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Kannada idol Rajkumar is dead
Indo-Asian News Service

Bangalore, April 12 (IANS) Kannada movie star Rajkumar died here Wednesday afternoon, his personal physician Ramana Rao said.

The veteran 77-year-old actor, who enjoyed a fan following of millions, was abducted by forest brigand Veerappan in July 2000 and freed after 108 days in custody.

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Karnataka plans Rs.100 mn memorial to Rajkumar
Indo-Asian News Service

Bangalore, April 18 (IANS) The Karnataka government has decided to set up a memorial to Kannada thespian Rajkumar in the city at a cost of Rs.100 million, official sources said here Tuesday.

To be located in the 20-acre sprawling Kanteerava studio where the icon's body was laid to rest last week, the memorial will have a permanent exhibition to showcase the actor's contribution to the Kannada film industry over the last five decades. 

It will also have a stock of movies, dialogue, scripts, songs and other memorabilia associated with the actor who passed away here Wednesday.

"We plan to build the memorial in the next six months. A committee is being set up with representatives from the Kannada film industry, Rajkumar's family members and officials to draw up a blueprint for the memorial," an urban development department official told IANS here.

Keeping in view Rajkumar's long association with the studio, set up by the state government way back in 1966, the actor's family will be requested to gift his awards, trophies and souvenirs to the studio for public display in the memorial building.

"Though the Kannada film industry no longer uses the studio's outdated facilities, it continues to be a landmark for the historical role it played over the decades for the growth and development of Kannada cinema," the official said.

Launched as a joint stock company with the state government holding 93 percent of the share capital and the remaining seven percent by individual shareholders from the film industry, mostly producers and directors, the studio could not keep pace with modernisation in terms of equipment and facilities due to lack of fresh investments.

When the state public sector reforms commission recommended shutting down of the "sick" studio as even its maintenance was proving to be a drag on the exchequer, the then Congress government decided to rope in private partners for reviving it. The proposal, however, never took off till date.

"Since the basic infrastructure is still intact, there is scope to revive it by upgrading the settings for shooting and post-production facilities. There is sufficient space to build a modern auditorium, an animation studio and a complex for film industry offices," the official pointed out.

With the present-day producers and directors opting to make use of private studios and outdoor locales for shooting original or even re-mixes, the government opened up the Kanteerava studio to producers of television serials and budget films on rental basis.

According to Rajkumar Fans' Association president Sa.Ra. Govind, the superstar used to frequent the studio in his heydays and shot a number of films there. 

"In fact, over a decade ago, the thespian had laid the foundation stone for a two-storey block christened Tungabhadra in the studio premises. But the building never took off due to the government's apathy," Govind lamented.

With the studio turning into a pilgrim spot as Rajkumar's last resting place and thousands of fans making a beeline to pay their homage, the Kannada film industry hopes the state government would revive its fortunes by modernising and expanding its facilities through public-private partnership as a fitting tribute to the ever-green hero.

Bruised Bangalore limps back to normalcy
Indo-Asian News Service

Bangalore, April 14 (IANS) A day after violence and police firing marred the tearful funeral of Kannada thespian Rajkumar, India's silicon hub limped back to normalcy Friday.

Though government offices, courts, banks and colleges are shut for the day on account of the birth anniversary of B. R. Ambedkar, architect of the Indian constitution, and Good Friday, it is business as usual for shops and private companies.

With public transport and private vehicles back on roads, people have started commuting after staying put at home Thursday due to public holiday declared as part of the two-day mourning and the spate of violent incidents that claimed eight lives.

"The situation is under control. Though the city is back to normal, we are maintaining vigil at all important places, especially at Kanteerava film studio, where Rajkumar was laid to rest, as we expect hundreds of his fans to throng the burial place," a top police official told IANS.

Agitated fans of the Kannada icon went on a rampage Thursday, attacking police with stones and sticks and damaging public property by setting five buses and 10 private vehicles on fire after they failed to have a glimpse of their "Annavaru" (elder brother) at the Kanteerava sports stadium in the heart of the city.

The police was forced to open fire outside the Kanteerava studio even as the last rites were underway when thousands of fans attempted to breach the security cordon and enter the premises to witness the funeral. 

