- Lakhs pay last respects to actor-politician at Mandya, Bengaluru
- Funeral procession from Kanteerava Stadium to Kanteerava Studios
Mandya/ Bengaluru: The last journey of Malavalli Huchhegowda Amarnath, fondly known as “rebel star” Ambarish (66), began in Bengaluru at around 12 noon today. After an overnight opportunity for lakhs of fans to pay their last respects at Sir M. Visvesvaraya Stadium in Mandya, the body was airlifted by a special Indian Air Force Chopper to HAL Airport in Bengaluru at around 11 am today.
Ambarish’s son Abhishek Gowda, who was calm and composed
yesterday, could not control his tears this morning when the
cortège carrying his father’s body was being air-lifted from Sir
M.V. Stadium in Mandya to Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
From the HAL Airport, the body was brought to Sree Kanteerava Stadium through zero-traffic zone from where the last journey began to Kanteerava Studios where the cremation will take place. Priests who will be conducting the funeral rites said that the auspicious time is between 4.30 pm and 5 pm.
Minutes after the IAF chopper landed at the Sir M.V. Stadium, Ambarish’s son Abhishek Gowda went around the Stadium with folded hands, thanking the people of Mandya for giving his father a befitting farewell. Later, Ambarish’s wife Sumalatha too thanked the crowd. The body was supposed to be airlifted at around 9 am but was postponed to 11 am due to Rahu Kala (7.30 am to 9 am). The entry gates to the Sir MV Stadium were shut at around 9 am and the crowds waited for the IAF chopper which arrived at 10.30 am. Apart from the seats of the Stadium, fans climbed parapet walls and trees.
At around 9.30 am, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy arrived in Mandya in a chopper. He told reporters that a memorial will be constructed in Kanteerava Studios and also a special government programme will be instituted in Ambarish’s name.
More than 11,000 Police personnel have been deployed along the 13-km funeral procession route from Kanteerava Stadium (next to Cubbon Park) to Kanteerava Studios (at Laggere off Bangalore-Pune National Highway). Still, traffic was thrown out of gear all along the procession route. People gathered by the roadsides and bid farewell for Mandyada Gandu.
A file photo of Ambarish with wife Sumalatha and son Abhishek
At the Kanteerava Stadium, the body was placed inside a flower-decked vehicle for the final journey. Public, however, were not allowed to pay homage. It is a 13-kilometere long journey through Hudson Circle, Halasuru Gate, K.G. Road, Mysore Bank Circle, Palace Road, Basaveshwara Circle, Old High Grounds Police Station Junction, Windsor Manor Junction, Cauvery Junction, Bhashyam Circle, Sankey Road, Maramma Circle, BHEL, Yeshwantpur Flyover Metro Right Turn, RMC Yard Police Station, Goraguntepalya Junction, CMTI, FTI and finally the Kanteerava Studios.
Even though he had many flaws, he lived his life the way he wanted. The lakhs of people paying homage is the witness to the ‘Rebel Star’s fame. I have seen his movies, of that, 3 stands out. ‘Antha’, Ranganayaki, and Shubamangala. The part in Nagarahavu has only one shot with fight which did not impact much. I have seen him twice in Saraswathipuram, once at 1974 near coconut yard, and other time driving his red car on 1980. I always use to hear about his drinking, and card playing hobbies through people who knew him.
Hucchegowda Amarnath’s flaw mentioned in Wikipedia-which was present there for a long time is edited out . We wonder why?
Ambarish lived his life to the fullest.His wayward life style led to his premature death.My heart goes out to his family which has to bear this great loss.His death was used for political gains by the shrewd politician Kumaraswamy.There could be no other reason for him to arrange for the cremation at Kanteerava studios and all the fanfare associated with the shifting of the body to Mandya & back by an Airforce Helicopter and later arranging for the cremation at the Govt owned Kanteerava studios. Why was Vishnuvardhan not alloted land in the same venue? It is widely known that Vishnuvardhan even today has a larger fan following than any other Kannada actor. Why is the Govt not keen on a memorial for a great star like him? Brahmin community is not considered a vote bank unlike the Vokkaligas who are very vocal in their choice during polls. The fight for a memorial for Dr.Vishnuvardhan must be initiated by Kannada Sanghas all over the state.
U should ask about Vishnuvardhan burying and how it was handled to Yeddyurappa. Next u should ask great Vishu adopted son in law for alt row between him and Fans.
However Kumarswamy has announced Vishnu memorial will be done along side Rajkumar and Ambarish. so wait for few days.
If you think Kumarswamy played politics then do u think Kumarswamy arranged 3 lakh people visiting in Mandya? have some sense, it would be law and order issue if the body was not taken to Mandya.
Enough about Hucchegowda Amarnath. Suffice to conclude that Mysuru is Gowda samrajya,
Unfortunate , addictions take away your life , the Happiness they gave you is far less than the sorrow caused everywhere n everyone. Stay away from tobacco , liquor n such.
Unfortunate , addictions take away your life , the Happiness they gave you is far less than the sorrow caused everywhere n everyone. Stay away from tobacco , liquor n such.
Strangeworld: This is a gowda country. If you don’t like it you are welcome to leave the state. We are proud of our birth caste.
There is a difference between Gowda country and Gowda state, which you cannot grasp. India is a country and is not a Gowda country. As for leaving the state, many left and Me too when Gowdas and Lingayats made the state, the citadel of casteism. You should be ashamed of this casteism, but you are not.
@Strangeworld: Karnataka state is gowda country. If you don’t like it, you are welcome to leave the state.
In my opinion this is a platform where people can put their opinion. I disagree and no one is talking about to whom this state belongs too. I appriciate if you a take a coffee, sit in a corner and think over. At the end of the day we are Indians, what about lingayaths,Bhramins,Muslims, Christians who are born in Karnataka & India ? Let us not talk out of the way..
“At the end of the day we are Indians, what about lingayaths,Bhramins,Muslims, Christians who are born in Karnataka & India ? Let us not talk out of the way.”
Shutting your eyes , not looking at the reality is not wise. From the list above, why only one caste is classified as backward and the others are either classified as backward with reservations for jobs and professional courses or agitating to be classified as backward? Only in Indian states , a group of communities agitate to be classified as backward. Quite shameful.