About Dr. Rajkumar

   

Dr.RAJ MEMORIAL - A Tribute to the Legend

Dr. Rajkumar (Kannada: ಡಾ. ರಾಜಕುಮಾರ್), born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju on April 24, 1929, died on April 12, 2006, was the most popular actor and singer in Kannada film industry. He mainly worked in Karnataka and has won awards for his work.
"Dr. Raj" (popular name) with earned title "Natasarvabhouma" (meaning emperor of acting) retained popularity in both Karnataka and other Indian states. His primary view about his fans was "I don't know whether I will ever see God. But for me all those who are assembled here are my Gods." Fans call him "Annavru" (Kannada: ಅಣ್ಣಾವ್ರು, Big Brother) with affection. He acted in more than 200 Kannada movies in a career spanning over five decades. Most of his movies were epic films in Kannada film industry. He was also a well-known singer, as a playback singer as well as of devotional songs. His voice is referred as kogile kanta (the voice of a nightingale).

Main article: Gokak agitation

The "Gokak report" popularly known as "Gokak varadi" was about making Kannada a compulsory language for primary education. Considering that the language is spoken by a majority of people in Karnataka, the Gokak movement's goal was to give Kannada the same basic right already enjoyed by other official languages in their respective states of India. When the Kannada literary experts and students started this movement there was a positive response from the common man in Karnataka. It gained momentum when Rajkumar was asked to lead the movement. He became actively involved in the movement and soon became the force behind the Gokak movement that was designed to bring Kannada to the forefront. He took a rally from Belgaum to Bangalore and gave speeches about the importance of Kannada. The government responded positively and Kannada was to become a compulsory language of education in Karnataka. Ensuring respect and dignity for Kannada language and Kannada culture were the corner stones of his life. However, this movement seeded unwarranted linguistic chauvinism in the capital of Karntaka, Bengaluru. Though, the movement originally was attributed to good cause, certain quarters of the followers interpreted it in a totally different version that caused major setback on the day-to-day life of the peace-loving people of cosmopolitan Bengaluru.