Sowcar Janaki

Sankaramanchi Janaki (née Tekumalla Janaki; 12 December 1931 – 21 August 2026), known professionally as Sowcar Janaki, was an Indian actress and film producer known for her works in Telugu, Tamil and Kannada films besides a few Malayalam and Hindi films. In a career spanning over seven decades, Janaki appeared in nearly 400 films. Janaki was the recipient of several accolades, including two Nandi Awards, a Tamil Nadu State Film Award, a Kalaimamani, Karnataka Rajyotsava Award , Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award - South and SIIMA Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contributions to South Indian cinema. In 2022, Janaki was honored with the Padma Shri, the country's fourth-highest civilian award. Beyond films, Janaki was also a theatre artist who appeared in numerous stage productions, including three K. Balachander written plays that ran for over 300 shows. . She also worked as an A-grade artist at All India Radio's Madras station.

Janaki made her screen debut at the age of 18 in the lead role of L. V. Prasad's social drama, Shavukaru (1950), which also marked the film debut of N. T. Rama Rao. The commercial success of the film led to the prefix "Sowcar" becoming associated with her name. Her Tamil cinema debut came through Valayapathi in 1952.

She was featured in the first Kannada pan-Indian film Mahishasura Mardini (1959) alongside Dr. Rajkumar, making her one of the first leading pan-Indian actresses. Janaki subsequently appeared in a range of social drama films between the 1950s - 1980s period. The Tamil film Biskoth (2020) marked her 400th film to be released.

Janaki died from an age-related illness at Kauvery Hospital, Chennai, on 21 August 2026, at the age of 94.

Early life and family Janaki was born on 12 December 1931 at Rajahmundry, East Godavari district, Madras Presidency, to Tekumalla Venkoji Rao and Sachi Devi who were a Kannada-speaking Madhva Brahmin family. Her father studied Paper manufacturing and Chemical Engineering in England and was later employed in a paper-making industry at Rajahmundry. Her mother hailed from Guwahati in Assam. Her younger sister, Krishna Kumari was a well-noted actress. Janaki completed her early studies at Gauhati University in Assam and received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Arizona.

Janaki's association with cinema began after filmmaker B. N. Reddy noticed her at an event organized by All India Radio (AIR) in Madras, where she was an A-grade artiste. At the age of 15, she was offered an opportunity by Reddy, to enter films. However, her family declined the offer with an opinion that acting was not a suitable profession for women. She was subsequently married with a match arranged by her family.

Personal life At 18, Janaki was married to Sankaramanchi Srinivasa Rao in 1947. The couple had 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 Janaki made her debut in the L. V. Prasad-directed Telugu film Shavukaru in 1950, which gave her the moniker ‘Sowcar’. She made her Tamil debut in 1952 with Valayapathi. She became a prominent actress with hits in different languages as the lead heroine.

Some of her notable and well-known Tamil films include Panam Paduthum Padu (1954), Annai (1964) Puthiya Paravai (1964), Neerkumizhi (1965), Mahakavi Kalidas (1966), Edhir Neechal (1968), Oli Vilakku (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 participated in more than 3,000 stage plays, and her contributions to the arts are numerous.

Janaki received multiple state awards from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh governments (before bifurcation).

In 2020, Janaki was starred in her 400th movie, Biskoth.

In 2022, she was honoured with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award, by the Government of India.

Trivia Multi-generational roles with Dr. Rajkumar: Janaki holds a unique distinction in Kannada cinema for her long and versatile on-screen association with Dr. Rajkumar. She initially shared the screen as his leading lady (heroine) in several notable films, including Mahishasura Mardini (1959), Gowri (1963), Navakoti Narayana (1964), Sathi Shakthi (1964), and Saaku Magalu (1963). Over her career, she transitioned through entirely different familial dynamics alongside him, subsequently playing his sister in Kanyarathna (1963), and later his mother in Thayige Thakka Maga (1978) and his final cinematic project, Shabdavedhi (2000). Technical milestone: She starred in Raja Malaya Simha, which is notable for being the first Eastman Color movie in Telugu cinema. Association with future icons in their debuts: Throughout her seven-decade career, Janaki appeared in the debut or formative early projects of several actors who later became major superstars across Indian cinema. These include N. T. Rama Rao in Shavukaru (1950), Waheeda Rehman in Rojulu Marayi (1955), Kalpana in Saaku Magalu (1963), Sridevi in Thunaivan (1969), Soundarya in Manavarali Pelli (1993), Udaykumar in Bhagyodaya (1956), Ramya_(actress) in Abhi_(2003_film) and Vijay Deverakonda in a Sathya Sai devotional television series.

