The veteran actor of Kannada film industry

St.Josephs college (Autonomous)

Lalbagh road ,Bangalore

q ErAi

Kannada Infomedia is students initiative to teach Kannada to Non-Kannadigas (specially those studying in our college in large numbers )

Please log on to our website for more information

www.kannadainfomedia.com

 Rajkumar

(Kannada: . ), (born Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju, April 24, 1929 - April 12, 2006) was an actor and singer in Kannada film industry. He acted in more than 200 Kannada movies. He mainly worked in Karnataka and has won awards for his work He was called "Dr. Raj" and "Natasarvabhouma" (meaning emperor of acting) and was popular in both Karnataka and other Indian states.

 Rajkumar

was born on April 24, 1929 in a Kannada speaking family at Gajanur, in the erstwhile Kingdom of Mysore. His mother tongue is Kannada. His father, Singanalluru Puttaswamayya, who was a theatre artist and his mother, Lakshmamma, named their eldest son Mutturaju after Lord Muthathi Raya.

 He

was married to Parvathamma, who later became a film producer. They have three sons, Shivaraj Kumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar and Puneet Rajkumar, and two daughters, Lakshmi and Poornima.

Dr.Rajkumar and his wife Parvathamma

 Rajkumar

started his career as a theater artist with his father in a troupe led by the legendary Gubbi Veeranna. It was here that Rajkumar honed his acting and singing skills. Bedara Kannappa, a 1954 Kannada language movie, marked his entry into the film world. This movie was directed by H L N Simha who also christened him Rajkumar. Rajkumar would use the same name for the rest of his life.

 With

the exception of one Telugu movie called "Kalahasti Mahathyam" he acted only in Kannada movies. In his lifetime, Rajkumar acted in 206 Kannada movies, excluding guest appearances. He owned a film production company called Vajreshwari Production. Rajkumar the actor was one who never turned to other languages, in spite of having a huge demand and chances to be in.

 He

produced movies based on famous Kannada novels. He also made many movies against social evils. One such movie is Shabdavedi which is against the evil of drugs, which was his final movie. in Shabdavedi

 As

many as 17 singers gave voice to Rajkumar before he started singing his own songs including Srinivas, Yesudas and Ghantasala Venkateshwara Rao. Rajkumar had trained in classical music while in Gubbi Veranna's drama troupe. Rajkumar however, did not become a full fledged singer until his song Yare Koogadali from the movie Sampathige Sawal.

In his song Yare Koogadali from the movie Sampathige Sawal.

 After

Yare Koogadali he sang for most of his movies. He received a national award for singing for the song "Naadamaya" in the film "Jeevana Chaitra". He sang for many private albums which were mainly devotional albums. Rajkumar lent his voice to a few other actors and sang many background solos. Rajkumar was also a good harmonium

 Rajkumar

had a success rate of about 95%. Which means that about 95%of the movies that he acted in were hits. Considering that he acted in more than 200 movies, it means that about 190 of the movies he was in were hits. Some of his biggest hits were :Adhe Kannu, Na Ninna Mareyalare, Hosa Belakhu, Gandhada Gudi, Jeevana Chaitra, Akasmika, Premada Kanike, Yeradu Kanasu.

He participated in several protest marches such as "Gokak Chaluvali" for the welfare of Kannada and Karnataka. Whenever there is a threat to the sovereignty of the culture and people of Kannada, he always took the leadership. That's why still people of Kannada resembles him as their own brother and always keeps him in their heart.

 Rajkumar

was asked to lead a movement about making Kannada a compulsory language for primary education based on the "Gokak report" popularly known as "Gokak varadhi". He became actively involved in the movement and soon became the force behind the Gokak movement. He took a rally from Belgaum to Bangalore and gave speeches about the importance of Kannada. The government responded and Kannada became a compulsory language of education in Karnataka.

 On

July 30, 2000, at the age of 72, Rajkumar, his son-in-law Govindaraju and two others were kidnapped by Veerappans band from the actor's house at Gajanur in Tamil Nadu. Rajkumar was released unharmed on November 15, 2000, after 109 days of captivity.

 Rajkumar

died at his home in Sadashivanagar, Bangalore, on April 12, 2006 following a cardiac arrest.

Rajkumar received numerous state, national and international awards. Honorary doctorate from Mysore University in 1976. 10 Filmfare awards in the best actor category Nine state awards in the best actor category. National Award in Best Male Playback Singer category in the year 1993 for the song "Naadamaya ee Lokavella" from the movie "Jeevana Chaitra". Padma Bhushan award in 1983 Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1995 Karnataka Ratna in the year 1993 "Nata Saarvabhowma" (The Emperor of Acting) in 1967

 The

commemorative stamp was released on November 1st 2009 in honour of the great Kannada actor Dr.Rajkumar .

 Dr.

Rajkumar - The First Actor in the Indian Film Industry to get Doctorate for acting (Mysore University) Dr. Rajkumar - Only Indian Actor to get Kentuky Colonel, a prestigious award given by the Kentuky state, USA (previously received by British Prime Minister & Russian Prime Minister)

 Dr.

Rajkumar - Only Actor in the Indian Film Industry, in whose name the State Government is giving an Award Dr. Rajkumar - Only Kannada Actor to recieve Padmabhushan award for achievement in the Film Industry

Dr.Rajkuma r

www.kannadainfomedia .com Salutes our ANNA .Dr.Rajkumar

DEAR VISITOR , MORE POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS COMING SOON !!!! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO POST PPTS YOU HAVE ON KARNATAKA AND KANNADA RELATED TOPICS , PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MAIL IT TO US . (The best will be selected ) OUR email id

: kannadainfomedia@gmail.com