Hyderabad, Jul 16 (IANS): Veteran Telugu playback singer V. Ramakrishna, who was reportedly undergoing treatment for cancer for quite some time, breathed his last on Wednesday at his residence here. He was 68.

"He passed away late last night at his Venkatagiri Hills residence," a family source told IANS.

Born in 1947, Ramakrishna, who has nearly 5,000 songs to his credit, started his career as a singer at a very young age on popular show Yuva Vani on All India Radio.

Nephew of popular playback singer P. Susheela, Ramakrishna idolised legendary singer Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao.

In 1972, he made his singing debut with the Telugu song "Vayase Oka Poolathota" from "Vichitra Bandham".

He went on to sing several chartbusters in films such as "Andala Ramudu", "Sharada", "Alluri Seetharama Raju", "Muthyala Muggu" and "Amaradeepam".

Ramakrishna is survived his wife Jyothi, son Sai Kiran, a popular Telugu actor and daughter Lekha.

His last rites will be performed on Thursday.