Tuesday, March 22 2005 17:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The mortal remains of veteran South Indian film actor of yesteryear, 'Gemini' Ganesan, who passed away at his residence in the early hours today (March 22, 2005), were consigned to flames this evening, with the Tamil Nadu Government giving a State funeral to him.

As the police fired 21 rounds in the air, the body of the 84-year-old actor was gently pushed into an electric crematorium at Besant Nagar in South Chennai at 15.45 hrs (IST) by one of his daughters, Kamala Selvaraj, a well-known Gynaecologist. She was assisted by her cousin, since the actor's only son, Vijay Sathish, was away in the US and could not make it. The actor, who had acted in over 200 films in his five-decade long film career, is survived by wife, a son and seven daughters, one of whom is leading Hindi actress, Rekha.

She did not attend the funeral since she was shooting for a film in Kulu Manali in Himachal Pradesh.

The octogenarian actor, who was in and out of hospital for nearly a year now, died at around 13.15 hrs (IST) due to "renal failure", with his family members at his bedside.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa and the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) President, M Karunanidhi, both of whom also belong to the film world, were among a galaxy of film personalities to pay their last respects to the actor.

Ganesan earned the sobriquet 'kaadal mannan' (king of romance) for his portrayal of subtle emotions, especially in love scenes.

Both Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi said with Ganesan's death, a chapter in Tamil cinema, had come to an end now and his death was an irreparable loss to the Tamil film industry.

Except Rekha, all the other daughters were present at the crematorium besides a large number of his relatives and friends.

Ganesan, who was awarded the Padma Shri in 1971, detested politics and he had even declined a Rajya sabha seat offer made to him by the then Prime Minister, late Rajiv Gandhi.

Married first at the age of 19, he entered into wedlock four times, the last one being with a christian lady from Bangalore, who was once his secretary.

Ganesan had also acted in a Tamil TV serial 'Krishnadasi' in 2000. He had also acted with Jayalalithaa in three films, 'ganga gowri', 'annai velankanni' and 'aadhi parasakthi'.

As a mark of respect to the departed actor, the South Indian Film Artists Association, Tamil nadu Film Producers Council and Film Employees Federation of South India cancelled all their shooting schedules today.

Earlier, at his residence, those who paid their last respects included former Union Minister, S Thirunavukkarasu, former state minister, R M Veerappan, actors Vijaykanth, Prabhu, Nagesh, actresses of yesteryear, Vyjayanthimala Bali, K R Vijaya, M N Rajam, comedienne Manorama, directors K Balachander and Bharatiraja.