The Indian Government recently announced the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan Award winners. Veteran South Indian playback singer Janaki has been selected by the government to be honored with the Padma Bhushan. But the singer has refused to accept the honor, as she considers the recognition of her fans in various languages as the highest award. She said that she has no complaints against the government and doesn't think they have done anything wrong, but she chooses to refuse the award. However her son Murali Krishna feels that the award has come too late and she should have got it long time ago. But the singer has refused to accept the award with due respect.

Singer Janaki, in her career spanning more than five decades, has sung songs in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi, singing over 20,000 songs. She has won four National Awards and 31 different State Awards. Known as The Nightingale of the South, she is a recipient of an Honorary doctorate and Kalaimamani award from Tamil Nadu State Government.