Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tribute to legendary playback singer S Janaki, describing her death as an irreparable loss to Indian music and culture.

The iconic singer passed away at a private hospital in Mysore on Saturday at the age of 88, bringing to a close a remarkable career that spanned six decades and left an enduring mark on Indian cinema.

Expressing his condolences in a post on X, the Prime Minister said Janaki's songs, rendered in several Indian languages, had captivated audiences across generations.

He said she possessed exceptional grace and versatility, giving voice to every emotion through her music, and added that her timeless melodies would continue to inspire and enchant listeners for years to come.

PM Modi also conveyed his sympathies to her family, admirers and the entire music fraternity, saying her contribution to Indian music would always be remembered.

The veteran singer's granddaughter announced her passing through a social media post.

S Janaki made her playback singing debut in the Tamil film Vidhiyin Vilayattu in 1957 and entered Malayalam cinema the same year. Her dedication to mastering the language's pronunciation and nuances earned her widespread admiration, eventually making her one of the most celebrated female playback singers in Malayalam cinema from the 1970s onwards.

During a career spanning from 1957 to 2017, she recorded more than 48,000 songs in 20 languages, making her one of the most prolific playback singers in Indian music history.

Her distinguished career was recognised with four National Film Awards and 33 State Film Awards, reflecting her immense contribution to Indian film music across multiple languages.