S Janaki songs in Rajkumar Movies


      If Kannada cinema has a face, it is Dr.Rajkumar. His movies, dialogues, songs, speeches became integral part of Kannada culture right from 50’s. He was the “Kannada Kanteerava”..! His dignity, simplicity, rich Kannada and especially the roles he portrayed made him no less than a demigod not only for his fans but also to entire Karnataka.
      Music played a very important role in his movies. P B Srinivas sir was his voice through out 60’s and 70’s till he started singing his own songs. Even after that, he would get PBS to sing for him frequently.They were just inseparable. If PBS was his voice, S Janaki would be voice of his heroines in many of memorable songs.

      Janaki amma started singing in his songs right from her very first movie in Kannada – “Rayara Sose” and that journey went uninterrupted till 1987. Not a single year passed by when Janaki would not sing for Rajkumar’s movies from 1957 till 1987. May be no other artist traveled musically with him for such a long term.If he acted in 210 movies, she sang in almost 150 of them and what great classics they turned out to be!! She sang 300+ songs in Rajkumar movies under baton of legendary music directors of Kannada cinema like M Venkata Raju, G K Venkatesh, Rajan Nagendra, M Ranga Rao, Upendrakumar, Ilayaraja and others.

      If he played historical, devotional, social, mythological, action, adventure, thriller, suspense, detective, message oriented, what not – almost every possible genre of cinema – she gave playback to his heroines in all those genres with same ease. Let it be Leelavathi, Harini, Shavukar Janaki in early 60’s or Kalpana, Jayanthy, Bharathi from mid 60’s or Manjula, Aarthi in 70’s and Ambika, Saritha, Menaka, Gayathri, Geetha in 80’s – S Janaki would render all time hits for all of his heroines.

      PB Srinivas – S Janaki duets on Rajkumar and his heroines were all super hits. Some of most memorable among them are “Thamnam Thanam”,”Aaksaha Lokadi Doroa”,”Ekanthavaagi Mathada bande naanu”,”Haayagide Ee Dina”,”Kannu Reppe Ondanondu”,”Onde Ondu Hosa Hadu”,”Kannugalu Kamalagalu”. Not only romantic melodies but fun filled PBS_SJ songs like “Raja Muddu Raja”, “Bittare sigadone”,”Suy Anno Gali”,”Avasaravethake”,”Alle Nillu” were all block busters.

      When Raj Kumar started singing himself, Janaki was his singing partner to give maximum hits together. Some of Gems that came from this combination include “Chinnada Malliga Hoove”,”Jeeva Hoogide”,”Raag Anuraaga”,”Aralide Thanu mana”,”Saneegthave”,”Ee Mounava” …. Oh what a list it is !!
      Raaga based songs like “Nanna Neenu Gellalare” or “Ee Samaya Anandamaya” became their trade mark.
     Fun filled songs like “Kalletigintha nanna”/”Chandirathanda hunnima Rathri”/”Thara Oh Thara”/”Nanna Saradara”/”Rajadi Raja” were chart busters.
      Emotional classics like “Ee Mounava Thalenu”/”Ellelu Nodali”/”Aseyu Kaidoodithu” will wake all those sensitive emotions in us once again.

      Janaki amma went to meet her “Annavaru” Rajkumar sir when he was released from that horrifying kidnap. He requested her to stay for a day and join him in a concert held by his fans to celebrate his return. She went on the stage and sang their all time favorite “Nagu Nagutha Nee baruve” and that was a very emotional moment for all his fans over there. That song can bring many nostalgic moments to life even now..!

      She recollects their recordings and how he was very friendly and respectful with his co-artists. She mentions many times that he was a thorough gentleman and gem of a person along with being brilliant artist. Rajkumar sir would mention in his interview, his love towards her voice and about those wonderful singing moments they shared.That mutual admiration was very much audible in every song they sang together. Without any exaggeration, every single song from this combination was(is) a block buster.

      She sang many female-female duets in his movies. The ones like “Chennarasi Cheluvarasi” with P Leela,’Nee nadiva hadiyalli’ and ‘Aase Heluvaase’ with P Suseela, ‘Teredide Mane oh baa athithi’ with vani Jairam, ‘Chandramukhi Prana sakhi’ with Benagalore Latha, ‘Abharanada Alankaravenu Illade’ with L R Easwari, “Krishnana Hesare Lokapriya” with S Rajyalakshmi, “A Aa Kannadada akshara male” with BK Sumitra are all melodies to be cherished.

