Bengaluru, 02 December (H.S.): Dr Rajkumar is a timeless brand in the annals of Indian Film industry. Hailing from a small village, Gajanuru, his phenomenal growth is the stuff of a legend.
His career was mentored by many illustrious people. But his younger brother SP Varadaraj commands a very special space in that list for the outstanding commitment all his life.
SP Muthuraju, aka Dr Rajkumar and SP Varadaraj used to act in theatre during their formative years. While Dr Rajkumar took up acting as a full-time career, SP Varadaraj resolved to be the shadow of the thespian. He dedicated his entire life not only as an administrator of Dr Rajkumar's professional life but also as a confident aide in the personal life of the legend.
While Dr Rajkumar was busy in his professional life, it was SP Varadaraj who supported, supplemented the creative pursuits of the legendary actor singer. Being a top-class Carnatic classical music vocalist Dr Rajkumar's credentials needed no validation. But his interest in Hindustani music was satiated by SP Varadaraj.
A well-read man that SP Varadaraj was, he would ensure that Dr Rajkumar had access to the best of contemporary Hindusthani Vocal and Instrumental Music. It was an era of gramophones that Dr Rajkumar enriched his knowledge about Hindusthanii Music.
SP Varadaraj had a great sense of music not only a well-read film fraternity member. As a matter of fact, he would buy the latest edition of Britanica books to update his knowledge on a global scale. Be it Western classical music, European Fine Art Maestros, Renaissance period painters, SP Varadaraj had absolute knowledge about fine things in life.
He would share his knowledge about all of the above with Dr Rajkumar. Hence, Dr Rajkumar was abreast with fine things in life .
It is worth noting that SP Varadaraj was the quality control regulator in Dr Rajkumar's professional life at M/s Vajreshwari Combines. In matters related to Story, Script, Dialogues and Music SP Varadaraj had a definite say.
As a matter of fact, SP Varadaraj was the last stop with regards to Dr Rajkumar's characters in the movies he acted in. It was only after SP Varadaraj cleared the proposal things moved ahead in Dr Rajkumar's movies.
SP Varadaraj invested his energy in choosing the right music director. He would suggest the Ragas for the composition. While Dr Rajkumar was at ease in Carnatic classical music, SP Varadaraj would supplement the aesthetics of the arts with his Hindustani classical music knowledge.
A few of the suggestions like adopting ghazal inspired songs like Gelati Baaradu Inta Samaya in Raag Pahadi in the movie Yeradu Nakshatragalu, Sada Kannali in Raag Miya Ka Malhar for Kavita ratna Kaalidasa , Idu Rama Mandira in Raag Yaman for the movie Ravichandra, Kannerra Dhare ideke ideke in Raag Lalith in the movie Hosa Belaku are examples of how SP Varadaraj collaborated his knowledge in Dr Rajkumar's singing career.
Appanna nee SP Varadaraj's contribution in shaping the career Dr Rajkumar's life remains unparalleled. He was the curator of a great brand, Dr Rajkumar, ana we at M/s Vajreshwari Combines were fortunate to have him in our team, Mrs Parvathamma Rajkumar had confessed to this writer during an interaction.
Going by the brand value, brand recall value and the respect Dr Rajkumar's brand commands for over generations, the self less service of SP Varadaraj draws immediate attention of a connoisseur.
Hindusthan Samachar / Manjunath Chavan
