The time has come to bid farewell to Vijayakanth, one of Tamil cinema's most beloved actors and politicians. The iconic actor, who launched his Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) political party in 2005, passed away in Chennai on December 28 following complications due to pneumonia. Addressed as 'Captain' by his fans and followers everywhere, Vijayakanth's funeral took place at the DMDK party headquarters near Koyambedu in the city on Friday evening, December 29, in the presence of his wife Premalatha and sons Shanmuga Pandian and Vijay Prabhakar, who escorted his mortal remains from Island Grounds where Tamil cinema celebrities, politician, and people from all walks of life paid their final respects.
In the visuals from the funeral, we see Tamil Nadu police gunmen honoring Vijayakanth will full state honors along with a 72-gun salute as his family members and followers are seen getting emotional at the last respects ceremony. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development, followed by DMK ministers T. R. Baalu, Thangam Thennarasu, Ma. Subramanian, including AIADMK's O Panneerselvam, D. Jayakumar, and Tamil Maanila Congress party's G. K. Vasan, among other political leaders and dignitaries were seen at the funeral proceedings where Vijayakanth was laid to rest in a sandalwood coffin box at the DMDK party office.
எங்கள் இதயங்களில் நிரந்தரமாக வாழ்வீர்கள் நண்பரே...#CaptainVijayakanth pic.twitter.com/DaBkTcuR6n
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) December 29, 2023
We also see Vijayakanth's sons Shanmuga Pandian and Vijay Prabhakar take part in Hindu death rituals at the funeral. Visuals also show the DMDK founder's wife Premalatha offering her final prayers as family members shower flowers on the casket before it gets lowered into the ground for its burial. Thousands who had gathered around the DMDK headquarters, including those who were present outside the building premises, have been paying their tributes, with many breaking down in tears upon hearing the news of the actor-politician being laid to rest. The passing of Vijayakanth is a huge personal loss not only to his family members, but millions of fans and followers of the Tamil cinema icon, and we here at Galatta extend our heartfelt condolences and solidarity to everyone.
புரட்சிக்கலைஞர் விஜயகாந்த்❤️🌟#Captain #Vijayakanth #CaptainVijayakanth #DMDK #Galatta pic.twitter.com/8ezScuyijn
— Galatta Media (@galattadotcom) December 29, 2023
