The sacred spot, now anointed as Rajkumar Punyabhoomi, is a must-do tourist destination, with BMTC running two buses that stop in front of it. However, one pregnant poser still agitates the minds of loyals — when will the Rajkumar Memorial see the light of day?

In fact, in the wake of the actor’s death, the State government had spontaneously declared a memorial would be raised at a cost of Rs 10 crore “within six months”. Recently, Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa earmarked Rs 3 crore for the purpose in the Budget. Beyond these gestures, nothing seems to be moving towards its realisation. The samadhi, though, today is still a hive of activity as Deccan Herald found out on Tuesday. “Not less than 500 persons visit the spot like devouts. Foreigners too are no exception,” Yathiraj, who has taken to regulating the steady stream as also the general cleanliness at the site, explains.

While the actor’s family has covered the grave with marble stones, a tin-sheet shed shelters the grave. The road leading to the grave is now in final stages. Borewells have been sunk to quench the thirst of visitors. There are no toilet facilities.

The irony is not lost on the abject neglect since “no official has visited the site, nor the land transferred for the purpose”, claims Yathiraj recounting Health Minister Ashok’s visit as last official visit from the government’s side. A simmering discontent is palpable among the actor’s legion of fans who vent their ire at the government over the undue delay.

Fans are willing to contribute if the work starts and they will voluntarily come and join hands, insists Yathiraj.

The fans, on their part, have served an ultimatum: They will wait till April 24 – actor’s 77th birth anniversary before they formally raise the banner of protest. Efforts to reach the thespian’s family for their take on the issue proved futile.

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