Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju
Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju (24 April 1929 – 12 April 2006),known mononymously by his screen name Rajkumar was an actor and singer in the Kannada film industry. Dr.Raj is considered a cultural icon of Kannada, where he is also known as Rajanna, Natasarvabhouma (emperor of acting), Gaana Gandharva (singer in the court of Gods), and as Annavru (beloved elder brother).
A method actor, Rajkumar entered the film industry at the age of eight and got his first break as a lead in the 1954 film Bedara Kannappa and went on to work in over 220 films. At the age of 71, he was kidnapped in Gajanur (the place where he was brought up) by forest brigand Veerappan during a 108-day ordeal when he was released. He died of cardiac arrest at his residence in Bangalore on 12 April 2006
In his film career, Rajkumar received nine Karnataka State Film Awards, ten South Filmfare Awards, two National Film Awards and a National Film Award for Best Playback Singer. He received in 2002 the NTR National Award. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Mysore, and is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Dr.Raj Kumar was born on April 24, 1929 at Gajanur (Talavadi block), Madras Presidency situated in the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border. His mother tongue was Kannada. His father, Singanalluru Puttaswamayya, was an impoverished theatre-artist who played roles like Kamsa, Ravana and Hiranyakashipu. His mother's name was Lakshmamma. Whereas, the thespian Rajkumar's father was from Singânallur, near Coimbatore Town on the Coimbatore-Sulur Road. Rajkumar dropped out of school at the age of 8 after having been discovered by a movie producer, and played minor characters until he was 25 when he played his first lead role.Originally, he was named Mutturaju after the Lord Muthathi Raya, which is a temple deity located in Muttatti of Malavalli Taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka.
Before acting in Bedara Kannappa, Rajkumar acted in a movie, Srinivasa Kalyana, in which he was one of Saptharshis. This was too small a role; he remembered only that the scene in which he acted was over before he recognized himself in the scene.
Film career
Rajkumar started his career as a theater artist with his father in a troupe led by Gubbi Veeranna. Here Rajkumar honed his acting and singing skills with Bedara Kannappa, a 1954 Kannada movie, which marked his entry into the film world. This movie was directed by H L N Simha, who christened him "Rajkumar." Rajkumar would use the same name for the rest of his life. He later forayed into film production with Ranadheera Kanteerava, which he produced.
Rajkumar acted only in Kannada movies throughout his life. Only one movie Kalahasti Mahatyam was released in Telugu which was the remake of his Kannada film Bedara Kannappa. In his lifetime, Rajkumar acted in 206 Kannada movies, excluding guest appearances. He owned a film production company called Vajreshwari Production, which produces films under the banner of Dakshayani Combines. Bhagyada Bagilu was his 100th movie, Devatha Manushya was his 200th movie, and Shabdavedhi was his 206th and last film.
His character depictions ranged from lovers to double and triple roles, from action and mythological characters to portrayals of contemporary social causes in a career spanning over five decades. Rajkumar along with his contemporaries Udaya Kumar and Kalyan Kumar were "Kumara Thrayaru" of the Kannada cinema. He has acted in 36 films with Udaya Kumar and 5 films with Kalyan Kumar over the course of his career. The films presented a populist version of Karnataka's history, focusing primarily on the southern kingdoms from the Pallava period to the Vijayanagara empire and later to the intrigue and mystery of the Mysore royalty.
He produced and starred in Kaviratna Kalidasa and Shankar Guru. He produced movies based on Kannada novels and made many movies against perceived social evils, such as Shabdavedi, which addressed drug abuse. He acted with many heroines in southern Indian cinema, such as Kannada's Jayanti (in over 32 films), Pandaribai (18 films), Leelavathi (38 films), Bharati (25 films), Kalpana (19 films), Aarathi (13 films), B. Saroja Devi (10 films), Harini (8 films), Madhavi (6 films), Manjula (7 films), Jayamala (6 films), Lakshmi (5 films), Geetha (5 films), Saritha (5 films), Jayaprada (4 films) and others from neighbouring states. The Hindi actress Rekha made her debut as heroine in the film Goadalli CID 999 with Rajkumar. He acted under many directors of south Indian cinema, from B.R. Pantulu and Puttanna Kanagal to Shankar Nag and Nagabharana. He was known for only acting in Kannada movies, even though he got many offers from different movie industries in India.
