Karnataka may declare holiday on Rajkumar’s birthday

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has assured to consider a proposal to declare popular Kannada film icon Rajkumar’s birthday as a state holiday.

Speaking at a function organized to commemorate the Kannada matinee idol’s 79th birthday in Bangalore yesterday, Kumaraswamy said the Government would discuss the proposal in the coming few months and take an appropriate decision. The Chief Minister was responding to a suggestion made by Rajkumar Fans’ Association President S R Govind during the function.

The Chief Minister also unveiled a bronze statue of the late thespian at Kempe Gowda Circle in Bangalore. Rajkumar’s widow Parvathamma Rajkumar was also present on the occasion.

Earlier, a large number of fans joined Rajkumar’s family members at the legendary actor’s memorial at Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore and paid their tributes. The actors’ family members organized a host of programmes including blood donation camps to mark Rajkumar’s birth anniversary.

Rajkumar’s 79th birthday, the second after his death on April 12, 2006, was also celebrated in various parts of the State including Mysore, where a twelve-hour-long musical show was organized. Selected songs from Rajkumar’s films were played while well-known litterateurs and leading television artistes paid tributes to the late actor.