Sowcar Janaki

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Sowcar Janaki
Sowcar Janaki.jpg
Born
T. Janaki

Rajahmundry, Madras Presidency, India (now in Andhra Pradesh, India)
OccupationActress
Years active1949–present
Spouse(s)Sankaramanchi Srinivasa Rao (m.1947)
RelativesVaishnavi (granddaughter)[1]
FamilyKrishna Kumari (sister)
AwardsPadma Shri (2022)

Sankaramanchi Janaki (born T. Janaki), popularly known as Sowcar Janaki or Shavukaru Janaki, is an Indian actress who has appeared in over 387 films, predominantly in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada languages. 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, Kalaimamani and India's fourth-highest civilian award Padma Shri.[2]

Personal life[edit]

Janaki is the elder daughter of T. Venkoji Rao and Sachi Devi of Rajahmundry.[3] Her younger sister is Krishna Kumari, who is also an actress.[4] She being brought up in a Kannada speaking Madhwa Brahmin family. 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.[5] Her granddaughter Vaishnavi Aravind is also an actress who acted in several Tamil, Telugu and a few Malayalam movies since 1987.[6][5]

Film career[edit]

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 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 Mirasi and K. Balachander.

She 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 essayed wide variety of roles throughout her 73 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[7] 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".[8] She has done over 450 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 and Mammootty.

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

Awards[edit]

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

Filmography[edit]

