Senior Actress Saroja Devi: Legendary actress B. Saroja Devi, fondly known as Abhinaya Saraswati, passed away at the age of 87 on Monday morning (July 14) at her residence in Bengaluru. A towering presence in Indian cinema, she left behind an iconic legacy that spanned over four decades and more than 200 films across multiple languages.

A Star Across Four Film Industries:

Saroja Devi carved a unique space in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi cinema. She began her film journey in 1955 with the Kannada classic Mahakavi Kalidasa. Soon after, she entered Telugu cinema with Panduranga Mahatyam in 1957. A year later, her role in Nadodi Mannan (1958) catapulted her to stardom in Tamil cinema. Meanwhile, films like Paigham (1959) and Sasural (1961) firmly established her presence in Hindi cinema.

In particular, she made a lasting impact in Telugu cinema, where she shared screen space with stalwarts like NTR, ANR, MGR, and Sivaji Ganesan. Over the years, she starred in numerous classics such as Bhukailas, Pelli Sandadi (1959), Jagadeka Veeruni Katha, Sitarama Kalyanam, Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddham, Atma Balam, Shakuntala, Uma Chandi Gauri Shankarula Katha, Pandanti Kapuram, Sitarama Vanavasam, and Dana Veera Sura Karna.

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A Record-Setting Career:
From 1955 to 1984, Saroja Devi played lead roles in 161 films, a feat that set a world record at the time. She earned widespread acclaim for her performance in the patriotic film Kitturu Rani Chennamma (1961), which became a landmark in Indian cinema.

In recognition of her immense contribution to the arts, the Government of India honored her with 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.

Personal Life and Legacy:
Born on January 7, 1938, in Bangalore, Saroja Devi was the daughter of Bhairappa, a police department employee, and Rudramma, a homemaker. She married Sri Harsha in 1967; he passed away in 1986. The couple adopted two children, Ramachandran and Indira. With her timeless performances, dignified presence, and unmatched versatility, B. Saroja Devi leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of actors and film lovers alike.

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