Mysore/Mysuru: Dr. Raj Kumar is a personality that uplifted and promoted the rich culture of Karnataka and its heritage both on the screen and off the screen. There is nothing that has not been said about this legend or there is anything left to say about.

Feb. 8, 1976 is a day to remember for all his fans and all those who love Kannada, Karnataka and its cultural heritage as this was the day when he was awarded Honorary Doctorate for acting by the University of Mysore (UoM). It has been 45 years since then. He later went on to win Dadasaheb Phalke Award and was even conferred with Padma Bhushan. 

The Doctorate was awarded during the Convocation that was held at the Open Air Theatre 45 years ago. The then Chancellor (Governor) Dr. Umashankar Dikshit and Vice-Chancellor Dr. D.V. Urs did the honours. Dr. Raj Kumar was conferred the degree recognising his contribution to Kannada language, land, art & culture and music. 

Along with Dr. Raj Kumar, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (during the time when the first nuclear test, codename ‘Smiling Buddha’ at Pokhran was undertaken) Dr. H.N. Setna, Kannada poet, writer, essayist and critic V. Seetharamaiah and distinguished scholar and professor of history M.H. Gopal were also conferred with Honorary Doctorate that day. 

After the Convocation ceremony at Open Air Theatre in 1976, the event was shifted to Crawford Hall from the subsequent years, UoM Vice-Chancellor Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar told Star of Mysore. 

Recalling his memories, the VC said that he had been to the event along with his friends where Dr. Raj Kumar was awarded the Honorary Doctorate but was not allowed inside the venue. But next day he saw the news in the newspapers    and felt happy. 

“I am honoured to be seated in the chair of the Vice-Chancellor,” he said and added that actor Shiva Rajkumar had tweeted yesterday about his father receiving the Doctorate 45 years ago.   

In July 1976, the University was a witness to Diamond Jubilee celebrations and a special Convocation was arranged where Hon. Doctorates were conferred on musician M.L. Vasanthakumari, celebrated novelist R.K. Narayan, Veena exponent Doreswamy Iyengar, space scientist Prof. U.R. Rao, celebrated artist Kattingeri Krishna Hebbar, sculptor Renjala Gopal Shenoy and  writer, actor and scholar Aadya Rangacharya (Sriranga).