Sowcar Janaki

Sankaramanchi Janaki (born 12 December 1931, T. Janaki), popularly known as Sowcar Janaki, is an Indian actress who has acted in over 387 Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam films. She also performed on stage in over 300 shows and was a radio artist during her earlier years. Her career as film actress began only after her marriage. She became a popular actress with hits in various languages between 1949 and 1975 as the lead heroine such as Shavukaru (Telugu), Valayapathy, 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 and then with her Malayalam debut Schoolmaster (1964) and with a film in Hindi - Teen Bahuraniyan. She worked with famous directors such as Dada Mirasee and K. Balachandar.

Sowcar Janaki
Born
T. Janaki

(1931-12-12) 12 December 1931
Rajahmundry, East Godavari district, Madras Presidency, British India
OccupationActress
Years active1949–present
Spouse(s)Sankaramanchi Srinivasa Rao (m.1947)
RelativesVaishnavi (granddaughter)[1]
FamilyKrishna Kumari (sister)

She moved to supporting roles after 1975 and her performances in Cinema Paithiyam, Thee, Thillu Mullu, Vetri Vizha and Kaanche were widely appreciated. She served as jury member for the National Indian Films awards committee and as chair person for state Telugu Films awards committee.

She made her debut at the age of 18, after her marriage, in 1949 with the film Shavukaru. After this, she essayed wide variety of roles for next 70 years. 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[2] However, by 2016, her career span has overtaken most of the actors and she remains the actress with the longest career span.

She was the most comfortable on being paired with Sreekanth, Gemini Ganeshan and Shivaji Ganeshan 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".[3] She has done around 387 films in Kannada, Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam and Telugu.She acted in supporting roles in films with M. G.Ramachandran as lead hero like Panam Padaithavan, Thaikku Thalaimagan,Oli Villakku.

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.

Personal life

She is the elder daughter of T. Venkoji Rao and Sachi Devi of Rajahmundry. 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, four grandchildren and two great granddaughters. Her granddaughter Vaishnavi is also a famous actress who acted in many Tamil movies in 1987 to 1996.[4][5]

