‘Karnataka Ratna’ for ‘Yuvaratna’ Puneeth, announces CM
Bommai pays fulsome tribute to late actor, says Puneeth had a one-in-a-million personality
BENGALURU:
‘Power Star’ Puneeth Rajkumar will be honoured with the ‘Karnataka Ratna’ award posthumously, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced on Tuesday.
Delivering his address at the ‘Puneeth Namana’ programme organised by Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce to pay tributes to the star who passed away recently, Bommai said, “Puneeth will be awarded the ‘Karnataka Ratna’ posthumously. Apart from this honour, my cabinet will also take a decision on getting national awards and honours for Puneeth. A befitting memorial too will be built in honour of Puneeth to make his name and memory immortal,” Bommai declared.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ‘ಯುವರತ್ನ’ನಿಗೆ ಮರಣೋತ್ತರ ‘ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ರತ್ನ ಪ್ರಶಸ್ತಿ’ : ಸಿಎಂ ಘೋಷಣೆ
‘Fountain of talent from childhood’
Recalling his association with ‘Appu’, as Puneeth was fondly called, the Chief Minister said, “He was close to me. He was a fountain of talent and it was evident from his childhood days itself. He has the distinction of being the only actor who got the national award as a child artiste. It was wonderful to watch how Puneeth as a child actor used to merge with the character, rising over the father-son relationship while acting with his late father Dr Rajkumar. His acting used to attract fans like a magnet. We used to see Dr Rajkumar in Puneeth’s humility and friendly nature.”
Thanking Puneeth’s fans for the manner in which they conducted themselves after his death and during his funeral, Bommai quoted a saying, ‘Sharanarannu Maranadalli Nodu’ (‘see the greatness of a man in his death’), which reflected the great character and personality of Puneeth.
The country has a hoary history, but there are very few who have had a really great character. “Appu has made it to history as a man of such character,” the Chief Minister said.
Last kiss from my heart: CM
Recalling his gesture of kissing Appu’s forehead while he paid his last respects to Puneeth before the funeral rites, which drew diverse comments, the Chief Minister clarified, “It was from my heart. I gave the muththu (kiss) to Muththuraja’s (Dr Rajkumar’s real name) Muththu (‘pearl’, referring to son Puneeth) on behalf of 6 crore people of the state.”
Bommai profusely thanked Dr Rajkumar’s family members, their fans and personnel of various departments of the government for their cooperation in enabling a smooth and dignified funeral for Puneeth.
About the Author
