<p>The award, titled ‘Appaji Souharda Prashasti’ will be presented to three film personalities every year. The award carries a purse of Rs one lakh and a memento. Senior artist Shanthamma, film director S K Bhagavan and actor Shivaram have been selected for the first year’s award.Rajkumar’s wife Parvathamma and three sons - Shivaraj, Raghavendra and Puneet - on Saturday, presented the awards in a function organised by the Rajkumar Trust. Shanthamma, after accepting the award, said it was the greatest <br />award she had accepted so far. She was elated for being chosen as the first recipient. <br /><br />An emotional Bhagavan went down the memory lane to recall his 50 years’ association with the later actor. “When there were many people eager to meet Rajkumar at least for five minutes, I had the opportunity to enjoy his friendship for 50 years”, he said.<br /><br />The trust is publishing a book on Rajkumar’s contribution to the film field. Puneet, briefing the concept of the book, said it would carry hundreds of rare photos of Rajkumar and articles on the actor. “We have the dream of bringing out a special book on my father for the last six years. I wanted it published when he was alive. But we could not materialise it. We hope it will be released by September this year”, he said. <br /><br />Parvathamma released the cover page of the book titled: Dr Rajkumar: The Person behind the Personality. The book will be published in both Kannada and English. Raghavendra told the audience that the Trust had been conducting eye camps to help the poor. All three sons of Rajkumar pledged their bodies for cadaver donation. <br /><br />Exhibition hall<br /><br />It was the government’s duty to organise the birth anniversary of a man who exuded enormous influence over an entire generation with immense contribution to cultural field, said Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. <br /><br />Speaking at a function organised by the government to observe the 82nd birth anniversary of Rajkumar he said Rajkumar was an exemplary role model for many with the way he lead his life both on and off the screen. <br /><br />“His life and the roles he played on screen conveyed an extraordinary sense of simplicity and innocence. His discipline is worth emulating,” Yeddyurappa said. <br /><br />Apart from instituting the Rajkumar award, an exhibition hall would be constructed next to the samadhi at Kanteerava studios, depicting his life and his films, he revealed.<br /><br />Nadoja Prof Nissar Ahmed related several anecdotes on the popular actor revealing his love for the simple life. Seveal film personalities were present.<br /><br /></p>
<p>The award, titled ‘Appaji Souharda Prashasti’ will be presented to three film personalities every year. The award carries a purse of Rs one lakh and a memento. Senior artist Shanthamma, film director S K Bhagavan and actor Shivaram have been selected for the first year’s award.Rajkumar’s wife Parvathamma and three sons - Shivaraj, Raghavendra and Puneet - on Saturday, presented the awards in a function organised by the Rajkumar Trust. Shanthamma, after accepting the award, said it was the greatest <br />award she had accepted so far. She was elated for being chosen as the first recipient. <br /><br />An emotional Bhagavan went down the memory lane to recall his 50 years’ association with the later actor. “When there were many people eager to meet Rajkumar at least for five minutes, I had the opportunity to enjoy his friendship for 50 years”, he said.<br /><br />The trust is publishing a book on Rajkumar’s contribution to the film field. Puneet, briefing the concept of the book, said it would carry hundreds of rare photos of Rajkumar and articles on the actor. “We have the dream of bringing out a special book on my father for the last six years. I wanted it published when he was alive. But we could not materialise it. We hope it will be released by September this year”, he said. <br /><br />Parvathamma released the cover page of the book titled: Dr Rajkumar: The Person behind the Personality. The book will be published in both Kannada and English. Raghavendra told the audience that the Trust had been conducting eye camps to help the poor. All three sons of Rajkumar pledged their bodies for cadaver donation. <br /><br />Exhibition hall<br /><br />It was the government’s duty to organise the birth anniversary of a man who exuded enormous influence over an entire generation with immense contribution to cultural field, said Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. <br /><br />Speaking at a function organised by the government to observe the 82nd birth anniversary of Rajkumar he said Rajkumar was an exemplary role model for many with the way he lead his life both on and off the screen. <br /><br />“His life and the roles he played on screen conveyed an extraordinary sense of simplicity and innocence. His discipline is worth emulating,” Yeddyurappa said. <br /><br />Apart from instituting the Rajkumar award, an exhibition hall would be constructed next to the samadhi at Kanteerava studios, depicting his life and his films, he revealed.<br /><br />Nadoja Prof Nissar Ahmed related several anecdotes on the popular actor revealing his love for the simple life. Seveal film personalities were present.<br /><br /></p>