      Sensational solos she sang were real highlights in all those musicals.”Aadona Ba Ba Gopala”/”Udugoreyonda Thanda”/”Nambide Ninna Nadadevathe”/”Thorale Nee Priyane”/”Alisu O Iniya”/”Kaandada Kulthilaka”/”Sharanu Viroopaskha”/”karedaru Kelade”/”Indu Enage Govinda”/”Laalisadalu Magana”/”Nannede Kogileya”/”Hagalo iralo”/”Kanasalli bandavanaare” – this is another list of ever living classics!! “Poojisalinde” was Rajkumar sir’s favorite among them.

      Along with romantic and soulful melodies, Janaki sang patriotic “Raghupathi Raghava Raja Ramana” and motivational “Onde thai makkalu”/”Onde Nadu Onde Kulavu”/”Enu Kurudu bhavabe” in Rajkumar’s movies.

      When movies like “Mahishasura Mardhini”/”Goa Dalli CID 999” were dubbed into Hindi, “Naa Ninna Mareyalare”/”Ranadheera Kanteerava” etc .. into other languages, she sang in them as well. But, limiting this article only to their Kannada songs to keep that unalloyed Kannada feel that he always offered alive. (Will add missing Kannada songs in future)

      Interestingly both Rajkumar sir and Janaki amma were awarded a honorary doctorate from University of Mysore. In addition to the respect she showers upon him in interviews, Janaki amma gave an exclusive concert as tribute to Rajkumar sir in Bangalore in 2008. It was another emotional moment for all of his admirers.

If their first song “Thumbitu Manava” was like a grand welcome by Dr. Rajkumar to S Janaki into his musical, their last song together “Shruthi Seride” was a fitting farewell.

Recollect the song “Naane Bhagyavathi” they sang together in “Srinivasa Kalyana”, real bhagyavantharu (lucky people) are we to listen all these melodies..!

There is no death to artists like Rajkumar as their art continues to live for ever..!!

While all songs from this combination are special, the outstanding numbers that came during 70’s are a must listen!! This is playlist of best (not all) songs from this combination..!

