Sowcar Janaki

Sowcar Janaki
Born
T. Janaki

(1931-12-12) 12 December 1931
Rajahmundry, Madras Presidency, India (now in Andhra Pradesh, India)
OccupationActress
Years active1949–present
Spouse
Sankaramanchi Srinivasa Rao
​
​
(m. 1947)​
Children3
RelativesVaishnavi (granddaughter)
FamilyKrishna Kumari (younger 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 in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada films. In a career spanning over seven decades, Janaki has appeared in nearly 400 films. 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, a Kalaimamani, and India's fourth-highest civilian award, Padma Shri.[1] Her younger sister, Krishna Kumari, was also a noted actress.[2]

She was featured in the first Kannada pan-Indian film Mahishasura Mardini alongside Dr. Rajkumar, which was released in 1959, making her one of the first leading pan-Indian actresses.[3]

Personal life

Janaki was born on 12 December 1931.[4] She is the elder daughter of Tekumalla Venkoji Rao and Sachi Devi of Rajahmundry.[5] Her younger sister, Krishna Kumari, is a noted actress.[2] She was born in a Kannada-speaking Madhva Brahmin family.[6][7] She completed her early studies at Gauhati University in Assam and received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Arizona. She has two daughters and a son.[8] Her granddaughter, Vaishnavi Aravind is also an actress who appeared in several Tamil, Telugu and a few Malayalam films, starting in 1987.[9][8]

Film career

Janaki made her debut in the L. V. Prasad directed Telugu film Shavukaru in 1950, which got her the moniker ‘Sowcar’.[10] She made her Tamil debut in 1952 with Valayapathi. She became a prominent actress with hits in different languages as the lead heroine.[11]

Some of her Tamil famous films include Panam Paduthum Padu (1954), Puthiya Paravai (1964), Neerkumizhi (1965), Mahakavi Kalidas (1966), Edhir Neechal (1968), Iru Kodugal (1969), Uyarndha Manithan (1968), Kaviya Thalaivi (1970), Ranga Rattinam (1971), Thillu Mullu (1981), Vettri Vizhaa (1989), Devi (1999), Hey Ram (2000), among others.

Some of her notable Telugu films include Rojulu Marayi (1955), Kanyasulkam (1955), Jayam Manade (1956), Panduranga Mahatyam (1957), Doctor Chakravarty (1964), Akka Chellelu (1970), Badi Panthulu (1972), Tayaramma Bangarayya (1979), Samsaram Oka Chadarangam (1987) and Devi (1999), among others.

She has participated in more than 3000 stage plays, and her contributions to the arts are numerous.[12]

She has received multiple state awards from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh governments (before bifurcation).[13]

In 2020, Sowcar was seen in her 400th movie, Biskoth.[14][15]

In 2022, Sowcar Janaki has been honoured with Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award by the Government of India.[16]