Awards

She has received several awards. Some notable ones are given below: Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award - South for Outstanding contributions to South Indian Cinema (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 in Karnataka Kalaimamani by the Tamil Nadu government in 1969 and 1970 Tamil Nadu State Film Honorary Award - MGR Award in 1990 Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress for Iru Kodugal in 1970 Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress for Samsaram Oka Chadarangam in 1987 Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress for Amoolyam in 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 by the Government of India (2022)

Filmography

Year Film Role Language Notes 1950 Shavukaru Subbulu Telugu Debut film 1952 Valayapathi Sathyavathi Tamil Debut Tamil film Adarsam Telugu 1953 Pichi Pullayya Vasantha Prapancham 1954 Devakannika Kannada Panam Paduthum Padu Saroja Tamil Vaddante Dabbu Saroja Telugu 1955 Rojulu Marayi Radha Bhagya Chakra Kannada Adarsha Sathi Kanyadhanam Telugu Asai Anna Arumai Thambi Tamil Ezhayin Aasthi Pasupu Kumkuma Telugu Cherapakura ChedevuLalitha Devakannikaa Kannada Kaalm Maari Pochu Tamil Beedhala Aasthi Telugu Kanyasulkam Buchamma 1956 Charana Daasi Saroja Sonta Ooru Lakshmi Illarame Inbam Tamil Edi Nijam Raami Telugu Sadarame Kannada Jayam Manade Mallika Telugu Sontha Vooru Lakshmi Vetri Veeran Tamil Sadarama Telugu Bhagyodaya Kannada Naga Devathai Tamil Naga Chavithi Telugu 1957 Bhagya Rekha Kathyaini Panduranga Mahatyam Rama's sister Bhale Bava Rathnagiri Rahasya Kannada 1958 School Master Geetha Veettukku Vandha Varalakshmi Tamil Mundadugu Telugu Thammudu Rani Ganga Gauri Samvadam Nalla Idathu Sammandham Rathinam Tamil 1959 Kaveriyin Kanavan Mahishasura Mardhini Gunavati Kannada Abalai Anjugam Tamil Madhavi Raja Sevai Raja Malaya Simham Raja Malaya Simha Telugu Thamarai Kulam Tamil Ulagam Sirikkirathu Sellathayi Rechukka Pagatichukka Rajakumari Telugu Aval Yaar Vijaya / Ponni Tamil 1960 Sri Venkateswara Mahatyam Yerukala Saani Telugu Kadeddulu Ekaram Nela Seeta Naan Kanda Sorgam Meenakshi Tamil Chavukkadi Chandrakantha Chinna Marumagal Paavai Vilakku Gowri Revathi Padikkadha Medhai Lakshmi 1961 Bhagyalakshmi Kamala Kumudham Kumudhaa Batasari Shanti Telugu Palum Pazhamum Nalini Tamil Kaanal Neer Shanti 1962 Paarthaal Pasi Theerum Janaki Annai Seetha Daiva Leele Kannada Devasundari Manchi Manasulu Radha Telugu Vadivukku Valai Kappu Tamil 1963 Irugu Porugu Kanchanamala Telugu Anuragam Sathi Shakthi Kannada Malli Maduve Kanyarathna Shantha Gowri Aasai Alaigal Thangam Tamil Paar Magale Paar Lakshmi Saaku Magalu Manjula Kannada Pempudu Kuthuru Manjula Telugu Kadavulai Kanden Tamil Savati Koduku Janaki Telugu 1964 Puthiya Paravai Chitra & Sarasa Tamil Dr. Chakravarthi Nirmala Telugu Desa Drohulu Karuna School Master Johny's wife Malayalam Navakoti Narayana Saraswati Kannada Pachai Vilakku Parvathi Tamil Alli Alli Peetala Meeda Pelli Telugu 1965 Manchi Kutumbam Shantha Devata Herself Naanal Savitri Tamil Panam Padaithavan Rama Neerkumizhi Dr. Indra 1966 Motor Sundaram Pillai Meenakshi Mahakavi Kalidas Prince Petralthan Pillaiya Jeeva 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 Parvati Hindi Jeevanaamsam Janaki Tamil Ethir Neechal Pattu Uyarndha Manidhan Vimala Undamma Bottu Pedata Telugu Chakkaram Meenakshi Tamil Thirumal Perumai Kumuthavalli Arunodaya Kannada Manchi Kutumbam Shantha Telugu Bhale Kodallu Parvathi Chinnari Papalu Parvathi Evaru Monagadu Lakshmi Manassakshi Guest appearance Kannada 1969 Iru Kodugal Janaki Tamil Kaaval Dheivam Alamel Niraparaadhi Kannada Akka Thangai Janaki Tamil Thunaivan Marathagam Kuzhandhai Ullam 1970 Kaaviya Thalaivi Devi (Meera Bai) & Krishna Also