Janaki Manaki (1918-2001) was an Indian film director and producer known for her pioneering work in Indian cinema. She is best remembered for her iconic film 'Chitrapat' (1952), which was the first Indian colour film and the first film to be shot in Eastmancolor.
Manaki was born in 1918 in Chitrapat, a small village in South India. She was a daughter of a local landlord and was educated in an all-girl's school. She was an avid reader and a brilliant, independent thinker. She had a passion for film and often went to the local cinema to watch the films of the day.
At the age of 21, she moved to Madras (now Chennai) to pursue a career in the film industry. She started out as an actress but soon realised that she had more to offer. She started directing her own short experimental films and soon made a name for herself in the industry.
In 1952, Manaki took a bold and daring step and directed 'Chitrapat' in colour. The film was a huge success and it set the trend for other filmmakers to follow. Manaki's success as a director was further cemented with her subsequent films 'Vijay' (1956), 'Rangamma Mangamma' (1959) and 'Paruva Ragam' (1966).
Manaki was also an acclaimed producer. She founded her own production company, Janaki Manaki Productions, in 1956 and produced several successful films, including 'Raja Harishchandra' (1955) and 'Saraswati Chandra' (1968).
Throughout her career, Manaki was a great supporter of female filmmakers. She was instrumental in helping several female directors launch their careers in the industry.
Manaki's legacy continues to inspire generations of filmmakers. Her films are still widely watched and celebrated. She was honoured with a lifetime achievement award in 1998 and her work was included in the permanent collection of the National Film Archive of India.
Janaki Manaki will always be remembered as one of the pioneers of Indian cinema and an icon of female empowerment. Her legacy will continue to be celebrated for many years to come.
