Soolamangalam Sisters

Born in Soolamangalam, a village with musical heritage in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, of Karnam Ramaswmai Ayyar and Janaki Ammal, the sisters had their training in music from K. G. Murthi of Soolamangalam, Pathamadai S. Krishnan, and Mayavaram Venugopalayyar.

The duo-sisters were very popular for their matchless rendition of national and devotional songs. They had a hectic practice for about three decades and were much sought after for providing background music in films. Their Kanda Shasti Kavasam album is very popular with the Lord Muruga devotees.[2]

• Muruga Ganamrtha
• Kuyil Isai Thilakam
• Isaiarasi
• Nadhakanal
• Kalaimamani in 1992 by Tamil Nadu Eyal Isai Nataka Mandram.

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 had more chance as a playback singer in films. Her voice suits all the categories of youthful, soft mellifluousness, evocative feelings, perfection of pronunciation and the best in devotional songs.

Rajalakshmi died on 1 March 1992, aged only 51 because of cardiac arrest and gastritis which lasted for about 12 years. Jayalakshmi was strongly affected by her sister's death. She outlived her for 25 years and died at her home in Chennai on 29 June 2017, aged 80.

• Article on Soolamangalam Sisters in Kalyana Malai
• Narasimhan, Vamanan (10 July 2017). "Aalayam Thorum Alaikadal Thaandiyum paadi vantha Soolamangalam sagotharigal". Dinamalar (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 28 July 2020.