produced the film Nadu Iravil Rani Kanmalar Vadivu Kasturi Thilakam Kasturi Maanavan Parvathy Paadhukaappu Parvathi Dharma Daata Zamindar's wife Telugu Akka Chellelu Janaki Inti Gowravam Rendu Kutumbala Katha 1971 Babu Parvathi Tamil Rangarattinam 1972 Thiruneelakandar Leelavathi Needhi Seetha Appa Tata Deivam Vedhammai Thanga Thurai Badi Panthulu Radha Telugu Prajanayakudu 1973 Pasa Dheebam Tamil School Master Khaidi Babu Telugu Oka Naari Vandha Thupakulu Teacher and Narrator of the story Engal Thanga Raja Seetha Tamil 1974 Kaliyuga Kannan Gayatri Swargathil Thirumanam Ram Raheem Lakshmi Telugu 1975 Manithanum Deivamagalam Valli Tamil Cinema Paithiyam Pinju Manam Nalla Marumagal Uravukku Kai Koduppom Naaku Swatantram Vachindi Telugu Devudulanti Manishi Balipeetam Vemulavada Bhimakavi 1976 Dasavatharam Kayadhu Tamil Idhaya Malar Rajam Nalla Penmani Athirishtam Azhaikkirathu Perum Pukhazhum Ramarajyamlo Rakthapasam Telugu Manasakshi Premabandham 1977 Olimayamana Ethirkalam Tamil 1978 Thayige Thakka Maga Kumar's adopted mother Kannada Devadasu Malli Puttadu Aruna's sister Telugu Athani Kante Ghanudu Anbin Alaigal Tamil Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai Chal Mohana Ranga Telugu Iddaru Asadhyule Janaki 1979 Tayaramma Bangarayya Tayaramma Samajaniki Saval Rangoon Rowdy Janaki Ravanude Ramudayithe? Mahalakshmi Pattakkathi Bhairavan Arjunan's mother Tamil 1980 Pappu Herself Malayalam Aarada Gaaya Judge Janaki Kannada Gopala Rao Gari Ammayi Janaki Telugu 1981 Thee Seetha Tamil Geetha Mukta Kannada Kula Puthra Guest appearance Prem GeetMrs. Laxmi Bhardwaj Hindi Thillu Mullu Meenakshi Duraiswamy Tamil Kula Kozhunthu Thambi Durai's mother Vaaralabbai Telugu Parvathi Parameswarulu Parvathi Puli Bidda Annapoorna Jagamondi Annapoorna 1982 Edi Dharmam Edi Nyayam? Lawyer Telugu Neethi Devan Mayakkam Lawyer Tamil 1983 Bezawada Bebbuli Telugu Rajakumar Aalaya Sikharam Onde Guri Kumar's mother Kannada 1984 Chiranjeevi Tamil Kode Trachu Governess Telugu Kai Kodukkum Kai Kaalimuthu's sister-in-law Tamil 1985 Pachani Kapuram Malini Telugu Kongumudi Telugu 1986 Dosti Dushmani Sumitra Singh Hindi Krishna Garadi Janaki Telugu Aakrandana Lawyer Janaki 1987 Gouthami Sharada 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 1988 Aadade Aadharam Neti Swatantram 1989 Thendral Puyalanadhu Tamil Siva Siva's mother Geethanjali Chancellor Telugu Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal Goa resident Tamil Vetri Vizha Shirley's aunt Swara Kalpana Telugu 1991 Azhagan Doctor Tamil 1992 Soorya Manasam Mariya Malayalam 1993 Manavarali Pelli Janaki Telugu 1994 Madam Sarada Devi Todi Kodallu 1997 Nenu Premisthunnanu Rachna's mother Subhakankshalu Sitaramaiah's wife 1998 Bavagaru Bagunnara? Swapna's grandmother Kondattam Janaki Tamil Thodarum Seetha's grandmother Thayin Manikodi 1999 Devi Vijay's grandmother Telugu Anbulla Kadhalukku Tamil Chinna Raja Karthik's grandmother Ravoyi Chandamama Sasi's grandmother Telugu 2000 Hey Ram Mythili's grandmother Tamil Shabdavedhi Sandeep's mother Kannada 2003 Ela Cheppanu Priya's grandmother Telugu Abhi Janki Kannada Abhimanyu Saira Bhanu's grandmother Telugu 2007 Amoolyam 2014 Vanavarayan Vallavarayan Krishna's & Anand's grandmother Tamil Pungi Daasa Gayatri Devi Kannada 2015 Yevade Subramanyam Susheela Telugu Kanche Sitadevi's grandmother Soukhyam Modern Bamma 2016 Babu Bangaram Sailaja's grandmother 2019 Thambi Parvathy and Saravanan's grandmother Tamil 2020 Biskoth Janaki Paati 400th film 2023 Anni Manchi Sakunamule Janaki Telugu

Television YearTitleLanguageChannel 1991 Oorarinda Rahasyam Tamil Doordarshan Penn 1995 Needa Telugu1998–1999 Akshaya Tamil Sun TV2001–2002 Kelunga Maamiyare Neengalum Marumagal Than 2013–2014 Varudhini Parinayam Telugu Zee Telugu