Anybody who met or interacted with Dr Raj Kumar has a story to tell—an extraordinary story that almost seems to suggest that there was something to the man that went beyond the ordinary, almost bordering the divine.
Indeed, on Jayant Kaikini‘s ETV weekly show Nata Sarvabhaumanige Namaskara (Sundays, 11pm, IST) personality after film personality who saw him upclose, say the kind of things that only leave you wondering.
Anand Balaji met the thespian when the other epitome of Kannada decency, Soundarya, lay dead after a plane crash. And what he recounts only adds to the aura, the mystery of the unbelievable education of an unlettered man schooled in the college of hard knocks.
Dr. Raj Kumar put an arm around my shoulder and asked me, “Son, what’s your name?”
I told him.
“Hmmm… it means happiness, joy. How ironical… there’s none of it in this room, isn’t it?” I didn’t know how to respond to this almost philosophical statement.
He continued, “So many young people are dying every day, it’s not fair. Older folk like me feel guilty for the years spent here. Never mind… you work for a newspaper, don’t you? Do your duty and leave the rest to Him. May God bless you.”
Read the full story here: When Dr Raj wished me luck…
churumuri 
some people are legends, but annavru is a PHENOMENON , HE CAME, HE ACHIEVED,HE DISAPPEARED—– BUT POSITIVE AFTER-EFFECTS WILL BE FELT FOR CENTURIES.
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some people are legends, but annavru is a PHENOMENON , HE CAME, HE ACHIEVED,HE DISAPPEARED—– BUT POSITIVE AFTER-EFFECTS WILL BE FELT FOR CENTURIES.
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I am thrilled to bits that my article on Dr. Rajkumar has made it to churumuri.
Truly, he was a man among men.
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I was fortunate enough to spend close to two hours with the legend soon after he won the Dadasaheb Phalke award. Accompanying me was my friend and classmate Naryana Ammachi. Raj was in a particularly voluble mood that afternoon. The sunlight that came streaming in from the windows enhanced his aura. It looked like he was aware of the interplay of light and his profile. Raj spoke of his films, present day politics and gave a series of quotable quotes. He sang two lovely songs into my dictaphone. I remember that night the entire family including my visiting cousins sat around to listen to what I had taped.
I will never forgive myself for losing that tape.
My friend Naryana, who epitomises the sceptic but cereberal Dakshina Kannada Havyak, and who had accompanied me quite reluctantly, ended up prostrating before the doyen at the end of our meeting. I rag him about it to this day.
That’s the kind of effect he had…
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Bombat aagidhe ..Odhi Pavana vaayithu
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A stunning tribute!
Rajanna awara hesaru Kannadigara manadhalli yaavaagalu hasiragi irutthey!
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Anand, very well written.
DB – you are absolutely right.
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Thank you Arun.
I wholly agree with what many have said here… giants like Dr. Raj do not disappear. They live forever in our hearts and minds, teaching us to plough on through life no matter what we are up against; with faith in ourselves and God over head.
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The following message was posted on my blog by Dr. V. Nagaraj from Mysore and he says:
Dear Sir,
I am one of the rare specimens who never wished to meet ‘annavaru’ in person! Still I have never changed my allegiance to his ideologies and realistic acting – since my childhood – may be I was then six or seven, now I am fifty four.
Can any one else be Kanakadasa, Pundaradasa,Kalidasa,
that dedicated teacher in Naandi,Krishnadevaraya, Bhaktakumbara or Sanadi Appanna? – the list grows.
I never wished to meet that simplicity and artistry personified only because he was, for me, beyond any physical perception. Your experience with him is not an exception – a rule indeed.
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My son and I were travelling from Goa to Chennai via Bangalore.
Though it was time for take-off from bangalore ,it showed no signs of taking off.We started fidgeting.Suddenly there was a hush.
Royalty had arrived –clad in a white ,cotton dhoti-kurta Annavaru accompanied with his wife entered.
I ,the ever-sceptic just stood up!!
He sat at the back of the aircraft.I couldn’t keep turning back to see him-manners stopped me.
On landing I made up my mind to edge closer -such was the aura.
We both boarded the same bus to the terminal.
My son (then just a toddler) kept up the refrain-‘i wish appa would have been here’.My hubby is a Raj-bhakta.
I automatically folded my hands -as if to a diety-such was his Presence.
He and his wife caressed my son gently.
My brother was waiting to take us home. He too was bowled over by the humility he showed .He was bent because of his knees he walked very slowly.
He was obviously in pain-but the humble smile on his face was genuine.
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Lovely narrative greatunknown. You have brought out the greatness of a man of the masses through your story. There’s none who can match Dr. Raj when it comes to humility, goodness, experience, talent… I am afraid I’d run out of words were I to try and recount all the wonderful things this man stood for!
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