B Saroja Devi, First Female Superstar Of Kannada Cinema, Dies At 87
Veteran actor B Saroja Devi died on Monday. She was 87. She acted in over 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi languages.
Saroja Devi began her film career at the age of 17 with the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955. She rose to fame with the Tamil film Nadodi Mannan (1958), where she starred opposite MG Ramachandran.
The success of the film made her a household name and marked the beginning of her successful run in Tamil cinema.
Saroja Devi also acted alongside leading stars such as Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, NT Rama Rao, Rajkumar, Rajendra Kumar, and Shammi Kapoor. She holds the distinction of playing lead roles in 161 consecutive films between 1955 and 1984, an unmatched record in Indian cinema.
She shared a popular onscreen pairing with MG Ramachandran, starring in 26 hit films together including Thaai Sollai Thathadhe, Thaayai Katha Thanayan and Needhi Pin Pasam.
With Sivaji Ganesan, she delivered 22 consecutive hits such as Sabaash Meena, Thangamalai Ragasiyam and Engal Kudumbam Perisu.
In Telugu cinema, she appeared in successful films like Seetarama Kalyanam, Jagadeka Veeruni Katha and Daagudu Moothalu opposite NT Rama Rao.
In Hindi films, she acted in Paigham, Opera House, Sasural, Asha, Gharana, and Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna.
Her contributions were recognised with several honours including the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992.
She also received the Kalaimamani Award from the Tamil Nadu government and an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University.
Beyond acting, she served as vice-president of the Kannada Chalanachitra Sangha and chaired the jury for the 53rd National Film Awards.
Born on January 7, 1938, in Bengaluru, Saroja Devi was the fourth daughter of Bhairappa, a police officer and Rudramma, a homemaker.
She lost her husband, Sri Harsha, in 1986, but continued her involvement in cinema by mentoring young artists and supporting film initiatives.
She was also known for her fashion sense, with her sarees, jewellery, and hairstyles setting trends in the 1960s. Her last film with MGR was Arasa Kattalai in 1967.
Often referred to as "Abhinaya Saraswathi" and "Kannadathu Paingili" (Kannada's Parrot), B Saroja Devi is remembered as the first female superstar of Kannada cinema.
Her last on-screen appearance was in the 2019 Kannada film Natasaarvabhowma, starring Puneeth Rajkumar.
Saroja Devi's last rites will be held next to her husband Sri Harsha's memorial at their Kodigehalli farm, following Veerashaiva tradition. She is survived by their two children.
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Saroja Devi no more: ‘Abhinaya Saraswathi' broke language barriers
The 1950s was transformative for film industries across India as they sought new faces beyond professional theatre. Among the female stars who emerged was 17-year-old B Saroja Devi, making her debut in Kannada film Aashadabhoothi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, it was another Kannada film, Mahakavi Kalidasa, featuring Honnappa Bhagavatar, a superstar in both Kannada and Tamil, which became her first release. The third daughter of Bhairappa, a police officer, and Rudramma, this Channapatna (then in Bangalore district) girl would go on to dominate the southern film industries for decades to come. Unlike male stars, female stars found it easy to transcend language barriers. Within a few years of her debut, Saroja Devi starred opposite MG Ramachandran and Shivaji Ganesan in Tamil; Dilip Kumar, Sunil Dutt and Shammi Kapoor in Hindi; and NT Rama Rao in Telugu, in addition to her Kannada films. She became a mainstay in Tamil cinema, acting as the leading lady in 26 films with MGR, 22 films with Shivaji Ganesan and 17 films with Gemini Ganesan between 1957 and 1967. Tamil film fans affectionately called Saroja 'Kannadathu Paingili' (Kannada Parrot). Her popularity in Tamil endured even after she stopped playing lead roles and focused on Kannada films after 1968, following her marriage to Sriharsha, an engineer. On one occasion, the chief minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, recalled the stampede-like situation that occurred when fans mobbed her in Chennai as she accompanied him for the funeral of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa. One film that particularly enshrines Saroja Devi's legacy in Kannada is Kitturu Chennamma (1961), directed by legendary BR Panthulu. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now She played the role of the queen, who resisted the British in the early 19th century, to artistic perfection. The film and her role remain popular to date. In 1964, she starred in the simultaneously made Amarashilpi Jakanachari (Kannada, alongside Kalyan Kumar) and Amarashilpi Jakkanna (Telugu, alongside Akkineni Nageswara Rao), which were the first full-length colour films in both languages. Mallammana Pavaada (1969) was another of her early Kannada classics. Her popular Kannada films with Rajkumar came in the 1970s, including Sri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama, Sri Srinivasa Kalyana, Babruvahana, and Bhagyavantharu. By the late 1970s, she acted as the female lead in over 150 films across four languages, a record. Her versatility wasn't limited to the number of languages she acted in. The Chaturbhasha Taare (Star of Four Languages) was equally at ease in varied roles ranging from historical, mythological, and social to glamorous. Not surprisingly, she was considered a fashion icon in the 1960s and 1970s. After the passing of her husband in 1986, Saroja Devi significantly reduced her film appearances. The death of her adopted daughter, Bhuvaneshwari, was another personal blow. Her guest appearance in Puneeth Rajkumar's 2019 film Natasaarvabhowma was her last silver-screen appearance. Accolades from the govt, film industry and fans poured in throughout her career, including the Padma Shri (1969), Padma Bhushan (1992), and Special Lifetime Achievement Award (54th National Film Awards, 2006). She chaired the National Film Award Jury twice (45th and 53rd). Saroja Devi established two awards: Bhuvaneshwari Award for literature by women and B Saroja Devi Sahitya Prashasthi under the aegis of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat. It was her attempt to take her legacy beyond films. With the passing of the Abhinaya Saraswati, one of the greatest legacies of the has passed into history.
