Book on Dr Rajkumar presented to British Library

The English version of a popular book on legendary Kannada actor Dr Rajkumar has been handed over officially to the British Library London.

Journalist R Manjunath and his artist wife Dr Soumya Manjunath Chavan presented the book to Dr Catherine Eagleton, Head of Asia Africa Studies, British Library London, Manjunath told PTI here last night.

The book titled 'Dr Rajkumar, the person behind the personality' by the actor's son Punit Rajkur and Prakriti N Banavasi was formally released in Bangalore coinciding with Rajkumar's birthday celebrations last year.

"Dr Rajkumar, besides being a superb actor, singer was the epitome of simplicity, humility and role model for millions of people in Karnataka during his life time," Manjunath, a close family friend, said.

A champion of Kannada language and culture, Dr Rajkumar made his screen debut in 1954.

"In a career spanning over five decades he acted in 208 Kannada movies, winning not only the hearts of the cine lovers but also went on to win innumerable state, national and coveted Kentucky Colonel Title in 1985," he added.

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan has gone on record admitting that the "virtues and character of Dr Rajkumar has been a great influence" in his life too.

Manjunath and Dr Sowmya are here in connection with the Exhibition: She - The Creator, by Dr Soumya held at the Nehru Centre and the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.

While the three-day exhibition at the Nehru Centre attracted a large crowd, the two-day exhibition at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan concluded today drawing positive response, the organisers said.

The exhibition incorporated the logo of the Dr Rajkumar trust, in spreading the awareness of Donate Eyes and Gift Vision campaign.

Dr Soumya who works as an associate professor at the Department of Visual Arts at Jain University, Bengalur, has held exhibitions in the past in Paris, New York, Chicago, New Jearsey. This is the second time she was holding exhibition in London, the first time being last year.

She said that the Indian Centre for Cultural Relations had extended her excellent support in organising the exhibitions.