Sowcar Janaki | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | T. Janaki (1931-12-12)12 December 1931 (age 93) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1949–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Vaishnavi (granddaughter) |
| Family | Krishna Kumari (younger sister) |
| Awards | Kalaimamani (1969) Padma Shri (2022) |
Sankaramanchi Janaki (born 12 December 1931), widely known asSowcar Janaki, is an Indian actress known for her works inTelugu,Tamil,Malayalam andKannada 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 twoNandi Awards, aKalaimamani, and India's fourth-highestcivilian award,Padma Shri.[1] Her younger sister,Krishna Kumari, was also a noted actress.[2]
She was featured in the first Kannadapan-Indian filmMahishasura Mardini alongsideDr. Rajkumar, which was released in 1959, making her one of the first leading pan-Indian actresses.[3]
Janaki was born on 12 December 1931.[4] She is the elder daughter of Tekumalla Venkoji Rao and Sachi Devi ofRajahmundry.[5] Her younger sister,Krishna Kumari, is a noted actress.[2] She was born in aKannada-speakingMadhva Brahmin family.[6][7] She completed her early studies atGauhati University in Assam and received anHonorary Doctorate from theUniversity 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]
Janaki made her debut in theL. V. Prasad directed Telugu filmShavukaru in 1950, which got her the moniker ‘Sowcar’.[10] She made her Tamil debut in 1952 withValayapathi. She became a prominent actress with hits in different languages as the lead heroine.[11]
Some of her Tamil famous films includePanam 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 includeRojulu 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) andDevi (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 withPadma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award by theGovernment of India.[16]
She has received several awards. Some notable ones are given below:
 |
| 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[19] | 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[20] | 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[21] | 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 |
| 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 |
| 1981–1990 |
|
|---|---|
| 1991–2000 |
|
| 2001–2010 |
|
| 2011–present |
|
