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Sowcar Janaki

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Sowcar Janaki
Born
T. Janaki

(1931-12-12) 12 December 1931 (age 92)
Rajahmundry, Madras Presidency, India (now in Andhra Pradesh, India)
OccupationActress
Years active1949–present
Spouse
Sankaramanchi Srinivasa Rao
​
​
(m. 1947)​
RelativesVaishnavi (granddaughter)
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 in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada language films. In a career spanning over seven decades Janaki has appeared in close to over 390 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

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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 is Krishna Kumari, a noted actress.[2] She was born in a Kannada-speaking Madhva Brahmin family.[6] She completed her earlier studies from Gauhati University in Assam and 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, starting in 1987.[8][7]

Film career

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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 tagged 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

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Janaki being awarded Padma Shri, c. 2022

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

Filmography

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Year Film Role Language Notes
1950 Shavukaru Subbulu Telugu Debut film
1952 Valayapathi Sathyavathi Tamil Debut Tamil film
Adarsam Telugu
1953 Pichi Pullayya Vasantha Telugu
Prapancham Telugu
1954 Devakannika Kannada
Panam Paduthum Padu Tamil
Vaddante Dabbu Saroja Telugu
1955 Rojulu Marayi Radha Telugu
Bhagya Chakra Kannada
Adarsha Sathi Kannada
Kanyadhanam Telugu
Asai Anna Arumai Thambi Tamil
Ezhayin Aasthi Tamil
Pasupu Kumkuma Telugu
Cherapakura Chedevu Lalitha Telugu
Devakannikaa Kannada
Kaalm Maari Pochu Tamil
Beedhala Aasthi Telugu
Kanyasulkam Buchamma Telugu
1956 Charana Daasi Saroja Telugu
Sonta Ooru Lakshmi Telugu
Illarame Inbam Tamil
Edi Nijam Raami Telugu
Sadarame Kannada
Jayam Manade Telugu
Sontha Vooru Telugu
Vetri Veeran Tamil
Sadarama Telugu
Bhagyodaya Kannada
Naga Devathai Tamil
Naga Chavithi Telugu
1957 Bhagya Rekha Kathyaini Telugu
Panduranga Mahatyam Telugu
Bhale Bava Telugu
Rathnagiri Rahasya Kannada
1958 School Master Geetha Kannada
Veettukku Vandha Varalakshmi Tamil
Mundadugu Telugu
Thammudu Rani Telugu
Ganga Gauri Samvadam Telugu
Nalla Idathu Sammandham Rathinam Tamil
1959 Kaveriyin Kanavan Tamil
Mahishasura Mardhini Gunavati Kannada
Abalai Anjugam Tamil
Madhavi Tamil
Raja Sevai Tamil
Raja Malaya Simham Tamil
Raja Malaya Simha Telugu
Thamarai Kulam Tamil
Ulagam Sirikkirathu Sellathayi Tamil
Rechukka Pagatichukka Rajakumari Telugu
Aval Yaar Vijaya/Ponni Tamil
1960 Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam Yerukala Saani Telugu
Kadeddulu Ekaram Nela Seeta Telugu
Naan Kanda Sorgam Meenakshi Tamil
Chavukkadi Chandrakantha Tamil
Chinna Marumagal Tamil
Paavai Vilakku Gowri Tamil
Revathi Tamil
Padikkadha Medhai Tamil
1961 Bhagyalakshmi Kamala Tamil
Kumudham Kumudhaa Tamil
Batasari Shanti Telugu
Palum Pazhamum Nalini Tamil
Kaanal Neer Shanti Tamil
1962 Paarthaal Pasi Theerum Janaki Tamil
Annai Seetha Tamil
Daiva Leele Kannada
Devasundari Kannada
Manchi Manasulu Radha Telugu
Vadivukku Valai Kappu Tamil
1963 Irugu Porugu Kanchanamala Telugu
Anuragam Telugu
Sathi Shakthi Kannada
Malli Maduve Kannada
Kanyarathna Shantha Kannada
Gowri Kannada
Aasai Alaigal Tamil
Paar Magale Paar Lakshmi Tamil
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 Telugu
School Master Johny's wife Malayalam
Navakoti Narayana Saraswati Kannada
Pachai Vilakku Parvathi Tamil
Alli Alli Tamil
Peetala Meeda Pelli Telugu
1965 Manchi Kutumbam Shantha Telugu
Devata Herself Telugu
Naanal Savitri Tamil
Panam Padaithavan Rama Tamil
Neerkumizhi Dr. Indra Tamil
1966 Petralthan Pillaiya Jeeva Tamil
Mahakavi Kalidas Prince Tamil
Motor Sundaram Pillai First wife Tamil
1967 Bama Vijayam Parvathi Tamil
Kan Kanda Daivam Tamil
Pesum Dheivam Guest role Tamil
Thaikku Thalaimagan Gauwri Tamil
1968 Oli Vilakku Shanti Tamil
Lakshmi Kalyanam Parvathi Tamil
Enga Oor Raja Sivakami Tamil
Teen Bahuraniyan Parvati Hindi
Jeevanaamsam Janaki Tamil
Ethir Neechal Pattu Tamil
Uyarndha Manidhan Vimala Tamil
Undamma Bottu Pedata Telugu
Chakkaram Tamil
Thirumal Perumai Kumuthavalli Tamil
Arunodaya Kannada
Manchi Kutumbam Shantha Telugu
Bhale Kodallu Parvathi Telugu
Chinnari Papalu Parvathi Telugu
Evaru Monagadu[13] Lakshmi Telugu