MovieSongYear
Rayara SoseThalalenthu Shoka vega1957
Shree Krishna GaarudiBhale Bhale Garudi1958
Mahishasura MardiniGaganadali Mugilaner1959
Mahishasura MardiniThumbithu Manava1959
Abba Aa HudugiHrudaya Deviye Ninna1959
Abba Aa HudugiAsheya Gopura Nirmisikondu1959
Jagajyothi Basaveshwaravachanagalu1959
Dharma VijayaShubhava neede Jyothi1959
Dharma VijayaKanda Baaro1959
Aasha SundariOh Sakhi Amurthamayavi Sneha1960
Aasha SundariGuttenide Gatti Mathu Kottayithu1960
DashavatharaRaghupathi Raghava Rajaramana1960
DashavatharaOnde Balliya Hoovu1960
DashavatharaNandaana Nandana Ananda Kandana1960
Bhakta KanakadasaBalli Balliyalli Hoova1960
Bhakta KanakadasaSingaara Sheela1960
Bhakta KanakadasaIralu Ellellu1960
Rani HonnammaKolu Gejje Kaalu Hejje1960
Rani HonnammaJeevana Hoovina Haasige1960
Ranadheera KanteeravaSanchari Manasothe1960
Kittur ChennammaHoovina Hantha Hatthuva Jane1961
Kittur ChennammaAalakke Hoovilla1961
Kittur ChennammaKolu Thudiya Kodagananthe1961
Kittur ChennammaSanne Eneno Maadithu Kannu1961
NaagaarjunaAnanda Thanda Chandira1961
Kaiwara MahathmeNidiraa Devi Kareye Magana1961
Kanthere NoduHennina Mele Kanniduvaga1961
Kanthere NoduEdavidare Naakurulu1961
Mahatma KabirAndada Sundara Kandane1962
Mahatma KabirLathangi1962
BhoodanaIndare enu 1962
BhoodanaPaatashaale Illide1962
Swarna GowriEe Leela Vilaasa1962
Swarna GowriBaara Chandrama1962
Swarna GowriJaya Gowri Jagadeeshwari1962
Swarna GowriHaadalenu Manadaase1962
Swarna GowriBanthu Nava Youvana1962
Swarna GowriO Janani Kalyaani1962
Swarna GowriNyayavidenamma1962
Karuneye Kutumbada KannuBaramma Guruseve Maduva1962
Karuneye Kutumbada KannuNijavo Sullo Nirdarisi1962
Karuneye Kutumbada KannuNagareekane Ninna1962
Karuneye Kutumbada KannuAshagana Mohana1962
Karuneye Kutumbada KannuPremagana Thanda1962
Karuneye Kutumbada KannuJhan Jhan Kalgejje1962
ThejaswiniRasaghalige Baaradu Nalege1962
Vidhi VilasaAananda Saamrajyada1962
Vidhi VilasaMaathaa Hey Girijaatha1962
Vidhi VilasaDaari Kaanene Nova Thaalalaarene1962
Sathi ShakthiChandamaama Daayi1963
Sathi ShakthiMandara Nandana1963
Sathi ShakthiJaya Vijayibhava1963
Chandra KumaaraBannadinda Bangaradanda1963
Chandra KumaaraNeene Neere Mandhaara Madiradinda Bare1963
Chandra KumaaraGejje Jan Jan Nudidaave1963
Jeevana TarangaBaara Mandaara1963
Jeevana TarangaBanthamma Maduve Banthamma1963
Jeevana TarangaHennaagi Bandamele1963
Jeevana TarangaManade Munide Nijavenu1963
Jeevana TarangaAananda Thumbi Thande1963
Kanyaa RathnaSuvvi Suvvi Suvvale1963
Kanyaa RathnaManava Kadda Nannaya Cheluva1963
Kanyaa RathnaElliharo Nalla1963
Kanyaa RathnaOnde Mathu Onde Manasu1963
KulavadhuEmma Maneyangaladi1963
KulavadhuYuga Yugaadi Kaledaru1963
KulavadhuThaye Baara Mogava Thora1963
Malli MaduveMahaapurushara Preraka Shakthi1963
Malli MaduveMangana Moreya Mudi Moosangi1963
Malli MaduveAadona Baa Baa Gopala1963
Malli MaduveNanna Ninna Sallapavanella1963
Mana Mecchida MadadiSirithana Beke Badathana Saake1963
Nanda DeepaKanasonda Kande Kannada Maathe1963
Nanda DeepaNaliva Manaa Hondeedina1963
Nanda DeepaGaaligopura Ninnashatheera1963
Nanda DeepaNaadinanda Ee Deepavali1963
Saaku MagaluOnde Ondu Hosa Hadu1963
Santha ThukaramBeda Krishna Ranginata1963
