Karnataka bids tearful adieu to veteran Kannada actor Dwarakish

BENGALURU: Veteran Kannada actor and producer Dwarakish was laid to rest with full state honours at TR Mill cemetery  in Chamarajpet as per Brahmin customs on Wednesday afternoon.

Dwarakish has five sons and the oldest son Santosh performed the final rites and lit the funeral pyre along with other four brothers.

The police presented a gun salute during the final rites before the pyre was lit. The funeral rites were performed according to Brahmin rituals. Prior to that, Preta Samskara was performed and the Narayana mantra was chanted in the ear. Chita Shuddhi was held followed by Chita Agni Homa. Agni Digbandhan was performed followed by Bhu Sparsha Dahana.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah visited Ravindra Kalakshetra earlier in the day, where Dwarakish’s body was kept in state, and paid his last respects. Many film stars, thousands of fans, and friends had lined up at Ravindra Kalakshetra to pay their last respects.

Amid grief, Dwarakish’s family donated his cornea, making him a role model for the youth.

Dwarakish passed away on Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Bengaluru. Bungle Shama Rao Dwarakanath, popularly known as Dwarakish, was renowned for his comic performances, which garnered him fame across Karnataka.