Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Sowcar Janaki’s Rajamahendravaram Roots Remembered After Her Death
Sowcar Janaki was a famous actress who worked in South Indian films for more than 70 years.
She was born in 1931 and grew up in Rajamahendravaram.
She started acting in films in 1949.
Her big break came in the Telugu movie Shavukaru in 1950.
That film helped give her the name Sowcar Janaki.
She acted in nearly 400 movies in four languages.
She also performed on stage and worked with radio programs.
She died in Chennai at age 94 after age-related health problems.
Veteran actress Sowcar Janaki died in Chennai on Friday at age 94 following age-related ailments.
Born Sankaramanchi Janaki in 1931, she grew up in Rajamahendravaram’s papermill officers’ colony.
She entered films in 1949 and gained recognition through the 1950 Telugu film Shavukaru.
Janaki acted in nearly 400 Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films over seven decades.
Her honours included the Kalaimamani award and the Padma Shri, awarded by India in 2022.
- Who
- Veteran actress Sowcar Janaki, born Sankaramanchi Janaki.
- What
- She died at age 94 after a career spanning more than seven decades in cinema, radio and theatre.
- When
- She died on Friday; she was born on December 12, 1931, and entered films in 1949.
- Where
- She died in Chennai and was born and raised in Rajamahendravaram, formerly known as Rajahmundry.
- Why
- Her death followed age-related ailments; her Rajamahendravaram roots have renewed local memories of her career.
- Full name
- Sankaramanchi Janaki
- Born
- December 12, 1931
- Age at death
- 94
- Film debut
- 1949
- Breakthrough film
- Shavukaru, a 1950 Telugu film directed by L. V. Prasad
- Filmography
- Nearly 400 films in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam
- Honours
- Kalaimamani award and Padma Shri in 2022