Stamp released by India Post in memory of Dr.Rajkumar.
Date Of Issue:-01.11.2009.
The Karnataka Postal Circle on November 1 (Kannada Rajyotsava) released a commemorative postage stamp on Dr.Rajkumar.
[As a personal tribute, yours truly designed a stamp in memory of Annavru on April 24 earlier this year.]
***
Posts related to Dr.Rajkumar on RwB.
First Day Cover and Stamp released by India Post in memory of R.K.Narayan. Date Of Issue:-10.10.2009.
The Karnataka Postal Circle, on Saturday released a commemorative postage stamp to mark the 103rd birth anniversary of legendary writer, novelist R K Narayan.
Good to see that the stamp design team have included Laxman’s cartoons, that so perfectly matched Narayan’s stories.
After reading and seeing the books of Laxman, I got to know that he also illustrated for the stories of his elder brother, RK Narayan. I remembered the serial “Malgudi Days”. One day, I kept seeing the cartoons accompanying a story by Narayan and just as a timepass, read the story. I was really surprised that how the story and the illustration could match so much. I read many other stories by Narayan and saw that the sketches were just perfect for the story. Gradually, I started reading all the short stories, essays, novels and articles written by RK Narayan. I collected all his books and got to know more about him through the ‘Frontline’ magazine, which brought out a special issue on the occasion of Narayan’s 90th birthday in 1996.
By now I was addicted to reading Narayan and seeing Laxman!
Awaiting November 1, when Dr.Rajkumar’s stamp will be released!
***
Posts related to RK Narayan on RwB.
Also see: ‘Harry Potter’ of a different sort
Design: RK
As a kid, I loved watching films. Since it was usually the Rajkumar starrers that were telecast on Doordarshan (going to the theatres caused lots of procedural delays), I saw each and every one of them in wonderment, just like how my son today watches those lions, aircrafts, ‘amazing videos’ and rhinos on Discovery Channel. Gradually, I got fascinated by the techniques the film makers used (after hearing elders say words like ‘that’s a dupe’, ’see the separation between the 2 Rajkumars, ‘look at the lighting’…), - specially during a fight, or a scene where an actor is playing double and sometimes a triple role. Nowadays, there is no real thrill in seeing these scenes (unless you are a student of animation) as we all know there is an extensive use of ‘computer graphics’. No wonder the heroes are appearing in multiples of 10 roles!
Going back, I think the first film I saw an actor in a triple role was, of course, Rajkumar in ‘ShankarGuru’. There were a few films that I saw later where there were two Rajkumars on the screen. But nothing could match 3 Rajkumars on a single screen. And the game I played (with myself) was to see that thin differenciating line between the two Rajkumars! And during the shots where the two hug each other, I would be inching closer towards the screen to see the dupe. I would also wait for those fighting scenes where the hero, villain and his chamchas (dark skinned with a fully shaved oily head) would jump from ground floor to first floor, or from the top of a car to the roof of the heroine’s house. Again, the game was to see the face of the hero’s ‘dupe’ who jumped or somersaulted thrice while kicking a dozen of the villain’s chamchas, and vanished. But alas, the dupe always managed to keep his face away from the camera, and I had to wait for another week for another episode of ‘Chitramanjari’ or ‘Chitravali’, or the film to be telecast again on Doordarshan.
So, I think you have now guessed why the above picture sequence! Today (Apr.24) being Annavru’s 80th birth anniversary, I thought of paying homage by posting these pictures where Rajanna has not only sung an amazing classical number in Raaga Kharaharapriya, but also acted superbly as a Singer, Flute, Veena, Mridanga and Ghatam player. I can hardly see that separating line between each of those shots (Masking technique used). And the timing and synchronisation between each of those 5 Rajkumars is simply Sakkath!
To quote from an earlier post of mine:
When I met Rajanna a few months before his death, I had asked him which his favourite role was. He smiled and remained silent for a few seconds. “Kumbara, Kalidasa” he said. He told me that when he watched his movies, he felt very embarrassed seeing his acting. But then he also told me that there were times when he said to himself, “Baddi maga, parvagilla, acting baratthe ivanige.”
