Legendary Kannada actress Saroja Devi passed away in the wee hours of Monday, and post her demise, her eyes were donated to Narayana Nethralaya, in accordance to her wish. Doctors revealed that she had expressed her desire to donate her eyes around five years ago.
Saroja Devi breathed her last at the age of 87 at her Malleswaram residence in Bengaluru after battling age-related illnesses.
In an official statement, Dr Rajkumar of Narayana Nethralaya eye bank, said that she had signed up for eye donation five years ago. "She had spoken about pleading her eyes a few years ago, and once, when she came to the hospital for checkup she spoke to our chairman about her desire to donate her eyes and a card was made for eye donation. It has been about five years since she registered for eye donation," he said.
He also told PTI that her eyes will be transplanted in the next couple of days. "Only corneas have been taken, both her corneas are in good condition," he said.
Meanwhile, Saroja Devi's last rites will take place at her natuve village of Dasavara, located in Channapatna taluk in Bengaluru South (Ramanagara) district. His son Gowtham shared that she will be cremated as per Vokkaliga traditions.
Saroja Devi's demise left the entire Kannada film industry numb, and celebs as well as fans mourned her death.
Saroja Devi worked in over 200 films in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi film industries. During her career, she earned the titles of 'Abhinaya Saraswathi' and 'Kannadathu Paingili'. She was also known as the 'first female superstar of Kannada cinema'.
In 1969, she was honoured Padma Shri by the Government of India, followed by Padma Bhushan in 1992. She also received the Kalaimamani Award from Tamil Nadu government and an honorary doctorate from Bangalore University.
