Latest news with #KitturRaniChennamma
The Hindu
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Final rites of Saroja Devi will be conducted with full State honours: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah offered floral tribute to legendary actress B Saroja Devi, who passed away at her residence in Malleswaram, Bengaluru. The 87-year-old actress died on Monday (July 14, 2025) due to age-related illness. He stated, 'On my behalf, and on behalf of the Government of Karnataka, I pray for her soul to rest in peace and for strength to her family members to bear this loss.' Siddaramaiah also announced that state honours would be accorded at her cremation. Her last rites will be performed in her native village Dhashavara in Channapatna taluk of Mandya district on July 15, 2025. Speaking to reporters after paying homage, the Chief Minister described her demise as 'a major loss to the entire film industry.' 'B Saroja Devi entered the film industry at a very tender age and served it for nearly 70 years. At a young age, she earned the title of 'Abhinaya Saraswati' and became a multi-talented actress who worked in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi films,' Siddaramaiah said. Saroja Devi brought life into the characters she portrayed and acted alongside leading actors of her era, including M G Ramachandran, N T Rama Rao, Shivaji Ganesan, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Rajendra Kumar, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, and Dr Rajkumar, he added. The Chief Minister also said that Saroja Devi had immensely contributed to the growth of the Kannada film industry. He also recalled having met Saroja Devi on several occasions. "She was always warm and affectionate. I have also watched some of her memorable films such as Kittur Rani Chennamma, Bhagyavanthalu, Babruvahana, and Nyayave Devaru," he recalled.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
PM Modi remembers legendary actor Saroja Devi as an 'exemplary icon of Indian cinema'
BENGALURU: Expressing deep sadness over the demise of multi-lingual actor B Saroja Devi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered her as an 'exemplary icon of Indian cinema'. 'Saddened by the passing of the noted film personality, B Saroja Devi Ji. She will be remembered as an exemplary icon of Indian cinema and culture. Her diverse performances left an indelible mark across generations. Her works, spanning different languages and covering diverse themes, highlighted her versatile nature. My condolences to her family and admirers. Om Shanti,' the PM said on social media. Fondly called 'Abhinaya Saraswathi' in Kannada and 'Kannadathu Paingili' in Tamil, the 87-year-old star passed away at her Malleswaram residence in Bengaluru on Monday morning. Hundreds of people, including politicians and film personalities, paid homage to the legendary actress. All-India Congress Committee General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, actors Shivrajkumar, Jaggesh, and Upendra, Bengaluru Rural MP Dr CN Manjunath, former ministers TB Jayachandra and Janardhana Reddy, Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce President Narasimhalu and others paid their last respects to the actress. The mortal remains will be kept till Tuesday morning and at 11.30 am, it will be taken to her village Dashavara in Channapatna for the last rites, informed her son Harsha Gautham. The family had decided to donate her eyes and the procedure was completed. The actress will be laid to rest with state honours. CM Siddaramaiah also expressed his condolence. 'The news of the death of veteran Kannada actress is painful. Her departure is a great loss to the Indian film industry. May Sarojadevi's soul rest in peace. My condolences to the bereaved family and fans said,' the chief minister said. Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy also paid his tributes. 'Sarojadevi, who acted with all the leading actors of all Indian languages, including the great actor Dr Rajkumar, was the goddess of acting for her fans. Her unique acting kept us all spellbound. She has made a huge contribution to enriching the Kannada silver screen; she has acted in more than 200 films, including Kittur Rani Chennamma and Babruvahana. Her passing is a great loss to the film industry and the nation. May her soul rest in peace and may God grant her family and fans the strength to bear this grief,' he said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bengaluru's Lalbagh flower show to honour Chennamma & Rayanna this Independence Day
Bengaluru: The 218th edition of the annual Lalbagh Independence Day flower show, scheduled from Aug 7 to 17, will pay a floral tribute to Kittur Rani Chennamma and Sangolli Rayanna, Karnataka's iconic freedom fighters. Their stories of resistance against British colonial rule will be recreated through elaborate flower arrangements inside the famed Glass House. The show is expected to draw a record 11 lakh visitors, surpassing the 4.7 lakh footfall seen during the Republic Day edition earlier this year. "The theme this time is the valiant fight led by Chennamma and Rayanna in the 1820s. Their sacrifice and patriotism will be depicted entirely using flowers," said M Jagadeesh, joint director of horticulture, Lalbagh. Preparation for the event began over three months ago, with the department cultivating more than 6 lakh flowering plants in-house. "We've also sent out procurement requests to nurseries across Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Nandi Hills, and Ooty to supply special varieties," Jagadeesh added. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Ban on photo sessions? In a significant policy shift, the horticulture department is also contemplating a ban on pre-wedding shoots, baby showers, and commercial video or photo shoots inside Lalbagh. The proposal follows a similar restriction imposed recently at Cubbon Park. "Several commercial shoots disturb the peace of the garden and often damage plant life. We're considering a blanket ban on such activities during the flower show, and potentially throughout the year," said a senior Lalbagh horticulture official. "The idea is to protect the biodiversity of the garden and ensure a quality experience for all visitors." The department is likely to act on the recommendations of an expert panel led by environmentalist AN Yellappa Reddy. The panel has suggested banning activities that may harm flora and fauna or cause overcrowding. "We are committed to maintaining Lalbagh's ecological balance. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the garden, but not at the cost of its sustainability," the official said. The Lalbagh flower show is held twice annually — in Jan and Aug — and is one of Bengaluru's most visited cultural events, attracting tourists and flower enthusiasts from across the country and abroad.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
