Bengaluru / Chennai, July 14, 2025 – Veteran actress Bangalore Saroja Devi, fondly known as “Abhinaya Saraswathi” (Saraswati of expressions) and “Kannadathu Paingili” (Kannada’s Parrot), passed away at the age of 87 due to age-related ailments at her home in Malleswaram, Bengaluru.
Table of Contents
Icon of Multilingual Cinema
- Debut and Rise: She began her career at 17 with the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955), winning a National Film Award for her debut performance. Her breakthrough came in Tamil with Nadodi Mannan (1958), co-starring with M. G. Ramachandran, making her a pan-South star.
- Prolific Career: Over seven decades, she appeared in over 200 films across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, earning the title “Chaturbhasha Taare” – the four‑language star.
Honors & Legacy
- Accolades: Honored with the Padma Shri in 1969 and Padma Bhushan in 1992. She held an honorary doctorate and received prestigious state awards like Tamil Nadu’s Kalaimamani.
- Cultural Impact: Her expressive acting, elegance, and versatility established her as the first female superstar of Kannada cinema and a cultural icon across southern India.
Public & Industry Mourning
- Tributes Pour In:
- Khushbu Sundar on X: “An era of golden cinema comes to an end. #SarojaDevi amma was the greatest of all times…”
- Bengaluru Pays Respect: Malleswaram home became a poignant gathering spot, with fans, neighbors, and admirers offering silent farewells at her doorstep.
Notable Performances
- Films to Remember:
- Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955) – National Award-winning debut
- Nadodi Mannan (1958) – Iconic Tamil hit with MGR
- Kittur Chennamma (1961) – Kannada historical drama
- Pandanti Kapuram (1972) – Telugu blockbuster with ensemble cast
Final Words
B. Saroja Devi’s death marks the end of an unforgettable era in South Indian cinema. Her grace, expressive depth, and multilingual prowess shaped the golden age of the films she graced. As tributes flow and film studios dim their lights in homage, her legacy of powerful storytelling and cross-cultural resonance endures.
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