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New Delhi: Veteran playback singer S Janaki, one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated voices, died on Saturday at the age of 88 following age-related ailments, family sources said.

The legendary singer was admitted to a private hospital after developing breathing difficulties on Friday night. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family.

With a career spanning more than six decades, Janaki recorded over 48,000 songs across nearly 20 Indian languages, leaving an unmatched legacy in Indian music.

Confirming the news, Janaki’s granddaughter Apsara Vydyula shared an emotional note on Instagram.

“It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of my beloved grandmother and legendary singer, Smt S Janaki.”

She added that the singer passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, and thanked fans for their prayers while requesting privacy for the family during this difficult time.

Born on April 23, 1938, in Pallapatla, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, Janaki began her playback career with the Tamil film Vidhiyin Vilayattu in 1957, when she was just 19.

Fondly known as “Janaki Amma” and widely regarded as the “Nightingale of South India”, she became one of the most prolific playback singers in Indian cinema. Although she sang in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, Odia, Tulu, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali and several other languages, she is believed to have recorded the highest number of songs in Kannada. She also performed in English, Japanese, German and Sinhala.

Her duets with PB Srinivas, SP Balasubrahmanyam and Dr Rajkumar remain among the most cherished songs in South Indian cinema.

During her illustrious career, Janaki received numerous honours, including:

• Four National Film Awards
• 33 State film awards
• Kalaimamani award from the Tamil Nadu government
• Rajyotsava Prashasti from the Karnataka government
• Honorary doctorate from the University of Mysore

In 2013, Janaki declined the Padma Bhushan, saying the honour had come too late in her career. She had also publicly stated that she believed her contribution to Indian music merited the Bharat Ratna.

Following the death of her husband, V Ramprasad, in 1997, Janaki became known for her simple appearance, often wearing plain white or uncoloured sarees. Earlier this year, she also lost her son, Murali Krishna, who passed away on January 22.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed grief over the singer’s demise, saying her “golden voice” had found a place in the hearts of millions and would remain immortal in the state’s cultural heritage.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, Shivakumar spoke to Janaki’s family and directed that her last rites be conducted with full state honours.

Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah has been deputed to represent the Karnataka government at the funeral. He said Janaki’s mortal remains would be kept at Maharaja’s College Grounds in Mysuru on Sunday morning to enable the public to pay their last respects.

As per the family’s wishes, the last rites will be held at a farm in Kaniyanahundi village, Mysuru, where Janaki had expressed a desire to be cremated. The family will announce the timing of the funeral.

Following news of her death, fans, well-wishers and political leaders gathered outside the hospital to pay tribute to the legendary singer whose voice shaped generations of Indian music.