B. Saroja Devi
Encyclopedia
B. Saroja Devi is an India
n actress. She is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan
award and has acted in Kannada
,Tamil
, Telugu
and Hindi movies.She is referred to as Abinaya Saraswathi by Tamil film industry and as Kannadathu Paingili (meaning Kannada's Parrot) by Kannada Film Industry.She ruled the roost for more than three decades especially in the period 1955-1985 as the lead female actress.
on January 7, 1938, to Bhairappa and Rudramma. Bhairappa worked for the police department.Saroja Devi was their fourth daughter.But this wasn't a happy occasion for her family, especially her grandfather, Mayanna Gowda.Bhairappa managed to overrule him and insist on raising the child. Her father asked her to learn dance and encouraged her to venture into films when film offers started coming to her. A young Saroja Devi was often chaperoned to studios by him. He would patiently tie on her salangais, often massaging swollen feet after her dancing stints.
Saroja Devi was first spotted by B.R. Krishnamurthy singing at a function at the age of 13. Initially, she declined his offer to act in movies. She debuted with the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955, which went on to win the National Award.
People doubted her ability to speak Tamil, but MGR had faith in her and encouraged her to learn and speak Tamil and casted her in his home production Nadodi Mannan in 1958 as well.It was the Tamil film Nadodi Mannan opposite MGR in 1958 that catapulted Saroja Devi to superstar status in Tamil Film industry.After this she immediately received offer to make her Hindi debut opposite Dilip Kumar in Paigam(1959). She never allowed any one to dub for her and insisted that she would speak by herself as a result none of her Tamil movies her voice was dubbed by any other artiste since the beginning of her career.Then she gave hits opposite Gemini Ganesan in Manalane Mangayin Bhagyam, Kalyana Parisu, Ode Velaiyadu papa, Kairasi and opposite Sivaji Ganeshan in Baga Pirivinai,Vidi Velli,Palum Pazhamum, Iruvar Ullam(1958 till 1960).After this she started getting offers from Tamil,Kannada, and Telugu films. She was working more than 20 hours a day in this peak period of her career(1960–69).
She was cast always opposite the much high in demand stars of respective film industries :NTR
, ANR
in Telugu, MGR
, Sivaji Ganeshan, Gemini Ganesan
in Tamil and Rajkumar
in Kannada.Saroja chose to do more films in Tamil in the period 1958-1969 and after her mairrage she was more active in Kannada and Telugu films from (1970–1984).
Saroja Devi's energetic performance as a patriotic queen raging against the British in Kannada flick Kittooru Rani Chennamma, which won the national award for Best Film in 1963, brought her much acclaim.Her Telugu hits were Seetha Rama Kalyanam and Jagadeka Veeranukatha in 1961 with NTR, while her hits in Hindi films included Paigham (1959), Sasural (1960), Opera House (1961), Pareeksha , Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya(1963) and Beti Bete (1964) and in addition Kannada hits like Chintamani(1957), School Master(1958), Jagajyothi Basaveshwara (1959), Kitturu Chennamma (1962).It was at this time in 1962 that she was crowned Chaturbhaasha Taare, because of her popularity in these four languages. She had mincing accent, smart and perky attitude and this made her popular among the audience of all the four languages.She concentrated more in Tamil films as a result though she had all her films as hits in Hindi, after Preet Na Jane Reet opposite Shammi Kapoor she did not do more Hindi films.
Another leading Telugu actress Krishna Kumari
had dubbed her voice in Panduranga Mahathmyam for Saroja devi and few more films in the initial part of her career in Telugu Films. But in subsequent years, without any external source of dubbing, Saroja Devi acted in her Telugu films.For her films in Hindi, Kannada and Tamil she always dubbed for herself since the beginning of her career.
MGR Saroja Devi established a popular on screen pair and had back to back superhits from 1958-1967.The pair who began with Naadodi Mannan, went on to give back to back 27 blockbusters the most popular being Thirudathey, Thai Sollai Thattathey, Paasam,Thaayaikaatha Thanayan, Asai Mugam, Periya Idathu Penn, Dharmam Thalaikkakkum, Neethikku Pin Pasam, Pannakkara Kudumbam,Padakoti, Nadodi, Thalibahakiyam, Naan Anayittaal, Petralthaan Pillaiya and Parrakkum Pavai.
