Karnataka Government to Honor B. Saroja Devi with State Funeral

Tribute to a Cinematic Legend

Bengaluru, July 15: Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has declared that the esteemed actress B. Saroja Devi will receive state honors during her final rites, reflecting the government's respect for her contributions to cinema.

After paying his respects to the late actress in Bengaluru on Tuesday, CM Siddaramaiah instructed officials to prepare for the necessary arrangements.

Reflecting on his interactions with her, he noted that Saroja Devi was always warm and affectionate. “She had a remarkable presence. I have enjoyed many of her films, including her collaborations with Kannada cinema icon Dr. Rajkumar in titles like 'Mallammana Pavada', 'Kittur Rani Channamma', 'Bhagyavantaru', 'Babruvaahana', and 'Nyayave Devaru',” he remarked.

The news of her passing has sent shockwaves through the film community. Saroja Devi began her acting career at a young age and remained active for nearly seventy years, initially earning the title "Abhinava Saraswati".

“She was an exceptional actress who gained recognition not just in Kannada cinema but also in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi films. She shared the screen with legendary figures like Dilip Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, MGR, NTR, Nageswara Rao, and Sivaji Ganesan,” Siddaramaiah added.

“Her performances brought depth to every role, and she maintained a disciplined personal life. Her impact on the Kannada film industry is profound, and her passing is a significant loss. May her soul find peace, and I hope her family finds the strength to cope with this tragedy,” he expressed.

The final rites for Saroja Devi are set to take place in her hometown of Dashavara, located near Channapatna, close to Bengaluru. Her son, Gowtham, mentioned that her body will be transported in an open vehicle, allowing fans in Ramanagara and Channapatna to pay their respects.

She will be interred following the customs of the Vokkaliga community, he added.

The celebrated South Indian actress, a recipient of the Padma awards, starred in over 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu cinema. She passed away at her home in Bengaluru on Monday at the age of 87.

Known as "Abhinaya Saraswati", Saroja Devi was honored with the Padma Shri in 1967 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992.