To mark the birth anniversary of Dr. Rajkumar, search engine giant Google has dedicated a doodle depicting the Kannada matinee idol's painted picture on a theater screen with audience watching below, on its page on Monday.
Dr. Rajkumar, popularly known as Annavru (big brother) in Karnataka, is a highly regarded actor in Sandalwood (Kannada film industry). Some of his best movies include Kasturi Nivasa, Satya Harishchandra, Bangaarada Manushya, Gandhada Gudi, Mayura, Shankar Guru, Keralida Simha, Shravana Banthu, Adhe Kannu, Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma and Aakasmika. He is the only lead Indian actor to have won National Film award for best playback singer (Naadamaya for Jeevana Chakra). He has also received several more honours in his film career spanning more than 50 years.
Here're 10 things to know about Kannada's most versatile actor: Dr. Rajkumar
- Dr. Rajkumar was born on April 24 1929, Gajanur, a pre-dominantly Kannada speaking village in Erode, Tamil Nadu.
- Dr. Rajkumar original name is Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju. He was bestowed with the stage name as Rajkumar by H. L. N. Simha, who also offered him the first lead actor position for the film Bedara Kannapa, and the rest, as they say, is history.
- Besides Annavru, Dr. Rajkumar's holds several other titles, which includes Nata Saarvabhouma (Emperor of Actors), Bangarada Manushya (Man of Gold), Vara Nata (Gifted Actor) and Rajanna (Brother Raj).
- Dr. Rajkumar has acted in 206 movies, excluding special appearances and that too he acted only in Kannada language.
- Besides his acclaimed film career, Dr. Rajkumar is also know for spearheading Karnataka's biggest mass movement Gokak Chaluvalli, which forced government to bring in big reforms including making Kannada a compulsory language of education in Karnataka.
- For this outstanding contribution towards the movie and arts, he was honoured with India's highest award in cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1995. He is also India's first cinema artist to be awarded with honorary Doctorate (by Mysore University).
- Dr. Rajkumar has been bestowed with several stagename by fans, and he returned the favour by honouring them as "Abhimaani Devarugalu"(Fan Gods) and also termed movie producers as "Anna Daataru" (food providers) showing his humbleness.
- During his cinema career, Dr. Rajkumar has received eleven Karnataka State Film Awards, ten South Filmfare Awards, two National Film Awards and a National Film Award for Best Playback Singer for song "Naadamaya". He also received the NTR National Award in 2002.
- Dr. Rajkumar was once kidnapped by the infamous elephant tusk and sandalwood smuggler Veerappan. He was held in captive for more than 100 days and led to state-wide protest over the government's ineffective measures to bring back the matinee idol. Although Dr. Rajkumar eventually was released, how the government secured his release still remains a mystery.
- Dr. Rajkumar passed away on April 12, 2006 due to cardiac arrest. His family later donated the actor's eyes.
