Name: Dr. Rajkumar (ಡಾ. ರಾಜ್‌ಕುಮಾರ್, ಅಣ್ಣಾವ್ರು)

Titles: Annaavru, Nata saarvabhauma, ನಟಸಾರ್ವಭೌಮ, Devataa Manushya, Bangarada Manushya, Karnataka Rathna

Other Names: Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju, Vara Nata, Gaana Gandharva, Rasikara Raja, Vishwa Maanava

Date Of Birth: April 24, 1929

Age: (Age at Death: 76 years 11 months 19 days)

Place Of Birth: Gajanur, Tamil Nadu

Date Of Death: April 12, 2006

Place Of Death: Bangalore, Karnataka

Wife: Parvatamma Rajkumar (Producer)

Sons: Shivaraj Kumar (Actor), Raghavendra Rajkumar (Actor), Punith Rajkumar (Actor)

Daughters: Poornima, Lakshmi

Mother: Lakshmamma

Father: Singanalluru Puttaswamayyan (Theater artist)

Sister: Sharadamma

Sister-In-Law: Sharadamma (wife of SP VaradaRaju)

Grandson: Vinay Rajkumar (Actor)

Brother-In-Law: Balakrishna (husband of sister Sharadamma)

Favorite Actor: Shivaji Ganeshan

Brother: S.P.Varadaraju

Teacher: Appannappa (both his & his father's)

Biography

Childhood, Family, Personal Life: Dr. Rajkumar was born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju on Wednesday, April 24, 1929, in Gajanur, Tamil Nadu, to Puttaswamayya (Father) & Lakshmamma (Mother), in a Kannada speaking family as their eldest son. Both of his parents were theatre artists. His father made regular appearances in prominent negative roles in Dramas like Kamsa, Ravana, Hiranyakashipu, Bheema, Jalandhara. His father was from Singanallur near Kollegala, His mother was from Dodda Gajanur, Tamil Nadu.

Rajkumar has a brother named S.P.Varadaraju and sisters named Sharadamma & Nagamma.

Education: Rajkumar only studied till 3rd standard, after that he left school and joined Drama company, where he learnt literature, his English knowledge comes from interactions with people.

Marriage: Rajkumar married Raja Gourava (who later became popular as Parvathamma Rajkumar), his distant relative.

Children: Dr. Rajkumar & Parvathamma had five children in total. 2 daughters & 3 Sons.

Relationship with Actress Leelavathi: There have been rumors about a relationship between actress Leelavathi & Dr. Rajkumar. In a recent book written by Ravi Belagere, the actress revealed about her romantic relationship with Dr. Raj and that her son Vinod Raj is Dr. Raj's child.

Abduction: Dr. Rajkumar, when he was visiting his hometown Gajanur, was kidnapped by Veerappan. He was in hostage for 108 days after which a deal was made, and he was released.

Death: He died of cardiac arrest at his home in Sadashiva Nagar, Bangalore, on April 12, 2006, at the age of 77. It was unexpected and came as a shock to his fans. His memorial has been constructed at Kanteerava Studios, Bangalore.

Career

Gubbi Veeranna Drama Company: Dr. Raj joined Gubbi Veeranna's company when he was just 8 years old. His father Puttaswamy was an artist himself, and that helped him get into films.

Movie Debut: Dr. Rajkumar appeared in the movie Sri Srinivasa Kalyana (1952) in a small role (Agasthya Rishi), which was the beginning of his career.

Movie Debut in lead role: Rajkumar's first lead role was in Bedara Kannappa (1954), a devotional drama directed by H L N Simha.

100th Movie: Bhaagyada Baagilu (1968), a Drama movie directed by K S L Swamy, was his 100th movie.

200th Movie: Devataa Manushya (1988), an Action, Crime movie directed by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, was his 200th movie.

Last Movie: Shabdavedhi (2000), an action film against drug mafia, was his last film, directed by S Narayan.

Awards & Recognition

• 1963: Santa Thukarama- Best Actor Award (President Medal)
• 1967: Title of Nata Saarvabhouma from the Government of Karnataka
• 1968: Bangaarada Hoovu: Best Actor (Karnataka State Film Awards)
• 1971: Kula Gourava: Best Actor (Karnataka State Film Awards)
• 1973: Gandhada Gudi: Best Actor (Filmfare Awards South)
• 1975: Bhakta Kumbara: Best Actor (Karnataka State Film Awards)
• 1975: Mayura: Best Actor (Filmfare Awards South)
• 1975: Babruvaahana: Best Actor (Karnataka State Film Awards)
• 1976: Honorary Doctorate from Mysore University
• 1978: Shankar Guru: Best Actor (Filmfare Awards South)
• 1981: Keralida Simha: Best Actor (Filmfare Awards South)
• 1982: Hosa Belaku: Best Actor (Karnataka State Film Awards)
• 1983: Haalu Jenu: Best Actor (Karnataka State Film Awards)
• 1983: Padma Bhushan from Govt. of India.
• 1984: Shravana Banthu: Best Actor (Filmfare Awards South)
• 1985: Ade Kannu: Best Actor (Filmfare Awards South)
• 1985: Kentucky colonel award by the governor of Kentucky, United States.
• 1986: Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma: Best Actor (Filmfare Awards South)
• 1989: Devatha Manushya: Best Actor (Karnataka State Film Awards)
• 1992: Karnataka Ratna from Karnataka State Govt.
• 1992: Best Male Playback Singer (National Film Award) for the song "Naadamaya Ee Lokavella" from the movie "Jeevana Chaitra"
• 1993: Aakasmika: Best Actor (Filmfare Awards South)
• 1993: Jeevana Chaitra: Best Actor (Karnataka State Film Awards)
• 1994: Odahuttidavaru: Best Actor (Karnataka State Film Awards)
• 1994: Aakasmika: Best Playback Singer for "Huttidare Kannada Nadal Huttabeku" (Karnataka State Film Awards)
• 1995: Thayi Illada Thavaru: Best Playback Singer for "Arishina kunkuma" (Karnataka State Film Awards)
• 1995: Dada Saheb Phalke Award, a prestigious award for the lifetime achievement in films.
• 1999: The Nadoja Award, an honorary Doctorate from Hampi University
• 2002: NTR National Award
• 2003: Kannadiga of the year by ETV Kannada.
• 2005: Sarthaka Suvarna: Felicitation ceremony for honoring Rajkumar for his 50 years of service to Karnataka & Kannada Art.
• 2009: Postal Stamps and Gold coins with Dr Raj's face were released by the Govt of India.
• 2011: Bharat Ratna nomination from Karnataka Govt.

There are more than 1000 statues of Dr. Raj installed throughout Karnataka. He was awarded the title of "Vishwa Maanava" by the famous poet Kuvempu. A road named after the star in Bangalore, Karnataka.

Rajkumar, the Philanthropist

• Dr. Rajkumar Eye Bank: Dr. Raj donated his eyes & was part of the campaign to raise awareness towards eye donation. The eye bank was started in 1994.
• Blood donation camps: He donated blood often and recommended that everyone does that.
• Donations to charity
• Collecting funds for Kargil Victims: Dr. Raj walked the length of Karnataka to collect funds for the war victims of the Kargil war.
• Donations to Ashrams: He donated his devotional album collections to ashrams.