Sowcar Janaki (b. 1922)
Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi actress, originally Shankaramanchi Janaki. Born in the 24 Parganas Dist., Bengal. Acted in several radio plays when a child. Married aged 15; separated soon after and sought a career in films as a single parent. Discovered by [[L.V. Prasad]], whom she considers her mentor, and made her début in Shavukaru. Although the film wasn’t a hit, she appended its title to her name ever since. Made her Tamil début at Modern Theatres, in the Bharatidasan scripted Valayapathi. Often paired in 50s Tamil films with M.R. Radha (e.g. Nalla Idathu Sambandham). Also acted in Tamil plays, e.g. by K. Balachander. Produced and acted in Balachander’s melodrama Kaviya Thalaivi, followed byKrishnan-Panju’s Ranga Rattinam. Her sister, Krishnakumari, was also a noted Tamil, Kannada and Telugu star, and granddaughter Vaishnavi joined films in the late 80s.
FILMOGRAPHY: 1950: Shavukaru; 1952: Adarsham; Valayapathi; 1953: Prapancham; Pichhipullaiah; 1954: Vaddante Dabbu; Devasundari; 1955: Cherapakura Chedevu; Kanyadanam; Pasupu Kumkuma; Rojulu Marayi/Kalam? Maripochu; Kanyasulkam; 1956: Nagula Chaviti/Adarshasati?; Bhagya Chakra; Bhagyodaya; Sadarame/Sadarama?; 1957: Aalu Magalu; Bhale Bhava; Ratnagiri Rahasya/Tangamalai? Rahasyam; Bhagya Rekha; 1958: Nalla Idathu Sambandham; School Master/Badi? Panthulu; Anna Thamudu; Ganga Gauri Samvadam; Ettuku Pai Ettu; 1959: Abalai Anjugam; Mahishasura Mardini/ Durga Mata; 1960: Naan Kanda Sorgam; Kodeduddulu Ekaramnela; Mohabbat Ki Jeet; 1961: Batasari/Kanal? Neer; 1962: Manchi Manushulu/Penn? Manam; Daivaleele; Parthal Pasi Theerum; 1963: Kanya Ratna; Gauri; Malli Madhuve; Sati Shakthi; Paar Magale Paar; Saaku Magalu/Pempudu? Koothuru; Savati Koduku; Devasundari; 1964: Deshadrohulu; Peetalameeda Pelli; Dr Chakravarthi; Navakoti Narayana; 1965: Naanal; 1966: Motor Sundaram Pillai; Mahakavi Kalidas; 1967: Thaikku Thalaimagan; Bhama Vijayam/Bhale? Kodalu; 1968: Manchi Kutumbam; Teen Bahuraniyan; Chinnari Papalu; Undamma Bottupeduta; Ethir Neechal; Lakshmi Kalyanam; Uyarntha Manithan; Chakram; 1969: Kaval Daivam; Thunaivan; Iru Kodukal; 1970: Rendu Kutumbala Katha; Nadu Iravil; Kasturi Tilakam; Kaviya Thalaivi; 1971: Ranga Rattinam; 1972: Prajanayakudu; Appa Tata; Thiruneelakantar; Daivam; Thanga Thurai; Neethi; 1973: Prarthanai; School Master; Engal Thanga Raja; Khaidi Baba; Padmavyuham; 1974: Sorgathil Thirumanam; Kaliyuga Kannan; 1975: Cinema Paithiyam; Manithanum Daivamagalam; Nalla Marumagal; Uravukku Kayi Koduppam; Balipeetam; Devudulanti Manishi; Naaku Swatantram Vachindi; Vemulavada Bhimakavi; 1976: Manasakshi; Premabandham; Athirishtam Azhaikkirathu; Dashavatharam; Idaya Malar; Nalla Penmani; Perum Pukazhum; 1977: Olimayamana Ethirkalam; Adrushtavanthuralu; Oka Talli Katha; 1978: Anbin Alaigal; Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhanthai; 1979: Pattakathi Bhairavan; Samajaniki Saval; 1980: Arada Gaya; Ellam En Kairasi; Shanti; 1981: Thillu Mullu; Jagamondi; Varaala Abbayi; 1982: Mamiyara Marumagala; 1983: Rajakumar; Engalalum Mudiyum; 1984: Chiranjeevi; Kayi Kodukkum Kayi; 1987: Brahma Nayudu; Sardar Krishnama Nayudu; Gauthami; Vairagyam; 1988: Murali Krishnudu; Adade Adharam; 1989: Geetanjali.