"We have deployed adequate forces in and around the city to monitor the situation. With majority of the fans who had come from all parts of the state returning, we hope the city will remain peaceful, with law and order under control," the official said.
 
Rajkumar's eyes transplanted into two people
Indo-Asian News Service

Bangalore, April 13 (IANS) Kannada thespian Rajkumar's eyes were successfully transplanted Thursday into two patients at the Narayana Nethralaya here.

According to the director of the eye hospital, Bhujang Shetty, Rajkumar's eyes were removed within an hour of his death Wednesday in keeping with the actor's wishes. 

One eye was given to a 15-year-old boy while the other was transplanted in a 65-year-old patient.

"Rajkumar donated both eyes for corneal transplantation to our eye bank, which is named after him. According to his wish, his family consented to remove the eyes and gift them to two visually impaired persons," Shetty said.

"In keeping with medical practice, the eyes were transplanted within 24 hours after extracting them from his body. Both patients who got one eye will be able to regain their vision in a month or so."

The Rajkumar eye bank was set up at Narayana Nethralaya in 1994. Over the past 12 years, the hospital has received about 450 eyes for transplantation. About 4,000 people have pledged their eyes to the bank.

 
Five die as Karnataka bids farewell to Rajkumar (NIGHTLEAD)
Indo-Asian News Service

Bangalore, April 13 (IANS) Millions of fans bid a tearful farewell to Kannada idol Rajkumar Thursday at the Kanteerva film studio as his mortal remains were laid to rest with full state honours even as five people died in violent clashes.

A 21-gun salute was accorded by the police amid chanting of Vedic hymns and rituals by priests in the presence of Rajkumar's family, including widow Parvathamma, sons Shivrajkumar, Puneet, Raghavendra, two daughters and scores of relatives.

The late thespian was buried as per his family's wish and in conformity with his Hindu Idiga community's traditional belief.

Hundreds of film personalities, celebrities, political leaders and theatre personnel also made a beeline to pay their last respects to the thespian.

Incensed over the state government's apathy towards their sentiments and inadequate arrangements to enter the stadium for a closer view of their "Annavaru's" body, thousands of young fans, who descended from all over the state, clashed with the police, smashed private vehicles and set at least three state-owned transport buses on fire.

Over 100,000 people accompanied the flower-bedecked hearse that was taken out on a 15 km funeral procession from the Kanteerva sports stadium, where the body had been kept late Wednesday for public viewing.

When the cortege reached the venue near the city outskirts under heavy police escort, tens of thousands of grief-stricken fans swarmed it to pay their homage. 

At least three people were killed in the resultant police firing outside the Kanteerva film studio, a top police official said.

"The police were forced to open fire after they failed to prevent thousands of frenzied fans from gate-crashing into the studio premises. Attempts to chase away the rampaging mobs by resorting to tear gas and caning earlier met with stiff resistance," additional commissioner of police Bipin Gopalakrishna told IANS.

"Two people died instantaneously at the spot, while the third person succumbed to bullet injuries on way to the hospital." 

Another fan, by name Muniraju, suffered bullet injuries in a firing incident earlier Thursday near the stadium and died at the Nimhans hospital.

According to additional commissioner of police Gopal Hosur, when the police opened fire in self-defence on being attacked by an unruly mob, the victim was hit by two bullets.

City constable Manjunath also succumbed to injuries after an assault by an angry group of mourners who could not enter the stadium before the body was taken out in a procession for the funeral.

The police said public property, including 100 police vans, state-owned buses, private vehicles, streetlights and hoardings, were damaged over the last two days. The loss is estimated to be about Rs.50-80 million.

The city came to a grinding halt with all establishments, including hundreds of IT firms, shutting down as a mark of respect.

While 1,500 IT and BPO firms, including global software majors like Infosys and Wipro, shut for the day, the Karnataka government declared a two-day mourning for the superstar and ordered closure of offices, courts, banks, business establishments, hotels and movie theatres. 

Some of the major call centres, however, were working to provide essential services to their global customers on 24x7 basis.

Big-ticket companies like Infosys and Wipro directed their employees to stay put at home and avoid commuting to their workplace in the electronics city on the outskirts of Bangalore in the absence of public transport and an undeclared shutdown.
 
