Veteran actress Sowcar Janaki, one of the most distinguished figures in South Indian cinema, passed away in Chennai on Friday at the age of 94.
Janaki had been receiving treatment at a private hospital in Chennai after developing health complications. News of her hospitalisation had earlier prompted an outpouring of concern from admirers and members of the film industry.
Born on December 12, 1931, Janaki entered films at a young age and went on to build a career lasting more than seven decades. Her screen debut came with the Telugu film ‘Shavukaru’ in 1950, a film that also gave her the name by which she became widely known. She subsequently worked across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi cinema.
Her filmography included several landmark Tamil films. She delivered memorable performances in ‘Puthiya Paravai’, ‘Edhir Neechal’, ‘Iru Kodugal’, ‘Uyarndha Manithan’ and ‘Thillu Mullu’, among many others. Her association with director K. Balachander produced some of her most acclaimed performances, including her role in ‘Iru Kodugal’.
Janaki was admired not only for her versatility on screen but also for her work in theatre and radio. Her career encompassed hundreds of films and numerous stage performances, establishing her as a performer who remained relevant across several generations. The Government of India described her as a veteran actress of more than seven decades who had appeared in over 400 films across five languages.
Her contribution to the arts was recognised with several honours, including the Kalaimamani and the Padma Shri, which she received in 2022. She was also the recipient of state and industry awards during her long career.
