A 2,140-page comprehensive biography on Dr. Rajkumar, ‘Dr. Rajkumar Samagra Charite’, including 8,300 rare photos, is likely to hit stalls next month.
Addressing a media conference at Reporters’ Guild here on Wednesday, Doddahullur Rukkoji, the author of the book and veteran cinema journalist, said that the biography was a result of his 15-year intense research on Karnatakta’s cultural icon.
“It gives a comprehensive picture of six generations spread through around 180 years,” he said.
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The biography is in two volumes. While the first volume, with much unexplored information and 4,120 rare pictures spread across 1,080 pages, predominantly depicts the star’s life, the second one, with many interesting and hitherto unknown facts and 4,190 photos that run through 1,060 pages, largely describes the icon’s cinematic journey.
The biography includes interviews of 142 people, of whom 20 are no more, who were close to Dr. Rajkumar in and outside the Sandalwood. It also introduces 212 people closely worked the star.
The biography in two volumes is priced at Rs. 7,500. The author however demanded the government intervene with a helping hand so as to make it available at Rs. 1,000 or even less.
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“The research on Dr. Raj basically began as an academic endeavour fifteen years ago when I chose the topic for my Ph.D. In the course of research, I realised the need of a frame larger than Ph.D thesis to pictorially describe Dr. Raj’s life and contributions and set off to realise my 25-years dream. There are around 76 books on Dr. Raj, but none is comparable with this book,” Mr. Rukkoji claimed.
Having already spent Rs. 17 lakh so far for the research, he needs another Rs. 70 lakhs to get the attractive biography printed maintaining international standards. “One of my friends contributed Rs. 7 lakhs and I have, by selling my residential plot, arranged remaining Rs. 10 lakhs, for the research,” he said.
According to Mr. Rukkoji, the biography unearths hidden facts related to Dr. Raj’s life and work such as his performance at around 14 classical music concerts in various parts of the state including Bengaluru, his 44 films remaining incomplete owing to various reasons including financial constraints, his first film not being ‘Bedara Kannappa’ as many people thought, but being ‘Prahlada’ (1942) in which he had appeared as a child actor and others. “The biography greatly enriches our understanding towards the cine icon enthralled generations”, he said.
Noted comedian Gangavathi Pranesh released the handbook that introduces the biography along with the remarks of eminent individuals of Karnataka’s cultural world.
Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat executive member Dr. Swamy, lecturer Dr. Kuntappa Gauripur and Karnataka Sahitya Parishat district president Mahantesh Maski and others were present.