Saruja Devi: Kannadathu Peicili and Abinaya Saraswati of Tamil cinema

Late experienced actor B. Saroja Devi (87) is celebrated as Kannadatu pencili And Abinaya Saraswati In the world of Tamil film, starred with great actors of Yeslantryears – especially two top heroes, MG Ramachandran (MGR) and Shivaji Ganesan – and dominated the region for decades.

He was put in MGR blockbuster Nadodi Mannan Director of 1958. After Subramaniam was introduced to him, who first directed the film Kalidas In Kannada. He hummed his first film “Mani Thei Machan Vara Porran” Nadodi MannanAfter acting in 26 films with MGR, Saroj Devi is the second actor after Jayalalithaa (28 films) to be associated with her.

The film historian Vamanan said, “She was a very photogenic face and was capable of expressing performance. She was one of the magical heroines of Tamil cinema.” She said that through her performance, she became a Tamil heroine, embodimenting the lines of “Man Walmaratha Perumai Alm Manthil Valarthwalm” from a song from the film. Paga pirivina,

Saroj Devi and Shivaji Ganesan in a scene in the Tamil film ‘Palum Pajamam’. Photo Credit: Hindu Archives

He was associated with Shivaji Ganesan in the film Paga pirivina In 1959, directed by Bhim Singh, who went to direct the famous ‘PA’ series of films. First Paga pirivinaShe appeared in a dance sequence Thangmalai ragsiyamA Shivaji Ganesan-Starr. He also had a role in the film Sabash Meena. Saroj Devi worked as a female leadership with Shivaji Ganesan in other hits Pallum pajamam And Parthal Pasi Therum,

Some of his couples with MGR and Sivaji Ganesan are hits all the time for their depiction, songs and music. Puthajil Puthathu Puthuvanil, Qataru Wanga Ponen, Chitukuruvi Mutham Koduthu There are some iconic songs.

Saroj Devi worked as a female leadership with Shivaji Ganesan Sabash Meena, Paga Pirivinai, Palum Pazamum And Parthal Pasi Therum,

“She acted with my father in over 20 films, and all her films with my father and MGR were hits. Each of her was an achievement. She was probably the first (female) superstar of Tamil cinema and retained the height till her last days,” actor Prabhu said, remembering the days spent with her family.

“She will pinch my cheeks. We were close and even spent a new year in Bangalore with him. I will remember him, but his attractive and beautiful face, with his films, will continue to bother me,” Mr. Prabhu said.

“She acted and talked naturally, as she was in real life, and she never chose a dubbing option. You should see the song ‘Paleum Pajamam Kachailil Anti’ with Paleum Pajamum in the film to understand your talent. She strengthens a person’s character without any makeup. Lenin said.

That was also referred to as this Abinaya SaraswatiIn the recognition of the language and facial expressions of his expressive body.

The vintage car used by actor Saroj Devi in the Tamil film ‘Ambe via’ continued to perform at the AVM Heritage Museum in Chennai. File | Photo Credit: R. Ragu

“Cinema is a fantasy, and the heroine’s role is to attract male gaze. Saroja Devi achieved it wisely and beautifully. The song in the song ‘Love Birds Love Birds’ Ambe wa There is a will for that sensitivity, “said actor and cinematographer Illvasu. He described his expressive eyes, well-defined nose, romantic body language, and signature side pose, with 180 degree eye rotation and one thousand stories can tell.

“One reason why he was called Abinaya SaraswatiAt that time there were no brushes to decorate the eyes. He only used pencils. The way he revised his eyebrows was another notable talent, ”said Illvarsu.

His dialogues addressed Shivaji Ganesan as “Gopal” and saw his nuances in the film as the specifics. Putia Parvai Is considered iconic. Illvasu said, “In the song ‘in unnai Ondru Ketpen’, there is not much role for the hero. It is left for the scene to carry and the audience to maintain attention. Beauty alone is not enough to achieve that effect. Only a great actor can,” Ilavasu said.

Saroj Devi (1938-2025) | In pictures

Rajkumar and B. Saroja Devi film Srinivas Kalyan

B. ‘Amara Shilpi Jakkan’ in Saroj Devi Telugu and Kannada versions.

Shivaji Ganasan and Saroj Devi in ‘Pudia Parvai’. He associated with Shivaji Ganesan in 22 films.

MG Ramachandran and Saroja Devi in ‘Ambe via’. In ‘Nadodi Mannan’, making a mark with MGR, he acted with the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in 26 films.

Rajendra Kumar and Saroja Devi in ‘Sasural’. He signed up for Hindi films with Dilip Kumar, Sunil Dutt and also with Shammi Kapoor.

Saroj Devi remained one of the most paid actresses in Kannada and Telugu films. He was cast with NT Ram Rao in films like Bhagichakrakram (1968), Uma Chandi Gowri Shankarula Katha (1968), Vijayam Manade (1970), Mayani Mamath (1970), Shakantala and Dana Veera Sora Karna (1979).

B. Saroj Devi was awarded the Padma Shri in 1969 and the Padma Bhushan in 1992. He was also awarded Kalammani by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

After her marriage in 1967, Saroj Devi’s career in Tamil cinema gradually declined, although she was active in Kannada films. Despite acting against the late MGR in 22 films, his last film was with him in 1967.

In this picture of 1957, B. Saroj Devi is seen with SV Ranga Rao. She also dominated the Telugu film industry acting with NT Ram Rao and Akineni Naj Ess Paddy Rao.

Saroj Devi was the only Indian actress to play the lead heroine in 161 consecutive films in 29 years between 1955 and 1984.

In 1961, B. Saroj Devi is seen with Shri Radha. In the film, ‘Thai Solai Thache’. His participation in Tamil films is also ‘Palam Pazamam’ (1961), ‘Wazhakai Wazhawatharke’ (1964), ‘Alaiyamani’ (1962), ‘Peria Idthu Pen’ (1963), ‘Putia Parvai’ (1964), ‘1964) (1964) (1964), Va’ (1966).

In the 1960s, Saroj Devi became a fashion icon among the South Indian women, who mimicked her saris, blouses, jewelery, hairstyles and methods. In particular, Ang Vetu Pillai of Tamil films (1965) and ‘Anbe Via’ (1966) were widely popular in their sarees and jewelery magazines.

Shivaji Ganesan and B. in the Tamil film ‘Paulum Pazamam’. Saroj Devi. Saroj Devi continued to act in Tamil films in front of Shivaji Ganesan after her marriage: ‘N Thambi’ (1968), ‘Anabalipu’ (1969), ‘Anjal Petty 520’ (1969), ‘Arunodayam’ (1971), ‘Tabam Palam’ (1971) (1993),

In her long career, Saroja Devi mainly opted for romantic films in only the 1960s and later emotional and socially relevant from the late 1960s to the late 1980s.

Twice in 1998 and 2005, Saroja Devi presided over the film Juris – 45th National Film Award and 53rd National Film Award. He served as the vice -president of the Kannada Chalnachitra Sangh, and as a member of the local advisory committee of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam.

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