Her best performances opposite MGR were the 'rich girl' roles in Anbe Vaa, Enga Veettu Pillai, En Kadamai, Pana Thottam and Thayin Madiyil.She made a fashion statement too as women adored her dressing sense and her saris and blouses, ornaments, hairstyles were copied by girls and women.
From 1970,she started to get few offers in Tamil Cinema.But this only resulted in she becoming the highest paid actress in Kannada films and was more active in Kannada films in seventies.She acted in films such as Sri Renukadevi Mahathme, Gunavanthudu, Shani Prabhava and Katha Sangama.She won accolades from critics in films opposite Dr. Raj Kumar in Kannada for her performances in MalamaPavada (1969), Nyayave Devaru(1971), Sri Srinivasa Kalyana(1974), Babruvahana(1977) , Bhagyavantharu(1977) and with Vishnuvardhan in Shani Prabhava, Rudra Naga, Ugra Naagu (1985) and in other films like Thande Makkalu, Papa Punya, Chiranjeevi etc.(from 1971–1984).She accepted in an interview that she excelled in roles that challenged her with tremendous range. In her long career she chiefly opted for sentimental films.
She mesmerized audience of all sections with her lively action, eye-catching looks and sweet articulation and got critical acclaims for her roles in the few Telugu films she did like Rahasiyam and in Aathma Balam and Amarashilpi Jakanna , both with A Nageshwara Rao. From the late sixties till mid 70's she formed popular on screen pair with NTR in Telugu films with Dagudu moothulu,Shakuntala,Bahakiyachakaram, Mayani Mamata and Daana Veera Shoora Karna.
She said in an interview 'I have four homes in Chennai: the residences of MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, and MR Radha,' she had once said. 'But now, they have all gone—and I remain alone, with only their memories in my heart, and tears in my eyes.'
B. Saroja Devi was Chairperson of the Karnataka
Film Development Corporation. She was also the chairperson of Kantheerava Studios, Bangalore
.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n actress. She is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
award and has acted in Kannada
Kannada language
Kannada or , is a language spoken in India predominantly in the state of Karnataka. Kannada, whose native speakers are called Kannadigas and number roughly 50 million, is one of the 30 most spoken languages in the world...
,Tamil
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
, Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
and Hindi movies.She is referred to as Abinaya Saraswathi by Tamil film industry and as Kannadathu Paingili (meaning Kannada's Parrot) by Kannada Film Industry.She ruled the roost for more than three decades especially in the period 1955-1985 as the lead female actress.
Early life
Saroja Devi was born in KarnatakaKarnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
on January 7, 1938, to Bhairappa and Rudramma. Bhairappa worked for the police department.Saroja Devi was their fourth daughter.But this wasn't a happy occasion for her family, especially her grandfather, Mayanna Gowda.Bhairappa managed to overrule him and insist on raising the child. Her father asked her to learn dance and encouraged her to venture into films when film offers started coming to her. A young Saroja Devi was often chaperoned to studios by him. He would patiently tie on her salangais, often massaging swollen feet after her dancing stints.
Saroja Devi was first spotted by B.R. Krishnamurthy singing at a function at the age of 13. Initially, she declined his offer to act in movies. She debuted with the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasa in 1955, which went on to win the National Award.
Film career (1955-2011)
She has acted in all together 180 films in Kannada, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu languages.Early career as lead actress(1955-1969)
Saroja Devi's first big break came in the Honnappa Bhagavatar's Kannada film, Mahakavi Kalidasa, in 1955, for which she won a National Award. It was followed by B R Panthulu's Thanga Malai Ragasiyam, where her eyes enacted a magical drama, in a dance sequence.Her debut movie in Telugu was Panduranga Mahathmyam (1957) in which she acted opposite N.T. Rama Rao.After this she came under the notice of the MGR for the very first time, on K Subramaniam's sets and MGR casted her in Nadodi Manan(1958). She was the number one female lead actress of the period 1959-69 in Tamil films.People doubted her ability to speak Tamil, but MGR had faith in her and encouraged her to learn and speak Tamil and casted her in his home production Nadodi Mannan in 1958 as well.It was the Tamil film Nadodi Mannan opposite MGR in 1958 that catapulted Saroja Devi to superstar status in Tamil Film industry.After this she immediately received offer to make her Hindi debut opposite Dilip Kumar in Paigam(1959). She never allowed any one to dub for her and insisted that she would speak by herself as a result none of her Tamil movies her voice was dubbed by any other artiste since the beginning of her career.Then she gave hits opposite Gemini Ganesan in Manalane Mangayin Bhagyam, Kalyana Parisu, Ode Velaiyadu papa, Kairasi and opposite Sivaji Ganeshan in Baga Pirivinai,Vidi Velli,Palum Pazhamum, Iruvar Ullam(1958 till 1960).After this she started getting offers from Tamil,Kannada, and Telugu films. She was working more than 20 hours a day in this peak period of her career(1960–69).
