Legendary Playback Singer S. Janaki Passes Away at 88

Legendary playback singer S. Janaki passed away at the age of 88 while undergoing treatment at a hospital in Mysuru. She had been battling age-related health issues for some time and reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest. Her demise has left the Indian film and music fraternity in deep mourning, with tributes pouring in from artists, fans and public figures across the country.

Born as Sishtla Sreeramamurthy Janaki in Repalle of Andhra Pradesh's Guntur district in 1938, S. Janaki carved an unparalleled legacy in Indian playback singing. Popularly known as the "Nightingale of South India" and "Gaana Kokila," she recorded more than 50,000 songs in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi during a remarkable career spanning over six decades. Her ability to effortlessly express every emotion through her voice made her one of the most celebrated singers in Indian cinema.

S. Janaki received four National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer and numerous honours from state governments, including 12 Nandi Awards. Her contribution to Indian music remains unmatched, inspiring generations of singers and music lovers. Though she stepped away from playback singing in recent years, her timeless melodies will continue to live on in the hearts of millions, ensuring that her musical legacy endures forever.