PM condoles Rajkumar's death
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday condoled the death of renowned Kannada film actor Raj Kumar, saying he would be remembered as a cinematic idol as well as for his contributions to public affairs.

"Dr. Raj Kumar will always be remembered not only as a cinematic icon who captivated generations of viewers, but also for his signal contributions to public affairs. The conferment of the Dadasaheb Phalke award testified to his talents and lifelong contribution to the cause of cinema," the prime minister said in his message.

"His service to the society and the nation led him naturally to the sphere of public life, where he fought for the welfare of the people."

The prime minister offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, his associates and to the countless fans and admirers.

Raj Kumar, 77, died in Bangalore Wednesday following cardiac arrest and was buried with state honours Thursday.
 
One killed as Bangalore logs out to mourn Rajkumar (LEAD)
Indo-Asian News Service

Bangalore, April 13 (IANS) One person was killed in police firing Thursday as anguished crowds mourning the death of Kannada thespian Rajkumar swarmed the city that came to a grinding halt with all establishments, including hundreds of IT firms, shutting down as a mark of respect.

The police firing took place near the Kanteerva stadium where the body of Kannada thespian Rajkumar was kept for people to pay homage, a top police official said. 

"One of the fans, Muniraju, received bullet injuries when the police fired in self-defence after they were attacked by an angry mob with a hail of stones. The victim succumbed to injuries on way to hospital," Additional Commissioner of Police Gopla Hosur told IANS over the phone.

Police had a tough time controlling the crowds that had gathered from across at the stadium since morning for a glimpse of their celluloid hero.

Explaining what had happened, a senior police official said: "Though elaborate arrangements were made for people to pay homage to Rajkumar inside the stadium, hundreds of fans grew restless when their turn did not come despite waiting outside for hours.

"As time was running out for the cortege to be taken in a procession for last rites, impatient fans gate crashed into the stadium by attacking the police with stones and sticks."

The police resorted to firing to regulate the crowds and the state reserve police and Rapid Action Force were deployed in and around the stadium.

With great difficulty, the police managed to allow Rajkumar's family to take out the glass cortege, mounted on a flower-bedecked van, from the stadium in a 15 km procession for the last rites with state honours and 21-gun salute.

The crowds at the stadium comprised young and old, women and children. Many sobbed and chanted "Rajkumar jai" and "Annavaru amar rahe" (Longlive Rajkumar).

According to a police official, over 100,000 fans joined the procession that meandered through the city on its last journey for the state funeral. 

There were other incidents of violence with torching of buses and sporadic attacks on policemen near the Kanteerva sports stadium. 

The corporate world and the government shut down. 

While 1,500 IT and BPO firms, including global software majors like Infosys and Wipro, shut for the day, the Karnataka government declared a two-day mourning for the superstar and ordered closure of offices, courts, banks, business establishments, hotels and movie theatres. 

Some of the major call centres, however, were working to provide essential services to their global customers on 24x7 basis.

Big-ticket companies like Infosys and Wipro directed their employees to stay put at home and avoid commuting to their workplace in the electronics city on the outskirts of Bangalore in the absence of public transport and an undeclared shutdown.

"As the state government has declared a two-day official mourning Wednesday, we have advised our employees to stay away from work Thursday and report to duty Friday. We intend to make up for the day's loss of work by asking the employees to work either this or next Saturday," an Infosys official told IANS.

Besides IT and biotech firms, hundreds of manufacturing and allied industries across verticals were also closed as a mark of respect to the legendary matinee idol.

In the wake of sporadic violence, arson and stone-throwing incidents since Wednesday evening, bus services across the city were withdrawn. Even taxis and three-wheeler autos stayed away, leaving the streets deserted on an otherwise working day.

The bustling metropolis turned into a ghost town as even people with private transport decided to stay indoors.

Cable operators across the city blocked national entertainment channels to mourn the actor's death.

Bangalore logs out to mourn Rajkumar
Indo-Asian News Service

Bangalore, April 13 (IANS) India's silicon hub came to a grinding halt Thursday with hundreds of IT firms, including global software majors like Infosys and Wipro, as well as other establishments shutting down for the day as a mark of respect to Kannada thespian Rajkumar.

