Veteran playback singer Jamuna Rani passes away
She was known for her folk flavour, nativity, and rhythmic vitality
Veteran playback singer Jamuna Rani, celebrated for her distinctive voice in south Indian cinema, passed away in Bengaluru on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at the age of 88. Known for her ability to render thousands of songs in Tamil, Telugu, and Sinhalese, she had a career spanning several decades. Her vocal range was particularly notable for matching T.M.
Soundararajan's in the song "Yaaradi Nee Mohini" from the film "Uthama Puthiran." Playback singer Mano, who performed with Jamuna Rani during the 1980s, praised her voice for combining folk flavors, native idioms, and rhythmic vitality. Jamuna Rani's career began at the age of seven with a song in the Telugu film "Tyagayya." Despite being overshadowed by newer generations of playback singers, her influence remained significant, with echoes of her vocal style found in L.R.
Eswari's expressive singing. Her songs continue to be celebrated for their timeless melodies and emotional depth, preserving a golden era of Tamil cinema.
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