Not just a star, an icon

Rajkumar contributed greatly to the development of a modern Kannada identity

If all of Karnataka was in shock and disbelief over the death of thespian, Dr Rajkumar, it is because he performed a role bigger than that of a conventional film actor. For one, he acted in no language other than Kannada 8212; unlike his counterparts like Kalyan Kumar and Uday Kumar. Secondly, he was in the forefront of any movement to espouse the Kannada cause. The 76-year old star, who died on Wednesday, thus appeared to represent Kannada pride.

As an actor he was outstanding and versatile. His sterling performance on the screen won him critical acclaim and loads of awards, including the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award. But it was his active participation in the Gokak movement of 1982-83 that saw his popularity soar to astronomical heights. It was a crusade to save Kannada, the third oldest Indian language, which had been sidelined in schools and within the administration because of official apathy. By successfully articulating the aspirations of fellow-Kannadigas, he became a force to reckon with. Political regimes 8212; led by R. Gundu Rao and Ramakrishna Hegde 8212; had to sit up and took note. Twenty five years after the launch of the Gokak agitation, Kannada has today come into its own within Karnataka.

Rajkumar acted in 206 movies, having been part of the Kannada industry from its formative years. He was born into a poor family of stage artistes from the Old Mysore region, and took the plunge into theatre as a child artiste. He stayed on for a long spell in the Gubbi Veeranna drama company, entertaining the masses. He film debut was in the mythological, Bedara Kannappa, in 1954. In those days, the entire South Indian film industry had its base in Madras. There were no language-specific playback singers. Rajkumar8217;s prolonged stay in Madras gave him an idea of the difficulties actors face and the nuances of the movie industry.

Even as he progressed as an actor, he emerged as an accomplished playback singer. Over the last three decades, Rajkumar sang not just hundreds of movie songs, but also scores of devotional songs on saints such as Raghavendra, and deities such as Ayyappa and Hanuman. These songs bear his distinctive stamp.

In 2000, at the evening of his life, Rajkumar spent 108 days in poacher Veerappan8217;s custody. The brigand thought he could get his demands conceded to by the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu if he kept the veteran actor in captivity. Rajkumar emerged from the ordeal considerably strengthened in will, but with his health much the worse for that sorry interregnum.

Today, as the whole state mourns his loss, Rajkumar will be remembered as one of Karanataka8217;s special sons, and one who was the embodiment of humility, talent and hard-earned success.