanthan |
1981 | Tamil | Dheiyva Thirumanangal | vethala kiliye |
1981 | Tamil | Sankarlal | elankiliyae |
1981 | Tamil | Sankarlal | kasturi maan |
1981 | Tamil | Sankarlal | paathikkallil |
1981 | Tamil | Meendum Kokila | Radha Radha nee enge |
1982 | Tamil | Moondram Pirai | Vaanengum |
1982 | Tamil | Thanikattu Raja | Sandhana katre |
1982 | Tamil | Thanikattu Raja | Naan thaan Taapu |
1982 | Tamil | Pokkiri Raja | Vaada En Machikala |
1983 | Tamil | Adutha Varisu | Ennaiah ABC |
1983 | Tamil | Adutha Varisu | Kaveriye Kavikuyiley |
1983 | Tamil | Adutha Varisu | Vaa Raja |
1983 | Tamil | Adutha Varisu | Vaazhga |
1986 | Tamil | Naan Adimai Illai | oru jeevanthan – happy |
1986 | Tamil | Naan Adimai Illai | devi devi |
1986 | Tamil | Naan Adimai Illai | vaa . vaa idayame |
1986 | Tamil | Naan Adimai Illai | pona pogudu |
1986 | Tamil | Naan Adimai Illai | oru jeevanthan – sad |
1976 | Telugu | Anuragalu | ye Thodu ledu |
1978 | Telugu | Padaharella Vayasu | kattu katahlu cheppi |
1978 | Telugu | Padaharella Vayasu | Sirimalle puvva |
1978 | Telugu | Padaharella Vayasu | Panta chelo palakanki |
1978 | Telugu | Padaharella Vayasu | Vayasantha mudupu katti |
1979 | Telugu | Karthika Deepam | Nee Kowgililo |
1979 | Telugu | Karthika Deepam | Muvvalemo |
1979 | Telugu | Karthika Deepam | Aaraneekuma ee deepam |
1979 | Telugu | Karthika Deepam | chilakamma palikindi |
1980 | Telugu | Guru | Nelaina Ningaina |
1980 | Telugu | Guru | Peru Cheppana |
1980 | Telugu | Guru | Kannula Kaipu |
1980 | Telugu | Guru | Naa Vandanamu |
1980 | Telugu | Gaja Donga | oka rathiri oka pokiri |
1980 | Telugu | Gaja Donga | ido rakam daham |
1980 | Telugu | Gaja Donga | alla neredu chettu kada |
1981 | Telugu | Aakali Rajyam | Kanne pillavani |
1981 | Telugu | Aakali Rajyam | Tu Hain Raja |
1982 | Telugu | Andagaadu | ooguthondi lokam |
1982 | Telugu | Andagaadu | paduchuthanam |
1982 | Telugu | Andagaadu | vachindi ra ledi |
1982 | Telugu | Shamsher Shanker | Chukkalammaki |
1982 | Telugu | Shamsher Shanker | Kai Raja kai |
1982 | Telugu | Shamsher Shanker | Sanivaramantadu |
1982 | Telugu | Shamsher Shanker | Chadugudu Pandem |
1982 | Telugu | Bangaru Kanuka | Nochina nula phalamu |
1982 | Telugu | Bangaru Kanuka | nadaka adi hamsadwani ragama |
1983 | Telugu | Mundadugu | Chilakalooripeta kada |
1983 | Telugu | Oorantaa Sankranti | oorantha sankranthi |
1983 | Telugu | Oorantaa Sankranti | Kallalo kanakambaram |
1984 | Telugu | Pachchani Kapuram | Kothaga mathuga |
1984 | Telugu | Pachchani Kapuram | vennelaina cheekataina – happy |
1984 | Telugu | Pachchani Kapuram | Vennalaina cheekataina – sad |
1985 | Telugu | Vajrayudham | Aa Bugga meeda |
1985 | Telugu | Vajrayudham | Sannajaji pakka meeda |
1985 | Telugu | Vajrayudham | krishnamma pennamma |
1985 | Telugu | Vajrayudham | Chandrasekharuni |
1985 | Telugu | Vajrayudham | Haruniki |
1985 | Telugu | Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu | Madhura Murali |
1985 | Telugu | Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu | Pattu mari |
1985 | Telugu | Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu | Danimma |
1985 | Telugu | Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu | Emi Thuntari |
1988 | Telugu | Maharajashri Mayagaadu | Sathyabhamala |
1988 | Telugu | Maharajashri Mayagaadu | Chituku latuku |
1988 | Telugu | Maharajashri Mayagaadu | Ananda Ananda |
1988 | Telugu | Maharajashri Mayagaadu | Bommani |
1988 | Telugu | Maharajashri Mayagaadu | Kotha Kotha mojulo |
1989 | Telugu | Aakhari Poratam | Swathi chinuku |
1990 | Telugu | Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari | Andalalo |
1990 | Telugu | Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari | Yamaho |
1990 | Telugu | Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari | Priyathama |
1979 | Kannada | Priya | Darling Darling |
1979 | Kannada | Priya | Hey Kavithe neenu |
1976 | Malayalam | Thulavarsham | Paarayidukkil Mannundo |
1976 | Malayalam | Thulavarsham | Swapnadanam |
1976 | Malayalam | Thulavarsham | Yamune Nee Ozhuku |
1976 | Malayalam | Kuttavum Sikshayum | Aavani Poorna |
1976 | Malayalam | Abhinandanam | Pathu Paisaakkoru |
1977 | Malayalam | Angeekaaram | Neelajalasayathil |
1984 | Hindi | Akalmand | Kya Haseen najare |
1984 | Hindi | Maqsad | Haan Garmi Hai |
1986 | Hindi | Dharm Adhikari | Ankhen Do |
1986 | Hindi | Dharm Adhikari | Mamla Gadbad Hai |
1986 | Hindi | Aakhree Raasta | Gori Ka Saajan Saajan Ki Gori |
1989 | Hindi | Guru | Ghayal Ghayal |