Sandalwood legend B Saroja Devi dies due to age-related illness

Veteran Kannada actress B. Saroja Devi passed away at the age of 87 due to age-related health complications. She breathed her last at Manipal Hospital in Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru. Widely revered as "Abhinaya Saraswathi" (the goddess of acting), Saroja Devi was a legendary figure in Indian cinema with a career spanning over four decades.

Born as Radhadevi on January 7, 1938, in Bengaluru to Byre Gowda and Rudramma, she was the fourth daughter in the family. Her father worked in the police department. She rose to fame in the 1950s and became a household name across Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi film industries.

Between 1955 and 1984, she acted as the leading lady in over 161 films, making her one of the most successful multilingual actresses in Indian cinema. Some of her iconic Kannada films include Mahakavi Kalidasa, Kittur Chennamma, Bhakta Kanakadasa, Bhale Bhangara, Nagakannike, Bettada Hoovu, and Kasturi Nivasa. Her notable Tamil films include Nadodi Mannan, Karpoora Karasi, and Thirumanam.

She was honored with the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992. Additionally, she received the Kalaimamani award from the Tamil Nadu government and an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University.

Her passing marks the end of a glorious era in Indian cinema, and she will be remembered as a pioneer who left an indelible mark on the film industry.