Veteran Tamil actor Sowcar Janaki died on Friday (August 21) at the age of 94, following a brief hospital stay after falling ill. Confirming the development, Nadigar Sangam President Nassar stated that she passed away at 1:59 PM on Friday.
Sowcar Janaki dies at 94
“Legendary star Sowcar Janaki (94) passed away. Her mortal remains will be placed at Centoph Road, Teyampet, from 5 PM,” read the statement. Janaki had been admitted to Kauvery Hospital in Alwarpet, Chennai, following ill health. Actor Kayal Devaraj had earlier shared news of her admission online.
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“#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.”
Nassar and Nadigar Sangam members visited Janaki at the hospital. “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,” stated Kayal.
From radio to the film industry
Born Sankaramanchi Janaki into a Kannada-speaking family in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. Before entering films, she worked as a radio jockey at Aakashavani Madras, now known as All India Radio.
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In 1947, she married Sankaramanchi Srinivasa Rao. While pregnant, she appeared for her matriculation examinations and later completed her graduation at Gauhati University in Assam. She had two daughters and a son, Yagna Prabha Koty, Venkataramana Sankaramanchi, and Sachi Rao.
Janaki’s multilingual film career
Janaki entered the film industry in 1950 with the Telugu film Shavukaru, directed by LV Prasad. She made her Tamil debut two years later in Valayapathi, directed by TR Sundaram. Over the course of her career, she worked across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam cinema.
Her Kannada debut came with the 1954 film Devakannika. Five years later, she appeared opposite Dr Rajkumar in Mahishasura Mardini, described as Kannada cinema’s first pan-India film. Her Malayalam debut followed in 1964 with School Master.