B Saroja Devi brought authenticity to the role of Kittur Rani Chennamma: MP Basavaraj Bommai
Bengaluru: Veteran Kannada actress B. Saroja Devi brought great authenticity to the role of Kittur Rani Chennamma. Her passing is an extremely sad day for Karnataka's cultural world, said former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai in his condolence message. Responding to the media following the demise of B Saroja Devi, he said, "The goddess of acting, a star who ruled four languages, Saroja Devi, who effortlessly portrayed diverse roles in mythological and social films, is no more. Once considered the superstar of Kannada cinema, she acted alongside Dr. Rajkumar in Kannada, NT Rama Rao in Telugu, and Dilip Kumar in Hindi, gaining fame across the country as a renowned actress." 'In Kannada cinema, her portrayal of Kittur Rani Chennamma brought true-to-life realism. She made us visualize how Chennamma would have actually been. Her performance and imagination still remain vivid in our minds. Through her acting, she portrayed how Chennamma fought against the British,' Bommai said. "Mallammana Pavaada" was a film that emotionally touched households. She acted in hundreds of films, including Lakshmi Saraswathi, Babruvahana, and Srinivasa Kalyana. Along with acting, she commanded great respect and dignity. She worked in the film industry for five decades and now has left us. Yet, she continues to live in our hearts through her performances. I pray to God that her soul rests in peace," he added.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Unsung heroes: From selling fruits to mastering oncology, how Dr Vijayalakshmi Deshmane transformed cancer care
In 1994, Dr Vijayalakshmi Deshmane stood in the hallowed halls of Kidwai Memorial Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru, facing a room of sceptical male colleagues. As the first woman professor at the institute, she was met with raised eyebrows and murmurs questioning her place in the male-dominated world of surgical oncology. Undeterred, she recalled her father's words from childhood, 'Vijay, put up a surgeon's board at our house.' With a scalpel in hand and resolve in her heart, she silenced doubters by performing flawless surgeries, earning the nickname 'Kittur Rani Chennamma' for her fierce determination. This marked a transformative journey that culminated in her being honoured with Padma Shri in 2025 for reshaping cancer care and philanthropy. Born to a freedom fighter father, Baburao Deshmane, and mother Ratnamma in a marginalised community, Dr Vijayalakshmi Deshmane faced hardships early on. Growing up in a slum near Gajipur in Kalaburgi, she helped her mother sell fruits and vegetables under a neem tree after school. Despite a devastating drought in Kalaburgi that left even millionaires destitute, her parents prioritised her education. Her father, a social worker and leader at M S K Mill, instilled in her a passion for learning and service. Dr Deshmane's educational journey began at the Chakkarghatta school and continued at Gangambika High School in Kannada medium. Despite initial struggles with English in medical school, she kept going, inspired by supportive teachers and friends. 'When I failed physiology, I packed my bags and went home, thinking it was over,' she recalls. 'But my youngest sister, Jayashree, said, 'I failed in first grade, but I didn't cry like you.' That hit me.' She returned to Hubballi Medical College, where she excelled, eventually securing an MS in General Surgery from Bellary Medical College in 1984, becoming the first woman to do so at the institution. Her career took a pivotal turn when she joined Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bengaluru as a resident doctor. In 1994, she made history as the first woman professor at Kidwai, later serving as dean, head of department, and director. Her dedication to oncology transformed the field, reducing fear around cancer. 'Now, cancer is like diabetes or hypertension. Even stage-four patients go home smiling, thanks to the advancement of research and technology in curing cancer,' she says. Navigating a male-dominated field was no small feat. During her MS at Bellary, peers questioned, 'What surgeries will she do?' Yet, under Professor C R Raghu's mentorship, she thrived, running from the blood bank to the operation theatre with zeal. 'The boys called me Kittur Rani Chennamma,' she says. At Kidwai, as the first woman resident and surgeon, she faced resistance. 'During my interview, they offered gynaecology, assuming it suited girls. I insisted, 'Give me surgery',' she says. ' My persistence did pay off. At 38, I became a professor, which gave me the capacity to spearhead global breast cancer research,' she adds. Dr Deshmane's life was not without lows. The loss of a patient from Bidar, who died on the operating table due to uncontrollable bleeding, haunted her for days. 'It was a dreadful experience. I couldn't sleep for eight days,' she says. Personal tragedies also struck—her mother and sister Nagaratna succumbed to cancer. Yet, these losses fueled her commitment to early detection and research, particularly in familial breast and thyroid cancers, using artificial intelligence at institutions like the Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing, Kurnool. Further, as president of Avala Ashram in Bengaluru, she empowered orphaned girls with life skills. In 2016, she also led the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research in Mohali, Punjab. Dr Deshmane's spiritual connection to Lord Krishna guides her life. 'I work closely with Krishna. He gives me exactly what I need, not more,' she says. Her unmarried status reflects her dedication to her calling. 'In cancer, you give everything to patients. I saw this at Adyar Cancer Institute in Chennai and Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai.—doctors who forgot the world, to serve,' she adds. Reflecting on her journey, she says, 'When patients go home smiling, that smile is something you will not find anywhere else in the world. Early detection saves lives—why let cancer progress?'
