'''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 by Krishnan-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.

[[Actor]]