KOZHIKODE: Thousands turned up to bid adieu to eminent scriptwriter T Damodaran, who passed away on Wednesday, at the Town Hall on Thursday.
Damodaran’s body was later cremated with state honours at the crematorium on Mavoor Road. Earlier, personalities from social, political, literary and film spheres came to pay their last respects to Damodaran.
Film directors Hariharan, Sathyan Anthikad, Jayaraj, Siddique, Suveeran, Ali Akbar and V M Vinu, scriptwriters S N Swamy, T A Rasaq and Renji Panickker, music director Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, film producers Liberty Basheer and P V Gangadharan, Social Welfare Minister M K Muneer, M K Raghavan MP, MLAs Elamaram Kareem, Purushan Kadalundi and P C Vishnunath, Congess leader V M Sudheeran, CPM leaders T P Ramakrishnan and T P Dasan, Mayor A K Premajam, City Police chief G Sparjan Kumar, ADM K P Ramadevi, veteran sports journalist Bhasi Malaparamba and actors Kuttyedathi Vilasini, Kozhikode Sarada, Arshad, Babu Swamy and Babu Janardhanan were among those who arrived at the Town Hall.
Damodaran’s daughters Deedi, Simna and Reshmi and other relatives were also present.
Meanwhile, condolences continued to pour in on Damodaran’s demise. Social Welfare Minister M K Muneer said that Damodaran had left his mark on the society with his works which tried to present the basic issues plaguing the people. He had the habit of researching extensively before every film, he added. Elamaram Kareem MLA said that he would strive to fulfill Damodaran’s dream of a full-fledged football academy in Beypore while Kozhikode MLA A Pradeepkumar described him as a symbol of everything the city stood for. Purushan Kadalundi MLA described him as one of the few artistes who highlighted the day-today problems of the people.
Kerala Samskarika Parishad state general secretary Jagatmayan Chandrapuri, on Thursday, described Damodaran as a common man who contributed much to film and theatre. Malayala Chalachithra Kanikal (MAKKAL) also issued a statement hailing Damodaran as a multifaceted genius who held on to his principles and opinions steadfastly till his lastbreath.
They added that his demise was a great loss to the society in general and Malayalam films in particular.
Purogamana Kala Sahithya Sangham and the Thiyya Mahasabha also issued statements condoling the death of T Damodaran.