the legend lives on..in our hearts

Today is Annavru Dr. Raj's 80th birthday. There are celebrations all over the state; so many cultural programs, blood donation camps -- all in the honor of the Kannada matinée idol. Two years have passed since he has passed away, but he remains fresh in our memories.

I don't intend to write an essay about him because I'm afraid it many run into tens of pages. :)
But I want to enlist few of his qualities that has made him the icon that he is.

1. He was a perfectionist - he would retake his shots several times until he was completely satisfied with his performance.
2. He knew his core skills & didn't allow distractions to lose focus on his core abilities - after he gained immense publicity after the Gokak Chaluvali, many political parties pleaded with him to join their party. But Dr. Raj plainly refused responding that he was not made to be a politician. He would continue to serve Kannada & mankind along with his acting career.
3. He gave back to society from where he had gained so much. He donated generously to orphanages, widow upliftment programs, etc. But while giving such donations he always made sure that his left hand wouldn't know what his right hand gave. Isn't he so different from those whoDuring the Kargil War crisis, he roamed across Karnataka to collect donations for the Kargil fund. Gokak Chaluvali that was initially started by the Kannada thinkers assumed the proportions of a movement only Dr. Raj joined in his hands.
   

Above all this, he was a talented & diversified actor, unparallel to none other. This combined with singing talent made him such an unique personality. Who else have got a Dada Saheb Phalke award and a National award for the best playback singer?