Sowcar Janaki

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Sowcar Janaki
Sowcar Janaki.jpg
Born
T. Janaki

(1931-12-12) 12 December 1931 (age 93)
OccupationActress
Years active1949–present
Spouse
Sankaramanchi Srinivasa Rao
(m. 1947)
Children3
Relatives Vaishnavi (granddaughter)
Family Krishna Kumari (younger sister)
Awards Kalaimamani (1969)
Padma Shri (2022)

Sankaramanchi Janaki (born 12 December 1931), widely known as Sowcar Janaki, is an Indian actress known for her works in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada films. In a career spanning over seven decades, Janaki has appeared in nearly 400 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]

Contents

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

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, Krishna Kumari, is a noted actress. [2] She was born in a Kannada-speaking Madhva Brahmin family. [6] [7] 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. [8] Her granddaughter, Vaishnavi Aravind is also an actress who appeared in several Tamil, Telugu and a few Malayalam films, starting in 1987. [9] [8]

Film career

Janaki made her debut in the L. V. Prasad directed Telugu film Shavukaru in 1950, which got her the moniker ‘Sowcar’. [10] She made her Tamil debut in 1952 with Valayapathi . She became a prominent actress with hits in different languages as the lead heroine. [11]

Some of her Tamil famous films include Panam Paduthum Padu (1954), Puthiya Paravai (1964), Neerkumizhi (1965), Mahakavi Kalidas (1966), Edhir Neechal (1968), Iru Kodugal (1969), Uyarndha Manithan (1968), Kaviya Thalaivi (1970), Ranga Rattinam (1971), Thillu Mullu (1981), Vettri Vizhaa (1989), Devi (1999), Hey Ram (2000), among others.

Some of her notable Telugu films include Rojulu Marayi (1955), Kanyasulkam (1955), Jayam Manade (1956), Panduranga Mahatyam (1957), Doctor Chakravarty (1964), Akka Chellelu (1970), Badi Panthulu (1972), Tayaramma Bangarayya (1979), Samsaram Oka Chadarangam (1987) and Devi (1999), among others.

She has participated in more than 3000 stage plays, and her contributions to the arts are numerous. [12]

She has received multiple state awards from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh governments (before bifurcation). [13]

In 2020, Sowcar was seen in her 400th movie, Biskoth . [14] [15]

In 2022, Sowcar Janaki has been honoured with Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award by the Government of India. [16]

Awards

Janaki being awarded Padma Shri, c. 2022 The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Padma Shri Award to Smt. Sankaramanchi Janaki, at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 28, 2022.jpg
Janaki being awarded Padma Shri, c.2022

