Veteran Playback Singer S. Janaki Passes Away at 88

Mangalore Today News Network

Mysuru, July 12, 2026: Legendary playback singer S. Janaki, fondly known as the "Nightingale of South India", passed away at a private hospital in Mysuru on Saturday following age-related ailments. She was 88.

Family sources said Janaki developed breathing difficulties on Friday night and was admitted to the hospital, where she breathed her last.

Confirming the news, her granddaughter Apsara Vydyula shared an emotional message on Instagram, stating that the iconic singer passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family.

"It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of my beloved grandmother and legendary singer, Smt. S. Janaki. She left us peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family," she wrote, thanking fans and well-wishers for their prayers and requesting privacy for the family during the period of mourning.

With a career spanning more than six decades, Janaki recorded over 48,000 songs in nearly 20 Indian languages, including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Odia, Tulu, Urdu, Punjabi and Bengali. Renowned for her versatility, she lent her voice to films, albums, television and radio, leaving an indelible mark on Indian music.

Born on April 23, 1938, in Pallapatla village of Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district, Janaki began her playback singing career at the age of 19 with the Tamil film Vidhiyin Vilayattu (1957).

Although she enjoyed immense popularity across South India, she is believed to have recorded the highest number of songs in Kannada, earning a special place in the hearts of music lovers in the state.

Widely admired as "Janaki Amma" by her fans and disciples, her timeless melodies continue to inspire generations of listeners and musicians alike.