India News | Veteran Kannada Actor ‘Sarigama' Viji Dies
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. Kannada actor R Vijaykumar, known by his stage name Sarigama Viji, died on Wednesday at the age of 77.
Bengaluru, Jan 15 (PTI) Kannada actor R Vijaykumar, known by his stage name Sarigama Viji, died on Wednesday at the age of 77.
He had been undergoing treatment for a lung infection at Manipal Hospital in Malleswaram, said his son Rohit to PTI.
"We thought it was the seasonal change of weather infection when he fell sick. But things escalated in the last seven days and he died at about 9.30 am today due to failure of multiple organs," he added.
Viji debuted as an actor in the Kannada film 'Beluvalada Madilalli' in 1975.
He acted in 269 films in Kannada, and also worked as an assistant director in close to 80 films.
However, he is more known for his stage play 'Samsaradalli Sarigama', which he directed and acted in. His theatre group, Yashasvi, staged the play more than 1,390 times, not just in Bengaluru but also in Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai, said his son.
Viji's last rites will take place at Chamarajpet Crematorium at around noon tomorrow.
His body will be displayed at his residence in Mahalakshmipuram till 10 tonight so that his fans can pay their respect to him.
"Tomorrow, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce will be organising a public viewing at Ravindra Kalakshetra from 10.30 am to 11.30 am after that he will be cremated at Chamarajpet crematorium," added his son.
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)