Playback singer S. Janaki dies at 88 in Mysuru after age-related illness

Much like Lata Mangeshkar, Sistla Sreeramamurthy Janaki, or just S. Janaki, was a legend whose mellifluous voice broke into melody and magic to offer such lilting numbers that moved a nation to tears—joyful tears. In fact, many of us who grew up listening to her songs often forgot the movies in which the numbers played, but never the songs! Born in Andhra Pradesh's Guntur in April 1938, her passing on July 11 was a humungous loss to the world of mostly cinema. She also rendered devotional numbers apart from pop, disco, and film music. Fluent in several languages, including her mother tongue Telugu, she sang in Malayalam, Hindi, Punjabi, and Bengali, as well as English, Japanese, German, and Sinhala. Her first steps into the musical arena were through Vidhiyin Vilayattu in 1957. She was just 9 and offered songs in six different languages the same year—a record that has probably never been broken.Winner of multiple prizes, including four national awards and 33 state movie awards, Janaki also clinched the prestigious Kalaimamani Award from the Tamil Nadu government. But when she was offered the Padma Bhushan in 2013, she refused it, saying that it came too late in her 55-year-old career. Besides, she also rued the lack of recognition for South Indian artists. They were always sidelined, she felt, and she was not far from the truth. With no formal training in classical music but with a fantastically disciplined upbringing by an Ayurvedic doctor father and a teacher mother, she learnt the secrets of success—passion and dedication. And the basics of music flowed from Nadaswaram Vidwan Paidiswamy. A public performance at nine did not go to her head; rather, it made her humbler and helped her realise what a vast ocean music was and that one could never completely fathom it even if one were to live an eternity.But her numbers, 40,000 in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam—like, for instance, Thendral Vanthu Theendumbothu (from Avatharam), Chendoora Poove (from 16 Vayathiniley), Pagale Vennela (from Swathi Muthyam), Sun Ri Piya (Mard), Yaar Bina Chain Kahan Re (Saaheb), and Gori Ka Sajan (Aakhree Raasta)—moved and melted a nation hungering for peace after devastating wars. In fact, often referred to as the “Nightingale of the South”, Janaki was as popular and as unforgettable as Lata—only that Southern music found it difficult to cross the Vindhyas, while Hindi songs had easy access across the length and breadth of India. The reason is not hard to find: northerners were more pushy with their PR, not so their southern counterparts. And while singers like Lata emerged as powerful beacons of light, Janaki and her southern ilk remained in the shadows. Or just about.

Legendary playback singer S. Janaki, the 'Nightingale of South India', leaves behind an unmatched musical legacy spanning six decades and over 48,000 songs

Legendary playback singer S Janaki was laid to rest with full state honours near Mysuru on Sunday, with her granddaughter, Apsara Vydyula, performing the final rites. The iconic singer was cremated at her farmhouse in Kaniyanahundi, where family members, admirers and well-wishers gathered to bid her a final farewell.In an emotional moment, Apsara consigned her grandmother's mortal remains to the flames and spoke to the media about the immense loss her family and the music industry have suffered.S Janaki Passes Away At 88: 'Nightingale Of South India' & Voice Behind Yaar Bina Chain Kahan Re No More"This is a great loss, not just to our family, for the whole nation, for the whole world. My grandmom was a very versatile singer. She had the most expressive type of singing. I think everybody who listens to her music knows that. I'm very honoured to have been her granddaughter in this lifetime. I have learned so many things from her. Not just as a celebrity, but first and foremost, she was my grandmother."VIDEO | Karnataka Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, actor Jayamala, and other leaders pay their last respects to legendary singer S Janaki at a farmhouse in Kaniyanahundi near Mysuru.(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/1CMPnHJ1Eh— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 12, 2026 Remembering Janaki beyond her legendary career, Apsara added, "She will be deeply missed. Not just by me, the whole world. I remember her as a kind, gentle, wonderful person who was kind to animals. She loved animals. I really respect her for that. She was so down to earth and humble. Anybody who meets her will tell you the same thing. She will be greatly missed, but forever, she will live on through her music. We only have that now. We're always together. There is no goodbye."#WATCH | Mysuru, Karnataka: Apsara Vydyula, granddaughter of veteran singer S Janaki, says, "This is a great loss, not just to our family, for the whole nation, for the whole world. My grandmom was a very versatile singer. She had the most expressive type of singing. I think… https://t.co/GpoxOed5kN pic.twitter.com/EisCyNEuUw— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2026Fans also gathered to pay their last respects to the singer, fondly known as Janaki Amma and the Nightingale of South India. She passed away at the age of 88 after being admitted to Apollo Hospital in Mysuru with breathing difficulties caused by age-related health issues.Earlier, Apsara had announced her grandmother's passing through an emotional social media post.She wrote, "Dear everyone, It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of my beloved grandmother and legendary singer, Smt. S. Janaki." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Apsara Vydyula (@apsaravydyula) Sharing details about her final moments, she added, "She left us peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family. While our hearts are heavy, we are also filled with gratitude for the extraordinary life she lived and the immeasurable joy she brought to millions through her timeless music."Reflecting on the singer's legacy within the family, Apsara wrote, "To the world, she was an iconic voice whose songs became part of countless memories. To us, she was a loving grandmother whose warmth, humility, kindness, and grace will remain with us forever." She also requested everyone to honour Janaki's memory while respecting the family's privacy during this difficult time.#WATCH | Mysuru, Karnataka | Fans mourn and pay their last respects to the mortal remains of legendary playback singer S Janaki, affectionately referred to as Janaki amma and Nightingale of Deccan, who died at the age of 88 in Mysuru, last night. pic.twitter.com/JioV3IgcOs— ANI (@ANI) July 12, 2026 A towering figure in Indian music, S Janaki enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades and recorded over 20,000 songs in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi. A four-time National Film Award winner, she lent her voice to timeless songs including Senthoora Poove, Mounamelanoyi, Inji Iduppazhagi, Yaar Bina Chain Kahan Re and Bol Baby Bol Rock 'n' Roll. In 2013, she declined the Padma Bhushan, saying the honour had come too late in her career and calling for greater recognition of artists from South India.

Legendary playback singer S Janaki, fondly known as the "Nightingale of South India," passed away at the age of 88 at Apollo Hospital in Mysuru after suffering age-related health complications.

S Janaki, fondly known as the ‘Nightingale of the South’, passed away in Mysuru on Saturday, at the age of 88. Her family confirmed the news through a statement on social media.

Legendary playback singer S Janaki, known as "Janaki Amma", passed away at 88. She breathed her last at Apollo Hospital after suffering multiple cardiac arrests. Janaki made Mysuru her home after retiring from playback singing in 2017. She recorded over 48,000 songs in more than 20 languages during her career. Last rites will be performed at a farmhouse in Kaniyanahundi on Sunday.