The first time I watched this song probably in 1980 (Kapali Theatre [yes, after the procedural delays]), I simply couldn’t wait till I watched it again and again to my heart’s content. Hats off to the actor, and all the technicians (director, cameraman, editor, light boys, make-up guys, setting team, sound engineer, and all assistants to name a few) who have worked behind the scenes of this wonderful song.
Trivia:
For quite a few days now, there is news that a Stamp will be released in Rajkumar’s honour. Seeing the delay, I thought of designing and releasing one here at RwB! And feels nice to be doing that on Raj’s b-day 
***
Videos:
***
Visit Dr. Rajkumar page on RwB.
***
Update: Fever 104 ran a contest ‘Duplicate Rajkumar’ this week. I spoke a dialogue and sung a song from the film Babruvaahana. Just now Fever 104 FM called up to say that Puneeth Rajkumar has picked me the winner amongst scores of contestants. Feeling really excited. To win it on Annavru’s B-day, sooper alwa?!
Cartoon: RK
Also visit the Cartoon page on RwB.
Photos: RK
Kunnakkudi Ramaswamy Vaidyanathan, simply known as Kunnakkudi, was performing at Malleswaram Arya Vaishya Sangha, in May ‘99. It was the celebration of Sri Vasavi Brahmotsava. I sat for most of the concert listening to the Keerthanans. Only when KV started Vaara Banthamma (famous number of Dr.Rajkumar), did I feel the absence of my camera. I rushed home and got it and clicked the above pictures. KV’s different expressions for each picture shows how he loved to be photographed!
About KV applying Vibhuti and Kumkuma (Courtesy: Saravanan):
One day a young ascetic with a luminous glow on his face accosted KV and asked him his name and if he was a violinist. Then seeing the sacred ash applied carelessly on KV’s forehead, he gave a KV a gentle slap and instructed him on how to apply the Vibhuti stripes and Kunkuma pottu on his forehead. When Ramaswamy Sastri (KV’s father) heard of this, he was eager to meet the savant, but their search was futile. KV believed that the elusive saint was Lord Muruga Himself, and till the day KV’s mortal remains were consigned to flames, the Vibhuti and Kunkuma were applied as prescribed by the ascetic.
***
Don’t miss: V for Violin, V for Vaidyanathan
Pot belly. I used to always feel jealous of most of my uncles as they had such wonderful paunches. Until a couple of years after marriage, I had no Hotte (it was as flat as Rajkumar’s). But since last year, it resembles Ambareesh’s.
It’s been a decade since I started riding motor-driven vehicles. Until then, it used to be my favourite Atlas Rebel that I used to ride. My uncle in Poona presented it to me after I passed 10th. Bought it on a Sunday morning in 1992 from a shop on SP Road for Rs.1300. Friends admired the new fella saying “Super tyres, Chindhi look, maga!”
Drove from anywhere to anywhere on my Rebel until I finished college. A year later, bought a Third-hand TVS-50 XL moped. Enjoyed it for a couple of years, and then bought my first bike – Bajaj Boxer AT – days after ‘Shabdhavedhi’ was released. My girlfriend (now, my wife) used to love the long rides. Five years after I bought it, started getting a lot of back-ache. On the first day of 2007, went for one of those exchange offers and got Bajaj-Platina. Till date, I find it very comfortable and absolutely no back pain. Decent mileage.
Last fortnight, just to get out of the monotonous driving mode, came to office for a week by BMTC. The frequency of buses is very good. Buses are not too crowded, and conductors seemed very calm and patient. There is hardly anyone who buys tickets. Everyone says ‘Pass’. Remembered the bus scenes during my college days (I always travelled on footboard, of course to show-off) – people would get suffocated inside – and the conductor would keep yelling (at those inside) ‘Mundhe banni’ (come front), ‘Chillare kodi’ (give change) and stuff. People never did both. Coming to the present, I hardly see guys on footboard, ‘coz there’s enough space for everyone inside. Also, the doors are closed once the bus starts moving. Anyway, footboard travel is bad.
After Bus-aata, now its Cycle-aata. Since last week, have started cycling to office (Malleswaram to Jayanagar). The drive is damn exciting, and I feel fresh throughout the day. I have started enjoying every bit of the ride on my favourite ‘Rebel’. Had acquired my paunch after many years with great difficulty. But offlate, used to hate when everyone started giving more attention to it, rather than its owner. And during these inflationary times, didn’t want my tummy to get inflated more.
