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Captain Vijayakanth laid to rest with full state honours at the party office in Chennai

Scores of people lined up on both sides of the road as the funeral procession made its way to the DMDK headquarters.

Published Dec 29, 2023 | 11:14 PM ⚊UpdatedDec 30, 2023 | 12:23 AM

TN CM Stalin pays homage to departed DMDK leader Vijayakanth. (Supplied)

One of Tamil cinema’s most loved actors, the founder of the DMDK party, and an all-round people’s favourite, Captain Vijayakanth was laid to rest with full state honours on Friday evening, 29 December, at his party headquarters in Koyambedu, Chennai, in the presence of a sea of people who bid him a tearful farewell.

Several people, including government dignitaries, heads of state, film personalities, and professionals from the film industry were among those who paid their last respects to the late actor-turned-politician, whose mortal remains were placed at Island Grounds on 29 December for the public to pay homage.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, actors Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Vijay were among those who paid their last respects to the departed leader.

Also Read: Vijayakanth’s mortal remains placed for public viewing; last rites at party headquarters

Vijayakanth’s funeral

Thousands of people from various districts in the state made a beeline to Island Grounds to catch one final glimpse of their beloved actor and leader, who was also a great philanthropist.

At around 3 pm on Friday, Vijayakanth’s funeral procession began from Island Grounds, with scores of people lining up on both sides of the road, right up till the party headquarters in Koyambedu, trying to catch a glimpse. Scores more stood on the Koyambedu flyover that overlooks the party office to get a bird’s eye view.

People gathered all around the party office turned on their phone flashlights and waved in honour of Vijayakanth as his body was being brought to the headquarters.

The main road was also swarming with police officers who were brought in to maintain law and order, and ensure smooth movement of traffic.

Vijayakanth was accorded a 72-gun salute after which two minutes of silence were observed as a mark of respect to the departed leader.

After the last rites were performed, his coffin was let down into the earmarked space as thousands of people, comprising both fans and party cadre who had gathered outside the DMDK party headquarters, bid him a tearful goodbye.

On his coffin were the words in gold: Puratchi Kalaignar Captain Vijayakanth, Founder-President, Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam.

Notable among those present at the funeral were Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, AIADMK leader D Jayakumar, and BJP leader Pon Radhakrishnan.