Radha (1932 - 28 September 2025) and Jayalakshmi (1932 - 2014), popularly known as Radha Jayalakshmi (), were an Indian Carnatic music vocalist duo as well as playback singers in films in the 1940s and 1950s. They later became teachers and trained notable Carnatic music singers. Jayalakshmi was the playback singer of the duo, but was credited as Radha Jayalakshmi in the cine field. Radha was her cousin and singing partner in live stage performances. They were early vocalists in the duo singing trend in Carnatic music which started in the 1950s and includes performers like Bombay Sisters and Soolamangalam Sisters. In recent times, the trend has been continued by popular Carnatic music singers like Priya Sisters, their disciples, Ranjani Gayatri, Bellur sisters, Mambalam Sisters, Akkarai sisters, and others.

The duo was awarded the 1981 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in Carnatic Music – Vocal, given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama Vidushi Jayalakshmi died in Chennai on 27 May 2014.

Early life and training

Radha and Jayalakshmi's singing style belongs to the G. N. Balasubramaniam school, and they received their training in classical vocal music from the noted vocalist and teacher himself.

Career Jayalakshmi has sung in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada movies from the late 1940s to the early 60s.

She also has a few playback singing credits from the 1970s.

In Deivam, Kunnakkudi Vaidyanathan had both Radha and Jayalakshmi render Thiruchendooril Por Purindhu, a devotional song set in Thiruthani. This is perhaps the only film song sung by Radha of the duo. But both have given stage performances throughout India.

The singers had no longer been giving performances towards the time of Jayalakshmi's death, but instead had shifted their efforts to teaching Carnatic music and were regarded as great teachers. Shanmukhapriya and Haripriya, popularly known as the Priya Sisters, were their students.

Music composers Jayalakshmi sang for Jayalakshmi's most memorable songs date from the 50s films.

Playback singers Jayalakshmi sang with Jayalakshmi was often paired to sing with the male singers T. M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan and A. M. Rajah. Other male singers she sang with include T. A. Mothi, Ghantasala, S. Balachander, Thiruchi Loganathan, K. Prasad Rao, V. N. Sundaram, Subrahmanyam and Pithapuram Nageswara Rao.

She also sang duets with female singers, most notably with P. Leela and Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi. Others are M. L. Vasanthakumari, P. A. Periyanayaki, N. L. Ganasaraswathi, A. P. Komala, T. V. Rathnam, M. S. Rajeswari, S. Janaki, K. Rani and Jikki.

The singing actors she sang with were K. R. Ramasamy and S. Varalakshmi.

Death Jayalakshmi of the duo, died, aged 82, in Chennai on 26 May 2014. Radha died, aged 93, on 28 September 2025.

Filmography List of film songs recorded by Radha Jayalakshmi:

