Having spent most of your life in Bangalore it’s hard to distance yourself –or not be acquainted to the large scale persona of Dr. Rajkumar. If you had been to Bangalore before the advent of the IT age you would be awe-struck by those humungus hyper-posters on the Majestic bus stand to the glossy stickers on auto rickshaw windshields of Chamarajpet. From the engine boxes of rundown KSRTC busses in Nagamangala to the photo frames of sweet vendors in KR market. What made Rajkumar connect? Probably everything. His role as a village simpleton, social reformer, historical character or a mythological figure. He appealed to a diverse audience and his pride of language and place.
Of course, looking at the not-so popular state of Kannada films today, Rajkumar towers and persists. In his unending social themes Dr. Rajkumar has provided the Kannada loving public more than a song. He has given them the elixir of words and a pride for the language. As a fitting tribute, I end this writing with whatever I remember of this little song from a movie called Kasturi Nivasa. A song in PB Sreenivas’s melancholic voice which has haunted me right after I heard on my hostel radio during my Bangalore Hostel days. Of course my translation may not do justice to the melody and the circumstance ? and perhaps may even fall short . Yet, I have attempted to portray this phenomenological rendition of the story of a man subjected to a greater power (‘God’ the pupetteer, ‘Human’ the puppet and ‘Life’ the play). Like a puppeteer Dr. Rajkumar has entertained us with his puppetry and leaves us with grace and humility….
Aadisi nodu, beelisi nodu, uruli hogadhu
(play up to it, or try and bring it down, it never trips [or falters])
Yeeney barali yarigu sothu, taleya bagadhu
(Come what may, never will it bow its head in surrender)
Yendigu nanu heegey eruvey, endhu naguvudhu
(‘I shall always remain in this state’ it sneers)
Heegey naguthaliruvudhu
(And it sneers perpetually)
Gudisaley aagali, aramaney aagali, aata nilladhu
(Be a hut, or a palace, the play never stops)
Hiriryarey irali, kiriyare barali, bedha toradhu
(Be to elders, or youngsters, it never shows prejudice)
Kashtavu sukhavo alukadhe aadi tooguthiruvudu
(Sorrow or joy, it plays without hindrance, and cradles along)
Mayyaney hindi nondharu kabbu sihiya koduvudhu
(Even while its body choked and agonized, a sugarcane always provides sweetness)
Teguthaliddaru gandhadha parimala tumbhi baruvudhu
(Even while being kneaded, a sandalwoods fragrance always fills)
Thaney ujiddharu deepavu manegey, belaka taruvudu
(although burning in itself, a lamp always brings light into our homes)
Aadisuvathana kaichalakadhali yella adagidhey
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…Like a puppeteer Dr. Rajkumar has entertained us with his puppetry and leaves us with grace and humility….
(Everything is hidden within the pupeteers’ handskills)
Atana karunaegey jeevava tumbhi kunisi nalisidhe
(A puppets life fills and dances under his mercy)
Akeyu sotharey bombeya katheyu koneyaguvudhey?
(Even if he gives up, will the saga of the puppets ever end?)
Aadisidhatha besara moodi aata mugisidha
(The player finished the play after being crestfallen)
Sutrava haridha, bombeya muridha, mannagisidha
(Tore the rulebook, broke the puppet and soiled it)
Kambani dharey harisalu nanna jeevava ulisidha
(and he spared me to shed streams of tears)
Aadisi nodu, beelisi nodu, uruli hogadhu
(Play up to it, or try and bring it down, it never trips [or falters])
Yaare barali manasigey endhu, shanthi dorakadhu
(Irrespective of who arrives, the soul will never receive its peace)
Kanneeridua Nannee Katheyu Yeko Mugiyadhu
(And I wonder why this tearful story of mine never ends)
Author: Newton Dsouza- USA
