INVOKING HIS MEMORY: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy paying floral tributes to Kannada thespian Rajkumar at a condolence meeting in Bangalore on Tuesday. Actors Shivarajkumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar, Ambarish and Puneet Rajkumar and playwright Girish K arnad are seen. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: Film actors, writers and political leaders paid rich tributes and hailed thespian Rajkumar's contribution to the Kannada film industry, culture and to the State.

For Kannadigas, Dr. Rajkumar was the endearing "Annavaru" and a role model. Incorporating his ideals in daily life would be a befitting tribute to the late actor, they said.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who was the chief guest at the condolence meeting organised by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce here on Wednesday evening, said the Government was ready to provide assistance to build a memorial for Dr. Rajkumar.

Dr. Rajkumar led a simple life. The people of the State must emulate his principles, commitment to work and love for Kannada. Like the 12th Century social reformer Basaveshwara, work was worship for Dr. Rajkumar, he said.

The function saw thousands of Dr. Rajkumar's fans waiting patiently to hear the rich tributes showered on their favourite actor by speakers.

Symbol of simplicity

Playwright and Jnanpith Award winner Girish Karnad said that unlike poets and writers, the Kannada thespian was able to reach out to the common man through his historical, social and theme-based films. He was a symbol of simplicity and his contribution to Kannada would be remembered forever, he added.

Dr. Rajkumar acted in 206 Kannada films. His films revived the centuries-old traditions of the State, Dr. Karnad said.

Shivarajkumar, actor and eldest son of Dr. Rajkumar, said he was pained by the death of his father. "Appaji was a great actor. We cannot reach his level of acting," he said.

Mr. Shivarajkumar donated Rs. 10, 000 to a group of physically challenged children. The thespian's family has also decided to grant Rs. 50,000 to families whose members were killed in the violence on April 12 and 13.

Ambarish, actor-tuned politician, said Dr. Rajkumar remained an actor unto the last without succumbing to political pressures. But he participated in movements that upheld the cause of Kannada such as the Gokak agitation. He was conferred the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for his contribution to cinema, he said.

Sa. Ra. Govindu, president of the Dr. Rajkumar Fans' Association, said Dr. Rajkumar was blessed with handsome physical features. The Government should recommend Dr. Rajkumar's name for the Bharata Ratna and establish a memorial in his memory in the city, he added.

Icon

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president H.D. Gangaraju said Dr. Rajkumar was the icon of the Kannada masses.

Though the function started one-and-a-half hours behind schedule, people waited and cheered the three sons of Dr. Rajkumar when they appeared on the stage.

The crowd expressed displeasure over the performance by the orchestra troupe, which was brought in to sing popular numbers from the actor's films. But the organisers persuaded the crowd to cooperate.

Minister for Forest and Environment C. Chennigappa, veteran actor Harini, former Minister and actor Ananth Nag and a host of personalities, including Anu Prabhakar, Sudeep, Darshan, Rockline Venkatesh and Murali, were present.

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