Wednesday, April 12 2006 15:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Revered as a demi-god by millions of his fans, Rajkumar has never run short of either love, fame, adulation or media space in his five-decade long career; traversing different genres of films right from mythological, historical to an indigenous version of a James Bond flick.

Never one to be out of the running despite his advancing years, Rajkumar's appearance on the marquee was always heralded by wolf whistles, uninhibited hero worship and mass hysteria - even for films that have hit the screen after a long hiatus.

For this Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner and the recipient of nearly nine state awards (for the best actor), 10 Filmfare awards and even a national award in the best singer category - the title of 'Nata Saarvabhowma' (the emperor of acting) conferred by his fans, speaks volumes of the man, considered an undisputed cult figure in Karnataka.

The legend, Mutturaju Singanalluru Puttaswamayya, was born on April 24, 1929 at Gajanur Tamil Nadu before he was christened 'Rajkumar' for the Karnataka celluloid world by director HLN Simha, who discovered the would-be-matinee idol at a bus depot and signed him as a full fledged hero for the film 'Bedara Kannappa' in 1954.

The discovery not only rewrote the destiny of the 25-year-old Muthuraj but also that of the entire film history of the Kannada film world for the next 50 years.

Having inherited his theatre artiste-father Sinanallur Puttaswamaiah's acting genes, his tryst with the grease paint subsequently turned into a successful venture.

Essayed role of many mythological characters

Rajkumar essayed the role of many a mythological character and a historical figure and carried them with elan, be it Bhakta Kumbara, Satya Harishchandra, Bhaktha Cheta, Bhaktha Kanakadasa, Ranadheera Kanteerava (1960) Immedi Pulikesh (1967), Sri Krishnadevaraya (1970) or Mayura (1975).

His role as Babruvahana is one that has been etched forever in the memories of filmgoers. The epithet Rajkumar sat snuggly on Muthuraj as he moved from the realm of mythological and historical films of yore to the age of neo-realism; marching along with the times; polishing his skills as he went along; marking many a milestone.

His role as a village simpleton in films like Mannina Maga, Anna Thangi, Chandavalliya Thota, Doorada Betta, Mayor Muththanna bonded him with the masses. The endearing image of Rajkumar riding a buffalo, singing a popular song in the film Sampattige Saval, brought to the fore the reality of rural India.

While his acting prowess singled him out as a super hero, his voice as a playback singer in Sampathige Saval propelled him into the bracket of an ace singer-actor.

The so-far enigmatic voice of Rajkumar forced P B Sreenivas bid adieu as the actor took over the role of a playback singer as well, even winning a national award as the best singer for the classical rendition of the song, 'Naadamaya ee Lokavella' in the film Jeevana Chaitra.