Speaking on the occasion, Yeddyurappa promised the government’s complete support in establishing the memorial. He said, “Today if Dr Rajkumar were alive, he would have rejoiced the classical status conferred on Kannada. He was always in the forefront for the cause of Kannada and Kannadigas. Had he been interested in politics, he would have definitely become the chief minister. But he was not interested in power nor in the chair, dedicating himself to the Kannada film industry.”

Via TOI

Via Sify

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bangalore/Triple_protests_paralyse_traffic/articleshow/2266728.cms

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, samithi honorary president R. Mariswamy said the demands included naming Rajajinagar Assembly constituency by Dr. Rajkumar; declaring government holiday on Dr. Rajkumar’s birthday (April 24) and celebrating Dr. Rajkumar Jayanthi as a State festival; withdrawal of the cases foisted on Dr. Rajkumar’s fans during his funeral procession and government employment for a family member of the six persons killed in the police firing the same day.

On Monday, the samithi members and fans of the late actor would take out a procession from Dr. Rajkumar’s Samadhi in Kanteerava Studios to the Chief Minister’s residence before laying the siege.

Sahitya parishat president Chandrashekhara Patil said the promise made by the Government on the construction of the monument has not transformed into a reality. More than an actor, Dr. Rajkumar relentlessly fought for the cause of Kannada and the people of the State, he said. As such, the parishat will extend support to a peaceful agitation demanding a monument for the late thespian. While the parishat has always been in the forefront to agitate whenever there was injustice to the language and people, not a single issue concerned with the language had been sorted out without there being an agitation, he said.

While the department is facing the wrath of Raj fans for delay in implementation, it is in a muddle whether to implement the proposals made by the family members of late Rajkumar or not – the Raj’s family has proposed setting up of Rajkumar Memorial Trust on the lines of Kuvempu Prathistana Trust, a highly-placed source in Kannada and Culture Department told Deccan Herald.

Though the Kanteerava Studio Corporation is a State government undertaking, over 100 private shareholders have their stake. “The stakeholders may approach the court if the studio land is transferred to a Trust…In that case, the entire project would land in total mess… And we want to avoid just that,” officials said. It was decided at the high-powered committee meeting headed by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy two months ago to set up the Rajkumar Memorial on the 20-acre land of Kanteerava Studio as per the wishes of the family members. Accordingly, the family members have submitted a set of proposals, including setting up of a Trust.

Other proposals for the memorial include a yoga centre, a small theatre, an exhibition to feature artifacts of late Rajkumar, a garden and an auditorium. Besides, basic amenities like drinking water and toilets for visitors. An official said the studio management has just recovered from a severe financial crisis. “Any move to take away part of the land, proposed to be five acres for the Memorial, may upset the private stakeholders,” they added. The department is also concerned about misuse of prime land at the studio if it is handed over to a Trust. In fact, this is one of the main reasons for delay in the project implementation, officials said.

Even ten days after the end of Kannada thespian Rajkumar’s saga, the charisma of the icon only seems to grow by the day as his legion of fans from all over the state continue to throng the Kanteerava Studio Complex where he was laid to rest.

Despite the soaring mercury, a contiuous stream of his fans comprising the old, middle aged and even children go around the veteran’s samadhi carrying garlands of marigold and jasmine in their hands and fervour almost bordering on reverence in their eyes.

None of them is in a hurry to break the line, as each waits patiently for his turn to pay obeisance to a person “who was not only a great actor but a gem of a human being”, the fans feel.

Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr232006/update111942006423.asp