She was cast always opposite the much high in demand stars of respective film industries :NTR
NTR
- Organizations :* National Transcontinental Railway, a historic Canadian railway* Omroep NTR, a Dutch public service broadcaster, created in 2010 by the merger of the Nederlandse Programma Stichting, 'Teleac and RVU* NTR plc, Irish infrastructure company...
, ANR
ANR
ANR is a three-letter abbreviation with multiple meanings, as described below:* Absolute neighborhood retract, a type of topological space * IATA code for Antwerp International Airport...
in Telugu, MGR
MGR
MGR may refer to:* M. G. Ramachandran , Indian actor & politician* MG Rover company* ManaGeR, software* Mass Grocery Retail in abbreviation of an industry sector* Merry-go-round train, British freight-train design...
, Sivaji Ganeshan, Gemini Ganesan
Gemini Ganesan
Ramaswami Ganesan , popularly known as Gemini Ganesan , was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies....
in Tamil and Rajkumar
Rajkumar
Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry...
in Kannada.Saroja chose to do more films in Tamil in the period 1958-1969 and after her mairrage she was more active in Kannada and Telugu films from (1970–1984).
Saroja Devi's energetic performance as a patriotic queen raging against the British in Kannada flick Kittooru Rani Chennamma, which won the national award for Best Film in 1963, brought her much acclaim.Her Telugu hits were Seetha Rama Kalyanam and Jagadeka Veeranukatha in 1961 with NTR, while her hits in Hindi films included Paigham (1959), Sasural (1960), Opera House (1961), Pareeksha , Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya(1963) and Beti Bete (1964) and in addition Kannada hits like Chintamani(1957), School Master(1958), Jagajyothi Basaveshwara (1959), Kitturu Chennamma (1962).It was at this time in 1962 that she was crowned Chaturbhaasha Taare, because of her popularity in these four languages. She had mincing accent, smart and perky attitude and this made her popular among the audience of all the four languages.She concentrated more in Tamil films as a result though she had all her films as hits in Hindi, after Preet Na Jane Reet opposite Shammi Kapoor she did not do more Hindi films.
Another leading Telugu actress Krishna Kumari
Krishna Kumari (actress)
Krishna Kumari is a noted Telugu actress of the 1960s and 1970s. She was a leading actress and competed Savitri and acted alongside great legendary actors N.T.R, A.N.R etc. She acted in Tamil movies too. She has done many films in Kannada too that also with the kannada veteran Dr...
had dubbed her voice in Panduranga Mahathmyam for Saroja devi and few more films in the initial part of her career in Telugu Films. But in subsequent years, without any external source of dubbing, Saroja Devi acted in her Telugu films.For her films in Hindi, Kannada and Tamil she always dubbed for herself since the beginning of her career.
MGR Saroja Devi established a popular on screen pair and had back to back superhits from 1958-1967.The pair who began with Naadodi Mannan, went on to give back to back 27 blockbusters the most popular being Thirudathey, Thai Sollai Thattathey, Paasam,Thaayaikaatha Thanayan, Asai Mugam, Periya Idathu Penn, Dharmam Thalaikkakkum, Neethikku Pin Pasam, Pannakkara Kudumbam,Padakoti, Nadodi, Thalibahakiyam, Naan Anayittaal, Petralthaan Pillaiya and Parrakkum Pavai.
Her best performances opposite MGR were the 'rich girl' roles in Anbe Vaa, Enga Veettu Pillai, En Kadamai, Pana Thottam and Thayin Madiyil.She made a fashion statement too as women adored her dressing sense and her saris and blouses, ornaments, hairstyles were copied by girls and women.
