Legendary playback singer S. Janaki, voice of 48,000 songs, dies at 88
Veteran playback singer S. Janaki, who recorded over 48,000 songs in multiple Indian languages, passed away at the age of 88 in Mysuru, Karnataka on Saturday, July 11, 2026. She was admitted to Apollo Hospital in the early hours of the day after developing health complications, and though she was placed in the Intensive Care Unit, she suffered a cardiac arrest and was declared deceased in the evening, according to hospital and family sources.
Born in the village of Pallapatla in present-day Telangana, Janaki's early exposure to folk music and her participation in local cultural events sparked her interest in film music. She moved to Madras (now Chennai) as a teenager to pursue a career in playback singing, and her first big break came with the 1957 Telugu film 'M.L.A.' Her distinctive voice and remarkable range soon made her a sought-after singer in the South Indian film industries.
Over a career spanning six decades, Janaki sang predominantly in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam, but also recorded in Hindi, Odia, Tulu, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, and about 20 other languages. She worked with leading music composers and was known for her ability to effortlessly switch between classical-based numbers, folk songs, and light melodies.
Janaki's granddaughter, Apsara Vydyula, posted a heartfelt note on Instagram, stating, '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.' She added, '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.'
In her later years, Janaki resided in Bogadi, Mysuru. Her contributions to Indian cinema were recognized with several state and national awards, including the Padma Shri in 2013. Her death marks the end of an era in Indian playback singing.
