The well known playback singer S. Janaki has rejected the `Padma Bhushan’ award given to her this year by the Government describing it “too late to come to her”.

Play Back Singer S.Janaki – pic courtesy: The Hindu

The Veteran south Indian playback singer has declined to accept the Padma Bhushan award as she feels that the honour has come late in her five—and—half—decade long career.

However, 75—year old Janaki, who has over 20,000 songs in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi to her credit, said she had no grouse against the Government.

Speaking to media persons at a marriage ceremony in Srikrishnapuram near Palakkad on Saturday she said that she is “rejecting the Padma Bhushan award given by the Government. But I am not finding fault with any one for this late recognition. I have no grouse against the Government. I was happy that the Government has honored me.”

“I refuse the Padma award… I have been singing for the last 55 years. I consider the recognition of my fans in various languages as the highest award,” she said

She said that she sung thousands of songs in different languages, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi. There were appreciations from large number of people including Keralites. I consider it as the highest award from the people of different parts of the country.

Singara Velane ~ Rendered by S. Janaki

“I have been singing for the last 55 years. I have sung a variety of songs in many languages. They all appreciated my songs. Even you Malayalees often say that my pronunciation is correct. So what else I require than the recognition from the people,” she said.

Considering this achievement, “I should have been given the highest civilian award of `Bharat Ratna’ if the Government wanted to recognize my work. I am not interested in any other awards like the Padma awards.”

Inji Iduppazhahi ~ in Devar Magan

She said that the “Government should show some more consideration to the artists from the Southern parts of the country in recognizing their talents and contributions.”

Janaki, who had won four national awards, was chosen in the art category among the 24 Padma Bhushan awardees in different fields announced on the eve of the Republic Day.

Her son Murali Krishna said the honour to his mother came too late.

He also said they were not informed about the award being given to her and they learnt about it only through “some body else”.

(COMPILED FROM NEWS REPORTS IN INDIAN MEDIA)