Santha ThukaramMareyade Sooryanu1963
Sri Ramanjaneya YuddhaJhana Jhana Jhanjana1963
Sri Ramanjaneya YuddhaJaya Jaya Rama1963
Sri Ramanjaneya YuddhaBelaguvare Anyayavane1963
ValmikiManade Mahaa Bayake1963
GowriPutta Putta Hejje Ittu1963
GowriNaa Bedavende1963
GowriIvalu Yaaru Belleynu1963
GowriYaava Janmada Maithri1963
Chandavalliya ThotaNamma Maneye Nandana1964
Chandavalliya ThotaBalli Hange Balakuthali1964
NaandiUdugoreyonda Thanda1964
NaandiChandramukhi Pranasakhi1964
NaandiSathyake Endigu Jayavemba1964
Shivagange Mahathme O Giliye Nee Thiliye1964
Navakoti NarayanaRanga Bara Baale1964
Shivarathri MahatmeThaapasendra O Raja Chandra1964
Shivarathri MahatmeJo Jo Malagayya Kanda1964
Shivarathri MahatmeNaguve Jeevanasaara1964
Shivarathri MahatmeRamaneeya Madhumasavu1964
Shivarathri MahatmeShivane Idenu Shodane1964
Shivarathri MahatmeVarasiddi Ganapathiya1964
Thumbida KodaMadhumaga Banda1964
Thumbida KodaBalle Balle Na Balle1964
AnnapurnaKrishna Bidu Bidu Kopava1964
Bettada HuliAttheya Magale Ethake Ragale1965
Bettada HuliAakashada Lokadi Doora1965
Bettada HuliMadumagalu Naanaagi1965
Bettada HuliEno Thallana Eko Ee Dina1965
ChandrahasaEnidi Andavu Ethaki Bandhavu1965
ChandrahasaO Pranasaka Nee Elliruve1965
ChandrahasaJanani Jayagowri Sri Thripura Sundari1965
Ide MahaSudinaSugandha Parimala Bhushithe1965
Sathi SavithriBillanagalida Ambina Theradal1965
Sathi SavithriBaala Baana Belaga Baara1965
Sathi SavithriSavithrithe Namo Gayathrithe Namo1965
Sathi SavithriAngane More Keli1965
Mahasathi AnasuyaMadana Manadanna Manamohana1965
Mahasathi AnasuyaKamalava Muddisi Thanuvanu Aralisi1965
Mahasathi AnasuyaSamaanaraariharu1965
Sarvajna Murthy Balukuvi Chelvalatheyalli1965
Sarvajna Murthy Nodilli Node Vayyari1965
Baala NagammaEe Andada Srushtiya1966
Katari VeeraThorele Nee Priyana1966
Katari VeeraHaayaada Ee Sangama1966
Kiladi RangaNeenondu Sala Nakku1966
Kiladi RangaMalligeyarale Mysurinavale1966
Kiladi RangaYaarige Mudipo Naa Kaane1966
Madhu MaalathiAnjike Naachike Ethake1966
Madhu MaalathiYaaro Eno Ballavaraaru1966
Madhu MaalathiEe Bhaava Ee Bhangi1966
Mantralaya MahatmeAbharanada Alankaravenu Illade1966
Mantralaya MahatmeRasika Saalade Rasada Authana1966
PremamayiThengella Thoogadi1966
PremamayiKrishna Aa Krishneyu1966
PremamayiHudugi Balu Jaane1966
PremamayiHenne Ninna Kannanota1966
Emme ThammannaEmme Ella Ellanna1966
Emme ThammannaBelli Hakki Aguva1966
Emme ThammannaKanneradu Kareyuthide1966
Sandhya RagaNambide Ninna Nadadevathe1966
Sri Kannika Parameshwari KatheNaa Bayasi Bande Cheluva1966
Bangarada HoovuOdi Odi Kuchubhattanaagabeda1967
Bangarada HoovuMaduve Maduve1967
Bangarada HoovuNee Nadeva Haadiyalli1967
Beedi BasavannaDaadig Eppatthu Ninge Ippatthu1967
Beedi BasavannaEkanthavaagi Mathade Bande Naanu1967
Chakra TheerthaEko Ee Pulaka1967
Devara Gedda ManavaAnupama Sundariya Ananda Nilayake1967
Devara Gedda ManavaYaarenna Sari Saatiye1967
Devara Gedda ManavaNalle Balige Baare1967
Devara Gedda ManavaBale Bale Hannu1967
Devara Gedda ManavaKoli Vayasu Ko Anthu1967
Dhana PishachiNee Elli Hoguve1967
Gange GowriMinchina Holeyalli Mindavale1967
Gange GowriCheluvaralli Cheluva1967
Gange GowriNeerahotha Neere Jaane1967
