This 'gem' completed his journey; final rites today

The end came at around 1.30 pm even as he was admitted to Mission Hospital, owing to respiratory problems. He was ailing since many months, and was administered oxygen at his residence, on Ramanuja road. The body was being kept at his residence. Among those who paid last respects were actors Shivrajkumar, Darshan, Doddanna, Music varsity VC Hanumanna Nayaka Dore, Nataka Academy Chairperson B V Rajaram and others. Later, the body was shifted to Rajaram Agrahara Park enabling public to pay their last respects for the departed soul. Final rites will be held at Harishchandra Ghat, at the foothills of Chamundi at 8 am on Wednesday, said his son Raghavendra.

He has ‘gem’ in his name, yet riches evaded him. A squeaky trembling voice, short and frail frame with no background in acting whatsoever, did not deter Ratnakar from choosing films as his way ahead, even as a youngster barely out of his teens.

Film industry and Bangalore were entirely new to this Mysore born demure lad. Yet, he was committed. Acting was something his father loathed and as a result of Ratnakar’s choice to continue with acting, his father never spoke to him all his life. Yet, he went on to act in more than 300 Kannada films including the latest Aptarakshaka, and yet to be released Gana Bajana. He had started from film Vichitra Prapancha and had gone on to act in Bhakta Kanakadasa, Satya Harishchandra, Nandadeepa, Navajeeva, Karulina Kare, Nyaya Ellide, Anjada Gandu, Rowdy MLA, Kanyaratna, Gurushishyaru among others.    
Ratnakar was fortunate enough to be part of Kannada film industry during its golden years. Contemporary Kannada industry turned him off, however, he continued working in his most loved profession, to make ends meet. Being called Kollooru Manjunatha Bhatta who was born into a family of priests; the screen name Ratnakar soon overshadowed his ‘Bhatta’ identity. His works were exemplary.

Living a life of austerity, Ratnakar hardly sought help from others. He had even saved up some money for his final rites and told his children so, few days ago. When breathing got difficult in the morning, Ratnakar asked his sons not to make futile efforts to shift him to hospital. The deaths of Mysoreans Vishnuvardhan and Ashwath had disturbed him beyond words.
DH News Service