Chennai: Veteran singer Vani Jayaram was found dead at her residence in Chennai on Saturday.
She was 77 and was living all alone in a downtown apartment. Her husband predeceased her and she has no children.
Reportedly, she was conferred with the Padma Bhushan award for this year.
The singer’s maid turned up as usual for work and alerted the singer’s relatives who informed police.
“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 call. It’s only she who stays at this residence,” said the maid.
The singer has sung over 10,000 songs in 19 languages including the very popular Hindi number ‘bole re papihara.’