Mysore/Mysuru: “A person who accidentally donned the role of Mukhyamantri (Chief Minister) in a Kannada play has become a ‘permanent’ Mukhyamantri. Appreciating his acting skills, the then Chief Minister R. Gundu Rao presented a gold ring to Chandru, popularly known as Mukhyamantri Chandru,” said Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Swamiji. 

The Seer was speaking after inaugurating 735th show of Mukhyamantri, a Hindi drama translated into Kannada and directed by Dr. B.V. Rajaram, at Kalamandira under the aegis of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, City and District Units and Bharathiya Dalita Sahithya Academy,  here on Sunday. 

Swamiji said H.N. Chandrashekar has been playing the role of Mukhyamantri for the last 41 years which has earned him a permanent moniker as Mukhyamantri Chandru. And the credit for this goes to Rajaram also for their bonding for over four decades. Chandru may look jovial and humorous but he will be very serious when it comes to cause of Kannada.  

Recalling an incident, the Seer said J.H. Patel was jittery when he was the Chief Minister as the then MLA Chandru’s name was Gazette notified as “Mukhyamantri Chandru.” 

Prof. M. Krishnegowda, retired Kannada professor and humourist, said Mukhyamantri Chandru loves Kannada than dramatics, and wished him to complete 1,000th show successfully. 

Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mysore, said the Varsity has plans to start theatre training centre and sought the support of Rajaram and Chandru. 

On the occasion, Chandru and Rajaram were felicitated. K. Raghuram Vajpayee, social worker, Dr. Y.D. Rajanna, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President, Maddikere Gopal and M. Chandrashekar, former Parishat Presidents, Rajashekar Kadamba, noted theatre personality, G.S. Somashekar, Deputy Director, Department of Backward Classes, K.S. Shivaram, Parishat City President and others were present. Later, a six-minute video on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called “Ivare Namma Mahanayaka” was screened. 

The play is seeking an entry into the Guinness World Records for the same person playing the same character for the last 41 years. This drama is full of political satire and revolves around “Mukhyamantri” who does many things to save his chair.

Gold ring presented

Once Chief Minister R. Gundu Rao was invited to watch the play “Mukhyamantri” in Bengaluru. Chandru was under tremendous pressure since the storyline was of Gundu Rao. After the play, Rao was so much impressed with Chandru’s performance that he gifted him a gold ring. Rao is learnt to have told Chandru that he would have given him some tips on CM’s role had he come earlier. – Suttur Seer