Veteran Actress B. Saroja Devi Passes Away at 87, Leaving a Legacy in Indian Cinema

Remembering B. Saroja Devi

B. Saroja Devi, the renowned Indian actress, passed away on Monday at the age of 87 in a private hospital located in Bengaluru. Her demise has cast a shadow over the entertainment industry, prompting an outpouring of condolences from fans, fellow actors, and political figures alike. Reports indicate that she had been undergoing treatment for health issues related to her age, and she breathed her last around 9 a.m. at her residence in Malleswaram.

A Glimpse into Her Life and Career

Affectionately known as 'Abhinaya Saraswathi' and 'Kannadathu Paingili', Saroja Devi made her cinematic debut in the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955. Over a remarkable career that spanned seven decades, she appeared in over 200 films across various languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu. Some of her iconic films include Anna Thangi, Bhakta Kanakadasa, Kittur Chennamma, Babruvahana, Kasturi Nivasa, Nadodi Mannan, Panduranga Mahatyam, Karpoora Karasi, Bale Bangaara, Naagakannike, Bettada Hoovu, and Thirumanam. Her final film appearance was in the Kannada movie Natasaarvabhowma released in 2019.

Awards and Personal Life

Saroja Devi was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1992 and the Padma Shri in 1969, recognizing her immense contributions to Indian cinema. She began her film journey at the young age of 17, quickly gaining fame with her debut film. Her Telugu film Panduranga Mahatyam (1957) further solidified her status, while her Tamil film Nadodi Mannan in 1958 made her a household name in that industry. In 1967, she married engineer Sri Harsha, who sadly passed away in 1986. Among her accolades are the Lifetime Achievement Award (2008) and the Kalaimamani Award from the Tamil Nadu government. Notably, she starred in the Hindi film Paigham (1959) and was the female lead in 161 consecutive films.