‘While Kuvempu passed on values through literature, Rajkumar taught those values in a way that reached the common man. With deep concern and passion, he worked towards building a better society and increased the self-respect and dignity of the poor. He taught the underprivileged the path to living life with confidence’ said writer and journalist Dr. Manjunath Adde.
Speaking at the session ‘Hero of the Subalterns’ – based on his book ‘Badavara Rajkumar’, Adde remarked, ‘current films lack real life and organic thought. However, Rajkumar possessed a model personality that balanced both reality and commercial viability.’
Reflecting on the impact Rajkumar had on his childhood, he said, ‘When I was about to join PUC, I didn’t have the money to get a pair of trousers stitched. At that time, seeing the character in Mayor Muthanna- who becomes a mayor despite wearing shorts-filled me with immense confidence’ said Manjunath Adde.
Senior journalist Raghunatha Cha. Ha. noted, ‘when Karnataka was unified, it was a political and geographical unification. But cultural unification happened through Rajkumar. While Kuvempu built a philosophy consciously, Rajkumar taught philosophy unconsciously. If Kuvempu was an intellectual representative, Rajkumar was the representative of the folk. His films taught us how to adopt constitutional values.’
He further added, ‘we call someone a legend when meeting them or experiencing them leaves a profound impact on us. Without such an experience, they are not a legend. It was enough for Rajkumar to just wave from his car; it would give people stories to tell for a lifetime. There is no history of Kannada cinema without him’ said Raghunath.
Journalist Manjula Hulikunte said, ‘Rajkumar instilled the consciousness that honesty is the primary strength for subaltern communities to overcome their inferiority complexes. His life itself was a lesson.’
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