Manasssakshi Guest appearance Kannada
1969 Iru Kodugal Janaki Tamil
Kaaval Dheivam Alamel Tamil
Niraparaadhi Kannada
Akka Thangai Janaki Tamil
Thunaivan Marathagam Tamil
Kuzhandhai Ullam Tamil
1970 Kaaviya Thalaivi Devi (Meera Bai) & Krishna Tamil
Nadu Iravil Rani Tamil
Kanmalar Vadivu Tamil
Kasturi Thilakam Tamil
Maanavan Tamil
Paadhukaappu Parvathi Tamil
Dharma Daata Zamindar's wife Telugu
Akka Chellelu Janaki Telugu
Inti Gowravam Telugu
Rendu Kutumbala Katha Telugu
1971 Babu Parvathi Tamil
Rangarattinam Tamil
1972 Thiruneelakandar Leelavathi Tamil
Needhi Seetha Tamil
Appa Tata Tamil
Deivam Vedhammai Tamil
Thanga Thurai Tamil
Badi Panthulu Radha Telugu
Prajanayakudu Telugu
1973 Pasa Dheebam Tamil
School Master Tamil
Khaidi Babu Telugu
Oka Naari Vandha Thupakulu[14] Teacher and Narrator of the story Telugu
Engal Thanga Raja Seetha Tamil
1974 Kaliyuga Kannan Tamil
Swargathil Thirumanam Tamil
Ram Raheem Lakshmi Telugu
1975 Manithanum Deivamagalam Valli Tamil
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 Rajam Tamil
Nalla Penmani Tamil
Athirishtam Azhaikkirathu Tamil
Perum Pukhazhum Tamil
Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam Telugu
Manasakshi Telugu
Premabandham Telugu
1977 Olimayamana Ethirkalam Tamil
1978 Thayige Thakka Maga Kumar's adopted mother Kannada
Devadasu Malli Puttadu Aruna's sister Telugu
Athani Kante Ghanudu Telugu
Anbin Alaigal Tamil
Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai Tamil
Chal Mohana Ranga Telugu
Iddaru Asadhyule Janaki Telugu
1979 Tayaramma Bangarayya Tayaramma Telugu
Samajaniki Saval Telugu
Rangoon Rowdy Janaki Telugu
Ravanude Ramudayithe? Mahalakshmi Telugu
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 Kannada
Prem Geet Mrs. Laxmi Bhardwaj Hindi
Thillu Mullu Meenakshi Duraiswamy Tamil
Kula Kozhunthu Thambi Durai's mother Tamil
Vaaralabbai Telugu
Parvathi Parameswarulu Parvathi Telugu
Puli Bidda Annapoorna Telugu
Jagamondi Annapoorna Telugu
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[15] 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 Telugu
1987 Gouthami Sharada Devi Telugu
Samsaram Oka Chadarangam Chilakamma Telugu
Majnu Alekhya's mother Telugu
Thayaramma Thandava Krishna Telugu
Murali Krishnudu Murali Krishna's grandmother Telugu
Brahma Naidu Telugu
Sardar Krishnamma Naidu Telugu
Anand Tamil
Vairagyam Annapoorani Tamil
Muddu Bidda Telugu
1988 Aadade Aadharam Telugu
Neti Swatantram Telugu
1989 Thendral Puyalanadhu Tamil
Siva Siva's mother Tamil
Geethanjali Chancellor Telugu
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal Goa resident Tamil
Vetri Vizha Shirley's aunt Tamil
Swara Kalpana Telugu
1991 Azhagan Doctor Tamil
1992 Soorya Manasam Mariya Malayalam
1993 Manavarali Pelli Janaki Telugu
Madam Sarada Devi Telugu
1994 Todi Kodallu Telugu
1997 Nenu Premisthunnanu Rachna's mother Telugu
Subhakankshalu Sitaramaiah's wife Telugu
1998 Bavagaru Bagunnara? Swapna's grandmother Telugu
Kondattam Janaki Tamil
Thodarum Seetha's grandmother Tamil
Thaayin Manikodi Tamil
1999 Devi Vijay's grandmother Telugu
Anbulla Kadhalukku Tamil
Chinna Raja Karthik's grandmother Tamil
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 grad mother Telugu
2007 Amoolyam Telugu
2014 Vanavarayan Vallavarayan Krishna's & Anand's grandmother Tamil
Pungi Daasa Gayatri Devi Kannada
2015 Yevade Subramanyam Susheela Telugu
Kanche Sitadevi's grandmother Telugu
Soukhyam Modern Bamma Telugu
2016 Babu Bangaram Sailaja's grandmother Telugu
2019 Thambi Parvathy and Saravanan's grandmother Tamil
2020 Biskoth Janaki Paati Tamil
2023 Anni Manchi Sakunamule Janaki Telugu

Television

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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

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  • M H Jewellers
  • Durga Dairy

References

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  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. ^ 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. 20 August 2015.
  10. ^ "Shavukaru Janaki: Did Not Act Out of Passion But to Meet Family's Needs". The New Indian Express. 16 March 2016.
  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. ^ "Evaru Monagadu (1968)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Oka Naari Vandha Thupakulu (1973)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  15. ^ "Kode Trachu (1984) | V CINEMA - Movie, Review, Cast, Songs & Release Date". www.vcinema.com. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
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