Later career as lead actress(1970-1985)
After Jayalalitha become a star and her pair with MGR was appreciated and after Saroja got married in 1967, Sarojadevi did not get the opportunity to work opposite MGR. Saroja Devi's last film oppsoite MGR was Arasa Katalai, which also starred Jayalalithaa. However Saroja continued having hits opposite Sivaji like En Thambi , Anjal Petti 520, Thenum Palum, Arunothayam and with Gemini in Panamaa Paasama , Thamarai Nenjam , Malathy , Kann Malar etc. She was cast with younger heroes like Ravichandran in Odum Nadhi(1969) and R.Muthuraman in 1974 in Paththu Matha Bandham(her last film in Tamil) which were successful too.From 1970,she started to get few offers in Tamil Cinema.But this only resulted in she becoming the highest paid actress in Kannada films and was more active in Kannada films in seventies.She acted in films such as Sri Renukadevi Mahathme, Gunavanthudu, Shani Prabhava and Katha Sangama.She won accolades from critics in films opposite Dr. Raj Kumar in Kannada for her performances in MalamaPavada (1969), Nyayave Devaru(1971), Sri Srinivasa Kalyana(1974), Babruvahana(1977) , Bhagyavantharu(1977) and with Vishnuvardhan in Shani Prabhava, Rudra Naga, Ugra Naagu (1985) and in other films like Thande Makkalu, Papa Punya, Chiranjeevi etc.(from 1971–1984).She accepted in an interview that she excelled in roles that challenged her with tremendous range. In her long career she chiefly opted for sentimental films.
She mesmerized audience of all sections with her lively action, eye-catching looks and sweet articulation and got critical acclaims for her roles in the few Telugu films she did like Rahasiyam and in Aathma Balam and Amarashilpi Jakanna , both with A Nageshwara Rao. From the late sixties till mid 70's she formed popular on screen pair with NTR in Telugu films with Dagudu moothulu,Shakuntala,Bahakiyachakaram, Mayani Mamata and Daana Veera Shoora Karna.
Later Career (1986-2011)
Saroja Devi accepted supporting roles in very few films.She took up very few assignments and even those films turned out to be popular.The most notable being Anuragasangama, Agni I P S, Mangala Suitra in Kannada and in title role in the Tamil film Thaimel Aanai and again opposite Sivaji Ganeshan in Parambhariyam and Once More (where Saroja was paired opposite Sivaji Ganesan in with her scenes in Iruvar Ullam too infused in the movie).She said in an interview 'I have four homes in Chennai: the residences of MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, and MR Radha,' she had once said. 'But now, they have all gone—and I remain alone, with only their memories in my heart, and tears in my eyes.'
B. Saroja Devi was Chairperson of the Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
Film Development Corporation. She was also the chairperson of Kantheerava Studios, Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
.
Personal life
Saroja Devi was married to Sri Harsha, an engineer by profession who worked with Bharat Electronics Limited , on 1 March 1967.Her husband had reportedly no qualms about her star status, and was a 'complete gentleman'. She was careful not to involve herself in too many controversies and scandals obviously helped. Their marriage lasted till her husband's death in 1986.The couple have three children, daughters Bhuveneshwary, Indira and son Gautam.Life and social work
Saroja Devi has organized many donation camps in the name of her late husband Sri Harsha, daughter Bhuvaneshwari and her mother and has organized Charitable Trusts, Rehabilitation centers and health programs.Awards
- Life Time Achievement Award for 60th Independence (National award) in 2008 by Government of India
- Padma BhushanPadma BhushanThe Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
(National award)in 1992 - Padma Sri (National award)in 1969
- Dr.Rajkumar National award by Karnataka Government for 2009
- Life time achievement award by Tamil Nadu Government in 2010
- N.T.R. National Award from Andhra Pradesh Government for the second time for the year 2009.
- Doctorate by Bangalore University in 2008
- N.T.R award from ntr fan association bengalore in 2007
- Honorary Doctorate from Bangalore UniversityBangalore UniversityBangalore University is a public university located in Bangalore, Karnataka State, India. The university is one of the oldest in India, dating back to 1886...
in 2006 - Dinakaran award for All-round Achievement in 2003
- N.T.R. National Award from Andhra Pradesh Government for the year 2001.
- Tamil Nadu Government’s M.G.R award in 1997
- Cinema Express award in 1997
- Filmfare award for All-round Achievement
- Karnataka Government’s Rajyothsava award in 1989
- Abhinandana-Kanchana Mala award in 1980
- Honoured as a title "Abinya saraswathy" by Karnataka government in 1965