Sowcar Janaki

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Sowcar Janaki
Born
T. Janaki

(1931-12-12) 12 December 1931 (age 92)
OccupationActress
Years active1949–present
Spouse
Sankaramanchi Srinivasa Rao
(m. 1947)
RelativesVaishnavi (granddaughter)[1]
FamilyKrishna Kumari (sister)
AwardsKalaimamani (1969)
Padma Shri (2022)

Sankaramanchi Janaki (born 12 December 1931), widely known as Sowcar Janaki, is an Indian actress known for her works primarily in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada language films. Janaki has appeared in close to over 390, films, predominantly in Telugu, . She also performed on stage in over 300 shows and was a radio artist during her earlier years. She is the recipient of two Nandi Awards, Kalaimamani and India's fourth-highest civilian award Padma Shri.[2] Her younger sister Krishna Kumari, is also a noted actress.[3]

Personal life[edit]

Janaki was born on 12 December 1931.[4] She is the elder daughter of T. Venkoji Rao and Sachi Devi of Rajahmundry.[5] Her younger sister is Krishna Kumari, who was also an actress.[3] She was brought up in a Telugu-speaking family.[6] She completed her earlier studies from Gauhati University in Assam and has received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Arizona. She has two daughters and a son.[7] Her granddaughter, Vaishnavi Aravind is also an actress who acted in several Tamil, Telugu and a few Malayalam movies since 1987.[8][7]

Film career[edit]

Sowcar Janaki has been a prominent radio artist at "Aakashvani Madras" from the age of 14. She has also acted in Telugu plays penned by prominent authors like Dr. P.V. Rajamannar, Dr. Aarudra Padmaraju Atreya and others.[citation needed]

She made her debut at the age of 18, after her marriage, in 1949 with the film Shavukaru. She became a popular actress with hits in various languages between 1949 and 1975. Janaki had stated in an interview with Chitra Lakshmanan, that when she entered the movie world, there was V.N. Janaki(MGR's third wife) playing heroine roles. As such, to distinguish her from V.N. Jankai, producers came to tag the name Sowcar in front of her name. Her lead heroine roles in Valayapathy (Tamil), Rojulu Marayi (Telugu), then in Tamil, such as Naan Kanda Sorgam, Kaviya Thalavi, Bhagya Lakshmi, Pallum Pazhamum, Paar Magale Paar, Thayikku Thalaimagan, Kumudham, Panam Paadithavan, Puthiya Paravai, Bama Vijayam, Oli Villaku, Ethir Neechal, Maanavan, Uyardha Manidhan, Nimarundhu Nil, Thunaivan, Needhi, Kaliyuga Kannan and Iru Kodugal (Tamil), with Kannada films such as Devakaanika, Saaku Magalu, Sadarame, Thayige Thakka Maga received popular recognition. Janaki's Malayalam debut Schoolmaster (1964) and with a film in Hindi - Teen Bahuraniyan. She worked with famous directors such as Dada Mirasi and K. Balachander.[citation needed]

Janaki moved to supporting roles after 1975 and her performances in Tamil films like Cinema Paithiyam, Thee, Thillu Mullu, Vetri Vizha, Puthu Puthu Arthangal, Kaanche and her performances in Telugu language films like Bezwada Bebbuli, Tayaramma Bangaraya, Samsaram Oka Chadarangam were widely appreciated. She even acted in Hindi films in supporting roles in Dosti Dushmani and Prem Geet. She served as jury member twice for the National Indian Films awards committee and as chair person for State Telugu Films awards committee.[citation needed]

She had essayed wide variety of roles throughout her 74 years career. The only other actors to have had such long careers in the field of acting in India were Dev Anand, Pran, Ashok Kumar, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Kamini Kaushal[9] However, by 2016, her career span has overtaken most of the actors and she remains one of the few Indian actors with the longest career span.[citation needed]

She was the most comfortable on being paired with Sreekanth, Gemini Ganesan and Sivaji Ganesan repeatedly in Tamil films. She quoted in an interview on her pairing with Sivaji Ganesan, "He would compliment me in public using superlatives. I’d be thrilled! We would always rehearse together. If my character needed a little over-acting, he would tone down his and vice versa. It was a challenge working with the great actor! If they remember Sivaji Ganesan, they remember me".[10] She has done over 300 films in Kannada, Hindi, Malayalam and Telugu. She acted in supporting roles in films with M. G.Ramachandran as lead hero like Panam Padaithavan, Petralthan Pillaiya, Thaikku Thalaimagan, Oli Vilakku.[citation needed]

She actively participated in drama troupes and did live drama shows right from 1960, despite being a busy film star and continued doing so till 1995. In many of the dramas, she worked with co-star Srikanth.[citation needed]

