(This article is authored by Alar)

Nellai Kannan, a beloved and well-known Tamil orator, passed away at the age of 77 on Thursday morning in Nellai due to illness and ageing. India mourns his loss. The well-known politician and speaker made his mark on the Tamil community by defining literature in its entirety. Since the news of his passing spread, a number of politicians and celebrities have paid tribute to the late legend. Recently, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu wrote a letter of condolence in which he expressed his sorrow over the death of a close friend.

Taking to Twitter, the state chief minister wrote, "Tamilkadal Nellai Kannan," a well-known orator and seasoned Tamil Nadu leader, is a close friend. When I learned that he had died, I was incredibly saddened. The fact that elder Nellai Kannan, who last year received the Kamarasar Kathir Award from the Liberation Tigers Party, spoke to me on the ceremony's stage and praised his with love and respect still makes me emotional,"

He continued, "Tamil Ocean! . It is remarkable that Nellai Kannan received the Elangovadilar Award for 2021 from the Tamil Development Department in honour of his  contributions to Tamil.I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Nellai Kannan and the Tamil community for their loss.He was a great  linguistic scholar."

It is worth remembering that in 2021, Nellai Kannan praised Stalin as an "indispensable leader of multiple generations who is providing a vision not just for Tamil Nadu but for entire India" while delivering a speech in Chennai after accepting the "Kamarajar Kathir Award 2021" from Dalit outfit Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Thol. Thirumavalavan. Nellai Kannan also authored some worthy books and articles notably, Cross-Section Secrets, Vadivudai Gandhimati, Loveless People Are Killed, Dikkanithuthu Sadavesi, Pasam Song Pudukavitha.

பிரபல பேச்சாளரும் தமிழ்நாட்டின் முதுபெரும் தலைவர்களுடன் நெருங்கிப் பழகியவருமான 'தமிழ்க்கடல்' நெல்லை கண்ணன் அவர்கள் உயிரிழந்ததையடுத்து மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் @mkstalin அவர்கள் இரங்கல் தெரிவித்துள்ளார். pic.twitter.com/WyCh0ZH0wU

— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) August 18, 2022