# Sowcar Janaki

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 films. In a career spanning over seven decades, Janaki has appeared in nearly 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. Her younger sister, Krishna Kumari, was also a noted actress.
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.

## Personal life

Janaki was born on 12 December 1931. She is the elder daughter of Tekumalla Venkoji Rao and Sachi Devi of Rajahmundry. Her younger sister, Krishna Kumari, is a noted actress. She was born in a Kannada-speaking Madhva Brahmin family. 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. Her granddaughter, Vaishnavi Aravind is also an actress who appeared in several Tamil, Telugu and a few Malayalam films, starting in 1987.

## Film career

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

## Awards

She has received several awards. Some notable ones are given below:
* Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South (1984)
* Mahanati Savithri Award in 1985
* Honorary Doctorate from World University, Arizona for Excellence in her chosen field in 1985.
* Indian Express Dyonara Golden Award in 1989.
* Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004
* Dr. Akkineni Nageswara Rao Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000
* Sri Krishna Devaraya Award, Karnataka
* Kalaimamani by Tamil Nadu government in 1969-1970.
* Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award - MGR Award in 1990.
* Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress, 1970 for Iru Kodugal
* Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress for Samsaram Oka Chadarangam,1987
* Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress for Amoolyam,2007
* SIIMA Lifetime Achievement Award (2013)
* Rajyotsava Award by Government of Karnataka (2015)
* Streeratna Awards (2019)
* Wonder Women Awards (2019) as Evergreen Entertainer of Indian Cinema
* Puratchi Thalaivi Dr. J. Jayalalithaa Special Kalaimamani Award (2020) by the Government of Tamil Nadu
* Padma Shri (2022) by the Government of India

## Filmography

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

| Year | Title | Language | Channel |
| 1991 | Oorarinda Rahasyam | Tamil | Doordarshan |
| 1991 | 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 |

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