She was paired alongside N. T. Rama Rao in her first movie Shavukaru. She acted with A. Nageswara Rao, Jaggayya, Sivaji Ganesan, M.G.R, Prem Nazir, V.K. Ramaswamy, Major Sunderrajan, Nagesh, Srikanth, AVM Rajan, Gemini Ganesan, Ravichandran, Dr. Rajkumar, Kamal Haasan, Rajnikanth, Ajithkumar and Mammootty.[citation needed]

She has performed on stage in 3 popular plays, written and directed by K. Balachander, in over 300 shows.[citation needed]

Awards[edit]

Janaki being awarded Padma Shri, c. 2022

She has received several awards. Some notable ones are given below:

Trivia[edit]

Filmography[edit]

Year Film Language Role Notes
1950 Shavukaru Telugu Subbulu Debut film
1952 Valayapathi Tamil Sathyavathi Debut Tamil film
Adarsam Telugu
1953 Pichi Pullayya Telugu Vasantha
Prapancham Telugu
1954 Devakannika Kannada
Panam Paduthum Padu Tamil
Vaddante Dabbu Telugu Saroja
1955 Rojulu Marayi Telugu Radha
Bhagya Chakra Kannada
Adarsha Sathi Kannada
Kanyadhanam Telugu
Asai Anna Arumai Thambi Tamil
Ezhayin Aasthi Tamil
Pasupu Kumkuma Telugu
Cherapakura Chedevu Telugu Lalitha
Devakannikaa Kannada
Kaalm Maari Pochu Tamil
Beedhala Aasthi Telugu
Kanyasulkam Telugu Buchamma
1956 Charana Daasi Telugu Saroja
Sonta Ooru Telugu Lakshmi
Illarame Inbam Tamil
Edi Nijam Telugu Raami
Edhu Nijam Tamil Raami
Sadarame Kannada
Jayam Manade Telugu
Sontha Vooru Telugu
Vetri Veeran Tamil
Sadarama Telugu
Bhagyodaya Kannada
Naga Devathai Tamil
Naga Chavithi Telugu
1957 Bhagya Rekha Telugu Kathyaini
Panduranga Mahatyam Telugu
Bhale Bava Telugu
Rathnagiri Rahasya Kannada
1958 School Master Kannada Geetha
Veettukku Vandha Varalakshmi Tamil
Mundadugu Telugu
Thammudu Telugu Rani
Ganga Gauri Samvadam Telugu
Nalla Idathu Sammandham Tamil Rathinam
1959 Kaveriyin Kanavan Tamil
Mahishasura Mardhini Kannada Gunavati
Abalai Anjugam Tamil
Madhavi Tamil
Raja Sevai Tamil
Raja Malaya Simham Tamil
Raja Malaya Simha Telugu
Thamarai Kulam Tamil
Ulagam Sirikkirathu Tamil Sellathayi
Rechukka Pagatichukka Telugu Rajakumari
Aval Yaar Tamil Vijaya/Ponni
1960 Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam Telugu Yerukala Saani
Kadeddulu Ekaram Nela Telugu Seeta
Naan Kanda Sorgam Tamil Meenakshi
Chavukkadi Chandrakantha Tamil
Chinna Marumagal Tamil
Paavai Vilakku Tamil Gowri
Revathi Tamil
Padikkadha Medhai Tamil
1961 Bhagyalakshmi Tamil Kamala
Kumudham Tamil Kumudhaa
Batasari Telugu Shanti
Palum Pazhamum Tamil Nalini
Kaanal Neer Tamil Shanti
1962 Paarthaal Pasi Theerum Tamil Janaki
Annai Tamil Seetha
Daiva Leele Kannada
Devasundari Kannada
Manchi Manasulu Telugu Radha
Vadivukku Valai Kappu Tamil
1963 Irugu Porugu Telugu Kanchanamala
Anuragam Telugu
Sathi Shakthi Kannada
Malli Maduve Kannada
Kanyarathna Kannada Shantha
Gowri Kannada
Aasai Alaigal Tamil
Paar Magale Paar Tamil Lakshmi
Saaku Magalu Kannada
Pempudu Kuthuru Telugu Manjula
Kadavulai Kanden Tamil
Savati Koduku Telugu Janaki
1964 Puthiya Paravai Tamil Chitra & Sarasa
Dr. Chakravarthi Telugu Nirmala
Desa Drohulu Telugu Karuna
School Master Malayalam Johny's wife
Navakoti Narayana Kannada Saraswati
Pachai Vilakku Tamil Parvathi
Alli Tamil Alli
Peetala Meeda Pelli Telugu
1965 Manchi Kutumbam Telugu Shantha
Devata Telugu Herself
Naanal Tamil Savitri
Panam Padaithavan Tamil Rama
Neerkumizhi Tamil Dr. Indra
1966 Petralthan Pillaiya Tamil Jeeva
Mahakavi Kalidas Tamil Prince
Motor Sundaram Pillai Tamil First wife
1967 Bama Vijayam Tamil Parvathi
Kan Kanda Daivam Tamil
Pesum Dheivam Tamil Guest role
Thaikku Thalaimagan Tamil Gauwri
1968 Oli Vilakku Tamil Shanti
Lakshmi Kalyanam Tamil Parvathi
Enga Oor Raja Tamil Sivakami
Teen Bahuraniyan Hindi Parvati
Jeevanaamsam Tamil Janaki
Ethir Neechal Tamil Pattu
Uyarndha Manidhan Tamil Vimala
Undamma Bottu Pedata Telugu
Chakkaram Tamil
Thirumal Perumai Tamil Kumuthavalli
Arunodaya Kannada
Manchi Kutumbam Telugu Shantha
Bhale Kodallu Telugu Parvathi
Chinnari Papalu Telugu Parvathi
Evaru Monagadu[14] Telugu Lakshmi
Manasssakshi Kannada Guest appearance
1969 Iru Kodugal Tamil Janaki
Kaaval Dheivam Tamil Alamel
Niraparaadhi Kannada
Akka Thangai Tamil Janaki
Thunaivan Tamil Marathagam
Kuzhandhai Ullam Tamil
1970 Kaaviya Thalaivi Tamil Devi (Meera Bai) & Krishna
