BENGALURU: It’s seems like yesterday, May 7, 1954. Time has flown past. It has been sixty two long years since Muthuraju made his debut in Bedara Kannappa, that heralded the birth of an icon, a legendary actor ‘Rajkumar’.
Parvatamma Rajkumar, wife of the matinee idol, spoke to City Express about Muthuraju aka Rajkumar. “Singanallur Puttaswamaih, Muthuraju’s father had taken a word of promise from Appaji Gowda, my father that I would be his future daughter-in-law at my naming ceremony,” says Parvatamma Rajkumar. “I studied up to SSLC in the government middle school at Saligrama. Muthuraju used to come to our house to learn Carnatic Music from my father and my uncle Sanne Gowda. He was a brilliant singer, flowering into a fine actor as well.” Muthuaraju used to go with Gubbi Veeranna Company, spending his free time at Saligrama honing skills as a harmonium player too.
They married in 1953, at NanjanaGudu. She says, “My father told me that Muthuraju, being an actor, would have a meagre income and my job was to manage life ‘as is where is’.”
To augment the income, Varada Raju, his younger brother, and Sharadamma, the kid sister of Muthuraju would also act. “I began to accompany the three of them on camps. It was more of a picnic. We were still teenagers,” she recollects.
On the professional front, Muthuraju had made great strides essaying the role of RamaKantha in Bhakta Ambarisha. “It was a popular stage play and won him critical acclaim,” she says.
It was in the second half of 1953 that HLN Simha, the director of film Bedara Kannappa, spotted Muthuraju and summoned him for the screen test. “We were excited. Muthuraju was happy, yet nervous.” Every one had prayer on the lips.
Muthuraju went to AVM studios for the screen test and returned in a week’s time to the stage shows. The results of the screen test would be intimated by post. Muthuraju had told her: “Parvati, I was a bit nervous at the studios. The air-conditioned ambience, the arc lights, the style of making was entirely unnerving”.
That monsoon, they were camping at Hospet, and received a post cover. “Muthuraju was not interested in reading the letter,” says Parvatamma. He said: “Parvati, it must be a letter reminding us of repayment of loans”. But, she read the letter and was left “dumb founded” – Muthuraju was chosen for the role of Bedara Kannappa. He was signed for a sum of `900 and a cheque for `300 was enclosed as advance payment.
“It was the single largest amount he had seen in his career at that point of time,” she says.
After the euphoria of the selection died down, Muthuraju packed two sets of clothes in a cotton bag and travelled to Madras via Bangalore. Lakshmamma, his mother, said: “Mutha, I am very happy, that you are about to fulfill the dream of your father. I wish you success but remember your roots. Glamour and modesty are opposites but you must prove that you are an exception.”
Muthuraju began his assignment and managed to send home a few post cards. After ten months, he was introduced as Rajkumar. The film was a roaring success all over the state.
It was also released in Mysore. “Nagamma, Sharadamma, VaradaRaju, Muthuraju and myself, watched the movie at New Opera Theatre,” says Parvatamma. “We were all excited.”
He asked: “Parvati, how is the movie? Do you like my performance?” Parvatamma replied: “You are brilliant.” She says, “I was happy too that my Muthuraju, my child hood friend, now Rajkumar on the silver screen, was seated next to me, it seemed like a dream. It seems like yesterday.”