Tamil actor and DMDK founder-leader 'Captain' Vijayakanth passed away on Thursday in Chennai at the age of 71
A sea of supporters gathered at the headquarters of the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) to pay their last respects to actor and party leader 'Captain' Vijayakanth, who passed away on Thursday. Vijayakanth was on Friday laid to rest at the party headquarter in Chennai's Koyambedu with full state honours.
Vijayakanth's fans and supporters lined up on both sides of the roads as the decorated truck carrying the mortal remains crawled its way in a procession from Island Grounds near Marina beach to the premises of the DMDK headquarters at Koyambedu. In several places, from roof-tops and flyovers, people showered petals and garlands on the truck.
Though the last rites were scheduled to take place at 4:45 pm on Friday, it took well over three hours for the truck to traverse a distance of about 10.7 kilometers to reach the burial site on the DMDK's office premises. Following a gun salute, a two-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect. Party flags would fly at half mast for 15 days.
-Vijayakanth Laid to Rest: With tens of thousands of supporters, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, state ministers, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and celebrities in attendance, actor and DMDK found-leader Vijayakanth was laid to rest on Friday. Vijayakanth's wife Premalatha, his sons Vijaya Prabhakaran and Shanmuga Pandian were consoled by the leaders.
CM Stalin removed his shoes before entering the space earmarked for state honours and conduct of last rites, and laid a wreath accompanied by senior DMK leaders like TR Baalu and Ministers including KN Nehru, Ma Subramanian and Udhayanidhi Stalin. In a mark of respect to the departed leader, the Chief Minister touched twice the wreath he placed in front of the coffin.
Sea of Supporters Offers Last Respects: Supporters of Vijayakanth have been gathering in large numbers at DMDK headquarters to pay last respects to the party founder in Chennai. Shortly after the news of Vijayakanth's demise broke on Thursday, his supporters began gathering outside his residence and at the Chennai hospital, with some people even seen crying. Vijayakanth's supporters were seen getting their heads tonsured in Madurai to pay their tributes.
The government has announced full state honours for Vijayakanth's funeral. The DMDK said the last rites would be conducted at 4:45 pm on the premises of the party headquarters and party flags would fly at half mast for 15 days.
-Rajinikanth Calss Vijayakanth a Person of Will: Reacting to the demise of actor and DMDK founder-leader Vijayakanth, Rajinikanth said the passing away of his friend is an unexpected and unfortunate thing. "He is a person of will, we thought he will recover soon from his illness. But while seeing him in the recently held DMDK meeting, I lost hope. Vijayakanth would have owned a renowned place in Tamil Nadu politics if he would have been healthy," Rajinikanth said.
-Tamil Nadu Announces State Honours for Vijayakanth's Funeral: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday announced full state honours for DMDK founder-leader Vijayakanth's funeral. In his condolence message, Stalin expressed shock and grief over Vijayakanth's death and hailed him as an achiever; both as an actor and as a leader in public life.
As a mark of homage, the government will accord full state honours for Vijayakanth's funeral, Stalin announced.
-PM Modi Leads Condolences: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to microblogging platform X and offered condolences to Vijayakanth's family and supporters. "A legend of the Tamil film world, his charismatic performances captured the hearts of millions. As a political leader, he was deeply committed to public service, leaving a lasting impact on Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. His passing leaves a void that will be hard to fill. He was a close friend and I fondly recall my interactions with him over the years. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with his family, fans and numerous followers. Om Shanti," PM Modi wrote on X on Thursday.
Besides politicians, celebrities, common people, party workers, fans and admirers stood in unending lines in the nooks and crannies of Koyambedu to pay their last respects to Vijayakanth. Police had a tough time regulating the crowds. By evening, thousands of people had paid homage while chants of 'captain, captain' continuously rent the air.
-What Hospital Said On Vijayakanth's Death: Vijayakanth passed away on Thursday, days after he tested positive for Covid-19. While the party statement had said that Vijayakanth had tested positive for Covid and was under ventilator, the hospital bulletin said he battled pneumonia.
MIOT International Hospital in Chennai, where Vijayakanth was admitted, said in a press release: "Captain Vijayakanth was on ventilatory support following his admission for pneumonia. Despite the best efforts of the medical staff he passed away in the morning on 28th December 2023."
-Who is Vijayakanth: Born in Tamil Nadu's Madurai on 25 August 1952, DMDK founder-leader Vijayakanth was a popular yesteryear Tamil actor who has acted in 154 films. Vijayakanth is said to have sown seeds of hope among his fans, admirers and the people on the possibility of a real alternative to the Dravidian majors, the DMK and AIADMK.
Vijayakanth founded the DMDK in 2005 and served as a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) twice, from Virudhachalam and Rishivandiyam contituencies. The peak of Vijayakanth's political career was when he became the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly from 2011 to 2016.