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B. Saroja Devi (Kannada: ಬೀ. ಸರೋಜಾ ದೇವಿ) is an Indian actress. She has acted in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi movies. She is referred to as "Abinaya Saraswathi" by Kannada film industry and as "Kannadathu Paingili" (meaning Kannada's Parrot) by Tamil Film Industry. She has acted in nearly 200 films in a period of more than three decades.^[1]Saroja Devi is one of the most successful female film stars in the history of Indian cinema and she was at her peak as the main female lead in films in the period 1958-85.Saroja Devi received Padma Bhushan, third highest civilian award, in 2002 and in 1969, she was honoured with the Padma Sri, the fourth-highest civilian honour, by the Government of India.

Contents   [hide]  1 Early life 2 Film career 2.1 Early career as lead actress (1955–69) 2.2 Later career as lead actress (1970–85) 2.3 Later career (1986-2011) 3 Personal life 4 Social causes 5 National and state Awards 5.1 National Awards 5.2 State and other Awards 6 Filmography 7 References 8 External links

[edit]Early life

Saroja Devi was born in Karnataka on 7 January 1938 to Bhairappa and Rudramma. Her father 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.^[2] 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 frequently tied her salangais, and often massaged her swollen feet after her dancing stints.^{[citation needed]}

Saroja Devi was first spotted by B.R. Krishnamurthy singing at a function at the age of 13.^[3] Initially, she declined his offer to act in movies. She debuted with the Kannada film Mahakavi Kalidasain 1955

[edit]Film career

[edit]Early career as lead actress (1955–69)

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 Mahatyam (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).

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).^[4]She became the number one female lead actress of the period 1959-69 in Tamil films.

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.^[4] 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.^{[citation needed]} She had mincing accent, smart and perky attitude and this made her popular among the audience of all the four languages.^{[citation needed]} 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 Mahatyam 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^[5]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.^[6]

[edit]Later career as lead actress (1970–85)

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.

[edit]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.'^[7]

B. Saroja Devi was Chairperson of the Karnataka Film Development Corporation. She was also the chairperson of Kantheerava Studios, Bangalore.^[8][9]

[edit]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.^[10] Their marriage lasted till her husband's death in 1986.The couple have three children, daughters Bhuveneshwary, Indira and son Gautam.

[edit]Social causes

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.^[11]

[edit]National and state Awards

[edit]National Awards

• 2008 Life Time Achievement Award by the Government of India
• 1992 Padma Bhushan
• 1969 Padma Shri

[edit]State and other Awards

• 2010 Life time achievement award by the Government of Tamil Nadu
• 2009 Dr.Rajkumar National award by the Government of Karnataka
• 2009 N.T.R. National Award from Government of Andhra Pradesh for the second time for the year 2009
• 2009 Natya Kaladhar Award - Tamil cinema, by Bharat Kalachar Chennai
• 2007 NTR award for remarkable achievement by Karnataka Telugu Academy
• 2007 Rotary Sivaji Award by the Charitable Trust and Rotary Club of Chennai
• 2006 Honorary Doctorate from Bangalore University
• 2003 Dinakaran award for All-round Achievement
• 2001 N.T.R. National Award from Andhra Pradesh Government for the year 2001
• 1997 Tamil Nadu Government’s M.G.R award
• 1997 Life time achievement awards by Cinema Express in Chennai
• 1997 Filmfare award for All-round Achievement
• 1989 Karnataka Government’s Rajyothsava award
• 1980 Abhinandana-Kanchana Mala award by Karnataka State
• 1965 Honoured as a title "Abinya saraswathy" by Karnataka Government

This is filmography of B.Saroja Devi, who has acted in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu films. She has around 180 films to her credit.^[1]

