Kannada actor Leelavathi laid to rest with full state honours

A versatile actor, Leelavathi is known for her performances in over 600 feature films in Kannada, Telugu, and Tamil in a career spanning over five decades.

Before the last rites, the mortal remains of Leelavathi were kept at Ambedkar Grounds in Nelamangala for the public to pay their final respects.

Later, the mortal remains were shifted to Raveendra Kalashetra in Bengaluru, where the who’s who of the Kannada film industry and politicians, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, former chief minister BS Yediyurappa, paid their final respects.

Speaking to the media, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the veteran actor will be laid to rest with state honours. He also recollected the actor’s contribution to the film Industry and for her services to the public.

Earlier, Kannada superstar Dr Shiva Rajkumar rushed to the hospital where the actor’s mortal remains were kept after declaring her death.

Soon, the film industry and the actor’s fans and admirers took to their social media accounts to pay respects and also recollect their favourite moments of the actor.

As per the actor’s final wishes, she has been laid to rest at her farm.

The actor’s remains were taken on her final journey in a palanquin (pallakki) decorated with flowers to some distance where she was laid to rest as per Hindu traditions.

Related: A self-made actor, Leelavathi will be remembered as a farmer, animal lover, and a devoted mother