Tamil singer-actor Manikka Vinayagam passes away, MK Stalin pays tribute

In a career spanning 20 years, Manikka Vinayagam has sung 800 film songs. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin led celebs and fans to pay tribute to the singer-actor.

Singer-actor Manikka Vinayagam was 78. (Photo: Twitter/realsarathkumar)

Playback singer and actor Manikka Vinayagam passed away on Sunday in Chennai. He was 78. As per reports, he passed away due to heart-related complications.

Vinayagam, who has sung about 15,000 folk and devotional songs, was the youngest son of Bharathanatyam guru Vazhuvoor B Ramaiah Pillai. He was the nephew of noted music composer and singer C. S. Jayaraman, under whom he received his formal training in singing. He began his career as a playback singer by crooning the funky duet number ‘Kannukkulla Gelathi’ from Vikram’s Dhil, which came out in 2001. And he never looked back. In a career spanning 20 years, he has recorded close to 800 film songs.

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Vinayagam also explored his talent in acting. He made a notable debut as an actor with the 2003 romantic comedy Thiruda Thirudi. He had played the role of a father who is in a state of permanent disappointment when it comes to matters of his aimless and irresponsible son, played by Dhanush. Later, he went on to play supporting characters in Perazhagan, Giri, Yutham Sei, Vettaikaran to name a few.

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Several musicians have condoled the death of Vinayagam. “Heartfelt condolences on the passing away of the noted Singer, Music Director and Actor Manikka Vinayagam sir. May his soul rest in peace,” tweeted popular singer K S Chithra.

15,000 க்கும் மேற்பட்ட பக்தி பாடல்களும், நாட்டுப்புறப்பாடல்களும், 800 க்கும் மேற்பட்ட திரைப்பட பாடல்களும் பாடிய பிரபல பின்னணி பாடகரும், திரைப்பட நடிகருமான திரு.மாணிக்க விநாயகம் அவர்கள் உடல்நலக்குறைவால் மறைந்த செய்தி வருத்தமளிக்கிறது (1) pic.twitter.com/rphWWbF67t

— R Sarath Kumar (@realsarathkumar) December 26, 2021

Heartfelt condolences on the passing away of the noted Singer, Music Director and Actor Manikka Vinayagam sir. May his soul rest in peace. 🙏#ManikkaVinayagam #KSChithra pic.twitter.com/I9q8Kkvuln

— K S Chithra (@KSChithra) December 27, 2021

Manikka Vinayagam sir is no more .. Shocking news ..He was an unbelievable musician and singer .. Thank you for the music sir pic.twitter.com/9sMsuMIlcR

— Srinivas singer (@singersrinivas) December 26, 2021

பிரபல பின்னணிப் பாடகர் மாணிக்க விநாயகம் காலமானார் pic.twitter.com/5GLoiMuEa9

— Manobala (@manobalam) December 26, 2021

சென்னையில், உடல் நலக்குறைவால் காலமான பின்னணி பாடகர் திரு. வழுவூர் மாணிக்க விநாயகம் அவர்களின் இல்லத்திற்கு மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் @mkstalin அவர்கள் நேரில் சென்று மலர்மாலை வைத்து அஞ்சலி செலுத்தி, குடும்பத்தினருக்கு ஆறுதல் கூறினார். pic.twitter.com/C87OgK3Awi

— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) December 27, 2021

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also took to Twitter and expressed his deep condolences. He said Vinayagam had huge admiration towards former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Kalaignar Karunanidhi. He also visited Vinayagam’s residence in Adyar to play his last respects to the departed singer.

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