Legendary music director M.S. Viswanathan was cremated on Wednesday, with huge crowds witnessing the final procession of the man fondly called ‘ Mellisai Mannar,’ who died on Tuesday.
MSV Gopikrishna, his eldest son, lit the pyre.
Even as film personalities made a beeline for MSV’s residence at the Santhome High Road from early morning, people from all walks of life stood along the route of the funeral procession to the Besant Nagar crematorium. The funeral van was decked with flowers and a huge portrait of MSV.
Film personalities, including Kamal Hassan, Ilayaraja, Y.Gee. Mahendra, Sachu, director P. Vasu, music director Shankar, and singers Surendar and Rekha, among other prominent personalities, lined up to pay their respects.
Lyricist Vairamuthu, pointing out MSV’s contributions, made out a case for conferring the Bharat Ratna on the music legend.
Kamal Hassan said MSV will live on through his music. Film director S.P. Muthuraman said MSV’s life was an example of how a common man, with dedication, could become a great personality.
The funeral procession was accompanied by a troupe that sang evergreen melodies that were set to tune by the music director.