Siddhesh Joshi (Editor)

Sowcar Janaki

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Occupation
  
Actress

Siblings
  
Role
  
Actress


Name
  
Sowcar Janaki

Years active
  
1949–present

Nieces
  
Dipika

Sowcar Janaki Page 12 of Sowcar Janaki Pictures Sowcar Janaki Stills

Full Name
  
Sankaramanchi Janaki

Born
  
12 December 1931 (age 92) (
1931-12-12
)

Relatives
  
Vaishnavi (granddaughter)

Family
  
Krishna Kumari (sister)

Spouse
  
Sankamaranchi Srinivasa Rao (m. 1947)

Parents
  
Sachi Devi, T. Venkoji Rao

Movies
  
Similar People
  
Krishna Kumari, K V Mahadevan, M S Viswanathan, Savitri, K Balachander

Exclusive meet with sowcar janaki super housefull news7 tamil


Sankaramanchi Janaki (born 12 December 1931), popularly known as Sowcar Janaki, is a south-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 after her marriage only. She became a popular actress with hits across languages between 1949 and 1975 as the lead heroine such as Sowcar (Telugu), Valayapathy, Rojulu Marayi in Telugu, then in Tamil like 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 and Iru Kodugal (Tamil), with Kannada films like Devakaanika, Saaku Magalu, Sadarame, Thayige Thakka Maga and then with Malayalam debut Schoolmaster (1964) and with a film in Hindi - Teen Bahuraniyan. She worked with famous directors such as Dada Mirasee and K Balachandar. She moved to supporting roles after 1975 and her performances in Cinema Paithiyam, Thee, Thillu Mullu, Vetri Vizha, 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.

Contents

Sowcar Janaki Page 10 of Sowcar Janaki Pictures Sowcar Janaki Stills

She made her debut at the age of 18, after her marriage, in 1949 with the film Shaukar. After this she essayed wide variety of roles for next 68 years.Only other actor to have had such long span in the field of acting in India were Dev Anand, Pran, Ashok Kumar, Kamini Kaushal However by 2016,her career span has overtaken most of the actors and she remains the actress with the longest career span.

Sowcar Janaki Picture 154344 Sowcar Janaki Parthal Pasi Theerum

She was most comfortable on being paired with Gemini Ganeshan and Shivaji Ganeshan repeatedly.She quoted in an interview on her pair 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 around 387 films in Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam and Telugu.

Sowcar Janaki Actress 39Sowcar39 Janaki makes a comeback IBNLive

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 Sreekanth

The Most Modern, Youthfull & Bold Actress Sowcar Janaki Interview by Y.G. Mahendran | MeToo


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 honorary Doctorate from University of Arizona. She has two daughters and a son, four grandchildren and two great granddaughters.

Film career

She was paired alongside N. T. Rama Rao in her first movie "Shavukar". She acted with A. Nageswara Rao, Jaggaiah, Sivaji Ganesan, M.G.R, Prem Nazir, V.K.Ramaswamy, Major Sunderrajan, Nagesh, Sreekanth, AVM Rajan, Gemini Ganesan, Ravichandran and Dr. RajKumar.

Awards

  • Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South (1984)
  • Kalaimamani by Tamil Nadu government
  • Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award - MGR Award in 1990.
  • SIIMA Lifetime Achievement Award, 2012
  • Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress, 1969 for Iru Kodugal
  • Filmography

