Parvathamma Rajkumar (78), producer of scores of hit Kannada films and wife of iconic actor Rajkumar, died at M S Ramaiah Hospital here on Wednesday. She was laid to rest with state honours at Kanteerava Studios on Wednesday evening.
She was buried next to Rajkumar. Their children Puneeth, Shivarajkumar and Raghavendra followed instructions from chief priest Dasaiah, who supervised the last rites.
Poornima, one of Parvathamma’s two daughters, fainted when she saw the body being covered with earth. Parvathamma was honoured with a gun salute, with the Karnataka Police firing three rounds in the air.
Her body was taken in a decorated hearse from her house in Sadashivanagar to Kanteerava Studios in Nandini Layout, a distance of 7 km. Police had stopped traffic and created a ‘green corridor’ for the procession.
Bengaluru Development Minister K J George and Power Minister D K Shivakumar were among those present at the burial.
Traffic was blocked at many places from Cauvery junction and Kanteerava Studios via the Yeswanthpur flyover. The procession began at 3.45 pm and reached its destination at 4.30 pm.
The police allowed only family members, relatives and close friends, besides media personnel, into Kanteerava Studios.
Disappointed crowds
Hundreds of people had gathered outside with garlands to pay their respects, but police did not allow them inside. When the crowds became restive, police caned them. The rites were relayed live on a giant LED TV.
Doctors at M S Ramaiah Hospital informed the family about Parvathamma’s cardiac arrest early on Wednesday. The body reached the family residence at Sadashivanagar at 7 am.
Initially, the plan was to take the body to Poornaprajna Educational Centre grounds nearby to enable the public to pay homage, but the family eventually decided against it.
VIP mourners
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, senior politicians S M Krishna, Mallikarjun Kharge, T B Jayachandra and R Ashoka, besides Mayor Padmavathi, visited the bungalow and paid their respects.
Thousands thronged Sadashivanagar for a glimpse of Parvathamma, the woman who had contributed to the success of her iconic husband Rajkumar.
A galaxy of film and TV actors, who looked up to Parvathamma, visited the bungalow. Many big stars like Ambareesh and Ravichandran also paid homage there.
Sa Ra Govindu, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president, thanked the government for granting permission to conduct the final rites at the Kanteerava Studios.
R Hithendra, additional commissioner of police, and Labhu Ram, deputy commissioner of police, ensured free passage for the procession.
Shootings cancelled
“All shootings and film-related work is cancelled for the day. Cinema halls and threatres across the state will not operate until 6 pm on Wednesday,” Govindu said.