‘Rajkumar’s versatility remains unmatched’

Kannada and Culture Minister Umashree said that versatility of immortal Kannada thespian Rajkumar remained unmatched even today. The contribution of Dr. Rajkumar to the theatre movement and Kannada cause would remain etched in the minds of every Kannadiga, she said.

Inaugurating the two-day national seminar on ‘Dr. Rajkumar: Indian Theatre and Cinema’, organised by the Central University of Karnataka and Kalaburagi Rangayana here on Friday, Ms. Umashree, who herself a versatile theatre personality and actor, lauded the Central University for organising the event. She said that this was a special tribute to Dr. Rajkumar since this isthe first time that a Central University was organising such a seminar on the contribution of an actor.

Ms. Umashree said that the void left behind by the great actor is yet to be filled. “Hailing from a family of theatre artists, Dr. Rajkumar created a place of his own in the theatre movement and in the cinema.

“Now his entire family is devoted to the world of Kannada cinema,” she said.

Ms. Umashree said that Dr. Rajkumar after witnessing her performance in a drama ‘Odalala’ not only appreciated her performance but had expressed a desire to work with herto his wife Parvathamma. “However, the release of my film Abubhava changed the course and my negative role in the film robbed me of a chance to work opposite the great actor,” she said.

Prof. Chandrasekhar Patil, the former president of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, delivered the key note address.