Sankaramanchi Janaki, popularly known as Sowcar Janaki, is a south-Indian actress who has acted in over 387 Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam films.She also performed on stage in over 300 shows and was a radio artist during her earlier years. Her career as film actress began after her marriage only. She became a popular actress with hits across languages between 1949 and 1975 as the lead heroine such as Sowcar (Telugu), Valayapathy, Rojulu Marayi in Telugu, then in Tamil like Naan Kanda Sorgam, Kaviya Thalavi, Bhagya Lakshmi, Pallum Pazhamum, Paar Magale Paar, Thayikku Thalaimagan, Kumudham, Panam Paadithavan, Puthiya Paravai , Bama Vijayam, Oli Villaku, Ethir Neechal,Maanavan, Uyardha Manidhan, Nimarundhu Nil, Thunaivan, Needhi and Iru Kodugal (Tamil), with Kannada films like Devakaanika, Saaku Magalu, Sadarame, Thayige Thakka Maga and then with Malayalam debut Schoolmaster (1964) and with a film in Hindi - Teen Bahuraniyan. She worked with famous directors such as Dada Mirasee and K Balachandar.