Kannada idol Rajkumar dead, state funeral Thursday

Bangalore, April 12 (IANS) Kannada film icon Rajkumar, whose kidnapping by brigand Veerappan in 2002 created a nationwide furore, died here Wednesday of cardiac arrest, plunging Karnataka into sorrow and sparking arson by his anguished fans.

Millions of the 77-year-old thespian's ardent followers reacted with sorrow and even violence - fans in Bangalore stoned vehicles after police prevented them from visiting Rajkumar's house - even as the state government announced the actor would be accorded a state funeral Thursday with full police honours and gun salute.

Karnataka will observe a two-day mourning till Thursday, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy told reporters.

"Rajkumar will be accorded a state funeral on Thursday. Government offices, educational institutions, business establishments, private offices and theatres will remain closed as a mark of respect," he said.

The septuagenarian actor died around 2 p.m. when he was being rushed to the M.S. Ramaiah Hospital after he complained of chest pain and breathing trouble. His family members were by his side when he breathed his last.

As news of his death spread, shops, offices and cinema theatres across Bangalore shut down as a mark of respect as thousands of fans thronged his home to pay their last respects.

"We tried to revive him but could not succeed. We did everything to save him," Rajkumar's personal physician Ramana Rao said.

The last rites will be performed at the farmhouse of Rajkumar's second son Puneet on the Bangalore-Mysore highway.

Rajkumar's body will be taken to the farmhouse on the outskirts of the city in a procession from the Kanteerva sports stadium, where it was shifted from his residence to enable the public to pay homage in an orderly manner.

Within an hour of the actor's death, his fans went around the city carrying his portraits and banners. Using loudspeakers, they appealed to people to maintain peace and shut down commercial and other establishments.

Thousands of fans thronged Rajkumar's home in the posh Sadashivnagar area. Many sobbed inconsolably and screamed slogans like "Annavaru Jai" and "Rajkumar zindabad" (Long live Rajkumar).

About 15 platoons of police were deployed in and around Bangalore to maintain peace and contain a spate of violent incidents that rocked India's silicon hub after frenzied fans went berserk when they were prevented from visiting Rajkumar's home.

The fans attacked police vehicles, public transport buses and private vehicles with batons and stones.

In a bid to regulate crowds thronging the stadium for a glimpse of the celluloid hero, the police made elaborate arrangements to maintain law and order.

"In a series of attacks, 14 police vehicles, 48 city transport buses and 72 private vehicles, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers were severely damaged following stone-throwing and arson," Additional Commissioner of Police Bipin Gopalkrishna told IANS.

One of the tallest personalities in the Kannada theatre, Rajkumar made his debut in cinema about five decades ago. He built up a fan following of millions over the years, winning the Karnataka Ratna, Padma Bhushan and Dada Saheb Phalke awards.

In July 2003, Rajkumar was in the limelight after he was abducted by forest brigand Veerappan and held in custody for 108 days.

According to his family members, Rajkumar was under a lot of emotional pressure following the death of his younger brother Varadaraj, who played an instrumental role in his chequered film career.

Rajkumar is survived by wife Parvathamma, three actor sons - Shivarajkumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar - and two daughters.