Veteran South Indian playback singer Jamuna Rani dies at 88

Veteran playback singer Jamuna Rani, whose distinctive voice defined a golden era of South Indian cinema, died on July 30, 2026, at her residence in Bengaluru. She was 88. Her family confirmed she passed away peacefully due to age-related ailments.

Rani’s extraordinary career spanned nearly eight decades, during which she recorded more than 6,000 songs across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Sinhalese films. Born on May 17, 1938, in Andhra Pradesh, she displayed prodigious talent from childhood, making her playback debut at just seven years old in the 1946 Telugu film "Tyagayya."

Her entry into Tamil cinema came in the early 1950s, with the song "Success Success" from the film "Kalyani" bringing her widespread recognition. She quickly established herself as a versatile and expressive vocalist, known for her impeccable diction and ability to adapt to diverse musical styles. A significant milestone was her rendition of "Oh Devadas" for a child artiste in the 1953 film "Devadas," making her one of the earliest playback singers to lend her voice to child characters in Tamil cinema.

Rani’s collaboration with Modern Theatres further propelled her career, and she became a fixture...