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

Filmography

YearFilmRoleLanguageNotes
1950 Shavukaru SubbuluTeluguDebut film
1952 Valayapathi SathyavathiTamilDebut Tamil film
AdarsamTelugu
1953 Pichi Pullayya Vasantha
Prapancham
1954DevakannikaKannada
Panam Paduthum Padu Tamil
Vaddante Dabbu SarojaTelugu
1955 Rojulu Marayi Radha
Bhagya ChakraKannada
Adarsha Sathi
KanyadhanamTelugu
Asai Anna Arumai Thambi Tamil
Ezhayin Aasthi
Pasupu KumkumaTelugu
Cherapakura Chedevu Lalitha
DevakannikaaKannada
Kaalm Maari PochuTamil
Beedhala AasthiTelugu
Kanyasulkam Buchamma
1956 Charana Daasi Saroja
Sonta Ooru Lakshmi
Illarame InbamTamil
Edi Nijam RaamiTelugu
Sadarame Kannada
Jayam Manade Telugu
Sontha Vooru
Vetri VeeranTamil
SadaramaTelugu
Bhagyodaya Kannada
Naga DevathaiTamil
Naga ChavithiTelugu
1957 Bhagya Rekha Kathyaini
Panduranga Mahatyam
Bhale Bava
Rathnagiri Rahasya Kannada
1958 School Master Geetha
Veettukku Vandha Varalakshmi Tamil
MundaduguTelugu
Thammudu Rani
Ganga Gauri Samvadam
Nalla Idathu Sammandham RathinamTamil
1959 Kaveriyin Kanavan
Mahishasura Mardhini GunavatiKannada
Abalai Anjugam Tamil
Madhavi
Raja Sevai
Raja Malaya Simham
Raja Malaya Simha Telugu
Thamarai Kulam Tamil
Ulagam SirikkirathuSellathayi
Rechukka Pagatichukka RajakumariTelugu
Aval Yaar Vijaya/PonniTamil
1960 Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam Yerukala SaaniTelugu
Kadeddulu Ekaram Nela Seeta
Naan Kanda Sorgam MeenakshiTamil
Chavukkadi Chandrakantha
Chinna Marumagal
Paavai Vilakku Gowri
Revathi
Padikkadha Medhai
1961 Bhagyalakshmi Kamala
Kumudham Kumudhaa
Batasari ShantiTelugu
Palum Pazhamum NaliniTamil
Kaanal Neer Shanti
1962 Paarthaal Pasi Theerum Janaki
Annai Seetha
Daiva Leele Kannada
Devasundari
Manchi Manasulu RadhaTelugu
Vadivukku Valai Kappu Tamil
1963 Irugu Porugu KanchanamalaTelugu
Anuragam
Sathi Shakthi Kannada
Malli Maduve
Kanyarathna Shantha
Gowri
Aasai Alaigal Tamil
Paar Magale Paar Lakshmi
Saaku Magalu Kannada
Pempudu KuthuruManjulaTelugu
Kadavulai Kanden Tamil
Savati Koduku JanakiTelugu
1964 Puthiya Paravai Chitra & SarasaTamil
Dr. Chakravarthi NirmalaTelugu
Desa Drohulu Karuna
School Master Johny's wifeMalayalam
Navakoti Narayana SaraswatiKannada
Pachai Vilakku ParvathiTamil
Alli Alli
Peetala Meeda Pelli Telugu
1965 Manchi Kutumbam Shantha
Devata Herself
Naanal SavitriTamil
Panam Padaithavan Rama
Neerkumizhi Dr. Indra
1966 Petralthan Pillaiya Jeeva
Mahakavi Kalidas Prince
Motor Sundaram Pillai First wife
1967 Bama Vijayam Parvathi
Kan Kanda Daivam
Pesum Dheivam Guest role
Thaikku Thalaimagan Gauwri
1968 Oli Vilakku Shanti
Lakshmi Kalyanam Parvathi
Enga Oor Raja Sivakami
Teen Bahuraniyan ParvatiHindi
Jeevanaamsam JanakiTamil
Ethir Neechal Pattu
Uyarndha Manidhan Vimala
Undamma Bottu Pedata Telugu
Chakkaram MeenakshiTamil
Thirumal Perumai Kumuthavalli
ArunodayaKannada
Manchi Kutumbam ShanthaTelugu
Bhale Kodallu Parvathi
Chinnari Papalu Parvathi
Evaru Monagadu [19] Lakshmi
Manassakshi Guest appearanceKannada
1969 Iru Kodugal JanakiTamil
Kaaval Dheivam Alamel
NiraparaadhiKannada
Akka Thangai JanakiTamil
Thunaivan Marathagam
Kuzhandhai Ullam
1970 Kaaviya Thalaivi Devi (Meera Bai) & Krishna
Nadu Iravil Rani
Kanmalar Vadivu
Kasturi Thilakam
Maanavan
Paadhukaappu Parvathi
Dharma Daata Zamindar's wifeTelugu
Akka Chellelu Janaki
Inti Gowravam
Rendu Kutumbala Katha
1971 Babu ParvathiTamil
Rangarattinam
1972 Thiruneelakandar Leelavathi
Needhi Seetha
Appa Tata
Deivam Vedhammai
Thanga Thurai
Badi Panthulu RadhaTelugu
Prajanayakudu
1973Pasa DheebamTamil
School Master
Khaidi BabuTelugu
Oka Naari Vandha Thupakulu [20] Teacher and Narrator of the story
Engal Thanga Raja SeethaTamil
1974 Kaliyuga Kannan
Swargathil Thirumanam
Ram Raheem LakshmiTelugu
1975 Manithanum Deivamagalam ValliTamil
Cinema Paithiyam
Pinju Manam
Nalla Marumagal
Uravukku Kai Koduppom
Naaku Swatantram VachindiTelugu
Devudulanti Manishi
Balipeetam
Vemulavada Bhimakavi
1976 Dasavataram Tamil
Idhaya Malar Rajam
Nalla Penmani
Athirishtam Azhaikkirathu
Perum Pukhazhum
Ramarajyamlo RakthapasamTelugu
Manasakshi
Premabandham
1977Olimayamana EthirkalamTamil
1978 Thayige Thakka Maga Kumar's adopted motherKannada
Devadasu Malli Puttadu Aruna's sisterTelugu
Athani Kante Ghanudu
Anbin AlaigalTamil
Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai
Chal Mohana RangaTelugu
Iddaru Asadhyule Janaki
1979 Tayaramma Bangarayya Tayaramma
Samajaniki Saval
Rangoon Rowdy Janaki
Ravanude Ramudayithe? Mahalakshmi
Pattakkathi Bhairavan Arjunan's motherTamil
1980 Pappu HerselfMalayalam
Aarada Gaaya Kannada
Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi JanakiTelugu
1981 Thee SeethaTamil
Geetha MuktaKannada
Kula Puthra Guest appearance
Prem Geet Mrs. Laxmi BhardwajHindi
Thillu Mullu Meenakshi DuraiswamyTamil
Kula KozhunthuThambi Durai's mother
VaaralabbaiTelugu
Parvathi Parameswarulu Parvathi
Puli Bidda Annapoorna
JagamondiAnnapoorna
1982 Edi Dharmam Edi Nyayam? Telugu
Neethi Devan Mayakkam Tamil
1983 Bezawada Bebbuli Telugu
Rajakumar
Aalaya Sikharam
Onde Guri Kannada
1984 Chiranjeevi Tamil
Kode Trachu [21] GovernessTelugu
Kai Kodukkum Kai Kaalimuthu's sister-in-lawTamil
1985 Pachani Kapuram MaliniTelugu
KongumudiTelugu
1986 Dosti Dushmani Sumitra SinghHindi
Krishna Garadi Telugu
AakrandanaLawyer Janaki
1987GouthamiSharada Devi
Samsaram Oka Chadarangam Chilakamma
Majnu Alekhya's mother
Thayaramma Thandava Krishna
Murali Krishnudu Murali Krishna's grandmother
Brahma Naidu
Sardar Krishnamma Naidu
Anand Tamil
Vairagyam Annapoorani
Muddu Bidda Telugu
1988Aadade Aadharam
Neti Swatantram
1989Thendral PuyalanadhuTamil
Siva Siva's mother
Geethanjali ChancellorTelugu
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal Goa residentTamil
Vetri Vizha Shirley's aunt
Swara KalpanaTelugu
1991 Azhagan DoctorTamil
1992 Soorya Manasam MariyaMalayalam
1993Manavarali PelliJanakiTelugu
Madam Sarada Devi
1994Todi Kodallu
1997 Nenu Premisthunnanu Rachna's mother
Subhakankshalu Sitaramaiah's wife
1998 Bavagaru Bagunnara? Swapna's grandmother
Kondattam JanakiTamil
Thodarum Seetha's grandmother
Thaayin Manikodi
1999 Devi Vijay's grandmotherTelugu
Anbulla Kadhalukku Tamil
Chinna Raja Karthik's grandmother
Ravoyi Chandamama Sasi's grandmotherTelugu
2000 Hey Ram Mythili's grandmotherTamil
Shabdavedhi Sandeep's motherKannada
2003 Ela Cheppanu Priya's grandmotherTelugu
Abhi JankiKannada
Abhimanyu Saira Bhanu's grandmotherTelugu
2007Amoolyam
2014 Vanavarayan Vallavarayan Krishna's & Anand's grandmotherTamil
Pungi Daasa Gayatri DeviKannada
2015 Yevade Subramanyam SusheelaTelugu
Kanche Sitadevi's grandmother
Soukhyam Modern Bamma
2016 Babu Bangaram Sailaja's grandmother
2019 Thambi Parvathy and Saravanan's grandmotherTamil
2020 Biskoth Janaki Paati
2023 Anni Manchi Sakunamule JanakiTelugu

