Veteran playback singer S Janaki, popularly known as the Nightingale of South India, passed away at the age of 88. She breathed her last at the Apollo Hospital in Mysuru after battling age-related ailments. Popularly known as Janaki Amma, the legendary singer turned down the Padma Bhushan—India’s third-highest civilian honor—in 2013, saying the recognition was too late. He also stated that his decades-long contribution to Indian music deserved the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award. Over the course of her illustrious career, Janaki received four National Film Awards and an unprecedented 33 State Film Awards in multiple languages.Janaki started her illustrious playback singing career in 1957 and went on to become one of India’s most popular voices. Over the decades, he has forged iconic collaborations with composer Ilaiyaraaja and legendary playback singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, delivering countless timeless songs in several Indian languages. He has sung in more than 20 languages ​​throughout his career but since the last few years he has been battling health issues.His immense contribution to Indian music has earned him many prestigious awards, including the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award and the: Padma Bhushan. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Mysore in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the field of music.Janaki married V Ramaprasad in 1959. After his death, she made Hyderabad her home, where she spent her later years.