Immadi PulikeshiCheluvina Odethana Beduveya1967
Immadi PulikeshiThaaniralu Mane Keli1967
Immadi PulikeshiKannadada Kulathilaka Parameshwara1967
Immadi PulikeshiAtthige Naale Hotthige1967
Lagna PathrikeNinninda Naanendu1967
Paarvati KalyanaGangeya Darisidena1967
Paarvati KalyanaBaaleya More Idu Kelade1967
Rajadurgada RahasyaAmmamma Nunguvanthe Noduva1967
Rajadurgada RahasyaKaanuva Thanaka Nee Ello1967
Rajadurgada RahasyaMoodanadinda Mella Mellane1967
RajashekharaSara Sara Neenu Jaari Hodare1967
RajashekharaMannu Neeru Gaali Belaku1967
RajashekharaIniya Baa Baa Baa Illi Mella Mellage1967
RajashekharaMutthantha Maganagi Hetthavala Siriyaagi1967
Sathi SukanyaNamasthubhyam Mahadevi1967
Sathi SukanyaElle Elle Chori1967
Sathi SukanyaArunodaya Kaala1967
AmmaBangara Vagali Ninna Baalella1968
AmmaIruthire Doora Badukidu Baara1968
AmmaNinna Lagnapathrike Enna Koogi Karedide1968
Bangalore MailKannugale Kamalagalu1968
Bangalore MailBangara Baaleyu Naa1968
Bangalore MailAre Jaa Jaa1968
Bhagya DevatheKarunamaya Shankara1968
Bhagya DevatheEnna Maayada Madhava1968
Bhagya DevatheNayanade Nayana1968
Bhagyada BagiluNaa Bande Ninnodane1968
GandhinagaraRaghupathi Raghava Rajaram1968
Rowdy RangannaO Geleya Ramaiah1968
Rowdy RangannaKanneradu Nanage1968
Goa Dalli CID 999Love In Goa1968
Jedara BaleHello Mister1968
Jedara BaleAnjade Alukade1968
Jedara BaleIniya Banda Samaya1968
Mannina MagaBareyada Kaigalu1968
SarvamangalaLaali Laali1968
Simha SwapnaBekenu Bekenu1968
Simha SwapnaAngaile Aagasa Thoro1968
Simha SwapnaManadaaseya Heluve Indu1968
Simha SwapnaNagu Nagu Nagu Nanna Hoove1968
Choori ChikkannaCycle Mele Banda1969
Gandondu HennaruBeladingalagi Bande1969
GruhalakshmiNenedevu Nimma1969
MargadarshiNenedevu Nimma1969
Mayor MuthannaOnde Naadu Onde Kulavu Onde Daivavu1969
Bhale JodiAalisu O Iniya1970
C.I.D. RajannaYaavurappa Ninna Hesarenappa1970
Devara MakkaluDevara Makkalu Navella1970
Devara MakkaluHaadi Hoovu Nee Maguve1970
Hasiru ThoranaOnde Thayi Makkalu1970
Hasiru ThoranaOndu Dina Ellindalo Nee Bande1970
Hasiru ThoranaNee Yaaro Eno Sakha1970
Karulina KareThaja Thaja Kalle Kayi1970
Karulina KareNannavarige Yaaru Satiye1970
Karulina KareA Aa E Ee Kannadada1970
Mister RajkumarGangi Ninmele1970
ParopakariHodare Hogu Nanagenu1970
ParopakariKannu Reppe Ondanondu Marevude1970
Sri KrishnadevarayaSharanu Virupaksha Shashishekara1970
Sri KrishnadevarayaKhana Peena1970
Sri KrishnadevarayaBahu Janmada Poojaphala1970
Sri KrishnadevarayaChennarasi Cheluvarasi1970
Sri KrishnadevarayaThirupathi Girivasa1970
Namma SamsaraHennu Endare Heegirabeku1971
PrathidhwaniSari Naa Hogi Baruve1971
Sri Krishna Rukmini SatyabhamaNodalu Kangalu Ashisive1971
Sri Krishna Rukmini SatyabhamaMarethanala Indu Krishnanu1971
Sri Krishna Rukmini SatyabhamaThirunaguva shoora1971
Sri Krishna Rukmini SatyabhamaMeera Ballane Nanna Anathiya1971
Sri Krishna Rukmini SatyabhamaSarvagna Sarveshananu1971
Thayi DevaruHaayaagide Ee Dina Mana1971
Bhale HuchchaNodu Nanna Beauty1972
Bhale HuchchaBallige Hoovu Chenda1972
Hrudaya SangamaNee Thanda Kaanike1972
Hrudaya SangamaEno Kurudu Bhavane1972
Hrudaya SangamaNee Thanda Kaanike1972
Jaga Mecchida MagaO Raja Sahane Irali1972
Jaga Mecchida MagaIdu Yaava Janmada Sneha1972
