Udupi: Music lovers in Udupi were taken on a nostalgic journey through the evergreen melodies of legendary playback singer S Janaki at ‘Janaki Namana’, a special tribute programme organised by Coastal Star Music Club, Manipal, at the Yakshagana Kalaranga auditorium on Friday, October 2.
The programme drew a packed audience, with popular singers performing some of S Janaki’s memorable songs in different languages. The musical evening offered listeners an opportunity to revisit melodies associated with the golden era of Indian film music.
Tribute to a legendary voice
Coastal Star Music Club, Manipal, is a collective of music enthusiasts who have come together to pursue their passion for music and karaoke singing. Through ‘Janaki Namana’, the club celebrated the musical legacy of S Janaki by presenting a selection of her evergreen songs.
The programme began with the traditional lighting of the lamp in the presence of the dignitaries and members of the music club.
Ramesh Vaidya, regional head of Karnataka Bank; Aravind Kamath, Additional Solicitor General, High Court of Karnataka; Prakash Kamath, founder of Coastal Star Music Club; renowned artistes Vidushi Sangeetha Balachandra and Malini Keshav Prasad; and club members Venkatesh Kamath and Vanditha Kamath were present on the dais.
Popular S Janaki songs enthral audience
The singers presented a selection of songs associated with S Janaki, taking the audience through different phases and languages of her celebrated career.
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the popular Tulu song ‘Yekka Saka’. The inclusion of the Tulu melody added a distinct regional touch to the tribute programme and connected the celebration with the cultural heritage of coastal Karnataka.
The audience also enjoyed songs including ‘Gaganavo Yello, Bhoomiyu Yello’, ‘Tangaliyalli Nanu Tele Bande’, ‘Naguva Nayana Madhura Mouna’, ‘Aase’ and ‘Halli Mestre’, along with several other popular melodies.
The performances recreated the mood of classic film music and allowed music enthusiasts to reconnect with songs that have remained popular across generations.
Singers present memorable performances
Vidushi Sangeetha Balachandra, Malini Keshav Prasad, Swathi Aravind, Ganesh Karanth, Ramya Sudheendra, Prakash Kamath, Rishika, Shruthi Vaidya and Gaurav Kamath lent their voices to the various songs performed during the programme.
The singers brought their individual styles to the compositions while retaining the essence of the original melodies. The packed auditorium and audience response reflected the continuing popularity of S Janaki’s music among listeners.
The programme also showcased the efforts of Coastal Star Music Club in bringing music enthusiasts together and creating opportunities for them to perform before an audience.
Anchors guide musical journey
The programme was anchored by Amithanjali and Ganesh Karanth, who guided the audience through the evening’s musical journey.
The anchors also highlighted different aspects of S Janaki’s illustrious contribution to Indian film music, providing context to the songs performed during the programme.
Their presentation helped connect the individual performances and gave the audience an insight into the enduring appeal of the legendary singer’s voice.
Vidushi Sangeetha Balachandra honoured
A special moment during the programme was the felicitation of Vidushi Sangeetha Balachandra.
She was honoured in recognition of her world-record performance. The recognition added another significant moment to an evening dedicated to celebrating musical excellence and the contributions of artistes.
The tribute programme brought together experienced artistes, music enthusiasts and members of the Coastal Star Music Club in a shared celebration of one of India’s most recognisable playback voices.
Evening concludes with vote of thanks
The musical tribute concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Prakash Kamath.
‘Janaki Namana’ not only celebrated the songs of S Janaki but also highlighted the enduring connection between classic film music and audiences. Through familiar melodies performed live, the programme created an atmosphere of nostalgia while providing local music enthusiasts an opportunity to showcase their talent.
The successful programme at Yakshagana Kalaranga added another musical event to Udupi’s cultural calendar, with the packed auditorium reflecting the continued affection for timeless melodies and legendary voices.