JOIN USDr Raj's memorial far from completion
The council headed by the then Mayor Ayub Khan resolved to build a memorial after the thespian, for whom the city was his second home. After much deliberations, Curzon Park-III at Chamarajendra Wadiyar Circle opposite to Mysore Palace North Gate was finalised for the purpose. Earlier, a section of the corporators had vainly mooted Maulana Azad Circle (highway) to erect the life-size statue of the great actor, for the location being close to a hotel where he (Rajkumar) always stayed during his shooting schedule in and around the city.
But it took over a year to finalise the photo- that could be brought into life in the form of a statue. Rajkumar waving at his fans from the top of a vehicle during a pro-Kannada movement was finalised and was approved during the tenure of Ayub Khan’s successor Purushothama. An estimated amount of ` nine lakh was earmarked for the bronze statue of the legendary on screen persona. Of which, ` 6.6 lakh will be spent on statue alone, while the remaining amount will be spent on pedestal and other civic works.
The tenure of incumbent Mayor Sandesh Swamy, who succeeded Purushothama, is just three days left to end, and the statue is still taking shape. Strange is, the incumbent preferred to lay foundation for the statue, at the fag end of his term, on Sunday.
No sooner Sandesh Swamy took over the reins in 2010, he visited the sculptor Pramodini Deshpande, who has been entrusted with the task of making the statue.
The clay model of the statue was ready, but it wasn’t okay with the mayor. He suggested some changes and same was the case when the idol was opened for inspection for the second time. The idol awaits inspection for the third time.
It’s only after the clay model is finalised, the artistes involved in the proejct could mould it in bronze. Strange is, two statues of other personalities that were approved later, have been completed and are ready to be unveiled.
Sources told Deccan Herald, a panel- Dr Rajkumar Statue Committee with Mayor heading the body and senior corporators as its members, was formed to overlook the works. When this is the case, obviously the opinions differ.
If taken to count all these happenings, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say, the forthcoming mayor too may go for a change. Only time will tell when will the memorial materialise.
For love of ‘Rajanna’
An ardent fan of the thespian and journalist Soorya entered into wedlock on the birth anniversary of the actor. Soorya, working with a local electronic media married Swathi, on the dais that was aptly decorated with the photographs of the actor. What made the occasion completely influenced by Rajkumar was 70 people who attended the ceremony registered for eye donation, willing to follow the actor who too donated his eyes. In all, 10 among the invitees also registered for body donation, and donated blood at the camps organised at the venue- B V Karanth Ranga Mantapa at Dasara Exhibition Grounds. Mysore Kannada Vedike had organised the camps.
Vedike president Balakrishna and others were present.