Deccan Herald
2 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
Saroja Devi symbolised sartorial elegance, says tinsel town
Bengaluru: The weather had turned gloomy as the Kannada film industry mourned the loss of yet another actor whose immense contributions to Indian cinema is unforgettable. .B Saroja Devi was born in Bengaluru in 1938 and began her career as an actor with the Kannada movie 'Mahakavi Kalidasa' in 1955. .The Kannada film fraternity fondly remembered memories with the actor. .Actor Jaggesh recalled Saroja Devi sending him mangoes from her farm and helping her revive the lotus pond in her house. .When he once asked her how she handled so many movies, she said she would shoot for one movie from 9 am to 1 pm. After a small break, she would again shoot from 2 pm to 6 pm, with the final session from 7 pm to 12 am..'She had great popularity in Tamil Nadu. Even today, when someone walks stylishly, people associate it with Saroja Devi's walk,' he said..'Saroja Devi was someone who acted alongside all super stars of India. Especially her movies with MGR in Tamil and with Rajkumar in Kannada are unforgettable,' he shared. In 'Puttamalli' (1995), Malashri and Saroja Devi appeared on screen together. Malashri described the moment as 'a dream come true'. 'She was a real lady superstar. I used to be a big fan when I was young and would try all her dance movements and expressions,' she added. .The two then went on to become close friends. 'Sitting with her is always a learning experience. She would share about her experiences from shooting back in her days, about make-up, costumes, shooting timings… She would always talk about how having passion for cinema is important,' Malashri recalled. .'She had an aura. When she walked into the room, all eyes moved to her. Saroja Devi also had a unique walking style. Another thing I admired about her is that she had a new look in every movie'. .'Talking to her was like reminiscing about the history of south Indian film industry,' said senior journalist Pratibha Nandakumar, who wrote a biography of the actor for Sudha weekly, DH's sister publication. .'The kind of characters she played, the actors she acted with, the directors, production houses, it was an amazing experience to listen to her. She is the only one who has received Dr Rajkumar award in Karnataka, NTR award in Andhra Pradesh and MGR award in Tamil Nadu. This cannot be repeated,' she said. .'Nadodi Mannan' to 'Arasa Kattalai': The iconic MGR-Saroja Devi then decided to publish a book about Saroja Devi and again met her for close to a month to document the events after the initial publication in recalled a huge corridor-like walk-in wardrobe in the actor's house in Malleswaram..'All her saris with their matching petticoats and blouses were neatly hung. It was so orderly even after 20 years. Her room looked like it belonged to a queen. Her mother had always made sure she had all the luxuries,' Pratibha said. .While working with K V Anand for 'Maattrraan' (2012), Pratibha recalled the team was looking for an item for an auction scene, that could also come across as funny and could connect with the Tamil audience..'After a lot of thinking, Anand said let's have Saroja Devi kondai (hair bun). The Tamil people are very fond of Saroja Devi. Just imagine, people from Kannada, Tamil and Telugu, each one claiming her to be theirs. I find that very fascinating. You don't find that kind of stardom anymore,' she shared. .'She was a true legend. She was also intelligent about her finances and lived like a queen till the end,' Pratibha concluded. .Actor-politician Sumalatha Ambareesh, speaking to the media, said she will 'miss the affectionate attitude of Saroja Devi'..'She was undeniably a big star, but never carried the air of her popularity. She treated Ambareesh like her younger brother. Her genuine personality was truly inspirational,' she added. .Filmmaker Yogaraj Bhat said 'artistes never die'. He reflected on how their faces, voices and the many characters they played can still be seen on the screen and remain with us for eternity. 'That's the power of art,' he added.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Saroja Devi, star of 4 languages, passes on
Bengaluru: South Indian actress B Saroja Devi -- known as a doe-eyed beauty with a lasting screen presence in four languages – passed away in Bengaluru Monday. She was 87. Saroja Devi began her acting career at 17 with Kannada film 'Mahakavi Kalidasa' as a co-star of cinema pioneer Honnappa Bhagavathar in 1955. She quickly rose to fame with performances in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films, starring alongside legends Dr Rajkumar, MG Ramachandran, Gemini Ganesan, Sivaji Ganesan, NT Rama Rao, Dilip Kumar, Sunil Dutt and Shammi Kapoor. She earned the epithet, 'Chaturbhasha Taare' (a star of four languages). The third daughter of Bhairappa, a police officer, and Rudramma, the girl from Channapatna (a town 60km from Bengaluru) would carve a larger-than-life image in the film industry for many decades. She would eventually be crowned "the first female superstar of Kannada cinema". You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru In Kannada, her portrayal of 'Kittooru Rani Chennamma' was widely acclaimed. It was a film with MGR -- 'Nadodi Mannan' (1958), the first film for the duo -- that catapulted Saroja Devi to superstardom in Tamil film industry. The actress is survived by son Gautam Ramachandra (named after MGR) and daughter Indira (named after Indira Gandhi).