Nadu Iravil Tamil Rani
Kanmalar Tamil Vadivu
Kasturi Thilakam Tamil
Maanavan Tamil
Paadhukaappu Tamil Parvathi
Dharma Daata Telugu Zamindar's wife
Akka Chellelu Telugu Janaki
Inti Gowravam Telugu
Rendu Kutumbala Katha Telugu
1971 Babu Tamil Parvathi
Rangarattinam Tamil
1972 Thiruneelakandar Tamil Leelavathi
Needhi Tamil Seetha
Appa Tata Tamil
Deivam Tamil Vedhammai
Thanga Thurai Tamil
Badi Panthulu Telugu Radha
Prajanayakudu Telugu
1973 Pasa Dheebam Tamil
School Master Tamil
Khaidi Babu Telugu
Oka Naari Vandha Thupakulu[15] Telugu Teacher and Narrator of the story
Engal Thanga Raja Tamil Seetha
1974 Kaliyuga Kannan Tamil
Swargathil Thirumanam Tamil
Ram Raheem Telugu Lakshmi
1975 Manithanum Deivamagalam Tamil Valli
Cinema Paithiyam Tamil
Pinju Manam Tamil
Nalla Marumagal Tamil
Uravukku Kai Koduppom Tamil
Naaku Swatantram Vachindi Telugu
Devudulanti Manishi Telugu
Balipeetam Telugu
Vemulavada Bhimakavi Telugu
1976 Dasavataram Tamil
Idhaya Malar Tamil Rajam
Nalla Penmani Tamil
Athirishtam Azhaikkirathu Tamil
Perum Pukhazhum Tamil
Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam Telugu
Manasakshi Telugu
Premabandham Telugu
1977 Olimayamana Ethirkalam Tamil
1978 Thayige Thakka Maga Kannada Kumar's adopted mother
Devadasu Malli Puttadu Telugu Aruna's sister
Athani Kante Ghanudu Telugu
Anbin Alaigal Tamil
Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai Tamil
Chal Mohana Ranga Telugu
Iddaru Asadhyule Telugu Janaki
1979 Tayaramma Bangarayya Telugu Tayaramma
Samajaniki Saval Telugu
Rangoon Rowdy Telugu Janaki
Ravanude Ramudayithe? Telugu Mahalakshmi
Pattakkathi Bhairavan Tamil Arjunan's mother
1980 Pappu Malayalam Herself
Aarada Gaaya Kannada
Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi Telugu Janaki
1981 Thee Tamil Seetha
Geetha Kannada Mukta
Kula Puthra Kannada Guest appearance
Prem Geet Hindi Mrs. Laxmi Bhardwaj
Thillu Mullu Tamil Meenakshi Duraiswamy
Kula Kozhunthu Tamil Thambi Durai's mother
Vaaralabbai Telugu
Parvathi Parameswarulu Telugu Parvathi
Puli Bidda Telugu Annapoorna
Jagamondi Telugu Annapoorna
1982 Edi Dharmam Edi Nyayam? Telugu
Neethi Devan Mayakkam Tamil
1983 Bezawada Bebbuli Telugu
Rajakumar Telugu
Aalaya Sikharam Telugu
Onde Guri Kannada
1984 Chiranjeevi Tamil
Kode Trachu[16] Telugu Governess
Kai Kodukkum Kai Tamil Kaalimuthu's sister-in-law
1985 Pachani Kapuram Telugu Malini
Kongumudi Telugu
1986 Dosti Dushmani Hindi Sumitra Singh
Krishna Garadi Telugu
Aakrandana Telugu Lawyer Janaki
1987 Gouthami Telugu Sharada Devi
Samsaram Oka Chadarangam Telugu Chilakamma
Majnu Telugu Alekhya's mother
Thayaramma Thandava Krishna Telugu
Murali Krishnudu Telugu Murali Krishna's grandmother
Brahma Naidu Telugu
Sardar Krishnamma Naidu Telugu
Anand Tamil
Vairagyam Tamil Annapoorani
Muddu Bidda Telugu
1988 Aadade Aadharam Telugu
Neti Swatantram Telugu
1989 Thendral Puyalanadhu Tamil
Siva Tamil Siva's mother
Geethanjali Telugu Chancellor
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal Tamil Goa resident
Vetri Vizha Tamil Shirley's aunt
Swara Kalpana Telugu
1991 Azhagan Tamil Doctor
1992 Soorya Manasam Malayalam Mariya
1993 Manavarali Pelli Telugu Janaki
Madam Telugu Sarada Devi
1994 Todi Kodallu Telugu
1997 Nenu Premisthunnanu Telugu Rachna's mother
Subhakankshalu Telugu Sitaramaiah's wife
1998 Bavagaru Bagunnara? Telugu Swapna's grandmother
Kondattam Tamil Janaki
Thodarum Tamil Seetha's grandmother
Thaayin Manikodi Tamil
1999 Devi Telugu Vijay's grandmother
Anbulla Kadhalukku Tamil
Chinna Raja Tamil Karthik's grandmother
Ravoyi Chandamama Telugu Sasi's grandmother
2000 Hey Ram Tamil Mythili's grandmother
Shabdavedhi Kannada Sandeep's mother
2003 Ela Cheppanu Telugu Priya's grandmother
Abhi Kannada Janki
Abhimanyu Telugu Saira Bhanu's grad mother
2007 Amoolyam Telugu
2014 Vanavarayan Vallavarayan Tamil Krishna's & Anand's grandmother
Pungi Daasa Kannada Gayatri Devi
2015 Yevade Subramanyam Telugu Susheela
Kanche Telugu Sitadevi's grandmother
Soukhyam Telugu Modern Bamma
2016 Babu Bangaram Telugu Sailaja's grandmother
2019 Thambi Tamil Parvathy and Saravanan's grandmother
2020 Biskoth Tamil Janaki Paati
2023 Anni Manchi Sakunamule Telugu