Rajkumar was the first actor in Kannada cinema to enact a role which resembled James Bond; his first such movie was Jedara Bale in 1968. Later he acted in other Bond movies such as Operation Jackpotnalli CID 999, Goadalli CID 999, and Operation Diamond Rocket where he played roles chronicling the adventures of Prakash aka Agent CID 999, a James Bondesque superspy. Much of these films were from the director duo of Dorai-Bhagwan who began making spy flicks relatively late in their careers, including Operation Diamond Rocket.
Awards and honors
Rajkumar was awarded numerous State and National awards. He was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan award, a doctorate from Mysore University, and the Karnataka Ratna, the highest civilian honour of the State of Karnataka, recognizing him as a "Jewel of Kannada films." In 1995 he received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his outstanding contributions to the Kannada film industry. In 2011, during the 83rd birth anniversary of Rajkumar, the Chief Minister of Karnataka announced that the state government is recommending Rajkumar for a Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the country for his outstanding contribution to the film industry.
National Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South
Rajkumar is a ten-time winner of South Filmfare Awards in the Best Actor category (Kannada filmfare actor award was started only in the year 1972 by that time Rajkumar had acted 150 films as lead role, notable performances were Bedara kannappa(1954), Rayara sose(1957), Bhookailasa(1958), Mahishasuramardini(1959), Bhakta Kanakadasa(1960), Bhoodaana(1962), Nanda Deepa, Veerakesari, & Sathi Shakthi(1963), Chandavalliya Tota & Naandi(1964), Satya Harishchandra(1965), Mantralaya Mahatme, Toogudeepa, Mohini Bhasmaasura & Sandhyaraaga(1966), Bangarada Hoovu & Immadi Pulakeshi(1967), Jedara Bale, Bhaagyada Baagilu & Mannina Maga(1968), Uyyale & Mayor Muthanna(1969), Sri Krishnadevaraya, Karulina Kare, Bhale Jodi(1970), Kasturi Nivasa, Kulagaurava & Sakshatkara(1971), (a record which was later levelled by Kamal Haasan and Mammootty). Some of the films for which he received Best Actor awards include:
Other awards and honors
A method actor, Rajkumar entered the film industry at the age of eight and got his first break as a lead in the 1954 film Bedara Kannappa and went on to work in over 220 films. At the age of 71, he was kidnapped in Gajanur (the place where he was brought up) by forest brigand Veerappan during a 108-day ordeal when he was released. He died of cardiac arrest at his residence in Bangalore on 12 April 2006
In his film career, Rajkumar received nine Karnataka State Film Awards, ten South Filmfare Awards, two National Film Awards and a National Film Award for Best Playback Singer. He received in 2002 the NTR National Award. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Mysore, and is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Dr.Raj Kumar was born on April 24, 1929 at Gajanur (Talavadi block), Madras Presidency situated in the Karnataka-Tamil Nadu border. His mother tongue was Kannada. His father, Singanalluru Puttaswamayya, was an impoverished theatre-artist who played roles like Kamsa, Ravana and Hiranyakashipu. His mother's name was Lakshmamma. Whereas, the thespian Rajkumar's father was from Singânallur, near Coimbatore Town on the Coimbatore-Sulur Road. Rajkumar dropped out of school at the age of 8 after having been discovered by a movie producer, and played minor characters until he was 25 when he played his first lead role.Originally, he was named Mutturaju after the Lord Muthathi Raya, which is a temple deity located in Muttatti of Malavalli Taluk, Mandya district, Karnataka.
Before acting in Bedara Kannappa, Rajkumar acted in a movie, Srinivasa Kalyana, in which he was one of Saptharshis. This was too small a role; he remembered only that the scene in which he acted was over before he recognized himself in the scene.
