Scores of fans of Tamil film actor Vivekh bid him a tearful farewell as his body was cremated with the state police’s 24-gun salute on 17th April. He passed away the same day following a cardiac arrest in a hospital where he had been admitted the previous day. The Tamil Nadu government said, the honour was in recognition of his contribution to the film world and his social service.
Vivekh had been awarded the Padma Shri. He had acted in more than 200 films and had won a number of state awards as best comedian for films such as Run, Anniyan and Sivaji. He had been a life-long campaigner for planting trees through the ‘Green Kalam’ movement and had also been the state’s ambassador for popularising public health messages including for prevention of dengue.
The Prime Minister and many other dignitaries condoled his demise.