Year	Film	Language	Main cast
1955	Mahakavi Kalidasa (debut)	Kannada	Honnapa Bhagavathar
	Sri Rama Pooja	Kannada
	Aashadya Bhoothi	Kannada	Honnappa Bhagavathar
1956	Kacha Devayaani	Kannada	K. S. Ashwath
	Kokilavani	Kannada	K. S. Ashwath
	Pancharathna	Kannada	Honnappa Bhagavathar
1957	Chintamani	Kannada	K. S. Ashwath
	Panduranga Mahatyam	Telugu	N. T. Rama Rao
	Ratnagiri Ragasiya	Kannada	Udayakumar
1958	Anna Thangi	Kannada	Rajkumar
	Bhookailas	Kannada	Rajkumar
	Bhookailas	Telugu	N T R and A N R
	Manalane Mangayin Bhagyam	Tamil	Gemini Ganesan
	Manamulla Marutharam	Tamil	Balaji
	Naadodi Mannan	Tamil	M G R
	Sabhash Meena	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan
	School Master	Kannada	B. R. Banthulu
	Sengottai Singam	Tamil	Uthyakumar
	Thedi Vantha Selvam	Tamil	Gemini Ganesan
1959	Bagapirivinai	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan, M.R. Radha
	Jagajyothi Basaveshwara	Kannada	Rajkumar
	Kalyana Parisu	Tamil	Gemini Ganesan
	Kudivazhanthal Kodi Nanmai	Tamil	S S Rajendran
	OdeVelaiyadu Papa	Tamil	Gemini Ganesan
	Paigham	Hindi	Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala
	Pelli Sandadi	Telugu	Akkineni Nageswara Rao
	President Panchatcharam	Tamil	S S Rajendran
	Vaazha Vaitha Deivam	Tamil	Gemini Ganesan
	Yaanai Paagan	Tamil	Uthyakumar
1960	Ellorum Innatto Mannargal	Tamil	Gemini Ganesan
	Irumbu Thirai	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan, Vyjayanthimala
	Kairasi	Tamil	Gemini Ganesan
	Parthiban Kanavu	Tamil	Gemini Ganesan, Vyjayanthimala
	Pelli Kanuka	Telugu	Akkineni Nageswara Rao
	Sasural	Hindi	Rajendra kumar, Mehmood
	Vidi Velli	Tamil	Sivji Ganesan
1961	Intiki Deepam Illalae	Telugu	N.T. Ramarao
	Jagadeka Veeruni Katha	Telugu	N.T. Ramarao
	Mana Pandhal	Tamil	S S Rajendran
	Opera House	Hindi	Ajit, Lalita Pawar
	Palum Pazhamum	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan
	Panithirai	Tamil	Gemeni Ganesan
	Sri Seetha Rama Kalyanam	Telugu	N.T. Ramarao
	Thai Sollai Thattathey	Tamil	M. G. Ramachandran
	Thirudathey	Tamil	M. G. Ramachandran
	Vijayanagarada Veeraputhra	Kannada	Uthyakumar
1962	Hong Kong	Hindi	Ashok Kumar
	Kitturu Ranee Chennamma	Kannada	Rajkumar
	Kudambathalaivan	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Aadi Perukku	Tamil	Gemini Ganesan
	Devasundari	Kannada	Rajkumar
	Valar Pirai	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan
	Paasam	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Parthal Pasi Theerum	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan
	Madappura	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Aalayamani	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan
	Thaayaikaatha Thanayan	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
1963	Pareeksha	Hindi	Gemini Ganesan, Anjali Devi
	Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya	Hindi	Shammi Kapoor
	Iruvar Ullam	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan
	Periya Idathu Penn	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Kulamagal Radhai	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan
	Pana Thottam	Tamil	M G Ramachandran, Nagesh
	Dharmam Thalaikkakkum	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Neethikku Pin Pasam	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Kalyaniyin Kanavan	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan
	Manchi Chedu	Telugu	N T Rama Rao
	Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham	Telugu	N T R & ANR
1964	Beti bete	Hindi	Sunil Dutt
	Dooj Ka Chand	Hindi	Bharat Bhushan
	Amarashilpi Jakanacharya	Kannada	Kalyan Kumar
	Vaazhkai Vaazhvatharke	Tamil	Gemini Ganesan
	Pannakkara Kudumbam	Tamil	M.G.R
	Thayin Madiyil	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Padagotti	Tamil	M.G.Ramachandran
	Deivathai	Tamil	M.G.Ramachandran
	Paasamum Nesamum	Tamil	Gemini Ganesan
	Puthiya Paravai	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan
	En Kadamai	Tamil	M.G.Ramachandran
	Dagudu moothalu	Telugu	N.T.R
	Aathma Balam	Telugu	A.N.R
	Amarashilpi Jakanna	Telugu	A.N.R
1965	Beretha Jeeva	kannada	Kalyana kumar
	Aasai Mugam	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Enga Vettu Pillai	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Kalangarai Vilakkam	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Prameelaarjunaeyathum	Telugu	N T R
1966	Preet Na Jaane Reet	Hindi	Shammi Kapoor
	Naan Anayittaal	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Nadodi	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Thaali Bhagyam	Tamil	M. G. Ramachandran
	Parakkum Paavai	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Anbe Vaa	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Petralthaan Pillaiya	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Shakuntala	Telugu	N T R
1967	Dilwaar	Hindi
	Pen Endral Pen	Tamil	Gemeniganeshan
	Arasa kattalai	Tamil	M G Ramachandran
	Rahasyam	Telugu	Akkineni Nageswara Rao
1968	Panama Pasama	Tamil	Gemeni ganeshan
	En Thambi	Tamil	Sivaji ganeshan
	Thamari Nenjam	Tamil	Gemeni ganeshan
	Bahagyachakram	Telugu	N T R
	Uma Chandi Gauri Shankarula katha	Telugu	N T R
1969	Malamapavada	kannada	Rajkumar
	Anbalippu	Tamil	Sivaji ganeshan
	Thanga Malar	Tamil	Gemeni ganeshan
	Anjal Petti 520	Tamil	Sivaji ganeshan
	Aindhu Laksham	Tamil	Gemeni ganeshan
	Kula Vilakku	Tamil	Gemeni ganeshan
	Odum Nadhi	Tamil	Ravichandran
1970	Lakshmi Saraswathi	Kannada	Ramesh
	Malathy	Tamil	GeminiGanesan
	Kann Malar	Tamil	Gemini Ganesan
	Snehithi	Tamil	Gemini Ganesan
	Vijayam manade	Telugu	N T R
	Mayani Mamata	Telugu	N T R
1971	Purnima	Kannada	Srinath
	Thande Makkalu	Kannada	Srinath
	Papa Punya	Kannada	Kalyan Kumar
	Sri Krishna Rukmini Satya Bhama	Kannada	Rajkumar
	Nyayave Devaru	Kannada	Rajkumar
	Uyir	Tamil	Muthuraman
	Thenum Palum	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan
	Arunothayam	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan
1972	Hari Darshan	Hindi	Randhava
	Sakthi Leelai	Tamil	gemeneganeshan A V M Rajan
	Pandanti Kapuram	Telugu	Krishna S V Ranga Rao
	Mathru Moorthy	Telugu	Haranath
1973	Sahadharmini	Kannada	K S Aswath
1974	Chamundeswarei Mahemai	Kannada	Uthyakumar
	Sri Srinivasa Kalyana	Kannada	Rajkumar
	Gruhini	Kannada	Rajesh
	Paththu Matha Bandham	Tamil	R. Muthuraman
	Sri Chamundeeswari Mahimai	Tamil	Uthyakumar
1975	Shri Ramanjaneya Yudhamu	Telugu	N T R
	Gunavanthudu	Kannada	Rajes
	Shani Prabhava	Kannada	Vishnuvardhan
	Bhagya jothi	Kannada	Vishnuvardhan
	Katha Sangama	Kannada	Kalyanakumar
	Sree Ram Hanuman Yudh	Hind	N T R
1976	Sri Ram Vanavas	Hindi	Ravi Prasad
	Chiranjeevi	Kannada	K Srinath
1977	Babruvahana	Kannada	Rajkumar
	Sri Renukadevi Mahathme 150th film	Kannada	Rajesh
	Bhagyavantharu	Kannada	Rajkumar
	Sree Tirupathi Kshetra Mahathmyam	Telugu	Rajkumar
1978	Daana Veera Shoora Karna	Telugu	NTR
	llaiamman	Tamil	Rajesh
1980	Guru Sarvabhowma Sri Raghavendra Karune	Kannada	Gangadhar
1981	Nammina Thayi Annamma	Kannada
1983	Rudra Naga	Kannada	Vishnuvardhan
1984	Guru Bhakthi	Kannada	Kalyan Kumar
	Thai Thande	Kannada	Kalyan Kumar
	Ugra Naagu	Telugu	Vishnuvardhan
	Yaarivanu	Kannada	Rajkumar
1987	Ladies Hostel	Kannada	Rajesh
1988	Thaimel Aanai	Tamil	Arjun
1989	Poovukkul Bhoogambam	Tamil	Thiyagarajan
	Guru	Kannada	Ambarish Srinath
	Dharma Devan	Tamil	Murali
	Ponmana selvan	Tamil	Vijaykanth, Gemini Ganesan
1990	Oray Thai Oray Kulam	Tamil	Shobana
	Bhale Chatura	Kannada	Shankar Nag
1993	Parambhariyam	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan
1994	Mahashakti Maye	Kannada	Kalyakakumar
	Emergency	Kannada	Devaraj, Kalyanakumar
1995	Anuragasangama	Kannada	Ramesh Aravind
	Putmalli	Kannada	Bharat,Sai Kumar
1996	Agni I P S	Kannada	Sai Kumar, Ranjitha
	Jannai Janma Bhoomi	Kannada	Vishnuvardhan, Rashika
1997	Once More	Tamil	Sivaji Ganesan, Vijay
1998	Mangala Suitra	Kannada	Rekaha das
2005	Thima	Kannada	Arujun
2007	prarambha	Kannada	Perabudeva
2009	Aadhavan	Tamil	Suriya sivakumar, Nayanthara
2010	Elankathir selvan	Tamil	Kathir