Janaki rejects award, says she deserves Bharat Ratna

January 26, 2013 03:42 pm | Updated November 16, 2021 10:32 pm IST - Palakkad

Well-known playback singer S. Janaki on Saturday rejected the Padma Bhushan award, for which she has been chosen, describing it “too late to come to her.”

Speaking to journalists at a marriage ceremony at Srikrishnapuram near here, the ace singer said though she rejected the award “I am not finding fault with anyone for this late recognition. I have no grouse against the government. I was happy that the government has honoured me.”

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

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

She said the government should show some more consideration to the artists from the southern parts of the country in recognising their talents and contributions.

The singer said she was 78 and it was better to honour her now rather after “my demise”.

She had won four national awards for her songs in different languages.

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