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POVERTY
IS THE VERY BIG UNIVERSITY
With
Rs.50 I Had To Maintain The Huge Family
Report
by - CNB Photos - K.M. Veeresh Date -27/9/2005
Time - 12.30 AM
 ‘I
am the one who is going to get the Mangalasutra tied –
however it might be. What is written in our fate will
only happen’ – I had told my mother on the marriage day.
When all the arrangement was ready someone came and told
me that my mother is objecting to Mangalasuthra. When
I went and saw she told me that the sacred Mangalasutra
was not properly shaped. My father also yelled at my mother
for such objection. She kept quiet. The groom side had
asked for ‘Mangalasutra’ for someone to bring and they
have just bought that. From that age I had no special
attention towards gold ornaments. Even to this day I am
not obsessed with gold.
The
marriage went on well later at Nanjangud. There was a
small procession. Next day we reached to Saligrama. A
small reception was arranged there. Next day Rajkumar
went to Hospet for a drama. He left me at my father’s
house.
When
I look back today I feel everything went on so smooth.
Our condition was not so good. As a matter of fact Rajkumar
borrowed Rs.500 loan for his marriage with a theatre company.
He had made arrangements to deduct Rs.50 every month.
Then he used to get only Rs.100 per month. Rs.50 going
to loan I had to maintain family with just Rs.50.
 I
remember a small incident at this stage. The presentation
(Muyyi) he got was Rs.41. He had to give Rs.50 to his
sister family. He borrowed the remaining amount and sent
it to his sister.
It
is around this time my mother-in-law health was not good.
There were a few others at home not well. By borrowing
four ‘annas’ and five ‘annas’, we used to run the family.
I have seen the utter poverty in life very closely. So
I know what hunger is.
 Rajkumar
did not have to make loan for his marriage. Artiste benefit
show was in practice. Friends of Rajkumar forced him to
urge for benefit show. He went and asked the theatre group
leader Subbaiya Naidu. ‘Neenu Ghandsu Kanayya’ (you are
a male) you earn your money. Why do you ask for benefit
show was the reply he got. In fact it turned out to be
good. As the days passed not succumbing to benefit show
was so good we realized.
Then
my father wrote a letter saying ‘Ashada Masa’ has come
to an end come and take your wife to Rajkumar. He had
just finished his camp when he received the letter. At
that time there was a comment in Rajkumar family. We are
finding it tough to fill the stomach. What is that Ashada,
my Karma came out of severe penury from an elder in the
house?
A
surprise letter reached the house. We opened that letter
with lot of fear. Karnataka Film Samsthe letter Sri Gubbi
Veeranna had signed it. Rajkumar should come to screen
test for the selection of a film was the content.
At
the opening of this fortune my mother in law told Rajkumar.
Don’t scream at that ‘Hudugi’ (myself) it is because she
stepped in to this house this opportunity came to you
she had said.
During
this time someone told Rajkumar don’t go to Subbainaidu’s
team. It is not for you was the advice passed on. Rajkumar
with courage went ahead. Bread Raju was another person
who came for the screen test. The screen test was over
and a few days later Rajkumar was invited. In the invite
Rajkumar received Rs.800 as advance remuneration. For
one month Rs.1000 was fixed as remuneration. In the advance
received Rajkumar first cleared the loan he had taken
from Subbainanaidu. There was festive look in the house.
Sweets were distributed. I was presented a Saree by Rajkumar.
 ‘Bedara
Kannappa’ got released. Rajkumar came from Madras and
acted in some more dramas. I also saw some of the dramas.
When the play was going in Chitradurga a dozen Konkani
Brahmin women were also among the audience. When Rajkumar
came up on stage in the Sri Rama get up all these women
getting up folded their hands. I was perplexed at their
response to the role of Sri Rama.
In
1954 we went to Madras (now Chennai). Arranged for a house.
The second film of Rajkumar was ‘Sodhari’. Rajkumar is
unfit for King’s role is what the newspapers wrote. It
is only when good costumes are given he looks like a King?
For
‘Sodhari’ he got Rs.2500 remuneration. From this ‘Sodhari’
remuneration he performed the marriage of his ‘Sodhari’
(sister). There was no job some time. Rs.60 was the remuneration.
From that the entire family had to be maintained. We decided
to come back to Bangalore. At this time……
Without
telling these it is difficult to tell you how I maintained
Rajkumar Empire for 25 years. The experience from the
young age was a lesson and of course a torchbearer for
me. It guided me precisely.
Nutshell
– Any experience is not a pittance. Any experience is
not a futile one. One or the other day it helps you. It
helps us in growing to the heights.
Smt.Parvathamma
Rajkumar
See
you next Tuesday
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