Mysuru: Thespian Dr. Rajkumar birth anniversary will be celebrated in a grand manner in city tomorrow under the aegis of Shivasainya Rajabhushana Dr. Rajkumar Abhimanigala Sangha, according to former KEA Chairman and BJP Slum Morcha General Secretary R. Raghu Kautilya.

Addressing a press meet here yesterday, Raghu said that the celebration feature garlanding of Dr. Rajkumar statue at Dr. Rajkumar Park near the Palace at 11 am tomorrow, followed by a grand procession. A musical nite has been arranged later in the evening, he said. The procession, accompanied by a host of folk troupes and cultural teams, which will commence from Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple at the Palace North Gate, will pass through Gandhi Square before returning to Dr. Rajkumar Park.

The celebration will also feature cake cutting, distribution of sweets and mass feeding, Raghu said.

Explaining the contribution of Dr. Rajkumar to Kannada film industry and as well to Kannada land, literature and water, Raghu regretted that despite his huge achievements, Dr. Rajkumar has failed to find a significant place in history. Urging the Government to celebrate Dr. Rajkumar’s birth anniversary on April 24, as ‘Raj Habba’ across the State, he said that Dr. Rajkumar inspired crores of Kannadigas during the Gokak Movement in early eighties.

Asking the Government to install Rajkumar’s statue at every taluk and District headquarters of the State, he called for setting up of Dr. Rajkumar Museum in Mysuru, to name the film city coming up in Mysuru after Dr. Rajkumar and to introduce a chapter on the thespian in school curriculum.

Abhimanigala Sangha office-bearers B.S. Ravi, Dharma, Guru, Palahalli Shekar, Mahesh, Jagadish and others were present during the press meet.