The Karnataka government declared a two-day mourning for the superstar, who passed away here Wednesday, and ordered closure of offices, courts, banks, business establishments, hotels and movie theatres. About 1,500 software and BPO services firms, including multinationals, also decided to shut their operations.

Some of the major call centres, however, were working to provide essential services to their global customers on 24x7 basis.

Big-ticket companies like Infosys and Wipro directed their employees to stay put at home and avoid commuting to their workplace in the electronics city on the outskirts of Bangalore in the absence of public transport and an undeclared shutdown being observed by millions of Rajkumar's die-hard fans. 

"As the state government has declared a two-day official mourning Wednesday, we have advised our employees to stay away from work Thursday and report to duty Friday. We intend to make up for the day's loss of work by asking the employees to work either this or next Saturday," an Infosys official told IANS.

Besides IT and biotech firms, hundreds of manufacturing and allied industries across verticals were also closed as a mark of respect to the legendary matinee idol.

In the wake of sporadic violence, arson and stone-throwing incidents since Wednesday evening, bus services across the city were withdrawn. Even taxis and three-wheeler autos stayed away, leaving the streets deserted on an otherwise working day.

The bustling metropolis turned into a ghost town as even people with private transport decided to stay indoors.

Even cable operators across the city blocked national entertainment channels to mourn the actor's death.

Meanwhile, stray incidents of violence, torching of buses and sporadic attacks on policemen by angry fans were reported near the Kanteerva sports stadium where thousands of people thronged for a last glimpse of Rajkumar. 

The police had to burst tear gas shells and cane the rampaging fans to restore order and bring the situation under control.

Thousands of fans, including women and children stood in serpentine queues since early morning to pay homage to the Kannada icon, with many of them sobbing uncontrollably.

Several politicians and actors including Tamil superstar Rajinikant paid homage to Rajkumar at the stadium.

President, PM condole Rajkumar's death (LEAD)
Indo-Asian News Service

New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday condoled the death of Kannada cinema icon Rajkumar, describing him as a distinguished and versatile actor whose achievements would be long remembered.

In a message to the actor's wife Parvathamma, Kalam said Rajkumar "will always be remembered for his everlasting contributions to the film industry".

In a separate message, the prime minister said Rajkumar was a versatile personality who had enthralled the nation with his histrionic talents and his mellifluous voice for more than five decades.

Rajkumar died in Bangalore Wednesday of cardiac arrest while he was being rushed to hospital after complaining of chest pain. He was 77.

 
Kannada idol Rajkumar dead, state funeral Thursday (NIGHT LEAD)
Indo-Asian News Service

Bangalore, April 12 (IANS) Kannada film icon Rajkumar, whose kidnapping by brigand Veerappan in 2002 created a nationwide furore, died here Wednesday of cardiac arrest, plunging Karnataka into sorrow and sparking arson by his anguished fans.

Millions of the 77-year-old thespian's ardent followers reacted with sorrow and even violence - fans in Bangalore stoned vehicles after police prevented them from visiting Rajkumar's house - even as the state government announced the actor would be accorded a state funeral Thursday with full police honours and gun salute.

Karnataka will observe a two-day mourning till Thursday, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy told reporters.

"Rajkumar will be accorded a state funeral on Thursday. Government offices, educational institutions, business establishments, private offices and theatres will remain closed as a mark of respect," he said.

The septuagenarian actor died around 2 p.m. when he was being rushed to the M.S. Ramaiah Hospital after he complained of chest pain and breathing trouble. His family members were by his side when he breathed his last. 

As news of his death spread, shops, offices and cinema theatres across Bangalore shut down as a mark of respect as thousands of fans thronged his home to pay their last respects.

"We tried to revive him but could not succeed. We did everything to save him," Rajkumar's personal physician Ramana Rao said.

The last rites will be performed at the farmhouse of Rajkumar's second son Puneet on the Bangalore-Mysore highway. 

Rajkumar's body will be taken to the farmhouse on the outskirts of the city in a procession from the Kanteerva sports stadium, where it was shifted from his residence to enable the public to pay homage in an orderly manner.

Within an hour of the actor's death, his fans went around the city carrying his portraits and banners. Using loudspeakers, they appealed to people to maintain peace and shut down commercial and other establishments.

