Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai
Chennai, Aug 21: Veteran actor ‘Sowcar’ Janaki, one of the most enduring and versatile performers of South Indian cinema, died on Friday at the age of 94 following a brief hospitalisation for age-related illness.
Janaki had been admitted to Kauvery Hospital in Alwarpet, Chennai, where she was receiving intensive medical care. She breathed her last at 1.59 pm on Friday. Her death was confirmed by Nadigar Sangam president and actor Nassar.
In a statement to the press, Nassar said: “Legendary star Sowcar Janaki (94) passed away. Her mortal remains will be placed at Centoph Road, Teyampet, from 5 pm.”
Her mortal remains were scheduled to be kept at Cenotaph Road in Teynampet, Chennai, from 5 pm on Friday, allowing relatives, friends, members of the film fraternity and admirers to pay their last respects.
Janaki’s hospitalisation had recently been reported by actor Kayal Devaraj, who shared an update on social media on August 19.
“#SowcarJanaki August 19th. Veteran actress Sowcar Janaki (aged 94) has been admitted to Kauvery Hospital in Alwarpet, Chennai, due to ill health. She is currently receiving intensive medical care,” he wrote.
Kayal Devaraj also said that Nassar and other members of the South Indian Artistes’ Association (Nadigar Sangam) had visited Janaki in hospital to enquire about her health.
“On behalf of the South Indian Artistes' Association (Nadigar Sangam), president Nassar and actors Soundararaja and Hemachandran visited her in person to inquire about her well-being. #Hospitalized #KauveryHospital #NadigarSangam #Nasser,” he wrote.
Born Sankaramanchi Janaki into a Kannada-speaking family in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, Janaki’s journey into the entertainment industry began long before her film career. She was married off as a minor by her family and later worked as a radio jockey at Aakashavani Madras (All India Radio).
She married Sankaramanchi Srinivasa Rao in 1947. Despite her family responsibilities, she continued her education, sitting for her matriculation examinations while pregnant and later graduating from Gauhati University in Assam.
She had two daughters and a son — Yagna Prabha Koty, Venkataramana Sankaramanchi and Sachi Rao.
Janaki made her cinematic debut in 1950 with the Telugu film Shavukaru, directed by L V Prasad. The film gave her the screen name ‘Sowcar’, which remained synonymous with her throughout her career.
She made her Tamil debut in 1952 with Valayapathi, directed by T R Sundaram, and quickly established herself as one of Tamil cinema’s leading actresses. She went on to build a career across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam cinema, taking on both leading roles and memorable supporting and character parts.
Her Kannada debut came with the 1954 film Devakannika. In 1959, she appeared alongside legendary actor Dr Rajkumar in Mahishasura Mardini, described as Kannada cinema’s first pan-India film. Her Malayalam debut followed with the 1964 film School Master.
Over a career spanning more than seven decades, Janaki appeared in more than 400 films across the four South Indian languages. Her remarkable longevity enabled her to work with several generations of actors and filmmakers, while her versatility helped her remain a distinctive presence long after her years as a leading lady.
Her association with acclaimed filmmaker K Balachander produced several memorable performances, including roles in Iru Kodugal, Ethir Neechal, Kaviya Thalaivi, Bama Vijayam and Thillu Mullu. Her filmography also included notable Telugu works such as Rojulu Marayi, Kanyasulkam, Doctor Chakravarty, Badi Panthulu and Samsaram Oka Chadarangam.
Janaki’s artistic career extended beyond cinema. She performed in more than 300 stage shows and appeared in numerous television programmes and serials, establishing herself across film, theatre and television.
Her younger sister, Krishna Kumari, also became an actor, while her granddaughter Vaishnavi Aravind followed in the family’s footsteps.
After her long career in films, Janaki ventured into television in 1991 with the Tamil Doordarshan programme Oorarinda Rahasyam. Her last television appearance came in the 2013 Telugu serial Varudhini Parinayam on Zee Telugu.
Janaki remained active on the big screen well into her later years. She appeared in the 2020 Tamil parody film Biskoth, directed by R Kannan, and her final film appearance came in the 2023 Telugu film Anni Manchi Sakunamule, directed by Nandini Reddy.
Her contribution to the arts earned her several honours over the years, including the Kalaimamani. In 2022, the Government of India conferred the Padma Shri on her in recognition of her contribution to cinema spanning seven decades.
With Sowcar Janaki’s death, South Indian cinema has lost a performer whose career evolved alongside the industry itself. From a young leading lady in the early years of post-Independence cinema to a respected character actor in later decades, she built a rare seven-decade legacy defined by versatility, longevity and an ability to remain distinctive across generations.