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
Year Film Language Role Notes
1950 Shavukaru Telugu Subbulu debut in Telugu
1952 Valayapathi Tamil Sathyavathi debut in Tamil
1952 Adarsham Telugu
1953 Pitchi Pullaiah Telugu Vasantha
1953 Prapancham Telugu
1954 Devakannika Kannada
1954 Panam Paduthum Padu Tamil
1954 Vaddante Dabbu Telugu Saroja
1955 Rojulu Marayi Telugu Radha
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 Telugu Lalitha
1955 Devakannikaa Kannada
1955 Kaalm Maari Pochu Tamil
1955 Beedhala Aasthi Telugu
1955 Kanyasulkam Telugu Buchamma
1956 Charana Daasi Telugu Saroja
1956 Sonta Ooru Telugu Lakshmi
1956 Illarame Inbam Tamil
1956 Edi Nijam Telugu Raami
1956 Edhu Nijam Tamil Raami
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 Telugu Kathyaini
1957 Panduranga Mahatyam Telugu
1957 Bhale Bava Telugu
1957 Rathnagiri Rahasya Kannada
1958 Veettukku Vandha Varalakshmi Tamil
1958 Mundadugu Telugu
1958 Thammudu Telugu Rani
1958 Ganga Gauri Samvadam Telugu
1958 Nalla Idathu Sammandham Tamil Rathinam
1959 Kaveriyin Kanavan Tamil
1959 Mahishasura Mardhini Kannada Gunavati
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 Tamil Sellathayi
1959 Rechukka Pagatichukka Telugu Rajakumari
1959 Aval Yaar Tamil Vijaya/Ponni
1960 Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam Telugu Yerukala Saani
1960 Kadeddulu Ekaram Nela Telugu Seeta
1960 Naan Kanda Sorgam Tamil Meenakshi
1960 Chavukkadi Chandrakantha Tamil
1960 Chinna Marumagal Tamil
1960 Paavai Vilakku Tamil Gowri
1960 Revathi Tamil
1960 Padikkadha Medhai Tamil
1961 Bhagyalakshmi Tamil Kamala
1961 Kumudham Tamil Kumudhaa
1961 Batasari Telugu Shanti
1961 Palum Pazhamum Tamil Nalini
1961 Kaanal Neer Tamil Shanti
1962 Paarthaal Pasi Theerum Tamil Janaki
1962 Annai Tamil Seetha
1962 Daiva Leele Kannada
1962 Devasundari Kannada
1962 Manchi Manasulu Telugu Radha
1962 Vadivukku Valai Kappu Tamil
1963 Irugu Porugu Telugu Kanchanamala
1963 Anuragam Telugu
1963 Sathi Shakthi Kannada
1963 Malli Maduve Kannada
1963 Kanyarathna Kannada Shantha
1963 Gowri Kannada
1963 Aasai Alaigal Tamil
1963 Paar Magale Paar Tamil Lakshmi
1963 Saaku Magalu Kannada
1963 Pempudu Kuthuru Telugu Manjula
1963 Kadavulai Kanden Tamil
1963 Savati Koduku Telugu Janaki
1964 Puthiya Paravai Tamil Chitra & Sarasa
1964 Dr. Chakravarthi Telugu Nirmala
1964 Desa Drohulu Telugu Karuna
1964 School Master Malayalam Johny's wife
1964 Navakoti Narayana Kannada Saraswati
1964 Pachai Vilakku Tamil Parvathi
1964 Alli Tamil Alli
1964 Peetala Meeda Pelli Telugu
1965 Manchi Kutumbam Telugu Shantha
1965 Devata Telugu Herself
1965 Naanal Tamil Savitri
1965 Panam Padaithavan Tamil Rama
1965 Neerkumizhi Tamil Dr. Indra
1966 Petralthan Pillaiya Tamil Jeeva
1966 Mahakavi Kalidas Tamil Prince
1966 Motor Sundaram Pillai Tamil First wife
1967 Bama Vijayam Tamil Parvathi
1967 Kan Kanda Daivam Tamil
1967 Pesum Dheivam Tamil Guest role
1967 Thaikku Thalaimagan Tamil Gauwri
1968 Oli Vilakku Tamil Shanti
1968 Lakshmi Kalyanam Tamil Parvathi
1968 Enga Oor Raja Tamil Sivakami
1968 Teen Bahuraniyan Hindi Parvati
1968 Jeevanaamsam Tamil Janaki
1968 Ethir Neechal Tamil Pattu
1968 Uyarndha Manidhan Tamil Vimala
1968 Undamma Bottu Pedata Telugu
1968 Chakkaram Tamil
1968 Thirumal Perumai Tamil Kumuthavalli
1968 Arunodaya Kannada
1968 Manchi Kutumbam Telugu Shantha
1968 Bhale Kodallu Telugu Parvathi
1968 Chinnari Papalu Telugu Parvathi
1968 Evaru Monagadu Telugu
1968 Manasssakshi Kannada Guest appearance
1969 Iru Kodugal Tamil Janaki
1969 Kaaval Dheivam Tamil Alamel
1969 Niraparaadhi Kannada
1969 Akka Thangai Tamil Janaki
1969 Thunaivan Tamil Marathagam
1969 Kuzhandhai Ullam Tamil
1970 Kaaviya Thalaivi Tamil Devi (Meera Bai) & Krishna
1970 Nadu Iravil Tamil Rani
1970 Kanmalar Tamil Vadivu
1970 Kasturi Thilakam Tamil
1970 Maanavan Tamil
1970 Paadhukaappu Tamil Parvathi
1970 Dharma Daata Telugu Zamindar's wife
1970 Akka Chellelu Telugu Janaki
1970 Inti Gowravam Telugu
1970 Rendu Kutumbala Katha Telugu
1971 Babu Tamil Parvathi
1971 Rangarattinam Tamil
1972 Thiruneelakandar Tamil Leelavathi
1972 Needhi Tamil Seetha
1972 Appa Tata Tamil
1972 Deivam Tamil Vedhammai
1972 Thanga Thurai Tamil
1972 Badi Panthulu Telugu Radha
1972 Prajanayakudu Telugu
1973 Pasa Dheebam Tamil
1973 School Master Tamil
1973 Khaidi Babu Telugu
1973 Engal Thanga Raja Tamil Seetha
1974 Kaliyuga Kannan Tamil
1974 Swargathil Thirumanam Tamil
1974 Ram Raheem Telugu Lakshmi
1975 Manithanum Deivamagalam Tamil Valli
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 Tamil Rajam
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 Kannada Kumar's adopted mother
1978 Devadasu Malli Puttadu Telugu Aruna's sister
1978 Athani Kante Ghanudu Telugu
1978 Anbin Alaigal Tamil
1978 Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai Tamil
1978 Chal Mohana Ranga Telugu
1978 Iddaru Asadhyule Telugu Janaki
1979 Tayaramma Bangarayya Telugu Tayaramma
1979 Samajaniki Saval Telugu
1979 Rangoon Rowdy Telugu Janaki
1979 Ravanude Ramudayithe? Telugu Mahalakshmi
1979 Pattakkathi Bhairavan Tamil Arjunan's mother
1980 Pappu Malayalam Herself
1980 Aarada Gaaya Kannada
1980 Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi Telugu Janaki
1981 Thee Tamil Seetha
1981 Geetha Kannada Mukta
1981 Kula Puthra Kannada Guest appearance
1981 Prem Geet Hindi Mrs. Laxmi Bhardwaj
1981 Thillu Mullu Tamil Meenakshi Duraiswamy
1981 Kula Kozhunthu Tamil Thambi Durai's mother
1981 Vaaralabbai Telugu
1981 Parvathi Parameswarulu Telugu Parvathi
1981 Puli Bidda Telugu Annapoorna
1983 Bezawada Bebbuli Telugu
1983 Rajakumar Telugu
1983 Aalaya Sikharam Telugu
1983 Onde Guri Kannada
1984 Chiranjeevi Tamil
1984 Kai Kodukkum Kai Tamil Kaalimuthu's sister-in-law
1986 Dosti Dushmani Hindi Sumitra Singh
1986 Aakrandana Telugu Lawyer Janaki
1987 Gouthami Telugu Sharada Devi
1987 Samsaram Oka Chadarangam Telugu Chilakamma
1987 Majnu Telugu Alekhya's mother
1987 Thayaramma Thandava Krishna Telugu
1987 Murali Krishnudu Telugu Murali Krishna's grandmother
1987 Brahma Naidu Telugu
1987 Sardar Krishnamma Naidu Telugu
1987 Anand Tamil
1987 Vairagyam Tamil Annapoorani
1987 Muddu Bidda Telugu
1988 Aadade Aadharam Telugu
1988 Neti Swatantram Telugu
1989 Thendral Puyalanadhu Tamil
1989 Siva Tamil Siva's mother
1989 Geethanjali Telugu Chancellor
1989 Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal Tamil Goa resident
1989 Vetri Vizha Tamil Shirley's aunt
1989 Swara Kalpana Telugu
1991 Azhagan Tamil Doctor
1992 Soorya Manasam Malayalam Mariya
1993 Manavarali Pelli Telugu Janaki
1993 Madam Telugu Sarada Devi
1994 Todi Kodallu Telugu
1997 Subhakankshalu Telugu Sitaramaiah's wife
1998 Bavagaru Bagunnara? Telugu Swapna's grandmother
1998 Kondattam Tamil Janaki
1998 Thodarum Tamil Seetha's grandmother
1998 Thaayin Manikodi Tamil
1999 Devi Telugu Vijay's grandmother
1999 Anbulla Kadhalukku Tamil
1999 Chinna Raja Tamil Karthik's grandmother
1999 Ravoyi Chandamama Telugu Sasi's grandmother
2000 Hey Ram Tamil Mythili's grandmother
2000 Shabdavedhi Kannada Sandeep's mother
2003 Ela Cheppanu Telugu Priya's grandmother
2003 Abhi Kannada Janki
2003 Abhimanyu Telugu Saira Bhanu's grad mother
2007 Amoolyam Telugu
2014 Vanavarayan Vallavarayan Tamil Krishna's & Anand's grandmother
2014 Pungi Daasa Kannada Gayatri Devi
2015 Yevade Subramanyam Telugu Susheela
2015 Kanche Telugu Sitadevi's grandmother
2015 Soukhyam Telugu Modern Bamma
2016 Babu Bangaram Telugu Sailaja's grandmother
2019 Thambi Tamil Parvathy and Saravanan's grandmother
2020 Biskoth Tamil Janaki Paati
2022 Anni Manchi Sakunamule Telugu
TBA
Filming

