Veteran actor B Saroja Devi, well known as Abhinaya Saraswati passed away in Bengaluru today at the age of 87. The iconic actor born on January 7, 1938, debuted as an actress in 1955 with Mahakavi Kalidasa. Spanning over seven decades, her career in the film industry saw her in over 200 films in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.
She won the hearts of Kannada film lovers by playing the role of brave Rani Chennamma of Kittur who fought the British. Saroja Devi was honoured with Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan for her valuable contribution to Indian cinema. She was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 as part of the 60th Independence day celebration.
Her roles opposite legendary actor Dr Rajkumar and Kalyan Kumar in Amarashilpi Jakanachari, Bhagyavantharu, Babruvahana and Katha Sangama received critical acclaim. She acted in Tamil films Pattali Makkal, Padikkadha Medhai and Kalyana Parisu alongside stalwarts like MGR and Sivaji Ganesan. Her devotional and mythological roles in Telugu films Panduranga Mahatyam and Daksha Yagnam were equally appreciated.
She played notable roles in Hindi films Asha, Gharana and Mehendi Laga Ke Rakhna sharing screen space with Rajendra Kumar and Shammi Kapoor. She is also the recipient of Kalaimamani Lifetime Achievement Award by Tamilnadu Government and Dr Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award given by Government of Karnataka and NTR National award by Government of Andhra Pradesh.
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