Mandya: Emphasising the timeless relevance of values and humility, BP Prakash, chairman of the Mandya Urban Development Authority (MUDA), Friday, urged the youth to emulate the simple lifestyle and moral principles of legendary actor Rajkumar.Speaking after inaugurating the 97th birth anniversary celebrations at the Govt Women’s College (autonomous), Prakash said that despite being a towering figure in Indian cinema, Rajkumar remained grounded and free from ego. His humility, he said, was reflected in the respect he showed film producers by addressing them as ‘Annadata’. Such values, Prakash added, were essential to building a responsible and compassionate society.Delivering a special lecture, Nagaraja PV, assistant professor of Kannada at Maharani Women’s Commerce and Management College, described Rajkumar as a cultural icon and guiding star of the Kannada film industry. Popular as ‘Nata Sarvabhouma’, Rajkumar had a career spanning over five decades and acted in more than 200 films. A recipient of the Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, his contributions as an actor and singer remain unmatched, he said.Speakers noted that Rajkumar’s films consistently carried strong moral and social messages across mythological, social and family genres. His performances, dialogues and songs were marked by dignity and cultural richness and rarely faced censorship, making his body of work a source of ethical learning.The programme also featured a musical tribute, with Professor Mansoor Pasha rendering popular songs of the late actor, which drew appreciation from the audience.