Year Film Language Song Music Co-singer 1948 Idhu Nijama Tamil "Madarellam" S. Balachander S. Balachander1950 Beedala Patlu Telugu Vidhivasamaithi Anaadhanaithi S. M. Subbaiah Naidu & G. Aswathama Vilaasame Naakika Vikaasame Lalala 1950 Ezhai Padum Padu Tamil Vidhiyin Vilaivaal S. M. Subbaiah Naidu En Bhaagyame Inimel Saubhagyame 1950 Prasanna Malayalam Sukritharaaga M. S. Gnanamani K. Prasad Rao Kaayikasoubhaagyam Dhavalaroopa Bhaarathamaatha Paripoorna Aagathamaay Madhukaalam 1951 Kaidhi Tamil Be Happy Be Cheerful Be Jolly S. Balachander 1952 Desabhakthan Malayalam Oh Athimodamaarnna Shankar–Jaikishan 1952 Kanchana Tamil Pazhaniappa Nin Paadham S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Etham Pottu 1952 Kanchana Telugu Paramapaavanī Dhayaganave S. M. Subbaiah Naidu 1952 Kanjana Malayalam Charana Pankajam S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Vela Cheyyu 1952 Moondru Pillaigal Tamil Malai Thiritha Magarasi Parur S. Anantharaman & M. D. Parthasarathy P. Leela 1952 Panam Tamil En Vazhvil Puthu Paadama Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy 1952 Puratchi Veeran Tamil Oh Alai Modhum Shankar–Jaikishan 1952 Thai Ullam Tamil Poochendu Nee Ponvandu Naan V. Nagayya T. A. Mothi & N. L. Ganasaraswathi Pokkiri Payale 1952 Zamindar Tamil Madhuvai Parugum Vandu G. Ramanathan 1953 En Veedu Tamil Pongalo Pongal V. Nagayya Ghantasala Nilaiyilla Vazhvu Idhuthana Konjum Mozhi Maindargale M. L. Vasanthakumari1953 Inspector Tamil Aasaiyai Maunamaayi Pesidum G. Ramanathan Unnaiyallaal Thunai Yaaramma 1953 Manam Pola Mangalyam Tamil Manam Pola Adepalli Rama Rao Andru Ododi Vandhu 1953 Manidhanum Mirugamum Tamil Jagam Yaavum G. Govindarajulu Naidu 1953 Naa Illu Telugu Gobbillo Gobbillo V. Nagayya Ghantasala M. L. Vasanthakumari1953 Ponni Tamil Azhagum Gunamum Ulla Pennukku S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Paambodu Pazhagalaam Pennmani Aadi Paadu Paappaa Aaduvome Oonjal Aaduvome P. A. Periyanayaki, Radha & A. P. Komala 1953 Poongodhai Tamil Thenoorum Paarijaatha P. Adinarayana Rao 1954 Aggi Ramudu Telugu Jai Andhra Janani S. M. Subbaiah Naidu A. M. Rajah Raraa Yashodanandana 1954 Edhir Paradhathu Tamil Jegam Ezhum Neeye C. N. Pandurangan 1954 En Magal Tamil Kannai Kaanaamal Kalangudhe C. N. Pandurangan 1954 Kalyanam Panniyum Brammachari Tamil Madhumalar Ellam T. G. Lingappa Vennilavum Vanum Pol 1954 Koondukkili Tamil Paar En Magale Paar Paar K. V. Mahadevan Vaanga Ellorume Serndhu Ondraagave T. M. Soundararajan, V. N. Sundaram & K. Rani1954 Mangalyam Tamil Ninaithaaley Inbam Tharum K. V. Mahadevan Ottumiru Ullanthanai Vettuvathu 1954 Manohara Tamil Kadhal Kondaadugiraar S. V. Venkatraman Singara Paingkiliye Pesu A. M. Rajah Vazhvatho Mathu 1954 Manohara Telugu Vechiti Innallu S. V. Venkatraman Pranaya Vilasamule Manahinanai Avamanamothuna Vana Mahotsavam Vasantha Jikki, Subrahmanyam & Pithapuram Nageswara Rao 1954 Pona Machaan Thirumbi Vandhan Tamil Aadhaaram Nin Paadham Ambigaiye C. N. Pandurangan & M. S. Viswanathan 1954 Ratha Pasam Tamil Jagam Yaavumey M. K. Athmanathan 1955 Kathanayaki Tamil Maalai Onru Kaiyil G. Ramanathan K. Jamuna Rani1955 Menaka Tamil Manampola Ini Vaazhalaam C. N. Pandurangan & Vedha K. R. Ramasamy Kanavu Ninaivaagum 1955 Mullaivanam Tamil Engirundho Ingu Vandha Radhiye K. V. Mahadevan T. M. Soundararajan Sariyendru Neeye Oru Vaarthai Sonnal T. M. Soundararajan Puttham Pudhu Malare Kurunagai Puriyum Vennilavey Nainaithaale Inikkudhadi 1955 Nalla Thangai Tamil Thaene Paage Thevittadha G. Ramanathan 1955 Town Bus Tamil Ponnaana Vaazhve Mannagi Poma K. V. Mahadevan M. S. Rajeswari & Thiruchi Loganathan Nenjam Urugudhey Sadhaa 1955 Valliyin Selvan Tamil Mangalam Embaro Parur S. Anantharaman 1955 Vedan Kannappa Tamil Thaarum Thaarum Navamoganaa R. Sudarsanam 1956 Gomathiyin Kaadhalan Tamil Sirpa Kalai Vizhaavin G. Ramanathan T. V. Rathnam & P. Leela 1956 Verum Pechu Alla Tamil C. N. Pandurangan 1957 Pudhu Vazhvu Tamil Kottu Melam Kovilile G. Ramanathan & C. N. Pandurangan 1957 Samaya Sanjeevi Tamil Aanantham Tharuvathu Sangeethemey G. Ramanathan N. L. Ganasaraswathi 1957 Town Bus Telugu Letha Valapura Sadhaa M. Ranga Rao 1958 Anbu Engey Tamil Kaya Pazhama Sollu Raja Vedha 1958 Boologa Rambai Tamil Kannalar Ingu Varuvaar C. N. Pandurangan Amba Arul Purivaai Gangatharane Aasai Nenjame A. M. Rajah 1958 Bhooloka Rambha Telugu O Manohara C. N. Pandurangan A. M. Rajah 1958 Manamalai Tamil Nadanamaadinaar Vedha P. Leela 1958 Sarangadhara Tamil Ethukkithanai Modi G. Ramanathan 1959 Mala Oru Mangala Vilakku Tamil Unnai Panindhen C. N. Pandurangan Annai Nee En Vaazhvile 1959 Manimekalai Tamil Manathai Kavarntha G. Ramanathan Seerkazhi Govindarajan Varuga Varuga Sugumaaraa P. Leela & A. P. Komala1959 Maragadham Tamil Maalai Mayangugira Neram S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Punnagai Thavazhum T. M. Soundararajan Kanukkulle Unnai Paaru T. M. Soundararajan Aadinaal Nadanam Aadinaal 1959 Minnal Veeran Tamil Kannodu Kanninai Nokki S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Seerkazhi Govindarajan 1959 Odi Vilaiyaadu Paapa Tamil Pachai Kuzhandayadi Kannil Paavaiyandro Chandramathi V. Krishnamoorthy Seerkazhi Govindarajan 1959 Pandithevan Tamil Kannum Karuthum C. N. Pandurangan & Meenakshi Subramanyam K. Rani & S. Janaki 1959 President Panchatcharam Tamil Oli Padaitha Kanninaayi VaaVaa G. Ramanathan M. L. Vasanthakumari 1959 Sivagangai Seemai Tamil Muthu Pugazh Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy S. Varalakshmi1960 Bhaktha Sabari Tamil Vaaraai Inre Mohana Pendyala Nageswara Rao Vaaraai Mana Mohana 1960 Bhaktha Sabari Telugu Rama Manamohana Pendyala Nageswara Rao 1960 Dashavathara Kannada Sringaara Mohini G. K. Venkatesh 1960 Irumbu Thirai Tamil Enna Seithaalum S. V. Venkatraman 1960 Mahakavi Kalidasu Telugu Rasika Raajamani Pendyala Nageswara Rao P. Leela 1960 Ponni Thirunaal Tamil Nattukkor Thanthaiyadi K. V. Mahadevan Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi1960 Raja Bakthi Tamil Kaliyuga Malarmaran Thaano G. Govindarajulu Naidu P. Leela Vannam Paadum 1960 Ranadheera Kanteerava Kannada Karunada Vairamudi Kanteerava G. K. Venkatesh Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi Enna MogavaBhoodaana 1960 Sanchari Telugu Karnata Rajya Manikanteerava G. K. Venkatesh Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi Andhamulaku Neevu Ranive 1960 Solaimalai Raani Tamil Anaiya Jothi C. N. Pandurangan A. M. Rajah Anbaana Mozhi Pesum A. M. Rajah1960 Vimala Telugu Neeli Vennela Kaya Sage S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Kannullo Nee Bomma Choodu Ghantasala Kaavaave Amma Devi Kannula Beluke Ghantasala1961 Bhagyalakshmi Tamil Varalakshmi Varuvaai Amma Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy Palingu Manappandhalile 1961 Akbar Tamil Azhagin Nila S. V. Venkatraman 1961 Sabarimala Ayyappan Malayalam Ashrithayaamen S. M. Subbaiah Naidu 1961 Sabarimala Ayyappan Tamil Aaadharitthen En Allalai S. M. Subbaiah Naidu 1962 Avana Ivan Tamil Vaaranamayiram S. Balachander 1962 Bhoodaana Kannada Bhagyada Lakshmi G. K. Venkatesh 1962 Dakshayagnam Telugu Navarasa Bhaavaalaa S. Hanumantha Rao P. Leela1962 Indira En Selvam Tamil Aaraaro Aaraaro H. R. Pathmanaba Sastiri & C. N. Pandurangan Thellathelindha Thenamudhe 1962 Konjum Salangai Tamil Brahman Thaalam Poda S. M. Subbaiah Naidu Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi 1962 Muripinche Muvvalu Telugu Brahme Thalam Mrocha S. M. Subbaiah Naidu P. Leela 1963 Arivaali Tamil Vaazhiya Needoozhi S. V. Venkatraman P. Leela 1964 Oraal Koodi Kallanaayi Malayalam Veeshuka Nee Kodumkatte K. V. Job 1966 Motor Sundaram Pillai Tamil Maname Muruganin Mayilvahanam M. S. Viswanathan 1969 Kaaval Dheivam Tamil Maiyal Migavum Meerudhe G. Devarajan 1969 Kumara Sambhavam Malayalam Maayaanadanavihaarini G. Devarajan P. Leela 1969 Kumara Sambhavam Tamil G. Devarajan P. Leela1971 Aathi Parasakthi Tamil Kokku Parakkum Indha K. V. Mahadevan Thandhaikku Mandhiratthai 1973 Amman Arul Tamil Akilamellam Vilangum Shankar–Ganesh 1973 Dheivam Tamil Thiruchendooril Por Purindhu Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan Radha1973 Nathayil Muthu Tamil Karpanai Vaadhigalin (Aaadu Raatte) Shankar–Ganesh Seerkazhi Govindarajan Ragupathi Raagava Raajaaraam Seerkazhi Govindarajan Eeswara Allah.... Ragupathi Raagava Raajaaraam

References

External links Radha Jayalakshmi at last.fm Radha Jayalakshmi songs Reliving Beautiful Moments with Vidushis Radha Jayalakshmi, 1962 on Friday, April 27, 2012