The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Comprehensive literary work on Rajkumar needed'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 26, 2006

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Comprehensive literary work on Rajkumar needed'

Staff Reporter

Book released on incidents at his samadhi in the past three months

Bangalore: Though several books have been published since the death of Rajkumar, a comprehensive literary work on the legendary actor is still needed, Baragur Ramachandrappa, former chairman of Kannada Development Authority, has said.

He was talking at the release of "Abhimanigala Devaru — Samadhi Degulavada Charitre," written by journalist and artist K. Yathiraj, here on Tuesday. The book comprises incidents that have occurred over the past three months at Rajkumar's samadhi.

"The speciality of the book is that it brings out the nature of Rajkumar and the people who admire him through incidents," he said.

Taking a swipe at the number of books that have appeared on the literary circuit after Rajkumar's death, Prof. Ramachandrappa said it was obvious that some books were published for money as they had been written in a hurried fashion.

"The only image of Rajkumar that continues to be accurate is his image in the public conscience," he said.

Prof. Ramachandrappa said that Rajkumar through his manner made humility a value, and this stands out at a time where people have become immodest about their financial successes. His films and his life have had a lasting impact on people, he said.

Mr. Yathiraj said that as a child he looked at Rajkumar as an actor, later as an icon of Kannada culture and now as a god.

Raghvendra Rajkumar, son of Rajkumar, said that he was astounded by the manner in which fans worshipped his father. "When I was shooting for a film, some women came up to me and said that they had got beaten up during my father's funeral. But when they chanced a glimpse of him, all their injuries did not matter," he said. Rajajinagar MLA Narendra Babu, Parvathamma Rajkumar, Shivrajkumar, and Puneet Rajkumar spoke on the occasion.

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