The Kollywood fraternity is saddened with another heartbreaking news as the notable playback singer cum actor Manikka Vinayagam breathed his last on December 26 due to old age-related illness.

Manikka Vinayagam was the youngest son of Natacharya Padmashri Vazhuvoor B Ramaiah Pillai, who made his singing debut in 2001 via the song 'Kannukulle' in Dhill.

Throughout his career, he has sung over 800 songs in Kollywood and other South Indian languages and has given countless hit songs including 'Theradi Veethiyil - Run', 'Koduva Meesai - Dhool', 'Vidai Kodu - Kannathil Muthamittal', 'Kokku Para Para - Chandramukhi' and 'America Endralum - Santhosh Subramaniam'.

Apart from these, he has also sung close to 15,000 devotional, folk, and Carnatic songs to date. Besides having a successful singing career, Manikka Vinayagam was also a well-known actor who forayed into acting via 'Thiruda Thirudi' in 2003. Since then, he has played supporting roles in many Kollywood movies.

Now the South Indian film industry has lost an irreplaceable talent, and many has taken to social media to express their grief. Our deepest condolences to the singer's loved ones and fans.