Growing up, till certain age I didn’t pay attention to playback singers. Rather I believed the actors sang the songs. Thanks to Puthiya Varpugal which made me realize there is something called dubbing voice and playback singers. Only then I realized Pongum Kagalosai one of my favorite songs from Meenava Nanban (1977) is sung by Vani Jayaram. From then onwards, I started paying attention to the singers. We had many that being the golden era of great composers – MSV, Ilayaraja, Shankar Ganesh, KV, and singers – SPB, Jesudas, Susheela, Janaki, Vani, Malaysia, Jency, Jayachandran, KS Chitra and many more. Like crores of others, grew up listening to them from my childhood days. Hard to imagine a life without them. When someone bids goodbye it always leaves a void that can never be filled. I don’t think I will have anything new to say about Vani Jayaram. Whatever can be said, has been already told and written. As a tribute, listing few of my favorite Vani Jayaram’s songs.

Pongum Kadalosai – Meenava Nanban:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr4Xr8MFnSg

Naane Naana – Azhage Unnai Aarathikkeren:

Ennulil Yengo – Rosappu Ravikkaikari:

Ore Naal Unnai Naan – Ilamai Oonjal Adukirathu

Nitham nitham – Mullum Malarum

Malligai mullai Poopanthal – Anbe Aaruyire

Indraikku Yen Intha Aananthame – Vaithehi Kathirunthal

Thangathil Mugameduthu – Meenava Nanban

Yaarathu Sollamal – Nenjamellam Neeye

Malligai en mannan – Theerkasumangali: The song that propelled her all over Tamilnadu in 1974

Yezhu Swarangalukkul – Apoorva Raagankal

Bharathi Kannamma – Ninaithale Inikkum

Antha Manai Parungal – Andaman Kaadhali

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7Toi0__F6g

Megame Megame – Palaivana Solai

Unnai Kaanum – Unnai Naan Santhithen

Vani may have left the world. But her music will live on. Only one thing I got to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. We all love you.