Awards

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

Filmography

Year Film Role Language Notes
1950 Shavukaru Subbulu Telugu Debut film
1952 Valayapathi Sathyavathi Tamil Debut Tamil film
Adarsam Telugu
1953 Pichi Pullayya Vasantha
Prapancham
1954 Devakannika Kannada
Panam Paduthum Padu Tamil
Vaddante Dabbu Saroja Telugu
1955 Rojulu Marayi Radha
Bhagya Chakra Kannada
Adarsha Sathi
Kanyadhanam Telugu
Asai Anna Arumai Thambi Tamil
Ezhayin Aasthi
Pasupu Kumkuma Telugu
Cherapakura Chedevu Lalitha
Devakannikaa Kannada
Kaalm Maari Pochu Tamil
Beedhala Aasthi Telugu
Kanyasulkam Buchamma
1956 Charana Daasi Saroja
Sonta Ooru Lakshmi
Illarame Inbam Tamil
Edi Nijam Raami Telugu
Sadarame Kannada
Jayam Manade Telugu
Sontha Vooru
Vetri Veeran Tamil
Sadarama Telugu
Bhagyodaya Kannada
Naga Devathai Tamil
Naga Chavithi Telugu
1957 Bhagya Rekha Kathyaini
Panduranga Mahatyam
Bhale Bava
Rathnagiri Rahasya Kannada
1958 School Master Geetha
Veettukku Vandha Varalakshmi Tamil
Mundadugu Telugu
Thammudu Rani
Ganga Gauri Samvadam
Nalla Idathu Sammandham Rathinam Tamil
1959 Kaveriyin Kanavan
Mahishasura Mardhini Gunavati Kannada
Abalai Anjugam Tamil
Madhavi
Raja Sevai
Raja Malaya Simham
Raja Malaya Simha Telugu
Thamarai Kulam Tamil
Ulagam Sirikkirathu Sellathayi
Rechukka Pagatichukka Rajakumari Telugu
Aval Yaar Vijaya/Ponni Tamil
1960 Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam Yerukala Saani Telugu
Kadeddulu Ekaram Nela Seeta
Naan Kanda Sorgam Meenakshi Tamil
Chavukkadi Chandrakantha
Chinna Marumagal
Paavai Vilakku Gowri
Revathi
Padikkadha Medhai
1961 Bhagyalakshmi Kamala
Kumudham Kumudhaa
Batasari Shanti Telugu
Palum Pazhamum Nalini Tamil
Kaanal Neer Shanti
1962 Paarthaal Pasi Theerum Janaki
Annai Seetha
Daiva Leele Kannada
Devasundari
Manchi Manasulu Radha Telugu
Vadivukku Valai Kappu Tamil
1963 Irugu Porugu Kanchanamala Telugu
Anuragam
Sathi Shakthi Kannada
Malli Maduve
Kanyarathna Shantha
Gowri
Aasai Alaigal Tamil
Paar Magale Paar Lakshmi
Saaku Magalu Kannada
Pempudu Kuthuru Manjula Telugu
Kadavulai Kanden Tamil
Savati Koduku Janaki Telugu
1964 Puthiya Paravai Chitra & Sarasa Tamil
Dr. Chakravarthi Nirmala Telugu
Desa Drohulu Karuna
School Master Johny's wife Malayalam
Navakoti Narayana Saraswati Kannada
Pachai Vilakku Parvathi Tamil
Alli Alli
Peetala Meeda Pelli Telugu
1965 Manchi Kutumbam Shantha
Devata Herself
Naanal Savitri Tamil
Panam Padaithavan Rama
Neerkumizhi Dr. Indra
1966 Petralthan Pillaiya Jeeva
Mahakavi Kalidas Prince
Motor Sundaram Pillai First wife
1967 Bama Vijayam Parvathi
Kan Kanda Daivam
Pesum Dheivam Guest role
Thaikku Thalaimagan Gauwri
1968 Oli Vilakku Shanti
Lakshmi Kalyanam Parvathi
Enga Oor Raja Sivakami
Teen Bahuraniyan Parvati Hindi
Jeevanaamsam Janaki Tamil
Ethir Neechal Pattu
Uyarndha Manidhan Vimala
Undamma Bottu Pedata Telugu
Chakkaram Meenakshi Tamil
Thirumal Perumai Kumuthavalli
Arunodaya Kannada
Manchi Kutumbam Shantha Telugu
Bhale Kodallu Parvathi
Chinnari Papalu Parvathi
Evaru Monagadu[20] Lakshmi
Manassakshi Guest appearance Kannada
1969 Iru Kodugal Janaki Tamil
Kaaval Dheivam Alamel
Niraparaadhi Kannada
Akka Thangai Janaki Tamil
Thunaivan Marathagam
Kuzhandhai Ullam
1970 Kaaviya Thalaivi Devi (Meera Bai) & Krishna
Nadu Iravil Rani
Kanmalar Vadivu
Kasturi Thilakam
Maanavan
Paadhukaappu Parvathi
Dharma Daata Zamindar's wife Telugu
Akka Chellelu Janaki
Inti Gowravam
Rendu Kutumbala Katha
1971 Babu Parvathi Tamil
Rangarattinam
1972 Thiruneelakandar Leelavathi
Needhi Seetha
Appa Tata
Deivam Vedhammai
Thanga Thurai
Badi Panthulu Radha Telugu
Prajanayakudu
1973 Pasa Dheebam Tamil
School Master
Khaidi Babu Telugu
Oka Naari Vandha Thupakulu[21] Teacher and Narrator of the story
Engal Thanga Raja Seetha Tamil
1974 Kaliyuga Kannan
Swargathil Thirumanam
Ram Raheem Lakshmi Telugu
1975 Manithanum Deivamagalam Valli Tamil
Cinema Paithiyam
Pinju Manam
Nalla Marumagal
Uravukku Kai Koduppom
Naaku Swatantram Vachindi Telugu
Devudulanti Manishi
Balipeetam
Vemulavada Bhimakavi
1976 Dasavataram Tamil
Idhaya Malar Rajam
Nalla Penmani
Athirishtam Azhaikkirathu
Perum Pukhazhum
Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam Telugu
Manasakshi
Premabandham
1977 Olimayamana Ethirkalam Tamil
1978 Thayige Thakka Maga Kumar's adopted mother Kannada
Devadasu Malli Puttadu Aruna's sister Telugu
Athani Kante Ghanudu
Anbin Alaigal Tamil
Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai
Chal Mohana Ranga Telugu
Iddaru Asadhyule Janaki
1979 Tayaramma Bangarayya Tayaramma
Samajaniki Saval
Rangoon Rowdy Janaki
Ravanude Ramudayithe? Mahalakshmi
Pattakkathi Bhairavan Arjunan's mother Tamil
1980 Pappu Herself Malayalam
Aarada Gaaya Kannada
Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi Janaki Telugu
1981 Thee Seetha Tamil
Geetha Mukta Kannada
Kula Puthra Guest appearance
Prem Geet Mrs. Laxmi Bhardwaj Hindi
Thillu Mullu Meenakshi Duraiswamy Tamil
Kula Kozhunthu Thambi Durai's mother
Vaaralabbai Telugu
Parvathi Parameswarulu Parvathi
Puli Bidda Annapoorna
Jagamondi Annapoorna
1982 Edi Dharmam Edi Nyayam? Telugu
Neethi Devan Mayakkam Tamil
1983 Bezawada Bebbuli Telugu
Rajakumar
Aalaya Sikharam
Onde Guri Kannada
1984 Chiranjeevi Tamil
Kode Trachu[22] Governess Telugu
Kai Kodukkum Kai Kaalimuthu's sister-in-law Tamil
1985 Pachani Kapuram Malini Telugu
Kongumudi Telugu
1986 Dosti Dushmani Sumitra Singh Hindi
Krishna Garadi Telugu
Aakrandana Lawyer Janaki
1987 Gouthami Sharada Devi
Samsaram Oka Chadarangam Chilakamma
Majnu Alekhya's mother
Thayaramma Thandava Krishna
Murali Krishnudu Murali Krishna's grandmother
Brahma Naidu
Sardar Krishnamma Naidu
Anand Tamil
Vairagyam Annapoorani
Muddu Bidda Telugu
1988 Aadade Aadharam
Neti Swatantram
1989 Thendral Puyalanadhu Tamil
Siva Siva's mother
Geethanjali Chancellor Telugu
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal Goa resident Tamil
Vetri Vizha Shirley's aunt
Swara Kalpana Telugu
1991 Azhagan Doctor Tamil
1992 Soorya Manasam Mariya Malayalam
1993 Manavarali Pelli Janaki Telugu
Madam Sarada Devi
1994 Todi Kodallu
1997 Nenu Premisthunnanu Rachna's mother
Subhakankshalu Sitaramaiah's wife
1998 Bavagaru Bagunnara? Swapna's grandmother
Kondattam Janaki Tamil
Thodarum Seetha's grandmother
Thayin Manikodi
1999 Devi Vijay's grandmother Telugu
Anbulla Kadhalukku Tamil
Chinna Raja Karthik's grandmother
Ravoyi Chandamama Sasi's grandmother Telugu
2000 Hey Ram Mythili's grandmother Tamil
Shabdavedhi Sandeep's mother Kannada
2003 Ela Cheppanu Priya's grandmother Telugu
Abhi Janki Kannada
Abhimanyu Saira Bhanu's grandmother Telugu
2007 Amoolyam
2014 Vanavarayan Vallavarayan Krishna's & Anand's grandmother Tamil
Pungi Daasa Gayatri Devi Kannada
2015 Yevade Subramanyam Susheela Telugu
Kanche Sitadevi's grandmother
Soukhyam Modern Bamma
2016 Babu Bangaram Sailaja's grandmother
2019 Thambi Parvathy and Saravanan's grandmother Tamil
2020 Biskoth Janaki Paati
2023 Anni Manchi Sakunamule Janaki Telugu