Thousands of fans thronged Rajkumar's home in the posh Sadashivnagar area. Many sobbed inconsolably and screamed slogans like "Annavaru Jai" and "Rajkumar zindabad" (Long live Rajkumar).

About 15 platoons of police were deployed in and around Bangalore to maintain peace and contain a spate of violent incidents that rocked India's silicon hub after frenzied fans went berserk when they were prevented from visiting Rajkumar's home.

The fans attacked police vehicles, public transport buses and private vehicles with batons and stones.

In a bid to regulate crowds thronging the stadium for a glimpse of the celluloid hero, the police made elaborate arrangements to maintain law and order.

"In a series of attacks, 14 police vehicles, 48 city transport buses and 72 private vehicles, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers were severely damaged following stone-throwing and arson," Additional Commissioner of Police Bipin Gopalkrishna told IANS.

One of the tallest personalities in the Kannada theatre, Rajkumar made his debut in cinema about five decades ago. He built up a fan following of millions over the years, winning the Karnataka Ratna, Padma Bhushan and Dada Saheb Phalke awards.

In July 2003, Rajkumar was in the limelight after he was abducted by forest brigand Veerappan and held in custody for 108 days.

According to his family members, Rajkumar was under a lot of emotional pressure following the death of his younger brother Varadaraj, who played an instrumental role in his chequered film career. 

Rajkumar is survived by wife Parvathamma, three actor sons - Shivarajkumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar - and two daughters.
 
The death of a thespian
By S.R. Suhasini and R.G. Vijayasarathy, Indo-Asian News Service

Bangalore, April 12 (IANS) The death of matinee monarch Rajkumar Wednesday has plunged his fans and most Kannadigas - to whom he was a living legend - into the blackness of mourning.

The veteran actor's rise to fame was indeed the stuff of legends. 

Born Muthuraj in a poor toddy-tapper's family in Singanallur in 1928, he was to become the uncrowned king of Kannada cinema for over four decades. 

Muthuraj inherited his histrionic talents from his father, Singanallur Puttaswame Gowda, a theatre personality. As a little boy, he joined the Gubbi Veeranna theatre company, playing hero Ramakantha in the play "Bhakta Ambareesha". 

The performance fetched him a lead role in "Bedara Kannappa", his first film, when he was still in his 20s. Rajkumar did not look back after that. Other films followed, including "Bangarada Manushya", "Gandhadha Gudi", "Kasturinivasa", "Sannadi Appanna", "Babruvahana, Shankar Guru" and "Akasmika".

Cutting through a career that saw no lean trot, he played a remarkably wide variety of roles, ranging from the mythological to the modern and the comical to the romantic in 205 films.

Some 11 years ago, when he announced his plan to retire, it provoked a barrage of fan protests. He gave in and acted in his last film, "Shabdavedhi", released five years later. And the film, to no one's surprise, proved a smashing hit. 

The Kannadigas gave the country proof of the special place he held in their hearts during the 108 days in 2000 that he spent in a jungle as a hostage of sandalwood smuggler Veerappan. 

Karnataka is proud of the laurels their idol brought them through his illustrious career, including the Karnataka Ratna, the Padma Bhushan and the Dada Saheb Phalke awards, besides an honorary doctorate. 

Dr. Rajkumar, as he was called in his later years, was unwell for the past year, but no one expected his end to come quite so soon. After each health check-up, his fans, media and well-wishers were assured that the star's health problems were age-related and that he did not face any complications. 

He had two surgical operations in Mumbai and then visited many prestigious Bangalore hospitals, before a cardiac arrest claimed his life Wednesday at the age of 77.

At the news of his death, his fans rushed to his residence at the posh Sadashivanagar, where his body was brought from the hospital. Many sobbed inconsolably and screamed slogans like "Annavaru Jai" and "Rajkumar zindabad" (long live Rajkumar).

His body was later shifted to the sprawling Bangalore Palace grounds to enable people to pay homage in an orderly manner. 

The city police were forced to make elaborate arrangements to maintain law and order and hundreds of policemen were rushed to Rajkumar's residence to regulate the crowds. 

For hundreds of his grieving fans, a demigod has died.
 
