Veteran actress Sowcar Janaki passes away at 94

Veteran South Indian actress Sowcar Janaki, one of the most respected performers in Indian cinema, passed away on Friday at the age of 94. She died at 1.59 p.m., according to Nadigar Sangam president Nassar.

Janaki had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai after suffering health complications. She had been admitted to the intensive care unit a day before her death.

Born as T. Janaki, the actress made her screen debut in the 1950 Telugu film Shavukaru, directed by L. V. Prasad. The film gave her the screen name by which she became famous. Over a career spanning more than seven decades, she acted in over 450 films, predominantly in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada, while also working in other Indian languages.

Janaki was equally admired for her work on stage and radio. She participated in thousands of stage performances and established herself as a versatile performer capable of handling lead roles as well as complex character parts. Her notable Tamil films include Iru Kodugal, Ethir Neechal, Bama Vijayam, Puthiya Paravai, Thillu Mullu and Uyarndha Manithan.

Her contribution to Indian cinema was recognised with several honours, including the Tamil Nadu government’s Kalaimamani award and the Padma Shri in 2022 for her contribution to the arts.

The news of her death has brought an end to an extraordinary chapter in South Indian cinema. Her performances, particularly her ability to move effortlessly between dramatic and light-hearted roles, earned her generations of admirers.

Her mortal remains are scheduled to be kept at Cenotaph Road in Teynampet, where members of the public and the film fraternity can pay their last respects.

Sowcar Janaki leaves behind a rich cinematic legacy that spans generations and languages, securing her place among the enduring icons of Indian cinema.