Actor Saroja Devi passes away at 87
passed away at the age of 87, according to OneIndia website. Fondly known as "Abhinaya Saraswathi" and "Kannadathu Paingili," Saroja Devi was a towering presence in South Indian cinema, having acted in over 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi languages.
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From 'Mahakavi Kalidasa' to 'Nadodi Mannan'
Saroja Devi's film journey began at just 17 years old with the 1955 Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa. But it was her role in the 1958 Tamil classic Nadodi Mannan, opposite M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), that took her to nationwide fame. The film's massive success established her as a leading lady, and she quickly became a sought-after star across the southern states and in Bollywood.
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She went on to work with stalwarts like Sivaji Ganesan, N.T. Rama Rao, Rajkumar, and Shammi Kapoor.
A Legacy Honoured by the Nation
Saroja Devi's contributions to cinema were plenty. She received the
in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992. She was also a recipient of the Kalaimamani Award from Tamil Nadu and an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University.
Beyond her film work, she served as vice-president of the Kannada Chalanchitra Sangha and as chairperson of the jury for the 53rd National Film Awards roles that showcased her commitment to shaping Indian cinema's future.
An End of an Era
Saroja Devi is also known as the female superstar of Kannada cinema. She got her first big break in the Kannada film 'Mahakavi Kalidasa' which was released in the year 1955. In the Telugu cinema she made her debut with 'Panduranga Mahatyam' which was released in the year 1957. Saroja Devi is the only Indian actress to play the heroine in over 161 consecutive films in 29 years (1955 and 1984).
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