Two-day state mourning for Rajkumar in Karnataka
Indo-Asian News Service

Bangalore, April 12 (IANS) The Karnataka government Wednesday declared a two-day mourning as a mark of respect to Kannada thespian Rajkumar, who died here after a cardiac arrest.

State Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy told reporters the decision to observe a two-day mourning till Thursday was taken at a cabinet meeting held to pay homage to the matinee idol and express condolences to his bereaved family.

"Rajkumar will be accorded a state funeral with full police honours and gun salute Thursday. A two-day mourning is being observed till Thursday. Government offices, educational institutions, business establishments, private offices and theatres will remain closed as a mark of respect," he said.

Rajkumar's mortal remains will be laid to rest at the farmhouse of his second son - Puneet Kumar - on the Bangalore-Mysore highway. The timing of last rites will be decided by the government in consultation with his family members.

Rajkumar's body will be taken to the farmhouse on the outskirts of the city in a procession from the Kanteerva sports stadium, where it has been shifted from his residence for enabling the public pay homage in an orderly manner.

In a bid to regulate crowds thronging the stadium for a glimpse of the celluloid hero, the police have made elaborate arrangements to maintain law and order in the vicinity.

About 15 platoons of police have been deployed in and around the city to maintain peace and contain a spate of violent incidents that rocked India's silicon hub after frenzied fans of Rajkumar went berserk, attacking police vehicles, public transport buses and private vehicles with batons and stones.

"In a series of attacks, 14 police vehicles, 48 city transport buses and 72 private vehicles, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers were severely damaged following stone-throwing and arson," additional commissioner police Bipin Gopalkrishna (law and order) told IANS here.

The chief minister appealed to the frenzied fans to maintain peace and pay homage to their hero calmly in an orderly fashion. Several Kannada film personalities, including directors and producers, have also appealed to the fans to desist from attacking public property and vehicles.

"The best tribute to Rajkumar will be to uphold his ideals and follow the path of peaceful co-existence. The fans need not take law into their hands as every one of them will be given a chance to have a glimpse of the body at the stadium," a Kannada film chambers' spokeman said.
 
Rajkumar's death sparks attacks in Bangalore 
Indo-Asian News Service

Bangalore, April 12 (IANS) The sudden death of Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar Wednesday sparked a spate of violence, arson and attacks on public property in and around the city by his fans in an emotional frenzy.

Even as news of the thespian's demise spread like wildfire, chaos reigned on several streets, with thousands of Rajkumar's fans going berserk raising slogans, wielding batons and attacking signboards, streetlights and moving vehicles.

Admitting to sporadic violence and stone-throwing incidents in several parts of the city, police official Uday Shankar said efforts were being made to bring the situation under control by deploying an additional 15 platoons of police in busy thoroughfares and main junctions to control the mob.

"We are doing our best to manage the situation. Since Rajkumar's sudden death has led to a spontaneous reaction among millions of his fans, we are trying to handle them peacefully without using force. Though the situation is tense, it is under control," Shankar told IANS here.

As thousands of fans rushed to Sadashivnagar for a glimpse of Rajkumar's mortal remains, the police blocked the entry points leading to his house to prevent the volatile situation from going out of control.

As a result, hundreds of agitated fans resorted to protests, picketing and shouting slogans against the police. A number of private vehicles, including two-wheelers, cars and buses were stoned and stranded in the middle of main roads, bringing vehicular traffic to a standstill.

The city also witnessed traffic jams in several areas as fans headed to Rajkumar's residence and the Bangalore Palace grounds where the body was later shifted for public viewing.

When some public transport buses and private vehicles tried to defy the crowds and move on, they were set on fire.

The office of Microsoft Research India, the R&D facility of the global software major, which is about a kilometre from Rajkumar's residence, was not spared from the attacks by a unruly mob when there was some delay in shutting down its operations. 

The firm's security guards prevented hysterical fans from entering the research centre.

On the Airport Road, a Hero Honda showroom was set on fire by a group of agitated fans, who were on rounds in the market area to ensure that shops and business establishments were shut in respect to the late actor.

The police have decided to shift the body of Rajkumar to the Kanteerva Sports Stadium in the heart of the city facing Cubbon Park from the Bangalore Palace grounds to facilitate more people to pay homage and regulate crowd movement.

