RIP Vivek: PM Modi, politicians and actors condole Padma Shri awardee Vivek's death

Tamil movie comedian and Padma Shri recipient Vivek passed away on Saturday at a private hospital in Chennai. He was 59. He was admitted to SIMS Hospital on Friday morning after showing "acute coronary syndrome with cardiogenic shock". Vivek who was in a critical condition was put on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) support, the hospital said.

Vivek was brought to the emergency ward of the hospital in an unconscious state at about 11 a.m. on Friday by his family members, the hospital said.

The hospital said that he was resuscitated in the emergency room by specialists and later underwent an emergency coronary angiogram followed by angioplasty.

According to the doctors, Vivek had complained to his family members about chest pain.

Condoling his death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter, "The untimely demise of noted actor Vivek has left many saddened. His comic timing and intelligent dialogues entertained people. Both in his films and his life, his concern for the environment and society shone through. Condolences to his family, friends and admirers. Om Shanti (sic)."

The untimely demise of noted actor Vivek has left many saddened. His comic timing and intelligent dialogues entertained people. Both in his films and his life, his concern for the environment and society shone through. Condolences to his family, friends and admirers. Om Shanti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 17, 2021

Telangana Governor and Lt. Governor of Puducherry Tamilisai Soundararajan said Vivekh through his comedy dialogues had spread good social messages and earned the sobriquet "Chinna Kalaivanar" or Little Kalaivanar (Late Tamil movie comedian N.S. Krishnan had the sobriquet Kalaivanar) and was also an environmentalist in planting lakhs of tree saplings.

உடல் நலக்குறைவால் மருத்துவமனையில் சிகிச்சை பெற்று வந்த சகோதரர் பத்மஸ்ரீ திரு.விவேக் அவர்கள் சிகிச்சை பலனின்றி உயிரிழந்தார் என்ற செய்தி அறிந்து அதிர்ச்சியடைந்தேன்.
தனது நகைச்சுவை நடிப்பின் மூலம் சமுதாய சிந்தனைகளை மக்களிடம் எடுத்துச் சென்று மக்களால் சின்னக் கலைவாணர் என்று (1/2)

— Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (@DrTamilisaiGuv) April 17, 2021

அன்போடு அழைக்கப்பட்டவர். சிறந்த சுற்றுச் சூழல் ஆர்வலராக பல இலட்சம் மரக்கன்றுகளை நட்டு வைத்து இயற்கை வளங்களை பாதுகாத்துள்ளார்.அவரை இழந்து வாடும் அவரது குடும்பத்தினருக்கும், ரசிகர்களுக்கும் எனது ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கலையும்,ஆறுதலையும் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன்... (2/2)

— Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (@DrTamilisaiGuv) April 17, 2021

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K.Palaniswami in his condolence message said that it was shocking to hear about the Vivek's death. With his incomparable service the passing away of Vivekh is a big loss for the movie and the social service sectors, Palaniswami said.

Oscar-winning music composer AR Rahman tweeted, "@Actor_Vivek can’t believe you’ve left us ..May you rest in peace ..you’ve entertained us for decades ..your legacy will stay with us (sic)."

@Actor_Vivek can’t believe you’ve left us ..May you rest in peace ..you’ve entertained us for decades ..your legacy will stay with us

— A.R.Rahman #99Songs (@arrahman) April 17, 2021

DMK President M.K. Stalin said that Vivekh by his distinctive style offered comedy and social message. PMK Founder S. Ramadoss said that Vivekh's death is unbelievable. He was socially and environmentally conscious and was instrumental in planting lakhs of tree saplings. Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) leader M.H. Jawahirullah in his condolence message said that Vivekh had sowed good thoughts and constructive actions in people`s minds.

In a tweet Rajinikant said that he was greatly pained at close friend Vivekh`s death. He will not forget each and every day during the shooting of the movie Sivaji.

#RipVivek pic.twitter.com/MSYVv9smsY

— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) April 17, 2021

Meanwhile, Several movie actors and fans paid their tribute to the mortal remains of Vivekh at his residence here.

Vivekh born as Vivekanandan first joined Tamil Nadu government service and later switched over to the movie world. He made his debut in 1987 in the movie "Manathil Urudhi Vendum" directed by the late K. Balachander. Soon he was in great demand and has acted with top heroes like Rajinikanth, Vijay, Ajith, Surya and others. He has acted in over 200 movies.

Vivekh was awarded the Padma Shri in 2009 and the Kalaivanar award from the Tamil Nadu government.

Vivekh an admirer of late President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, under the Green Kalam project was instrumental in planting lakhs of tree saplings and also for mass campaigns for tree planting and environment protection.

(With input from IANS)