Jamuna Rani, legendary playback singer of South Indian cinema, dies at 88

Veteran playback singer Jamuna Rani, whose distinctive voice graced thousands of songs in Tamil, Telugu, and Sinhalese films, passed away in Bengaluru on Thursday (July 30, 2026). She was 88. Her career, spanning several decades, left an indelible mark on South Indian cinema.

Jamuna Rani was known for her remarkable vocal range and versatility. Playback singer Mano, who performed with her in stage shows during the 1980s, recalled her ability to effortlessly match T.M. Soundararajan’s pitch in the iconic song Yaaradi Nee Mohini from the Sivaji Ganesan-starrer Uthama Puthiran. Composed in a Western style, the song became hugely popular. Mano noted that her voice combined a folk flavour, native idiom, and rhythmic vitality, allowing her to excel in every opportunity she received.

She collaborated with renowned music directors such as G. Ramanathan, Viswanathan-Ramamurthy, and V. Kumar, as well as several Telugu composers. Her voice suited actors like M.N. Rajam and Sowcar Janaki, among others. Songs like Kaalai Vayasu Kattana Manasu from Deivapiravi exemplified her talent. While T.R. Mahalingam’s Senthamizh Thenmozhiyal became an enduring classic, Jamuna Rani was entrusted with the poignant version of the same song in the film.

Her repertoire includes unforgettable numbers such as Paattondru Ketten, Paravasam Aanen from Pasamalar, enriched by chorus and humming. Her duet with comedian-singer J.P. Chandrababu, Kungumapoove Konjum Purave, continues to attract younger listeners. The song Mama Mama Mama remains celebrated for its infectious rhythm and folk flavour. She was one of the four voices in Athikai Kai Kai Alankai Vennilave, and her love duet with P.B. Srinivas, Aathimanithan Kathalukkupin, is still remembered fondly.

Jamuna Rani made her playback debut at the age of seven with a song in the Telugu film Tyagayya. She also sang the child version of the popular song O Devadas in Devadas. She entered the film industry at a time when playback singing was dominated by Jikki, P. Leela, M.L. Vasanthakumari, M.S. Rajeswari, and A.P. Komala. Despite this, she carved a niche for herself by rendering numerous songs for the Travancore Sisters, Lalitha and Padmini, and singing duets with leading singers like T.M. Soundararajan and J.P. Chandrababu.

Her career gained momentum after she joined Modern Theatres. With a distinctive vocal timbre and remarkable versatility, Jamuna Rani became one of the most recognisable playback singers of the 1950s and 1960s. She continued to record songs into the 1980s. Composer Ilaiyaraaja chose her and M.S. Rajeswari to render Naan Sirithal Deepavali for a nautch girl in the film Nayakan, starring Kamal Haasan.

Although she entered the industry before P. Susheela, Jamuna Rani was eventually overshadowed by a new generation of playback singers. Yet her influence endured. In the expressive singing style of L.R. Eswari, one can discern echoes of Jamuna Rani’s vocal approach. She belonged to an era of Tamil cinema when melody and the expressive power of the human voice defined film music. Her songs remain an enduring testament to that golden age.