With the demise of the legendary icon Dr. Rajkumar on Wednesday 12th April, millions of kannadigas around the world are feeling orphaned. A versatile actor, an icon to his fans, a crusader for the cause of Kannada and above all he was a good human being. It was his dedication, hard work & love for this soil, that made Rajkumar as “Annavaru” of Karnataka.
Rajkumar alias Muthuraj was born on April 24th 1928, in Gajanur ( Chamarajanagara District) for Laxmamma & Singanallooru puttaswamayya couple. His father was an artist in Gubbi Veeranna drama troupe. Soon Muthuraj followed his father’s footstep & worked with Gubbi Veeranna drama troupe for about 25 years. He got a major breakthrough when he was offered for a lead role in ‘Beadra Kannappa’. After making his debut as full fledged hero in ‘Bedara Kannappa’ as Muthuraj, he was re-christened as “Rajkumar” & from then on he became the much sought after hero in Kannada cinema industry.
Starting from Bedara Kannappa to Shabdavedi Dr. Rajkumar has acted in 205 films. Throughout his career he didn’t restricted himself to anykind of roles as it is rightly said in kannada as “Aadu Muttada Swappilla, Raj madada paatravilla “. From Bedara kannappa to James Bond , he touched anything and everything from mythological to historical films to family sentimental films, as angry anti-hero to comic hero to tragic hero to villian. His 205 films showed fine control an actor has to posses besides creating an unforgettable memory in the minds of the audience. Most of his films carried very strong social messages and were based on moral ethics. With his supreme acting capabilities, he influenced many people (including me) & they have tried to live like him.
Though playback singer P.B Sreenivas was the voice of Rjakumar in his earlier days, he himself underwent training in classical singing & went on to sing his own songs. His singing career begin with a popular number “Yaare Koogadali” in the movie “Sampathige savaal”. He sang for many private albums which were mainly devotional in nature. However his dream of singing a song for the latest movie “Gandugali Kumara Rama” in which his son Shivarajkumar is playing the lead role left unfulfilled.
Rajkumar received numerous awards and a honorary doctrate from Mysore University. He got 9 state awards for the best actor category and 10 film fare awards. He also won a National award in the best singer category for the song ‘Naadamaya…’ from the movie”Jeevana Chaitra”. He received the Padma Bhushana award from the Government of India and the DadaSaheb Phalke award in 1995, in recognition of his contributions to the Kannada film industry. His fans gave him titles like Vara Nata, Nata SaarvaBhouma, Gaana Kogile, Gaana gandarva, Rasikara raja , Nata Ratnakara and many more.
Dr. Rajkumar achieved the frontline position in the Kannada film industry because of his glorious off and on screen presence in the five decades of his career. Dr. Rajkumar never entered politics or neither canvassed for a political party and set true example for other actors & actresses who enters politics by making use of their celeb status. Dr. Raj never expected people to honour him and anything from the industry in turn. He worshipped his profession & dedicated his life for the same. He always raised his voice when there was a trouble to kannada language and culture. “Gokaak Chaluvali” is one such example.
Dr. Rajkumar was a kind hearted & peace loving person. His contribution towards the people of Karnataka is incredible. Even in his death, he has donated his eyes which shows the human values which he has always imbibed & he would serve as a role model for generations to come. Dr. Raj will remain with us in our hearts & continue to inspire millions across the world through his movies. Forever Dr. Raj will be the uncrowned king Kannada filmdom and ambassador for Kannada culture in and outside of Karnataka.
Finally, i pray the god for his rebirth in Karntakaka through my following small poem,
Huttidde ne karunaadinalli Kannadada Mutthagi
Jeeviside ne karunaadinalli Kannadigara Rajanaagi
Asunigide ne karunaadinalli nyja Kannadiganaagi
Asunigidaru hasiraagiruvudu ninna nenapu Kannadaigara mana mane gallalli…
Ee putta kavanada mulaka sallisutiruvenu nimage nanna koti namana
Matte bedutiruvenu aa devaralli “Dr. Raj matte Hutti Barali karunaadinalli…“
Jeeviside ne karunaadinalli Kannadigara Rajanaagi
Asunigide ne karunaadinalli nyja Kannadiganaagi
Asunigidaru hasiraagiruvudu ninna nenapu Kannadaigara mana mane gallalli…
Ee putta kavanada mulaka sallisutiruvenu nimage nanna koti namana
Matte bedutiruvenu aa devaralli “Dr. Raj matte Hutti Barali karunaadinalli…“
20 comments ↓
Prasanna,
A good compiled post on aNNavaaru.
I too join in wishing that Raj matte hutti barali.
olle kavan prasanna…ananvru mathe hut barli…annavrvru namge beku…sorry emotion tadyak agtilla …olle kelsa keep it up…!
ninge hutti barali….
Hi,
Varanata Dr.Rajkumar matte hutti barali antha devaralli nanna kaLakaLiya bedike.
You r doing a very good work….keep it up..
hi prasanna,
ur article about our beloved Dr. Rajkumar is really appreciable.
naanu Dr. Raj matte namma karnatakadalli hutti barali endu ninnodane koruve.
prashantha sd
Hi prasanna ,, its realy a good comment and good collection of datas.
Rgds
Prashanth
Hi Prasanna,
Its really Sad that we lost an Icon Like Dr. Raj .. Noone can replace his charisma on and off-screen.. You have done a wonderful work by compiling his work.
Rgds,
Abhishek. N
Hi Prasanna,
This article’s a good one man….a perfect farewell to the man who wholeheartedly n enhusiatically entertained us for over 5 decades…adieu Dr.Raj….
Hi Prasanna,
This is Keshav..(obba kannadiga mattu Rajannana dodda fan)
Really wonderful article about Dr, Raj…
I really appriciate your effort…
nijvaaglu, annaavra bagge, thumbaa chennagi barediddira prasanna.
thumbaa dhanyavaadagalu..
ashu.
hi prasanna
well done by writing about Dr.RajKumar. Good work.
-Pradeep.
Hi Its Manju..
Good work
Me too wish that annavru matthe hutti barali..
NO actor may be like him
He is the only only Annavru and Nobody can beat him and I am not getting anywords because whatever we say that is not at all enough..
We all miss The unique one and only Gem of Kannada
Yup Annavranna kalkondu bahala dukka hagide…:-(((
Innu nannakaialli namballike agthailla…..
Dayavittu yaaradaru heli Rajanna nammannu bittu hogilla antha….plzz….
definitely millions pray for a person like rajkumar to be born again in kannadanaadu.
god’s gift to karnataka–rajkumar
sad part is god has snatched away the gift from us
praveen
Thumba chennagidhe, annavara bagge estu odidaru teeradu
ha ha bahLa chennagide bahaLa chennagide thumba sogasaa..gi bareetheera. hna
Hey Dude
Really nice article
Rasikara Raja Kannada Rathna Padma Bhushana and All kannadigas Annavru will be in our heart and soul forever.May his soul rest in piece.
Regards
Niri
nimma lEkahana bhaLa sogasaagi moodi bandide…
Really good article and VERY informative…Dr. Rajkumar was one of the GREATEST actors of any time and its a GREAT loss to whole of India…
Thanks for the info on annavaru it vas really great hats off to u
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