Film career

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

Awards

Partial filmography
YearFilmLanguageRoleNotes
1949Raksha RekhaTeluguChandrika
1950ShavukarTeluguSubbuludebut in Telugu
1952ValayapathiTamilSathyavathidebut in Tamil
1952AdarshamTelugu
1953Pitchi PullaiahTeluguVasantha
1953PrapanchamTelugu
1954DevakannikaKannada
1954Panam Paduthum PaduTamil
1954Vaddante DabbuTeluguSaroja
1955Rojulu MarayiTeluguRaadha
1955Bhagya ChakraKannada
1955Adarsha SathiKannada
1955KanyadhanamTelugu
1955Asai Anna Arumai ThambiTamil
1955Ezhayin AasthiTamil
1955Pasupu KumkumaTelugu
1955Cherapakura ChedevuTeluguLalitha
1955DevakannikaaKannada
1955Kaalm Maari PochuTamil
1955Beedhala AasthiTelugu
1955KanyasulkamTeluguBuchamma
1956Charana DaasiTeluguSaroja
1956Sonta OoruTeluguLakshmi
1956Illarame InbamTamil
1956Edi NijamTeluguRaami
1956Edhu NijamTamilRaami
1956SadarameKannada
1956Jayam ManadeTelugu
1956Sontha VooruTelugu
1956Vetri VeeranTamil
1956SadaramaTelugu
1956BhagyodayaKannada
1956Naga DevathaiTamil
1956Naga ChavithiTelugu
1957Bhagya RekhaTeluguKathyaini
1957Panduranga MahatyamTelugu
1957Bhale BavaTelugu
1957Rathnagiri RahasyaKannada
1958Veettukku Vandha VaralakshmiTamil
1958ThammuduTeluguRani
1958Ganga Gauri SamvadamTelugu
1958Nalla Idathu SammandhamTamilRathinam
1959Kaveriyin KanavanTamil
1959Mahishasura MardhiniKannadaGunavati
1959Abalai AnjugamTamil
1959MadhaviTamil
1959Raja SevaiTamil
1959Raja Malaya SimhamTamil
1959Raja Malaya SimhaTelugu
1959Thamarai KulamTamil
1959Ulagam SirikkirathuTamilSellathayi
1959Rechukka PagatichukkaTeluguRajakumari
1959Aval YaarTamilVijaya/Ponni
1960Sri Venkateswara MahatyamTeluguYerukala Saani
1960Kadeddulu Ekaram NelaTeluguSeeta
1960Naan Kanda SorgamTamilMeenakshi
1960Chavukkadi ChandrakanthaTamil
1960Chinna MarumagalTamil
1960Paavai VilakkuTamilGowri
1960RevathiTamil
1960Padikkadha MedhaiTamil
1961BhagyalakshmiTamilKamala
1961KumudhamTamilKumudhaa
1961BatasariTeluguShanti
1961Palum PazhamumTamilNalini
1961Kaanal NeerTamilShanti
1962Paarthaal Pasi TheerumTamilJanaki
1962AnnaiTamilSeetha
1962Daiva LeeleKannada
1962DevasundariKannada
1962Manchi ManasuluTeluguRadha
1962Vadivukku Valai KappuTamil
1963Irugu PoruguTeluguKanchanamala
1963AnuragamTelugu
1963Sathi ShakthiKannada
1963Malli MaduveKannada
1963KanyarathnaKannada
1963GowriKannada
1963Aasai AlaigalTamil
1963Paar Magale PaarTamilLakshmiammal
1963Saaku MagaluKannada
1963Pempudu KuthuruTeluguManjula
1963Kadavulai KandenTamil
1963Savati KodukuTeluguJanaki
1964Puthiya ParavaiTamilChitra & Saroja
1964Dr. ChakravarthiTeluguNirmala
1964Desa DrohuluTeluguKaruna
1964School MasterMalayalamJohny's wife
1964Navakoti NarayanaKannadaSaraswati
1964Pachai VilakkuTamilParvathy
1964AlliTamilAlli
1964 Peetala Meeda Pelli Telugu
1965Manchi KutumbamTeluguShantha
1965DevataTeluguHerself
1965NaanalTamilSavitri
1965Panam PadaithavanTamilRama
1965Neerkumizhi TamilDr. Indra
1966Petralthan PillaiyaTamilJeeva
1966Mahakavi KalidasTamil
1966Motor Sundaram PillaiTamilFirst wife
1967Bama VijayamTamilParvathi
1967Kan Kanda DaivamTamil
1967Pesum DheivamTamilGuest role
1967Thaikku ThalaimaganTamilGauwri
1968Oli VilakkuTamilShanti
1968Lakshmi KalyanamTamilParvathi
1968Enga Oor RajaTamilSivakami
1968Teen BahuraniyanHindiParvati
1968JeevanaamsamTamilJanaki
1968Ethir NeechalTamilPattu
1968Uyarndha ManidhanTamilVimala
1968Undamma Bottu PedataTelugu
1968ChakkaramTamil
1968Thirumal PerumaiTamilKumuthavalli
1968ArunodayaKannada
1968Manchi KutumbamTeluguShantha
1968Bhale KodalluTeluguParvathi
1968Chinnari PapaluTeluguParvathi
1968Evaru MonagaduTelugu
1968ManasssakshiKannadaGuest appearance
1969Iru KodugalTamilJanaki
1969Kaaval DheivamTamil
1969Niraparaadhi Kannada
1969Akka ThangaiTamilJanaki
1969ThunaivanTamilMarathagam
1969Kuzhandhai UllamTamil
1970Kaaviya ThalaiviTamilDevi (Meera Bai) & Krishna
1970Nadu IravilTamilRani
1970KanmalarTamil
1970Kasturi ThilakamTamil
1970MaanavanTamil
1970PaadhukaappuTamilParvathy
1970Dharma DaataTeluguZamindar's wife
1970Akka ChelleluTeluguJanaki
1970Inti GowravamTelugu
1970Rendu Kutumbala KathaTelugu
1971BabuTamilParvathi
1971RangarattinamTamil
1972ThiruneelakandarTamilLeelavathi
1972NeedhiTamilFarmer's widow
1972Appa TataTamil
1972DeivamTamilVedhammai
1972Thanga ThuraiTamil
1972Badi PanthuluTeluguRadha
1972PrajanayakuduTelugu
1973Pasa DheebamTamil
1973School MasterTamil
1973Khaidi BabuTelugu
1973Engal Thanga RajaTamilKanaga
1974Kaliyuga KannanTamil
1974Swargathil ThirumanamTamil
1974Ram RaheemTeluguLakshmi
1975Manithanum DeivamagalamTamilValli
1975Cinema PaithiyamTamil
1975Pinju ManamTamil
1975Nalla MarumagalTamil
1975Uravukku Kai KoduppomTamil
1975Naaku Swatantram VachindiTelugu
1975Devudulanti ManishiTelugu
1975BalipeetamTelugu
1975Vemulavada BhimakaviTelugu
1976DasavataramTamil
1976Idhaya MalarTamilRajam
1976Nalla PenmaniTamil
1976Athirishtam AzhaikkirathuTamil
1976Perum PukhazhumTamil
1976Ramarajyamlo RakthapasamTelugu
1976ManasakshiTelugu
1976PremabandhamTelugu
1977Olimayamana EthirkalamTamil
1978Thayige Thakka MagaKannadaKumar's adopted mother
1978Devadasu Malli PuttaduTeluguAruna's sister
1978Athani Kante GhanuduTelugu
1978Anbin AlaigalTamil
1978Kannan Oru Kai KuzhandhaiTamil
1978Chal Mohana RangaTelugu
1978Iddaru AsadhyuleTeluguJanaki
1979Tayaramma Bangarayya TeluguTayaramma
1979Samajaniki SavalTelugu
1979Rangoon RowdyTeluguJanaki
1979Ravanude Ramudayithe?TeluguMahalakshmi
1979Pattakkathi BhairavanTamilArjunan's mother
1980PappuMalayalamHerself
1980Aarada GaayaKannada
1980Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi TeluguJanaki
1981TheeTamilSeetha
1981GeethaKannadaMukta
1981Kula PuthraKannadaGuest appearance
1981Prem GeetHindiMrs. Laxmi Bhardwaj
1981Thillu MulluTamilMeenakshi Duraiswamy
1981VaaralabbaiTelugu
1981Parvathi ParameswaruluTeluguParvathi
1981Puli BiddaTeluguAnnapoorna
1983Bezawada BebbuliTelugu
1983RajakumarTelugu
1983Aalaya SikharamTelugu
1983Onde GuriKannada
1984ChiranjeeviTamil
1984Kai Kodukkum KaiTamilKaalimuthu's sister-in-law
1986Dosti DushmaniHindiSumitra Singh
1987GouthamiTeluguSharada Devi
1987Samsaram Oka ChadarangamTeluguChilakamma
1987MajnuTeluguAlekhya's mother
1987Murali KrishnuduTeluguMurali Krishna's grandmother
1987Brahma NaiduTelugu
1987Sardar Krishnamma NaiduTelugu
1987AnandTamil
1987VairagyamTamilAnnapoorani
1987Muddu BiddaTelugu
1988Aadade AadharamTelugu
1989SivaTamilSiva's mother
1989GeethanjaliTeluguChancellor
1989Pudhu Pudhu ArthangalTamilGoa resident
1989Vetri VizhaTamilShirley's aunt
1989Swara KalpanaTelugu
1991AzhaganTamilDoctor
1991Oorarinda RahasyamTamilTV Serial
1992Soorya ManasamMalayalamMariya
1993Manavarali PelliTelugu
1993MadamTeluguSarada Devi
1997SubhakankshaluTeluguSitaramaiah's wife
1998Bavagaru Bagunnara?Telugu
1998KondattamTamilJanaki
1998ThodarumTamil
1998Thaayin ManikodiTamil
1999DeviTeluguVijay's grandmother
1999Anbulla KadhalukkuTamil
1999Ravoyi ChandamamaTeluguNagarjuna's grandmother
2000Hey RamTamilMythili's grandmother
2000ShabdavedhiKannadaSandeep's mother
2003Ela CheppanuTelugu
2003AbhiKannadaJanki
2003AbhimanyuTelugu
2007AmoolyamTelugu
2014Vanavarayan VallavarayanTamilKrishna's & Anand's grandmother
2014Pungi DaasaKannadaGayatri Devi
2015Yevade SubramanyamTeluguSusheela
2015KancheTeluguSitadevi's grandmother
2015SoukhyamTeluguModern Bamma
2016Babu BangaramTeluguSailaja's grandmother
2019ThambiTamilPaatti Parvathy
TBAUntitled Santhanam MovieTamil

References
  1. "Shavukar Janaki Returns". www.indiaglitz.com. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  2. "A Trip Down Memory Lane". The New Indian Express.
  3. "Shavukaru Janaki: Did Not Act Out of Passion But to Meet Family's Needs". The New Indian Express.
  4. "Still ready to act: Sowcar Janaki". 25 December 2006 – via www.thehindu.com.
  5. "A dauntless spirit showcased". 29 December 2006 – via www.thehindu.com.
  6. "Lifetime Achievement Award (South) winners down the years..." filmfare.com.

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