[1] Banowati started her career by joined Mata Roda kroncong orchestra as a singer, and was recruited by Fred Young to join Bintang Surabaya troupe as an actress during the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies.

[1] Banowati made her film debut by starred in Sedap Malam (1951), taking a supporting role.

After starred in Masih Ada Hari Esok (1961), Banowati take a ten-year hiatus from the film, only returning to the industry in Bambang Hermanto's directed Jembatan Emas (1971).

[2] She appeared in seven more films in the 1970s, such as: Derita Ibu (1971), Tangan Besi (1972), Njanjian Air Mata (1972), Tabah Sampai Akhir (1973), Pencopet (1973), Paul Sontoloyo (1974), and Dasar Rezeki (1974).

[1][3] Banowati died in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 30 April 1977, after suffering from illness for three years at the age of 55.