Janma RahasyaKaaveri Theeradalli Ondu Kaadu1972
Janma RahasyaSahasagara Shamanna1972
Janma RahasyaKannanchali Thutiminchali1972
Janma RahasyaBeeso Gaali Ale1972
BidugadeNinneyo Mugida Kathe1973
Devaru Kotta ThangiThanire Haala Thaniyereyona1973
Devaru Kotta ThangiLaalisidalu Magana Yashode1973
Gandhada GudiEllu Hogolla Maama1973
Mooruvare VajragaluKrishna Endare Bhayavilla1973
Mooruvare VajragaluMangala Roopini1973
SwayamvaraKotige Obba Naadige Obba1973
Bangaarada PanjaraBittare Sigadone1974
Bangaarada PanjaraKariya Kambali1974
Bangaarada PanjaraCome And Meet Me1974
Bangaarada PanjaraSuy Anno Gaali1974
Bhakta KumbaraJodi Bedo Kalavamma1974
Eradu KanasuPoojisalende Hoogala Thande1974
Eradu KanasuThamnam Thamanam1974
Eradu KanasuIndu Enage Govinda1974
Sampatthige SavalAnthintha Hennu Naanalla1974
Sampatthige SavalRaja Muddu Raja1974
Sri Srinivasa KalyanaNaane Bhagyavathi1974
Sri Srinivasa KalyanaCheluvina Thaare Olavina Dhaare1974
Sri Srinivasa KalyanaIddiddu Iddaange1974
Daari Tappida MagaHaayada Ee Vele1975
MayuraHagalo Irulo Nanagondu Thoradindu1975
MayuraEe Mounava Thaalenu1975
ThrimurthyEko Na Manasothenu1975
ThrimurthyHannu Maagide1975
Bahaddur GanduAlle Nillu Nillayya Channigaraayane1976
Naa Ninna MareyalareNannaseyaa Hoove1976
Naa Ninna MareyalareEllelli Nodali Ninnanne Kaanuve1976
Naa Ninna MareyalareSihimutthu Sihimutthu1976
Raja Nanna RajaKalletigintha Ninna Kannetu1976
Raja Nanna RajaThanuvu Manavu Indu Nindagide1976
Premada kanikePutta Putta Hejje Ittu1976
BabruvahanaEe Samaya Anandamaya1977
BhagyavantharuBhagyavantharu1977
Giri KanyeKoodi Balona Innendu Seri Dudiyona1977
Giri KanyeNagunagutha Nee Baruve1977
Sanaadi AppannaRaaga Anuraaga1977
Sanaadi AppannaKaredaru Kelade1977
Sanaadi AppannaSwaras1977
Olavu GeluvuSangeethave Nee Nudiyuva Maathella1977
Olavu GeluvuHey Nannede Kogileya1977
Operation Diamond RacketAlli Illi Noduve Eke1978
Operation Diamond RacketNee Naduguve Eke1978
Thayige Thakka MagaChali Chali Nadukavu1978
Huliya Halina MevuChinnada Mallige Hoove1979
Huliya Halina MevuAase Heluvaase1979
Huliya Halina MevuRajadhi Raja1979
Naanobba KallaAraluthide Moha1979
Naanobba KallaAaseyu Kaigoodithu1979
Ravi ChandraNa Niinna Aase Kande1980
Vasantha GeethaHaayaada Ee Sanje1980
Nee Nanna GellalareJeeva Hoovagide1981
Nee Nanna GellalareNanna Neenu Gellalare1981
Nee Nanna GellalareNanna Muddina1981
Chalisuva ModagaluMy Lord Nanna Vaada1982
Chalisuva ModagaluChandira Thanda Hunnime Rathri1982
Chalisuva ModagaluNeenello Naanalle1982
Haalu JenuPogadirelo Ranga1982
Hosa BelakuTheredide Mane O Baa Athithi1982
Hosa BelakuCheluveye Ninna Nodalu1982
Hosa BelakuNeenaade Baalige Jyothi1982
Hosa BelakuRavi Neenu Aagasadinda1982
Bhaktha PrahladaNaa Hege Bannisali1983
Apoorva SangamaThaara O Thaara1984
Apoorva SangamaAralide Thanu Mana Nodutha Ninna1984
Samayada GombeSankochava Bidu1984
Samayada GombeNanna Saradara1984
Samayada GombeKogile Haadide Kelideya1984
YarivanuRaagavo Anuragavo1984
Dhruva ThareNyayavelli Adagide1985
JwalamukhiNodi Nodi Ella Nodi1985
Anuraga AralithuGanga Yamuna Sangama1986
Shruthi SeridagaKanasalli Bandavanare1987
Shruthi SeridagaHonnina Therinali1987
Shruthi SeridagaShruthi Seride Hithavaagide1987