Veteran Tamil folk singer Manikka Vinayagam passed away on Sunday, December 26, following a cardiac arrest and his death has come as a shocker for the people of Tamil Nadu. He was 78 when he breathed his last. Several notable film and music personalities have been expressing their heartfelt condolences on social media. At this moment, Galatta Media expresses its heartfelt condolences to Manikka Vinayagam's family and prays for the departed soul to rest in peace. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin took to his official Twitter page to mourn the demise of Manikka Vinayagam.

He posted, "பிரபல திரைப்படப் பாடகர் திரு. வழுவூர் மாணிக்க விநாயகம் அவர்களின் மறைவுக்கு ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கல்! தலைவர் கலைஞர் மீதும் என் மீதும் அன்பைப் பொழிந்து, பெயரைப் போலவே பண்பிலும் மாணிக்கமாக ஒளிர்ந்த அவரது பிரிவால் வாடும் அனைவருக்கும் ஆறுதலைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன்". Earlier this morning, Stalin paid his final respects to Manikka Vinayagam at his residence in Chennai and the pictures of his visit are doing good rounds on social media.

Manikka Vinayagam's energetic and powerful voice has amplified several songs and he was definitely a singer who was enjoyed by the people. Manikka Vinayagam is the son of renowned dancer Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai. Manikka Vinayagam made his playback singing debut with the Vikram starrer Dhill which had music composed by Vidyasagar. Some of the best works of Manikka Vinayagam as a singer include 'Vidai Kodu' (Kannathil Muthamittal), 'Theradi Veedhiyil' (Run), 'Vandi Vandi' (Jayam), 'Koduva Meesa' (Dhool), 'Kadhal Vandhal' (Iyarkai), 'Punnakunnu' (Arul), 'Kattu Kattu' (Thirupaachi), 'Aiyayyayoo' (Paruthiveeran), and many more.

Manikka Vinayagam has also acted in supporting roles in popular Tamil movies like Thiruda Thirudi, Perazhagan, Bose, Thimiru, Santosh Subramaniam, Vettaikaran, Va Quarter Cutting, Yuddham Sei, and more. He has sung around 800 film songs in various languages. He has sung close to 15000 devotional, folk, and love songs that have reached big among the masses. Find below the picture from TN Chief Minister MK Stalin's visit to pay his final respect to singer Manikka Vinayagam: