Bengaluru, July 15 . The Karnataka government today announced state honours for veteran actress B Saroja Devi, who passed away yesterday, marking the end of an iconic era in Indian cinema.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said instructions had been issued to officials to ensure the last rites are conducted with full state respect.
“All preparations are being made for her final rites with state honours,” the Chief Minister told reporters, adding, “I pray, on behalf of the people and the government, that her soul attains eternal peace.”
Calling her passing an irreparable loss to the Indian film industry, particularly to Kannada cinema, Siddaramaiah said Saroja Devi was among the rare artistes who achieved legendary status across multiple languages.
“She entered the film world at the age of 15 and was lovingly called Abhinaya Saraswathi. Even in her teens, she carved a name for herself through sheer talent,” he said.
The Chief Minister lauded her immense contribution to cinema in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, and recalled her performances alongside luminaries like Dilip Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, MGR, NTR, Shivaji Ganesan, Nageswara Rao, and Dr Rajkumar.
“Whatever role she played, she gave it life. She was an artist of exceptional calibre,” he noted.
Siddaramaiah also touched upon her personal resilience. “She went through many struggles in life, but her commitment to cinema never diminished. Her contribution to Kannada film development is unparalleled,” he added.
Recalling his fond memories as a viewer, the Chief Minister said he had watched several of her iconic films, including Kittur Rani Chenamma and Bhagyavantaru, adding, “Her on-screen pairing with Dr Rajkumar was a favourite among audiences.”
Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao also paid glowing tributes, calling her “a daughter the state was immensely proud of. She was not only a famous actress but also a deeply influential and compassionate human being. She was close to my family, especially to my mother, and remained grounded despite her stardom,” Gundu Rao said.
He recalled an incident from a decade ago when Saroja Devi called him and expressed a desire to visit his constituency and help the poor. “She came voluntarily and extended financial support to several underprivileged people. I had gone to her house to bring her, it was her own initiative. That reflects her big heart,” he shared.
He described her final days as peaceful and dignified, noting that she lived a meaningful life without illness or suffering. “Today marks the completion of her life’s journey. I offer my prayers for her soul’s peace and extend condolences to her family and her countless fans across languages and regions.”
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