The nightingale who stole Kerala’s heart

S. Janaki remained the eternal favourite of generations of music lovers in Kerala, though never for the want of alternatives. There were stalwarts when she first arrived on the scene, and equally formidable voices when she thrived. None of them were mere pushovers, but legends in their own right such as P. Leela, P. Susheela, and Vani Jayaram. Yet casual listeners, more often than not, chose Janaki.