India, July 12 -- Legendary playback singer S. Janaki, fondly known as the "Nightingale of South India," passed away at the age of 88, marking the end of an extraordinary musical journey that spanned more than six decades. She breathed her last in Mysuru, leaving behind a legacy of over 40,000 songs recorded in nearly 20 Indian languages. Her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from political leaders, film personalities and fans across the country.

President Droupadi Murmu described Janaki as a "musical icon" whose timeless voice enriched India's cultural heritage, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi called her passing an "irreparable loss to the world of music and culture." Actors including Kamal Haasan, Chiranjeevi, Rajinikan...