"In view of the trouble brewing in the city following sporadic incidents of arson, stone-throwing and attack by unruly mobs, Rajkumar's mortal remains will be kept at Kanteerva stadium for public view throughout Wednesday night and Thursday.

Elaborate arrangements have been made in and around the stadium to regulate the crowds and maintain law and order," a senior police official said.

In a related development, state Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy appealed to the people to remain calm and maintain peace.

Paying glowing tributes to Rajkumar, Kumaraswamy told reporters at an impromptu press conference here that the police was directed to handle the situation tactfully but to not spare any anti-social elements.

"As an ardent fan of Rajkumar myself, I appeal to my fellow fans to pay homage to the thespian peacefully by remaining calm. The best way to pay our respects to Rajkumar is to follow his ideals of simplicity, brotherhood and harmony," Kumaraswamy said.
 
Kannada idol Rajkumar is dead, Bangalore shuts down (LEAD)
Indo-Asian News Service

Bangalore, April 12 (IANS) Kannada film icon Rajkumar died here Wednesday afternoon, and shops, offices and cinema theatres across the city shut down as a mark of respect even as thousands of fans thronged his home to pay their last respects.

Within an hour of the 77-year-old actor's death, his fans went around the city carrying his portraits and banners. Using loudspeakers, they appealed to people to maintain peace and shut down commercial and other establishments.

Thousands of fans thronged Rajkumar's home in the posh Sadashivnagar. Many sobbed inconsolably and screamed slogans like "Annavaru Jai" and "Rajkumar zindabad" (Long live Rajkumar).

His body was later shifted to the sprawling Bangalore Palace grounds to enable people to pay homage in an orderly manner. 

The city police were forced to make elaborate arrangements to maintain law and order and hundreds of policemen were rushed to Rajkumar's residence to regulate the crowds. 

"Rajkumar's family agreed to shift the body to the palace grounds on our advice as it was increasingly becoming difficult to manage the emotionally charged crowds at his house located in a residential colony with narrow roads and by-lanes," a police official said.

Scores of actors, actresses, producers, directors, exhibitors and leading lights of the Kannada film industry were among those who paid tribute to the thespian.

Among the leaders who were first to arrive at Rajkumar's residence were former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, his elder brother H.D. Revanna, former chief minister N. Dharam Singh, state Congres president Mallikarjuna Kharge and central Surface Transport Minister K.H. Muniyappa. 

Many of them were seen consoling Rajkumar's widow Parvathamma, his sons Shivrajkumar, Puneet Kumar and Raghavendra, their wives and children.

The septuagenarian actor died due to cardiac arrest around 2 p.m. when he was being rushed to the M.S. Ramaiah hospital after he complained of chest pain and breathing trouble. His family members were by his side when he breathed his last. 

"We tried to revive him but could not succeed. We did everything to save him," Rajkumar's personal physician Ramana Rao told IANS.

"Rajkumar had been ailing for some time. He was admitted to Wockhard hospital on Feb 27 after he complained of chest pain, breathing, bronchial allergy and lung infection. He recovered and returned home after a week in hospital," Rao recalled.

One of the tallest personalities in Kannada theatre, Rajkumar made his debut in films about five decades ago.

He built up a fan following of millions over the years. In July 2003, Rajkumar was in the limelight after he was abducted by forest brigand Veerappan and held in custody for 108 days.

According to his family members, Rajakumar was under a lot of emotional pressure following the death of his younger brother Varadaraj, who played an instrumental role in his chequered film career. 

 
Advani to skip Karnataka lap of yatra
Indo-Asian News Service

Bangalore, April 12 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Wednesday cancelled the three-day Karnataka lap of his cross-country yatra in the wake of Kannada film star Rajkumar's death earlier in the day.

Advani will, however, make a brief visit to Bangalore Thursday to pay homage to the thespian and return to Sholapur to resume his month-long campaign, a BJP spokesman told IANS.

"The decision to skip the Karnataka leg of the yatra was taken at a meeting in Advani's presence by the party's senior leaders Pramod Mahajan and Ananth Kumar," he said.

Advani's yatra was to enter north Karnataka from Dhulkhed in Maharashtra late Wednesday. The leader was to address several public meetings at Bagalkote, Bijapur, Hubli and Bellary over the next two days before entering Andhra Pradesh Friday.