Chennai: Famous playback singer Vani Jayaram found dead at home

Speaking to the media, Malarkodi, who works at the singer's residence, noted that the former did not open the door despite ringing the bell five times.

Chennai:Famous playback singer Vani Jayaram was discovered dead at her residence in the Nungambakkam area of the city on Saturday. She was aged 78 at the time of death. Throughout her career, Jayaram has sung in a total of 19 languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali and others. She was recently conferred the Padma Bhushan award.

The singer lived alone in her apartment, her husband having passed away before her. The couple had no children, informed police officials. Malarkodi, Jayaram's domestic help who is employed at the residence, said she rang the bell five times, which emitted no response. "I rang the bell five times at Vani Jairam's residence. But she didn't open the door. Even my husband called her up but she didn't receive the goal. It's only she who stays at this residence" she said.

She then informed Jayaram's relatives, who she said alerted the police. The singer was found dead after cops broke open the door in the presence of her relatives. Malarkodi also noted that police discovered Jayaram with a forehead injury. Officials, meanwhile, said she might have fallen down and injured herself.

Having collaborated with some of the biggest composers across industries, Jayaram delivered chartbusters renowned till day. She won the National Film Awards for the Best Female Playback Singer thrice, and also received state awards in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and other states.