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Chennai, Nov 23 (IANS) Erode Tamilanban, one of the most distinguished contemporary voices of Tamil literature and a Sahitya Akademi Award winner, was cremated with full state honors in Chennai on Sunday.
The 92-year-old poet, who died on Saturday, was given a ceremonial farewell at the Arumbakkam electric crematorium, where an armed police team fired 30 rounds in three volleys as per the instructions of Chief Minister MK Stalin.
Tamilanban was undergoing treatment for severe respiratory complications at a private hospital in the city.
Despite intensive medical care, he breathed his last on Saturday afternoon.
His mortal remains were later brought to his residence in Koyambedu, where he was kept for public homage.
Throughout the day and even into the night, dignitaries, political leaders, artists, writers and fans flocked to pay homage to the beloved poet.
Chief Minister Stalin visited the residence on Saturday and expressed his condolences to the bereaved family.
In his message, he described Tamilanban as “an extraordinary literary force whose life elevated the Tamil language, culture and scholarship”, noting that his contributions spanned an extraordinary range of genres and readership.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also paid tribute before the state funeral on Sunday.
Born in Chennimalai in Erode district in 1933, Tamilanban made his mark as a prolific and versatile litterateur.
His works include classical Tamil poetry, modern free verse, haiku, short stories, novels, plays, essays and children’s literature.
He earned the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2004 for his seminal work ‘Vanakkam Valluva’, which reinterpreted Thiruvalluvar’s moral philosophy for modern readers.
Over the decades, he has been honored with the Kalaimamani Award, among many other honours.
After the cremation, VCK leader and Chidambaram MP Thol Thirumavalavan praised Tamilanban as “a monumental treasure trove of Tamil thought and a voice with a global literary potential”.
He said the poet’s demise was “an irreparable loss to the Tamil world”, reflecting the deep influence of Tamilanban in the literary and cultural spheres.
With his demise, Tamil Nadu bids farewell to a great personality who helped shape contemporary Tamil literature and inspired generations of readers, scholars and young writers.
Fans say his legacy will live on with the timeless echo of his words.
–IANS
अल/खज़