The Gurajada Samskrutika Samakhya has paid tribute to the late veteran actress Sowcar Janaki, noting her special connection to the heritage city. The Samakhya’s President, M. Venkateswara Rao, and General Secretary, Kapuganti Prakash, stated that Janaki’s profound thoughts and actions would continue to inspire. The tribute was offered during a condolence meeting held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, following Janaki’s death from age-related ailments in Chennai on August 21, at the age of 94. Mr. Prakash recalled that Janaki had received the Gurajada Sahithi Puraskaram on November 30, 2006, and had maintained interactions with the association’s members for the past two decades. He further shared that Janaki had expressed happiness upon seeing the forts and heritage structures in Vizianagaram during her visits. She had engaged in discussions about eminent writers such as Gurajada Apparao and Chaganti Somayajulu, and had recently conveyed her best wishes to lyricist Chandrabose upon his selection for an annual award.
Sowcar Janaki, born Sankaramanchi Janaki on December 12, 1931, in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, had a distinguished career spanning over seven decades. She appeared in nearly 400 films across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi languages, and also performed in over 300 stage shows. Her journey into acting began after she worked as a radio artist for All India Radio. She made her acting debut in the Telugu film “Shavukaru” in 1950, a role that earned her the moniker “Sowcar.” Her career extended into her 90s, with her last known film appearance being in “Anni Manchi Sakunamule.”
Throughout her career, Janaki was recognized for her versatility, seamlessly transitioning between emotional dramas, family stories, comedy, and sophisticated roles. She was particularly noted for her association with filmmaker K. Balachander, who directed her in several memorable films. Janaki was also a recipient of numerous accolades, including two Nandi Awards, a Kalaimamani, the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South, and India’s fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, in 2022. Her contributions to cinema were widely acknowledged, with many remembering her as a self-made artist who achieved success through her talent and determination. The Gurajada Samskrutika Samakhya stated that Sowcar Janaki’s legacy would continue to inspire.
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The Chenab Times News Desk