Bhubaneswar: Legendary playback singer and four-time National Film Award winner S Janaki passed away at a private hospital in Mysuru on Saturday after suffering a cardiac arrest. She was 88.

Fondly known as "Janaki Amma" by millions of fans, she enjoyed a remarkable career spanning several decades and recorded more than 48,000 songs in multiple Indian languages. She began her playback singing career at the age of 19 with the Tamil film Vidhiyin Vilayattu and rose to prominence within a year by recording around 100 songs in six Indian languages.

Apart from her immense contribution to South Indian cinema, S Janaki also left an indelible mark on Odia music. She remained an active voice in the Odia film industry from the 1970s until the mid-1980s with more than 50 romantic, devotional, and emotional songs.

She made her Odia playback debut in 1974 with the film Mana Akasha, lending her voice to the song Chora Chora Preeti, composed by Upendra Kumar. Over the years, she delivered several memorable songs, including Ja Ja Ja Re Nagara from Bandhu Mohanty, Manara Manisha Jadi from Rakta Golapa, Rajani Go Mo Priya Nayane from Gauri, Nei Jare Megha Mote from Balidan, Kau Dhana Khaila Boli from Sautuni, Kali Ratire Kahin Gala Nagara from Nijhum Rati Sathi, and Kalia Asila from Srijagannath.

Janaki worked with some of Odisha's finest music directors, including Upendra Kumar, Prafulla Kar, Akshaya Mohanty, and Basudeb Rath, helping shape the golden era of Odia film music.

In recognition of her contribution to Odia cinema, she received the Odisha State Film Award for Best Playback Singer in 1986 for her performance in the film Sata Kebe Luchi Rahena.

S Janaki's passing marks the end of an era in Indian playback singing. Her timeless songs across languages, including her memorable contributions to Odia music, will continue to inspire generations of music lovers.