Legendary and irreplaceable playback singer S Janaki passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the age of 88 in Mysuru. She was admitted to Apollo BGS Hospital after her health suddenly worsened.
According to hospital officials, the legendary singer suffered multiple cardiac arrests despite receiving intensive medical treatment. She was under observation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) but could not recover.
Her granddaughter Apsara Vydyula, shared an emotional note on social media, saying that Janaki passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family. She thanked everyone for the love shown to the singer and remembered her as a warm, kind and humble grandmother.
Born on April 23, 1938, in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, S Janaki began her playback singing career in the late 1950s. Over the next six decades, she became one of India’s most respected singers, recording more than 40,000 songs across nearly 20 languages.
She sang in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, Odia, Tulu, Punjabi, Sanskrit and several other Indian and international languages. Her ability to adapt her voice to different emotions and characters made her one of the most loved playback singers in Indian cinema.
Throughout her career, she worked with some of the biggest music composers and singers, delivering countless memorable songs that continue to be loved by audiences even today.
S. Janaki’s passing marks the end of an unforgettable chapter in Indian film music. While her voice has fallen silent, her songs will continue to live on through generations. Fans, musicians, film personalities and political leaders have been paying tribute to the legendary singer, remembering the timeless music she gifted to Indian cinema.
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