Television[edit]

Year Title Language Channel
1991 Oorarinda Rahasyam Tamil Doordarshan
1991 Penn Tamil Doordarshan
1998-1999 Akshaya Tamil Sun TV
2013-2014 Varudhini Parinayam Telugu Zee Telugu

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "Shavukar Janaki Returns". www.indiaglitz.com. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Gen Bipin Rawat, Sowcar Janaki, Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella among Padma awardees: Full list". The News Minute. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  3. ↑ India Who's who. INFA Publications. 1989. p. 73.
  4. ↑ "Krishna Kumari is no more". Deccan Chronicle. 25 January 2018.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "A dauntless spirit showcased". The Hindu. 29 December 2006 – via www.thehindu.com.
  6. ↑ "Still ready to act: Sowcar Janaki". The Hindu. 25 December 2006 – via www.thehindu.com.
  7. ↑ "A Trip Down Memory Lane". The New Indian Express.
  8. ↑ "Shavukaru Janaki: Did Not Act Out of Passion But to Meet Family's Needs". The New Indian Express.
  9. ↑ "Lifetime Achievement Award (South) winners down the years..." filmfare.com.
  10. ↑ "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)

External links[edit]

Template:TamilNaduStateAwardForBestActressTemplate:SIIMA Lifetime Achievement Award

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