Bengaluru, 03 December (H.S.) : Dr Rajkumar the legendary actor singer of Kannada film industry was an epitome of simplicity. From Bedara Kannappa in the year 1954 to Shabdavedi (2000AD) he acted in more than 200 movies in the lead.
In his illustrious career he acted in all kinds of roles, devotional, mythological, social, folklore and bond genres.
He is the only film fraternity member to have won the National Award for Acting and Singing in the annals of Indian film industry.
He was the first South Indian Actor who was bestowed upon with the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award for his outstanding contribution to Kannada film industry.
Usually success, fame , money, adulation manifests as ego in an ordinary person.
But in the case of Dr Rajkumar it was different.
During an interaction after receiving the Dada Saheb Phalke award the legend was in a good mood to share his life journey with this writer..
....It is with humility that I have accepted this award. And I dedicate this to the Kannada film lovers and Karnataka. I hail from a small village deep rooted in the rich culture of mother India. I was exposed to great epics Mahabharath, Ramayana, Carnatic music at a very young age in my Life. During my childhood my father was instrumental in teaching me to live a disciplined life. Work hard , dedicate your life to the goals that you set in your life , he would say often...
...As I made progress in my career I was very sure that glamour world is an illusion and the tables could turn any time.
Hence I made every effort to keep myself grounded. I was fortunate that my Yoga Guru Honnappa Fakeerappa Naikar from Siddharoodha Ashram Hubli, Karnataka connected with me in my mid forties...
...Practicing Hatha Yoga helped me to balance the pressure of the professional life and personal life. Hatha yoga also brought in me the power of detachment. Hence I don't attach too much meaning to the materialistic world. Yogic practices help in keeping our mind calm...
...The best thing is, I started accepting people, situation and life as it is now and here.
Hence I lead a normal ordinary, simple life in my private life. I know for sure in life nothing is permanent, the thespian had confessed.
But the twist for the interaction came to light as the thespian walked with me and opened the car door to bid farewell for the meeting.
Fifty years old in the cinema industry, a super star, demi God to millions of fans, acts like these made him out of ordinary.
The simple, humble Muthuraju would surface every time you met him. As the name suggests , Muthuraju was gem of a man.
Above all, he was the ultimate brand ambassador for simple living and high thinking.
No wonder, he remains to be the darling of film lovers in this millennial world.
Hindusthan Samachar / Manjunath Chavan
