End of an Indian cine legend

Bangalore, Apr 12 (UNI) An illustrious son of Karnataka and a legend of the Indian cine industry, Rajkumar was an icon to lakhs of Kannadigas who had stood steadfastly for the primacy of Kannada and even spearheaded an agitation in 1982.

Born Mutturaju Singanalluru Puttaswamayya, Rajkumar rode like a colossus in the Kannada filmdom through his versatile acting skills.

After donning the grease paint at the tender age of eight, he had acted in over 220 films and was popularly called ''Annavru'' (elder brother) by his millions of fans.

Some of his popular films include 'Bangaaradha Manushya' (The Golden Man), 'Kasturi Nivasa', 'Gandhadha Gudi' (The Temple of Sandalwood) and 'Jeevana Chaitra'. Besides acting, he was equally well-versed in singing and had even bagged a national award in the Best Singer category.

Recipient of several international, national and state awards, he received the Padma Bhushan award from the Union Government and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1995 in recognition of his contributions to the Kannada film industry. He was conferred honorary doctorate by the Mysore University. He had won ten Filmfare awards in the Best Actor category, the second highest in the history of Indian films.

He had won nine State awards in the Best Actor category. His fans have conferred him the title 'Nata Saarvabhowma' (The Emperor of Acting).

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