Soolamangalam Jayalakshmi, eldest of the Soolamangalam sisters, who were known from their devotional songs, passed away at her residence due to age related issues. She was 80.

Jayalakshmi and her younger sister Rajalakshmi, popularly known as Soolamangalam sisters, were known for their devotional songs especially ‘Kanda Sashti Kavasam’ and ‘Kanda Guru Kavasam’, that are being played in all major temples and households everyday.

The duo were recipients of the State government’s Kalaimamani award.

Born at Soolamangalam village (that earned them the sobriquet Soolamangalam) near Ayyampettai in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, the two sisters were the first to sign Carnatic music as a duo.

Their devotional and spiritual songs were more popular, especially ‘Kanda Sashti Kavasam’, which created a record in sale at the global-level among devotional song audiotapes.

Among the two of them, Jayalakshmi had rendered only a few songs in films and most of it would be duets with Rajalakshmi, whereas Rajalakshmi got more chances as a playback singer.

Her body was donated to a hospital for medical research as per her last wish.