Who was B. Saroja Devi? veteran star dies at 87

B. Saroja Devi passes away at 87

On Monday, July 14, B. Saroja Devi, a legendary Kannada actress, died at the age of 87.

According to a report by Udayavani, after battling age-related illnesses, she passed away at her home in Malleswaram, Bengaluru.

On January 7, 1938, B. Saroja Devi, a titan of Indian cinema, was born. Over the course of her remarkable six-decade career, she acted in over 160 films in five different languages: Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Sinhalese, and Kannada.

She was praised by both audiences and critics for her expressive acting and versatility, earning her the loving nickname "Abhinaya Saraswati" (the goddess of acting).

With the Kannada film "Mahakavi Kalidasa," Saroja Devi made her cinematic debut and launched a fruitful career in Indian cinema. She later gave strong performances in a number of classic Kannada films, including Kittur Chennamma, Anna Thamma, Bhakta Kanakadasa, Bale Bangara, Nagakannike, Bettada Hoovu, and the well-known Kasturi Nivasa.

She became a pan-South Indian star during the heyday of Indian cinema thanks to hits like "Nadodi Mannan," "Karpoora Karasi," "Panduranga Mahatyam," and "Thirumanam."

For her remarkable contribution to the arts, B. Saroja Devi received numerous accolades. She was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992 — two of India’s highest civilian awards.

Additionally, she was conferred an honorary doctorate by Bangalore University and received the prestigious Kalaimamani Award from the Tamil Nadu government.

Also Read: Veteran Telugu actor and former MLA Kota Srinivasa Rao passes away at 83

Her enduring legacy and contribution to cinema have inspired generations of actors. A symbol of grace, talent, and dedication, B. Saroja Devi’s passing marks the end of an era in Indian cinema. She leaves behind a rich body of work and countless admirers who will continue to cherish her timeless performances.

Her final rites are expected to be performed in Bengaluru, with tributes pouring in from across the country to honour her unparalleled contributions to Indian cinema.