Bengaluru, 29 November (H.S.) : Dr Rajkumar the legendary Kannada film actor, singer is one of the most celebrated Kannadiga in the history of Karnataka not only for his theatrics but also for the outstanding contribution to Kannada Language.
He was a proud Kannada film Actor who dedicated his entire life to act exclusively for Kannada movies. As a prelude to his dedication to the cause of Kannada for the rest of his life , a very interesting incident happened during the screening of his second movie Sodari (1955) at Shivaji Theatre, Bangalore.
The thespian was watching the movie alongside cine lovers. During the interval the audience came to know that Rajkumar was present amongst them. A large section of them suggested and insisted that Rajkumar should not only act in Kannada movies but also champion the cause of restoring Kannada pride. It was a moment of great significance because the thespian resolved on the spot that he would dedicate his entire life for the cause of Kannada.
Being a product of Theatre in his formative years Dr Rajkumar was fully aware and was exposed to the rich heritage of Karnataka and Kannada. His mentors had trained him so well that Dr Rajkumar's skills of in pronounciation, diction , while speaking Kannada was flawless. As a matter of fact the richness of Kannada language came alive in every scene/dialogue delivery.
It was obvious that his movies had an element of Kannada pride as a matter of promoting cultural ethos.
Novels of many distinguished poets , poems of contemporary poets were used as lyrics in his movies. It was obvious that he had made good connections with literary giants like K. V. Puttappa, Nisar Ahmed, AN Krisharao, TR Subbarao and the likes.
By the mid 1970s he was a super star of Kannada film Industry. His presence commanded respect. He had acted in more than 150 movies and was a true champion of a Kannadiga.
It is during the 1982 his moment of glory came for the cause of Kannada.
The implementation of Gokak report recommendations to make Kannada language as compulsory was gathering dust in the powers of corridor.
Political parties, Kannada wellfare Associations, and famous personalities took part in the agitation. Literary giant VK Gokak invited and convinced Dr Rajkumar to be a part of the activism, explained pros and cons of the report in detail to the thespian.
The agitation took a massive turn the moment Dr Rajkumar plunged in to the cause. With the entourage, h e travelled across the State and galvanised Kannadigas.
Lakhs of Kannada lovers gathered in each of the meetings he addressed. In a span of couple of weeks the agitation took not only the state administration by storm but also the Indian Subcontinent.
The activism had reached a crescendo. The State Government had no other option but to heed to the demand of the activists.
Gokak Committee Report thus was implemented and Kannada was made as compulsory language in schools.
For the Kannadiga this moment was a glory as it installed the pride, restored the pride and confidence.
Above all, Dr Rajkumar' s involvement in the implementation of Gokak report made a statement that in the State of Karnataka
Kannada language and interest of Kannadiga is paramount and it's not negotiable.
Post Gokak Agitation success, the legend became a house hold name. As a matter of fact Kannada, Kannada language found a graceful, respected, dignified mascot in Dr Rajkumar .
Thus Dr Rajkumar remains to be the tallest leader who was a harbinger of the Kannada Language Identity for the rest of the World.
Hindusthan Samachar / Manjunath Chavan
