Veteran playback singer S Janaki is mourning the loss of her son, Murali Krishna, who passed away in the early hours of Thursday, January 22. Reports, including those from Nakkheeran, state that he died following a sudden heart attack, sending shockwaves through the film and music fraternity.
Murali Krishna’s demise has drawn an outpouring of grief from across the industry, with artistes, musicians, and fans expressing their condolences to the iconic singer and her family during this difficult time.
Born in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, S Janaki rose to prominence as a playback singer in the early 1950s before eventually settling in Chennai, a phase that marked the most prolific period of her career. She was married to Ram Prasad, and the couple had one son, Murali Krishna. Growing up in a household steeped in music and the arts, Murali developed a strong creative inclination from a young age, encouraged by parents who were supportive of his interests.
Murali Krishna shared a deep love for cinema, particularly Tamil and Telugu films, and was also trained in Bharatanatyam. He married a Chennai-based dancer, Uma, and the couple had two daughters. The marriage later ended in divorce, after which Murali ensured his daughters were settled before choosing a quieter life. In recent years, he had been living with his mother.
According to sources close to the family, Murali Krishna fell ill suddenly in the early hours of January 22, with no prior indication of serious health issues.
As news of his passing spread, several prominent figures from the worlds of film and music reached out to S Janaki to offer their support and sympathies. Singer KS Chithra took to her Facebook handle to pen a note of condolence that read, "Shocked to learn about the sudden demise of Murali Anna (only son of our beloved Janaki Amma) this morning. Lost a loving brother. May God give strength to Amma to overcome this unbearable pain and grief. May the departed soul rest in peace in the eternal world. Om Shanthi. (sic)
Messages of condolence continue to pour in, with many praying for Murali Krishna’s soul to rest in peace and for S Janaki to find strength and solace as she navigates this profound personal loss.