The last rites of veteran actress B. Saroja Devi, one of the most iconic leading ladies in Indian cinema, were performed with state honours on July 15 at her family’s farm in Dashavara, Channapatna in Bengaluru South district.
She was laid to rest beside her mother Rudramma, who had been a constant pillar of support throughout her illustrious film career, reported the Deccan Herald.
Saroja Devi died at the age of 87 on Monday (July 14) at her residence in Malleswaram, Bengaluru, due to age-related ailments. Her death marked the end of a golden era in South Indian cinema, triggering a wave of grief and tributes across India.
A long funeral procession carried her mortal remains from her Bengaluru home to the burial site. The ceremony, conducted according to Vokkaliga traditions, was attended by Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and film industry stalwarts including Jayamala, Rockline Venkatesh, Sa Ra Govindu, Sundar Raj, and M. Narasimhalu.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who paid his respects at her home earlier in the day, described her death as “a huge loss to the film industry.” He said: “Her contribution to Kannada cinema is unforgettable. She carried herself with kindness and grace, and spoke to everyone with warmth. I pray for her soul.”
Born on Jan 7, 1938, in Bengaluru, Saroja Devi made her screen debut at the age of 17 in the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa (1955). She soon rose to national fame, becoming the reigning queen of Indian cinema in the 1950s to 1970s, often referred to as “Abhinaya Saraswathi” (Goddess of Acting).
She starred opposite legendary actors such as M.G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Dr Rajkumar, Gemini Ganesan, N.T. Rama Rao, and Dilip Kumar.
With a filmography spanning over 200 titles across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, her blockbuster performances in Nadodi Mannan, Anbe Vaa, Kittur Chennamma, and Paigam remain etched in cinematic history.
Among her many accolades were the Indian civilian awards Padma Shri (1969) and the Padma Bhushan (1992). She was also honoured with lifetime achievement awards by the governments of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.
Saroja Devi married Sri Harsha in 1967 and is survived by two daughters and two sons. She gradually retired from leading roles in the 1980s but remained active in public service, serving on government and film boards, including the Karnataka Film Development Corporation.
Her final screen appearance was a cameo in the 2019 Kannada film Natasaarvabhowma.
Tributes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, and Khushbu Sundar underscored the immense legacy of an actress who transcended language and generations.