    Actress
    2023
    Anni Manchi Sakunamule (completed)
    2020
    Biskoth as
    Janaki Patti
    2019
    Thambi as
    Sarvananan's Grandmother
    2016
    Babu Bangaram
    2015
    Soukhyam as
    Modern Bamma
    2015
    Kanche
    2015
    Yevade Subramanyam as
    Susheela
    2014
    Vanavarayan Vallavarayan
    2014
    Pungi Daasa as
    Gayatri Devi
    2003
    Abhimanyu
    2003
    Ela Cheppanu
    2003
    Abhi as
    Bhanu's grandmother
    2000
    Hey Ram as
    Mythili's Grandmother
    2000
    Shabdavedi
    1999
    Anbulla Kadhalukku
    1999
    Devi (as 'Sowkar' Janaki)
    1999
    Chinna Raja as
    Karthik's grandma
    1999
    Thodarum
    1998
    Subhakankshalu
    1993
    Madam as
    Sarada Devi
    1993
    Manavarali Pelli
    1992
    Soorya Manasam as
    Mariya the mother of Urumees (as elder lady)
    1991
    Penn (Tamil Serial by Suhasini Maniratnam) (TV Mini Series)
    - Raji Maathiri Ponnu (1991)
    1989
    Mappilai
    1989
    Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal as
    Goa Resident
    1989
    Swara Kalpana
    1989
    Shiva
    1989
    Gitanjali as
    Chancellor
    1989
    Siva
    1988
    Murali Krishnudu
    1987
    Samsaaram Oka Chadarangam as
    Chilakamma
    1987
    Majnu
    1986
    Dosti Dushmani as
    Sumitra Singh
    1984
    Chiranjeevi
    1984
    Kai Kodukkam Kai as
    Kaalimuthu's Sister-in-law
    1984
    Kode Thrachu
    1983
    Bezwada Bebbuli
    1983
    Onde Guri
    1982
    Needi Devan Mayakam
    1982
    Edi Dharmam Edi Nyayam
    1981
    Geetha as
    Mukta
    1981
    Prem Geet as
    Mrs. Laxmi Bhardwaj (as Sowcar Janki)
    1981
    Thillu Mullu as
    Meenashi duraisamy
    1981
    Parvathi Parameswarulu as
    Parvathi
    1981
    Thee as
    Seetha
    1980
    Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi as
    Janaki
    1980
    Ellam Un Kairasi as
    Meenakshi
    1980
    Arada Gaya
    1979
    Pattakkatti Bairavan as
    Mother of Arjunan and Bhairavan (Shivaji G.)
    1979
    Rangoon Rowdy
    1979
    Samajaniki Saval
    1979
    Tayaramma Bangarayya as
    Tayaramma
    1978
    Thayige Takka Maga as
    Adoptive mother of Kumar (Rajkumar)
    1977
    Dashavatar (as S. Janaki)
    1977
    Oka Thalli Katha
    1976
    Dasavatharam
    1976
    Idaya Malar as
    Rajam
    1976
    Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam
    1975
    Manithanum Daivamagalam
    1975
    Naaku Swatantram Vachindi
    1975
    Uravukku Kayi Koduppam
    1975
    Cinema Paithiyam as
    Lakshmi
    1974
    Kaliyuga Kannan
    1973
    Engal Thanga Raja
    1973
    School Master
    1972
    Appa Tata
    1972
    Daivam
    1972
    Dheivam
    1972
    Neethi
    1972
    Prajanayakudu
    1972
    Thiruneelakantar as
    Leelavathi
    1971
    Babu as
    Parvathi the mother of Ammu
    1971
    Ranga Raatinam
    1970
    Akka Chellelu
    1970
    Dharma Daata
    1970
    Inti Gowravam
    1970
    Kanmalar
    1970
    Kasthuri Thilakam
    1970
    Padhukappu (Guest Appearance)
    1970
    Kaaviya Thalaivi as
    Devi / Krishna
    1970
    Maanavan
    1969
    Akka Thangai
    1969
    Iru Kodugal
    1969
    Thunaivan
    1968
    Arunodaya
