Adieus, Annavaru

Veteran actor Rajkumar, Annavaru to his fans, passes away. He was 77. How would he be remembered? For his 205 films, for the thousands of songs? Or for his language pride? All his life, Rajkumar resisted the temptation to act in any other language film, which gave him a moral control over the Kannada psyche. Or for his penchant for anonymity? During the ’80s, when the Kannada language movement was at its peak and Rajkumar’s following at an all-time high, he simply walked away from the CM’s chair. Or as brigand Veerappan’s hostage, pleading, un-hero-like, for mercy? Whatever, Rajkumar evoked strong passions. No wonder then there was rioting on the news of his death.