Bengaluru: The memorial of Kannada thespian Rajkumar was inaugurated on Saturday November 29, by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at Kanteerava studio here in the presence South India’s superstars Rajinikanth and Chiranjeevi.
Inaugurating the memorial, which is considered the biggest in the country for a film actor, Siddaramaiah remembered Rajkumar as the ambassador of Karnataka’s culture and traditions. He said the actor’s life is inspiration to innumerable Kannadigas.
Rajkumar, who first acted in the movie ‘Bedara Kannappa’ as a lead actor in the year 1954, ruled the Kannada tinsel town as its undisputed ruler over four decades. The actor breathed his last on April 12, 2006 at the age of 76.
The memorial place now being called ‘Rajkumar Punyabhoomi’ has become a tourist destination to his innumerable fans. The memorial spread across 2.5 acres, now in its first phase, consists of 800-seater open-air auditorium, mini water body, landscaping, installation of a three-ft long bronze bust statue of Rajkumar, and an exhibition of 40 photographs of select movies of the thespian. About Rs 7 crore was spent for the memorial.
Remembering getting an autograph from Rajkumar, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth said he had not got an autograph from anyone else till date, “I have come to this memorial function as a fan”, the star added.
Rajinikanth also shared an anecdote about Rajkumar’s humility: “One evening I took him in a car for an evening walk at the Tata Institute. En route, the car met with an accident. As we waited a lot of people did namaskara to him; first it was a groundnut vendor, then an auto driver, a bus driver, a man in a car and his driver, and finally a woman made her three-year-old kid do a namaskara to him with folded hands. Later, while walking he asked me if I observed how he was respected by them. I said “yes” and added: “If not you who else would they give so much respect to.” He looked at me and said, “You mad guy, they are not giving me respect. They are respecting the Saraswati (talent) in me.” He taught me to respect talent.”
Telugu star Chiranjeevi, remembering simplicity of the actor, said Rajkumar is the best example for how people can achieve greater heights in life with their simplicity. “I once got an opportunity to see Rajkumar on the sets. I went to him and greeted him. He not only enquired my well-being, but also sought to know how the people of Andhra Pradesh were doing. I was inspired by him. He was full of humility and was very down-to-earth”, he said.
Union Law Minister Sadananda Gowda, Rajkumar’s wife Parvatamma Rajkumar and her three star sons Shiv Rajkumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar were present at the function.
Siddaramaiah pledges his eyes
During the event, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced that he has decided to donate his eyes, inspired by the veteran actor.
In addition to it, the ‘Raj Ratha’, which started from Rajkumar’s birthplace and reached the memorial site on Saturday toured across Karnataka to campaign on eye donation along its route. By the time of the memorial inauguration, close to a lakh had taken a pledge for eye donation, said the actor’s son Raghavendra Rajkumar.
Interestingly, the star’s 1954 super-hit Bedara Kannappa, which brought Kannada its first national award, had the lead character offering his eyes to his deity Shiva. Dr. Rajkumar Eye Bank, an initiative of Narayana Nethralaya, was inaugurated by the late actor in 1994, who had led by example by donating his eyes.
Thousands turn up for cultural event
Thousands gathered at the Palace Grounds on Saturday evening to watch films stars shake a leg to the beats of popular hits at a mega cultural event in memory of Kannada thespian Rajkumar. Fans started arriving at the venue as early as 4 p.m. to ensure they occupied seats at the best vantage points to see the performances. There were many who preferred to wait outside to catch a glimpse of the stars as they arrived. Nearly 12,000 people were at the venue.