    1968
    Chakkaram
    1968
    Enga Ooru Raja
    1968
    Ethir Neechal
    1968
    Evaru Monagadu as
    Lakshmi
    1968
    Jeevanamsam
    1968
    Lakshmi Kalyanam
    1968
    Manasakshi as
    Chanchala
    1968
    Nimirnthu Nil
    1968
    Oli Vilakku
    1968
    Uyarntha Manithan as
    Vimala who is a cousin of Raju
    1968
    Chinnari Papalu
    1968
    Teen Bahuraniyan as
    Parvati (as Janki Sowkar)
    1968
    Manchi Kutumbam as
    Shantha
    1968
    Thirumal Perumai as
    Kumuthavalli the wife of Thirumangai Alwar (1 of Sivaji Ganesan's triple roles)
    1967
    Bama Vijayam
    1967
    Pesum Daivam
    1967
    Thaikku Thalaimagan as
    Gauri, wife of Somu
    1966
    Mahakavi Kalidas
    1966
    Motor Sundaram Pillai as
    First Wife
    1966
    Nadu Iravil as
    Rani
    1965
    Naanal as
    Savitri the wife of Judge Raghunathan
    1965
    Panam Padaithavan as
    Rema
    1965
    Neerkumizhi as
    Dr. Indra
    1964
    Navakoti Narayana as
    Saraswati
    1964
    School Master as
    Wife of Johny (guest appearance)
    1964
    Pudhiya Paravai as
    Chitra / Sarasa
    1964
    Dr. Chakravarthy
    1964
    Alli
    1963
    Gauri
    1963
    Kaduvulai Kandan
    1963
    Kanya Ratna as
    Shantha
    1963
    Malli Madhuve
    1963
    Paar Magale Paar as
    Lakshmi
    1963
    Penchina Prema
    1963
    Saku Magalu as
    Manjula
    1963
    Sati Shakthi
    1963
    Savati Koduku
    1963
    Pempudu Kuthuru
    1962
    Daivaleele
    1962
    Manchi Manasulu as
    Janaki
    1962
    Parthal Pasi Theerum as
    Janaki
    1961
    Batasari
    1961
    Bhagya Lakshmi
    1961
    Kanal Neer as
    Shanti
    1961
    Kumudham as
    Kumudham
    1961
    Palum Pazhamum as
    Nalini
    1960
    Mahakavi Kalidasu
    1960
    Mohabbat Ki Jeet
    1960
    Padikkatha Methai
    1960
    Pavai Vilakku
    1960
    Chavukkadi Chandrakantha
    1960
    Sri Venkateswara Mahathyam as
    Yerukala Saani (guest role)
    1959
    Aval Yar as
    Vijaya / Ponnu
    1959
    Mahishasura Mardini as
    Gunavati
    1959
    Rechukka Pagatichukka
    1959
    Thamarai Kulam
    1958
    Badi Panthulu
    1958
    Mundadugu
    1958
    Nalla Idatthu Sambhandham
    1958
    School Master
    1958
    Ulagam Sirikirathu
    1957
    Aalu Magalu
    1957
    Bhagya Rekha
    1957
    Bhale Bava
    1957
    Panduranga Mahatyam
    1957
    Ratnagiri Rahasyam
    1956
    Adarshasati
    1956
    Charana Daasi as
    Saroja
    1956
    Edi Nijam as
    Raami
    1956
    Nagula Chaviti
    1956
    Sadarame
    1956
    Jayam Manade
    1955
    Cherupukura Chedevu
    1955
    Pasupu Kumkuma
    1955
    Kanyasulkam as
    Buchamma
    1955
    Rojulu Marayi as
    Radha
    1954
    Devakannika
    1954
    Kanyadanam
    1954
    No! But Money Flows In
    1953
    Prapancham
    1953
    Pitchi Pullaiah as
    Vasantha
    1952
    Valayapathi as
    Sathyavathi
    1950
    Showkar as
    Subbulu
    1949
    Raksharekha as
    Chandrika
    Producer
    1970
    Kaaviya Thalaivi (producer)
    Self
    -
    Shades of Grey: The Cinema of K. Balachander (Documentary) (announced) as
    Self

    References

    Sowcar Janaki Wikipedia