Karnataka Ratna Award was awarded posthumously to Dr.Puneeth Rajkumar.The award function took place on 1st November at Vidhan Soudha l,Bengaluru.The function was presided over by CM of Karnataka,Rajinikanth was invited as Chief guest.Jr.Ntr also was invited for the function.Admist the rains the whole crowd stood to witness the event.Thalaivar Rajinikanth gave an emotional speech as follows.
"67th Karnataka Rajyotsava, in the presence of Chief Minister & 7 crore Kannada people, my Rajyotsava wishes. Everyone should live like brothers irrespective of religion & caste. I pray Raja Rajeshwari, Allah and Jesus. Appu is like on Markandeya, Prahlada, Nachiketa & now Appu! Modern world's 'Appu'. He's a God's child! He lived amongst for few days, played with us & has reached God. His soul will always be there with us. Due to rain, I'm not able to speak more, I'll speak about Appu again next time clearly. When this prestigious Karnataka Ratna award was given to Rajkumar in this same place, that time also I heard that it rained. Great people like Kuvempu, Nijalingappa also have been given the award. I thank Kannada people & govt for inviting me here. Many Tamil people also have come here, ennai vaazhavaikka deivangalaana Tamizhaga makkulakku ennoda vanakkangale therivithu kolligiren. Nandri Vanakkam.
Rains are reducing so I would like to speak about Puneeth. I saw Puneeth for the first time in 1979 in Madras. How I saw was, there is Nambiar Samy, who used to go to Sabarimalai every year along with 50 swamijis! In that even Rajkumar sir also used to go. I started to go from 1977 & you all know it is to go to Sabarimalai. We tie the 'Irumudi' and after filling with ghee. We all say Swamiye Saranam Aiyappa. A singer called Veeramani used to say it. In 1979, a small kid was saying Swamiye Saranam Aiyappa! Hearing this we all got goosebumps! We all went seeing who is it! The 4 year old kid sitting on Rajkumar's lap, dark boy, moon like face, star like eyes, sitting & laughing like Krishna. Whoever calls, that kid used to go away! Everyone loved that kid so much. Rajkumar used to carry Appu on his shoulders for 48 kms walking. That kid is our Appu. That Appu whom I saw, grew up & when Appu film was released, I had been to Rajkumar sir house. Rajkumar sir said me, "Appu film is released & doing well. Will you see Rajinikanth?". Definitely I said I will see & I saw the film with Rajkumar sir. Of course no need to say about his talent. But after seeing his dance & fights I got goosebumps & said Rajkumar sir definitely the film will cross 100 days & then Rajkumar sir said if the film crosses 100 days then you should only give the shield to Appu. After Rajkumar sir says there is no other word. Film crossed 100 days & in Ambedkar Bhavan we celebrated the function. I gave the shield to Appu. That day's hero was Appu & today's hero is also Appu but unfortunately he's not with us today. How much ever I think, I can't digest it. When Appu passed away, I had a big operation & kept in intensive care. I was said not to convey the news & later after 3 days I got to know the news. After knowing, I couldn't believe! How is it possible? Such a small age! I was said he's 46 years but I thought he must be some 32-37 years. I couldn't come but even if I was healthy I cannot come see the body of Appu like that as I don't want to lose the memory of seeing him as a 4 year old kid. Then I saw in TV channels, seeing lakhs of people giving me goosebumps! Why did so many people? Did they come because he's a actor, Rajkumar son? No. For his character, for his beautiful heart, for his helping nature. For donating crores of rupees which many people didn't know. How big soul he must be. Appu soul is not ordinary soul. A actor cannot win poeples love just by acting. In real life, how he lives, what he gives for the people, what are the morals he says in his movies- only because of these he can only win poeples love. Just like Appu, in Tamil Nadu, MGR did it by doing lot of donations & saying lot of morals in his films. Same way, NTR also reached town trodden people by playing characters like Krishna, Rama from Ramayana & Mahabharatha. Also Sivaji Ganesan through his acting spread patriotism & devotion by playing characters like Kattabomman, Kappalottiya Tamizhan, Thiruvilaiyadal making him live in people's heart. Same way there's no need to say about Rajkumar. There's no character he's played. Be it Thukaram, Puradaradasa, Pundarika! Historical & devotional characters. He was a living example for the way he lived. In the same our Puneeth Rajkumar falls in this line. What all these legends achieved at the age of 60-70, Appu did it in just 21 years by acting in 35 years winning everyone's hearts & has become immortal. He'll always be with us. And Ashwini, I don't know how she's facing the loss. May God give her more power to withstand this loss. Appu will always be with us. Thank you very much."
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