Television

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

References

  1. ^ "Gen Bipin Rawat, Sowcar Janaki, Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella among Padma awardees: Full list". The News Minute. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Krishna Kumari is no more". Deccan Chronicle. 25 January 2018.
  3. ^ "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.
  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. ^ "Book on Krishna Kumari". The Hindu. 16 July 2016.
  7. ^ Santhanam, Kausalya (16 July 1999). "Spirit that defies age". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 February 2001. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  8. ^ a b "A dauntless spirit showcased". The Hindu. 29 December 2006.
  9. ^ "Still ready to act: Sowcar Janaki". The Hindu. 25 December 2006.
  10. ^ "Sowcar Janaki turns 90". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Veteran Actress Sowcar Janaki Honoured With Padma Shri- Deets Inside!". Woman's Era. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Nassar thanks the central government for honoring Sowcar Janaki with the Padma Shri award". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Padma Awards: Victor Banerjee awarded Padma Bhushan; Sowcar Janaki, Sonu Nigam honoured with Padma Shri". Cinema Express. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  14. ^ "Sowcar Janaki in Santhanam's next with Kannan". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  15. ^ "Veteran Actor Sowcar Janaki, Who has Acted in 400 Films, Conferred With Padma Shri Award". News 18. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Veteran actress Sowcar Janaki honoured with Padma Shri, says this award tops everything". india Today. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  17. ^ "32nd Annual Filmfare Awards South". 24 February 2026.
  18. ^ "Lifetime Achievement Award (South) winners down the years..." filmfare.com.
  19. ^ "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)
  20. ^ "Evaru Monagadu (1968)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Oka Naari Vandha Thupakulu (1973)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  22. ^ "Kode Trachu (1984) | V CINEMA - Movie, Review, Cast, Songs & Release Date". www.vcinema.com. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
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