In a crowded gathering at Nayana Auditorium next to Ravindra Kalakshetr, a a touching awards evening in memory of one of the pillars of Dr Rajakumar family – SP Varadaraju 4th annual awards were presented to a veteran film actor Sadashiva Brahmavar and veteran theatre personality BP Rajamma by former bureaucrat of the Karnataka Government Chiranjeevi Singh.
The trophy, shawl, garland and Rs.5000 cheque was given to the two veterans amidst a thunderous applause. The former bureaucrat Chiranjeevi Singh remembered that he is honoring BP Rajamma after 33 years once again. When I was posted in Mandya district in 1977 I had done the honor on behalf of the government and now it is for the second time said the learned bureaucrat Chiranjeevi Singh in his flawless Kannada. Known for authority on Kannada films, culture and heritage of Karnataka Chiranjeevi Singh suggested the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy to come out with 101 DVD’s of classics of Kannada cinema. He wondered why the relationship between theatre and film is depleting in his speech. Chiranjeevi Singh was presented the 75 books brought out by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of the Amrutha Mahotsava of Kannada cinema.
Hat trick hero Shivarajakumar, Raghavendra Rajakumar attended the function to pay rich tribute to their paternal uncle SP Varadaraju. Both Shivarajakumar and Raghavendra Rajakumar disclosed the paucity of good advises with the passing away of Dr Rajakumar and his younger brother SP Varadaraju. Shivarajakumar announced that the SP Varadaraju awards from next year will be on a lavish scale. We should not forget our roots Shivarajakumar quoted from one of his best films ‘Chiguridha Kanasu’.
Our home banner ‘Vajreshwari Combines’ produced 78 Kannada films out of which 60 plus have run for more than 100 days and attracted the people. That is because of the right approach and standard set in by our uncle (Chikkappa) SP Varadarju. From my father’s debut film ‘Bedara Kannappa’ to Puneeth Rajakumar’s ‘Appu’ the role played by Varadaraju is magnificent and memorable for our family said Raghavendra Rajakumar.
Quoting the simplicity example of SP Varadarju the pride of Dr Rajakumar family Raghavendra Rajakumar in his speech said the hair dresser for Puneeth Rajakumar is Rakesh and his father was hair dresser to SP Varadaraju for 30 years. Even after 30 years Rakesh’s father was not aware SP Varadaraju was the brother of Dr Rajakumar.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President Dr Jayamala remembered that she was introduced to films via ‘Premadha Kanike’ by SP Varadaraju. It is because of Varadappaji putting a word to Parvathamma Rajakumar I was able to get a chance to act opposite Dr Rajakumar in ‘Premadha Kanike’ disclosed Dr Jayamala.
The veteran in stage BP Rajamma a singer, actor and Harikatha Vidwan recited the lord Anjaneya episode in her impeccable voice that made the entire auditorium go pin drop silent.