Film career
Rajkumar started his career as a theater artist with his father in a troupe led by Gubbi Veeranna. Here Rajkumar honed his acting and singing skills with Bedara Kannappa, a 1954 Kannada movie, which marked his entry into the film world. This movie was directed by H L N Simha, who christened him "Rajkumar." Rajkumar would use the same name for the rest of his life. He later forayed into film production with Ranadheera Kanteerava, which he produced.
Rajkumar acted only in Kannada movies throughout his life. Only one movie Kalahasti Mahatyam was released in Telugu which was the remake of his Kannada film Bedara Kannappa. In his lifetime, Rajkumar acted in 206 Kannada movies, excluding guest appearances. He owned a film production company called Vajreshwari Production, which produces films under the banner of Dakshayani Combines. Bhagyada Bagilu was his 100th movie, Devatha Manushya was his 200th movie, and Shabdavedhi was his 206th and last film.
His character depictions ranged from lovers to double and triple roles, from action and mythological characters to portrayals of contemporary social causes in a career spanning over five decades. Rajkumar along with his contemporaries Udaya Kumar and Kalyan Kumar were "Kumara Thrayaru" of the Kannada cinema. He has acted in 36 films with Udaya Kumar and 5 films with Kalyan Kumar over the course of his career. The films presented a populist version of Karnataka's history, focusing primarily on the southern kingdoms from the Pallava period to the Vijayanagara empire and later to the intrigue and mystery of the Mysore royalty.
He produced and starred in Kaviratna Kalidasa and Shankar Guru. He produced movies based on Kannada novels and made many movies against perceived social evils, such as Shabdavedi, which addressed drug abuse. He acted with many heroines in southern Indian cinema, such as Kannada's Jayanti (in over 32 films), Pandaribai (18 films), Leelavathi (38 films), Bharati (25 films), Kalpana (19 films), Aarathi (13 films), B. Saroja Devi (10 films), Harini (8 films), Madhavi (6 films), Manjula (7 films), Jayamala (6 films), Lakshmi (5 films), Geetha (5 films), Saritha (5 films), Jayaprada (4 films) and others from neighbouring states. The Hindi actress Rekha made her debut as heroine in the film Goadalli CID 999 with Rajkumar. He acted under many directors of south Indian cinema, from B.R. Pantulu and Puttanna Kanagal to Shankar Nag and Nagabharana. He was known for only acting in Kannada movies, even though he got many offers from different movie industries in India.
Rajkumar was the first actor in Kannada cinema to enact a role which resembled James Bond; his first such movie was Jedara Bale in 1968. Later he acted in other Bond movies such as Operation Jackpotnalli CID 999, Goadalli CID 999, and Operation Diamond Rocket where he played roles chronicling the adventures of Prakash aka Agent CID 999, a James Bondesque superspy. Much of these films were from the director duo of Dorai-Bhagwan who began making spy flicks relatively late in their careers, including Operation Diamond Rocket.
Awards and honors
Rajkumar was awarded numerous State and National awards. He was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan award, a doctorate from Mysore University, and the Karnataka Ratna, the highest civilian honour of the State of Karnataka, recognizing him as a "Jewel of Kannada films." In 1995 he received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his outstanding contributions to the Kannada film industry. In 2011, during the 83rd birth anniversary of Rajkumar, the Chief Minister of Karnataka announced that the state government is recommending Rajkumar for a Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of the country for his outstanding contribution to the film industry.
National Film Awards
- 1992 - Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Naadamaya Ee Lokavella" from the movie Jeevana Chaitra
- 1995 - Dadasaheb Phalke Award
- NTR National Award for the year 2002.
