BENGALURU: Singanalluru Puttaswamy Varadaraju, popularly known as S P Varadaraju, was the younger brother of legendary actor Dr Rajkumar. His contribution to the phenomenal growth of Rajkumar as the uncrowned king of Sandalwood is well known.
On February 21, Dr Rajkumar Trust will honour the memory of Varadaraju by awarding veteran theatre artists with a cash prize and citation. SP Varadaraj Memorial Awards are given away at an annual ceremony and this year it is being held at Yavanika Hall, Nrupatunga Road. Members of the Rajkumar family will attend the event.
Varadaraju’s journey to Madras along with his elder brother in 1955 marked a new beginning in the life of Rajkumar and the Kannada film industry.
For the next five decades, his contribution in shaping the career of Rajkumar was unparalleled. One had to convince Varadaraju before seeking an audition with Rajkumar to finalise a role.
A thorough-bred actor and a man with a great sense of music, Varadaraju added new dimension to the characters Rajkumar essayed.
“The exposure to drama companies during our childhood and travels to every nook and corner in Mysore state were the best things that happened to us,” he would often say.
Varadaraju and his sister-in- law Parvatamma Rajkumar were the two pillars of Vajreshwari Combines, which redifined the Kannada film industry.
“Varadappa’s knowledge in the Hindustani music helped my progression as a singer,”
Dr Rajkumar had said in many of his public speeches. “His skill in selection of lyrics and suggesting ragas at the time of composition were helpful.”
Varadaraju’s devotion and hard work was beyond comparison. For over 50 years, he sacrificed his own personal aspirations to mentor Muthuraju as Dr Rajkumar, the actor-singer, whom the Kannada film lovers loved, adored and worshipped.
The Kannada film fraternity knew “Muthuraju and Varadaraju” as the inseparables. “Varadappa, don’t feel lonely or insecure up there, I will join you soon” Rajkumar had said on February 8, 2006, at Varadaraju’s funeral.
Just 64 days after the passing away of his doting younger brother Varadaraju, Muthuraju aka Rajkumar followed suit.