Television[edit]

Year Title Language Channel
1991 Oorarinda Rahasyam Tamil Doordarshan
Penn Tamil Doordarshan
1995 Needa Telugu
1998-1999 Akshaya Tamil Sun TV
2001-2002 Kelunga Maamiyare Neengalum Marumagal Than Tamil Sun TV
2013-2014 Varudhini Parinayam Telugu Zee Telugu

Advertisements[edit]

  • M H Jewellers
  • Durga Dairy

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Shavukar Janaki Returns". indiaglitz.com. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Gen Bipin Rawat, Sowcar Janaki, Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella among Padma awardees: Full list". The News Minute. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Krishna Kumari is no more". Deccan Chronicle. 25 January 2018.
  4. ^ Mary, S. B. Vijaya (9 December 2021). "Veteran actor Sowcar Janaki turns 90". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  5. ^ India Who's who. INFA Publications. 1989. p. 73.
  6. ^ Santhanam, Kausalya (16 July 1999). "Spirit that defies age". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 February 2001. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  7. ^ a b "A dauntless spirit showcased". The Hindu. 29 December 2006.
  8. ^ "Still ready to act: Sowcar Janaki". The Hindu. 25 December 2006.
  9. ^ "A Trip Down Memory Lane". The New Indian Express.
  10. ^ "Shavukaru Janaki: Did Not Act Out of Passion But to Meet Family's Needs". The New Indian Express.
  11. ^ "Lifetime Achievement Award (South) winners down the years..." filmfare.com.
  12. ^ "నంది అవార్డు విజేతల పరంపర (1964–2008)" [A series of Nandi Award Winners (1964–2008)] (PDF). Information & Public Relations of Andhra Pradesh. Retrieved 21 August 2020.(in Telugu)
  13. ^ "Did you know? The very first pan-Indian Kannada film is this 1959 classic starring Dr. Rajkumar". The Times of India. 3 February 2021. Archived from the original on 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Evaru Monagadu (1968)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  15. ^ "Oka Naari Vandha Thupakulu (1973)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  16. ^ "Kode Trachu (1984) | V CINEMA - Movie, Review, Cast, Songs & Release Date". www.vcinema.com. Retrieved 23 December 2023.

External links[edit]