Television

YearTitleLanguageChannel
1991Oorarinda RahasyamTamilDoordarshan
Penn
1995NeedaTelugu
1998-1999Akshaya Tamil Sun TV
2001-2002Kelunga Maamiyare Neengalum Marumagal Than
2013-2014Varudhini ParinayamTelugu Zee Telugu

References

  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. 1 2 "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. "Book on Krishna Kumari". The Hindu. 16 July 2016.
  7. Santhanam, Kausalya (16 July 1999). "Spirit that defies age". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 21 February 2001. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  8. 1 2 "A dauntless spirit showcased". The Hindu. 29 December 2006.
  9. "Still ready to act: Sowcar Janaki". The Hindu. 25 December 2006.
  10. "Sowcar Janaki turns 90".
  11. "Veteran Actress Sowcar Janaki Honoured With Padma Shri- Deets Inside!".
  12. "Nassar thanks the central government for honoring Sowcar Janaki with the Padma Shri award".
  13. "Padma Awards: Victor Banerjee awarded Padma Bhushan; Sowcar Janaki, Sonu Nigam honoured with Padma Shri".
  14. "Veteran Actor Sowcar Janaki, Who has Acted in 400 Films, Conferred With Padma Shri Award".
  15. "Sowcar Janaki in Santhanam's next with Kannan".
  16. "Veteran actress Sowcar Janaki honoured with Padma Shri, says this award tops everything".
  17. "Lifetime Achievement Award (South) winners down the years..." filmfare.com.
  18. "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)
  19. "Evaru Monagadu (1968)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  20. "Oka Naari Vandha Thupakulu (1973)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  21. "Kode Trachu (1984) | V CINEMA - Movie, Review, Cast, Songs & Release Date". www.vcinema.com. Retrieved 23 December 2023.