There is no one who doesn’t know Saroja Devi. The present generation knows her as the chairperson of the national award selection committee. 

The older generation still remembers her as the sensuous dancer who made a young sculptor’s heart miss a beat, leading him towards artistic excellence in Kannada filmdom’s first colour film, Amarashilpi Jakanacharya. 
Or, the spirited lass who held a spirited repartee with Rajendra Jubilee Kumar in a Hindi film.

For her birthday

The actress recently celebrated her birthday (on January 7). And for the occasion, acclaimed director and actor KSL Swami, is all set to give her a meaningful gift this time around.

Swami, popularly known as Ravee, has taken up a documentary commissioned by the Information Department, Government of Karnataka as part of the Suvarna Karnataka celebrations.

The documentary, Kannadadu Tavare focusses on the actress’ life as an individual and as an artiste; her family life and achievements. Ravee, who began work on the documentary early last November will be wrapping it up by January-end.

Donning the role

Ravee’s granddaughter Hitaishini is portraying as the young Saroja Devi in her school days, in the shooting held at the actress’ alma mater St Theresa’s Girls’ High School in Chamarajpet.

The documentary has cinematography by Manjunath and music by Praveen Godkhindi. “I have already shot for five days,” said Mr Swami.

Along with this documentary, Ravee will be working on two episodes of light music for Bhasha Mandakini, a Central Government project.