Coming to office has become more exciting. What more, my boss is kicked up seeing my ‘Rebel’! And wants to start cycling again. Also, now my son prefers the ’rounds’ on the cycle, than the motor-bike. So after cycling home, have to take my son ‘doubles’ for a few minutes in and around Malleswaram. And he hates when I say – OK Boss, let’s go home!
Just for the record, the very first vehicle that I ever rode was a slim red-tricycle, in the year when Rajkumar’s ‘Operation Diamond Racket’ (remember ‘Eef you come today’?) was released.
Related link: Cycling is good
by Krishna Rao
It was a summer in the late 1970s when I visited relatives in Madras (now Chennai) during my holidays. A family friend living in Kodambakkam told me that Kannada actor Rajkumar lived down the street. One evening I walked up to the actor’s house wondering whether I would get an opportunity to meet this revered star. My chances of seeing him at close quarters in Bangalore were slim with crowds thronging everywhere he went.
As I stood near the gate, a pack of dogs barked menacingly from the inside. Just as I begun to turn away a white car pulled up. The rear seat window rolled down and a friendly face smiled and inquired. It was the superstar himself! When I told him that I had come from Bangalore to see him, he got down from the car, signaled the maid to take the dogs away and invited me inside. It was a humid evening and Dr. Rajkumar looked visibly tired, perhaps after a long day of work.
He asked me to take a seat along with him in the verandah. He seemed completely at ease and relaxed as he asked me about school, hobbies, interests etc. as we sipped coffee. He then asked me if I would like to meet his family for which I readily agreed. He took me upstairs and introduced me to his mother, a petite elderly woman who stood with folded hands. At once, I understood where he got his humility. I noticed a number of children in the household and asked him who they were. He explained that they lived as a joint family and some of them were his nephews and nieces.
He introduced me to his wife and children and took me to the balcony. His face lit up in pride as he pointed to a portrait of his father and spoke of his theatrical abilities. He showed me some of the trophies that he had won for his movies. Throughout the time, he never showed an inkling of inconvenience or intrusion of his privacy. We talked and talked for 45 minutes. As it was getting a little dark, I told him that I needed to go.
He was about to follow me downstairs when I politely told him that I could find my way out and that he should not take the trouble of getting down the stairs. He replied that it was just good manners to see off a guest all the way. He even opened the gate, shook hands and wished me good luck with my studies. It was truly a magical experience! Over the decades, I was fortunate to meet several accomplished people from around the world. However, the childhood encounter with Dr. Rajkumar remains etched forever in my mind for his extraordinary simplicity and kindness. He had the heart to set aside his own plans for the evening to make a child happy! Only a sincerely caring person would do that. He was truly a Bangarada Manushya!
Rajkumar was born on April 24, 1929. He passed away on April 12, 2006.
February 7th is Sri Purandara Dasa Aradhane. A few tidbits of information and trivia related to the devaranamas and the great soul.
• Sri Purandara Dasa decided that “Malava gowla” of the South was most suited for beginners. The corresponding Raga in the North is called “Bhairav”. In “Malavagowla” subsequently named as “Maya Malavagowla”, the difference of pitch between ‘Ri’ and ‘ga’ and ‘da’ and ‘ni’ are the same and the notes sa-ri-ga-ma and pa-da-ni-sa are perfect concordant notes. That is why Purandara Dasa found Maya Malavagowla the best Raga to begin lessons in classical music. This system of music is called “Karnataka Music” as he belongs to that region and the music is very pleasing to the ears. He created several phrases of notes called “Sarali” “Janta”, Hetchu-sthayi, “Thaggu sthayi” and “Datu” Swaras. He also simplified “Thala” system and moulded it into “Pancha-Thrimsathi” Thala system and composed “Alankaras” to be sung in those Thalas
• All these initial notes or Swaras are to be sung in Maya Malavagowla. The next phase of learning of a beginner is “Geethe” for which Purandaradasa created “Pillari Geete” in Raga-Malahari” a derivative of Maya-Malava-Gowla. Gradually the Ragas and their notes are to be changed to acquaint the student with different notes step by step. Purandara Dasa was therefore, rightly called Karnataka Sangeeta Pithamaha.
• Bidaram Krishnappa did great service in propagating Purandara Dasa/ Haridasa compositions. He was the first musician to give an all Devaranama concert.
• Vidwan Chennakeshavaiah, an Asthana Vidwamsa of Wodeyar, set to notation a 100 (could be more) Purandarada Saara Devaranamas which was published during the 4th birth centenary of Sri Purandara Dasaru.
• We should also recall ML Vasanthakumari`s mother Lalitangi as she also popluarised Devaranamas. Lalithangi was a very good artist in her time. In a CD by Carnatica, there are a couple of tracks by Lalithangi (including Gajavadana beduve). MLV learnt several Devaranamas from her mother.
• To listen to Dasa compositions, I prefer the pristine padanthaaras and native pronunciations of Sri RK Srikantan, Mysore Vasudevachar and Bidaram Krishnappa that bring out the beauty and simplicity of the compositions.
• R.K.Srikantan indeed is another musician who has rendered yeoman service in popularising Devaranamas.
• A beautiful Kannada movie ‘Navakoti Narayana’ with Rajkumar in the lead role was made in the early ’60s. There is another Kannada movie ‘Sri Purandara Dasaru’ with KS Ashwath in the lead.
• Recently an animated Kannada movie Sri Purandara Dasaru has been produced particularly with children in mind! The playback singers for this movie are Sarvasri S.Sankar, V.Kalavati, and Vidyabhushana. More info here – http://www.mediateck.biz/
• Vocalist R.K.Padmanabha has produced drama on Sri Purandara Dasa with himself in the lead role. This has done more than a 100 shows all over karnataka.
• Vidwan R.K.srikantan Trust (R) has published a book: Haridasa Kirthana Rathanamala which contains 22 devaranamas of Sripadaraja, Vyasaraja, Purandara Dasa, Kanaka Dasa and Vijaya Dasa complete with text, notations in Kannada, English and Tamil with Swara Samyojane by RKS. They have also CD containing vintage melodies.
• A popular folk song starting, “Mullu koneya mele mooru keraya katti” (raga Paraz) is a maze of riddles spun by Purandara Dasa. He has composed many such puzzling songs called, ‘Mundige’ (allegory). In mundige the wordings are such that we cannot understand the meaning easily. The songs are full of abstract imagery and one has to ponder over and make out one’s own comprehension of the real theme of the song.
The song (translation) goes like this:
“Three ponds were dug in the sharp point of a thorn, out of which two ponds were dry and the third never got filled,
“Three simpletons came to the unfilled ponds, two of them were lame and the third had no legs at all,
“Three buffalos were sold to the legless simpletons, two of the buffalos were sterile and the third didn’t have any calf at all,
“Three sovereigns were paid for the buffalos, two of which were counterfeit and the third was not acceptable,
“ Three inspectors came to check the sovereigns, two of them were blind and the third did not have eyes at all,
“Three villages were given as grants to the blind inspectors, two villages were in ruins and the third was deserted,
“Three potters came to live in the villages, two of them were disabled and the third didn’t have hands at all,
“Three pots were made by the potters, two of which had holes and the third was bottomless,
“Three rice grains were cooked in the pots, two of which were spoiled rice and the third didn’t cook at all,
“Three guests arrived to eat the rice, two of them were on fast and the third was not hungry at all…”
Purandara Dasa himself concludes this song saying, “Only Purandara Vittala knows the meaning of this and no one else”. Religious commentators give Vedantic meaning to this riddle giving metaphorical reference to human body and soul. But we can make out that the riddle subtly indicates how people live in our society making false promises, deceiving others and priding over useless charity. (Courtesy: Sri MVK Narayan)
• I recall a discussion on the Sangeetham board on the attribution of compositions as follows:
1) the songs with the ankita, “purandara viThala” were composer by Sri Purandaradasa
2) the songs with the ankita “tandE siri purandara viThala” were believed to be composed by his sons
Some musicians say “tande purandaraviThala” and “guru purandaraviTHala” are the Mudres of his sons. But there is some confusion as Purandara Dasaru might have composed some songs with “guru” or “tande” preceding his mudre. Readers can kindly throw more light on this.
• The first 3 Devaranamas I learnt were: Narajanma Bandaga, Karuniso Ranga, Pogadirelo Ranga. I must have been in First standard then.
Design: RK
