A requiem for Dr. Rajkumar

Naveen Iyengar / INDIATIMES NEWS NETWORK / Apr 13, 2006, 15:48 IST

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Dr.Rajkumar, veteran Kannada actor and playback singer, died on April 12, aged 76.

Dr Rajkumar (1929-2006)
His film Bangaaradha Manushya (The Golden Man) is perhaps the most acclaimed of all, but Dr Rajkumar��s stellar performances in more than 200 Kannada films made him a legend in Karnataka. An actor par excellence and a good singer, Annavaru (big brother) shared a deep and emotional bond with his fans. His death from a cardiac arrest on April 12, 2006 (13.45 IST) has plunged the state in grief and his loss will be felt by the entire film industry in India.��
Dr Raj, who is credited with redefining Kannada cinema, was born on April 24, 1929 in Gajanur, Karnataka.His career started in Gubbi Veeranna��s famous drama troupe, of which most legendary Kannada actors have been a part, and where Dr Raj honed his skills in acting.
A role model to Kannadigas around the world, Dr Rajkumar has played myriad roles, from comedy to action in films which span historical, mythological, and modern-day social themes. His films were as much entertaining, as they carried a social message. He was careful about the roles he chose to play, and worked with the best directors in the industry. Some of his memorable films are Bedara Kannappa (his first film), Gandhhadha Gudi, Kasturi Nivasa, Halu Jenu and Jeevana Chaitra. His last film was Shabdhavedhhi. He had also launched his own production company.

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Dr Rajkumar��s list of awards��10 Filmfare Awards for best actor; 9 state awards as best actor; the Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award��are an indication of only his acting talent. He was well known as a singer too, both as a playback singer and of devotional songs. He also won a national award in the best singing category. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Mysore.
The rest of the country will perhaps remember Dr Raj as the man who spent 109 days in captivity after being kidnapped by the sandalwood smuggler Veerappan in July 2000. But the Indian film industry and millions of his fans will undoubtedly remember Dr Rajkumar as a charismatic actor and a simple man.
Dr Rajkumar is survived by his wife, film producer Parvathamma, his three actor sons, two daughters and his grandchildren.

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