Filmfare Awards South
Rajkumar is a ten-time winner of South Filmfare Awards in the Best Actor category (Kannada filmfare actor award was started only in the year 1972 by that time Rajkumar had acted 150 films as lead role, notable performances were Bedara kannappa(1954), Rayara sose(1957), Bhookailasa(1958), Mahishasuramardini(1959), Bhakta Kanakadasa(1960), Bhoodaana(1962), Nanda Deepa, Veerakesari, & Sathi Shakthi(1963), Chandavalliya Tota & Naandi(1964), Satya Harishchandra(1965), Mantralaya Mahatme, Toogudeepa, Mohini Bhasmaasura & Sandhyaraaga(1966), Bangarada Hoovu & Immadi Pulakeshi(1967), Jedara Bale, Bhaagyada Baagilu & Mannina Maga(1968), Uyyale & Mayor Muthanna(1969), Sri Krishnadevaraya, Karulina Kare, Bhale Jodi(1970), Kasturi Nivasa, Kulagaurava & Sakshatkara(1971), (a record which was later levelled by Kamal Haasan and Mammootty). Some of the films for which he received Best Actor awards include:
- Gandhada Gudi in 1973
- Mayura in 1975
- Shankar Guru in 1978
- Keralida Simha in 1981
- Aakasmika in 1993
- Haalu Jenu- 1982
- Lifetime achievement award - 1994
Other awards and honors
- Honorary Doctorate from the Mysore University in 1976
- The Nadoja Award (an honorary doctorate) from Hampi University in 1999
- Nine Karnataka State Film Awards in the Best Actor category
- Two Karnataka State Film Awards in the Best Playback Singer category
- Padma Bhushan award in 1983.
- ETV Kannadiga of the Year Award in 2003.
- Karnataka Ratna in 1992 and "Nata Saarvabhowma" (The Emperor of Acting) in 1967 by the Government of Karnataka.
- Kentucky colonel honorary title by the governor of Kentucky, U.S in 1985.
- A 6-kilometre (3.7 mi) road has been named "Dr. Rajkumar Road" after Rajkumar. The road stretches from Government Soap Factory in Yeshwanthpur to Prasanna Theater, Magadi Road in Bangalore.
- A lifetime achievement award has been named after Dr.RAJKUMAR calling it "DR.RAJKUMAR LIFETIMETIME ACHEIVEMENT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ACTING"
A bust of Rajkumar in Jayanagar, Bangalore
Rajkumar died at his home in Sadashivanagar, Bangalore on April 12, 2006 following a cardiac arrest. As per his wishes, his eyes were donated to 2 people the next day.
His death precipitated a statewide reaction. Following the news of his death, there was major unrest in the city of Bangalore. The then Chief Minister, H. D. Kumaraswamy, later claimed that the violence was instigated by vested political interests. However the opposition blamed it on lack of timely arrangements by responsible organizations. An unofficial bandh (closure of all shops and other establishments) was announced. More than 1000 vehicles were burnt and eight people were killed in police firing. Several people attempted suicide after hearing of Rajkumar's death; most of them were rescued. Around two million people followed his remains. Some of the unrest was caught on film during the "Outsourcing" episode of the Morgan Spurlock show 30 Days.
The Karnataka government announced its intention to make a 10 crore memorial in memory of Rajkumar at Kanteerava Studios. After Rajkumar's demise, as a tribute and remembrance his fans have unveiled more than 50 statues of Rajkumar, spread across Bangalore city.
His death precipitated a statewide reaction. Following the news of his death, there was major unrest in the city of Bangalore. The then Chief Minister, H. D. Kumaraswamy, later claimed that the violence was instigated by vested political interests. However the opposition blamed it on lack of timely arrangements by responsible organizations. An unofficial bandh (closure of all shops and other establishments) was announced. More than 1000 vehicles were burnt and eight people were killed in police firing. Several people attempted suicide after hearing of Rajkumar's death; most of them were rescued. Around two million people followed his remains. Some of the unrest was caught on film during the "Outsourcing" episode of the Morgan Spurlock show 30 Days.
The Karnataka government announced its intention to make a 10 crore memorial in memory of Rajkumar at Kanteerava Studios. After Rajkumar's demise, as a tribute and remembrance his fans have unveiled more than 50 statues of Rajkumar, spread across Bangalore city.