Last wish of Film Star, singer not fulfilled

Kannada film superstar Vishnuvardhan passed away in Mysore, where those near him at the time did not know he wished to donate his eyes. Music legend C Ashwath died on his birthday, before the launch of an album dedicated to a 30-year friendship

Double blow: Superstar Vishnuvardhan and C Ashwath died within 24 hours of each other. Vishnuvardhan had a heart attack in Mysore and Ashwath had been unwell for some time.

Kannada film superstar Vishnuvardhan passed away in Mysore, where those near him at the time did not know he wished to donate his eyes. Music legend C Ashwath died on his birthday, before the launch of an album dedicated to a 30-year friendshipu00a0u00a0

Even as the city mourned the loss of two of its stalwarts before Wednesday's sun could rise in the sky -- actor Dr Vishnuvardhan suffered a fatal cardiac arrest in Mysore and singer Dr C Ashwath succumbed to a brief illness -- it seems the unfortunate coincidence does not end here. MiD DAY has learnt that the last wishes of both the legends could not be fulfilled.

Vishnuvardhan had wanted to donate his eyes and Ashwath had wanted to be present at the launch of his latest album.

No eye donation

Talking aboutu00a0 the desire harboured by Vishnuvardhan, Dr Bhujang Shetty, chairman, Narayan Netralaya, said, "After Dr Rajkumar's death, he wished to donate his eyes. He had made a short film on the subject for us, which was aired on television channels and inspired thousands of his fans to volunteer for donation."
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However, this wish remained incomplete, as Vishnuvardhan, who has acted in over 177 films, passed away in Mysore and those near him at that time were not aware of his wish. By the time they came to know, it was too late medically to donate the eyes.

End of a song

Legendary singer Dr C Ashwath was ill for a while, but he had wanted to be present at the release of his latest album.

He had dedicated the eight-song album to his three-decade friendship with liquor baron Hari Khoday. Khoday had written the lyrics and Ashwath had sung them. The launch was scheduled for Tuesday, which was also Ashwath's birthday.

M S Prasad, one of Ashwath's close friends, said, "He wished to release his dream albums with Khoday. However fate had something else in store. He passed away the same day with his wish remaining unfulfilled."