Saroja Devi: The Kannadathu Payinkili and Abinaya Saraswathi from Abini Cinema

The deceased veteran actor B. Saroja Devi (87), celebrated as Kannadathu Payinkili And Abinaya Saraswathy In the Tamil film world, the leading role played in addition to the great actors of the past – in particular the two top heroes, MG Ramachanran (MGR) and Sivaji Ganesan – and the field dominated for decades.

She was cast in Mgr’s blockbuster Nadodi Mannan In 1958 after he was introduced by director K. Subramaniam, who had previously directed the film Kalidas In Kannada. She let her debut the song “Maani Thei Machan Vara Poran” humiliates Nadodi Mannan. Saroja Devi acted in 26 films with MGR and is the second actor Na Jayalalithaa (28 films) that was linked to him.

“She had a very photogenic face and was capable of expressive versions. She was one of the magical heroines of the Tamil cinema,” said film historian Vamanan. He said through her performances, she became the typical Tamil -heroine and embodied the lines “Man Valaratha Perumai Ellam Manthil Valarthavalam” from a song in the film PAGA PIRIVINAI.

Saroja Devi and Sivaji Ganesan in a scene in the Tamil film ‘Paalum Pazhamum’ | Photocredit: The Hindu Archives

Her combination with Sivaji Ganesan started in Sabash Meena In 1958, Saroja Devi was also in the hero Paga Pirivinai, Paalum Pazhamum And Purple’s Pasi Theerum.

“She traded with my father in more than 20 films, and all her films with my father and Mgr were hits. Each of her films was an achievement. She was probably the first (lady) superstar of the Tamil -Cinema and maintained that status until her last days,” said actor Pabhu, remembering the days she brought with his family.

“She would squeeze in my cheeks. We stayed close and even brought a new year in Bangalore with her. I will miss her, but her charming and beautiful face, together with her films, will continue to chase me,” said Mr. Prabhu.

“She acted and spoke naturally, as if she were in real life, and she never opted for dexchronization. You should view the song ‘Paal Pazhamum Kaikalil Enti’ in the film Paal Pazhamum to understand her talent. Ganesan,” said film editor B. Lenin, son of Bhim Singh.

She was also with great pleasure referred to as Abinaya SaraswathiAs recognition of her expressive body language and facial expressions.

“Cinema is a fantasy, and the role of the heroine is to attract the male gaze. Saroja Devi has achieved this in a sensible and graceful way. The song ‘Love Birds Love Birds’ in Anbe VAA is proof of that sensitivity, “said actor and cinematographer Ilavarasu. He described her expressive eyes, well-defined nose, romantic body language and characteristic silk pose with an 180 degree of earing that all a thousand stories could tell.

‘There is a reason why she was called Abinaya Saraswathi. At that time there were no brushes to beautify the eyes. She just used pencils. The way she modulated her eyebrows was another remarkable talent, “said Ilavarasu.

Her dialogues that Sivaji Ganesan address as “Gopal” and her nuanced expressions in the film Puthiya Paravai are considered iconic. “In the song ‘Unnai Ondru Ketpen’, there is not much a role for the hero. It is left to her to wear the scene and retain the attention of the audience. Beauty alone is not enough to achieve that effect. Only a big actor can do it,” Ilavarasu added.

Saroja Devi (1938-2025) | On photos

Rajkumar and B. Saroja Devi in the film Srinivasa Kalyana

B. Saroja Devi in the Telugu and Kanada versions of ‘Amhara Shilpi Jakkana’

Sivaji Ganesan and Saroja Devi in ‘Pudiya Paravai’. She was linked to Sivaji Ganesan in 22 films.

MG Ramacandran and Saroja Devi in ‘Anbe Vaa’. She made a stamp with Mgr in ‘Nadodi Mannan’ and performed with the deceased Tamil Nadu -Minister -President in 26 films.

Rajendra Kumar and Saroja Devi in ‘Sasural’. She registered for the Hindi films with Dilip Kumar, Sunil Dutt and also with Shammi Kapoor.

Saroja Devi remained until the best paid actresses in Kannada and Telugu films. She was cast opposite NT Rama Rao in films such as Bhagyachakram (1968), Uma Chandi Gowri Sankarula Katha (1968), Vijayam Manade (1970), Mayani Mamatha (1970) Karna (1979).

B. Sorja Devi received Padma Sri in 1969 and Padma Bhussions in 1992. She was also where the Pammani by the Timil Nadu government.

After her marriage in 1967, the career of Saroja Devi in Tamil Cinema gradually fell, although she was active in Kannada films. Despite the opposite to Late Mgr in 22 films, her last film with him was ‘Arasa Katstalai’ in 1967.

On this photo from 1957, B. Saroja Devi can be seen with SV Ranga Rao. She also dominated the Telugu film industry that traded with NT Rama Rao and Aakkineni Naonswara Rao.

Saroja Devi was the only Indian actress who played heroine in 161 consecutive films in 29 years between 1955 and 1984

In this 1961, B. Saroja Devi is seen with Mr Radha. In the movie “Thai Sollai Thisthe.” ‘Palum Pazhamum’ (1961), ‘Vazhkai Vazhvatharke’ (1964), ‘Alayamani’ (1962), ‘Periya Idathu Penn’ (1963), ‘Periya Idathu Penn’ (1963), ‘Persiya Idathu Penn’ (1964), ‘Feekkara),’ Feekkara ‘, liabar), loduma, loduma, liaka kudumbam’, loduma ‘, loduma’, loduma ‘, loduma kudumbam’, loduma ‘, (1965) and ‘Anbe vaa’ (1966).

In the 1960s, Saroja Devi became a fashion icon among the South Indian women, who mimics her saris, blouses, jewelry, hairstyles and keys. In particular, her sari’s and jewelry of the Tamil films ‘Enga Vettu Pillai’ (1965) and ‘Anbe VAA’ (1966) were made popular in magazines on a large scale in magazines

Sivaji Ganesaan and B. Saroja Devi in the Tamil Devi in Paalum Pazhamum ‘. Saroja Devi remained the lead role in Tamil films opposite Sivaji Gansan Paalum ‘(1971),’ Paarambariyam ‘(1993) and’ Once More ‘(1997).

In her long career, Saroja Devi mainly chose romantic films in the sixties and later sentimental and socially relevant films from the end of the 1960s to the eighties to the eighties.

Twice in 1998 and 2005, Saroja Devi was chairman of Film Juries – the 45th National Film Awards and the 53rd National Film Awards Jury. She served as vice-president of Kannada Chalanchitra Sangha, and as a member of the local advisory committee of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.

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