The news of actress Sarojadevi's passing spread across the internet. Deep condolences. True artists never perish. They live on through their art. Sarojadevi too will remain eternal through her performances.
She was one of my favorite actresses. The first film I can remember watching was "Enga Veettu Pillai," starring MGR and Sarojadevi together. After that, only a few more films featuring both of them were released. Among those, "Anbe Vaa" particularly captivated me.
The era of MGR–Sarojadevi gradually faded as the MGR–Jayalalithaa phase began to dominate Tamil cinema. However, that very shift created space for several films that showcased Sarojadevi's acting prowess. Films like "Thamarai Nenjam," "Kulavilakku," and "Panamaa Paasamaa" are worth mentioning.
As for me, I am an ardent fan of MGR. Many of the films released between 1958 and 1965, starring MGR and Sarojadevi, were later re-released. Whenever I had the opportunity, I would watch them. It is noteworthy that many of the songs from those films, sung by T.M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela, became hugely popular.
Another unforgettable memory for Sri Lankan Tamils—when "Enga Veettu Pillai" was screened in Sri Lanka, Sarojadevi accompanied MGR on the visit. Everywhere they went, thousands gathered to welcome them. If one searches old newspapers and magazines, the scale of the reception they received can be seen clearly.
In her memory, here are some of my favorite songs from films she starred in:
