Vivek is a popular South Indian actor, singer and social activist. In 2009, he was awarded the Padma Shri Award for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Wiki/Biography
Vivekanandan, popularly known as Vivek, was born on Sunday, November 19, 1961 (aged 59 at the time of his death) in Nalla village, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. His star sign is Scorpio. He did his schooling at GHSS Vannavasi, Tamil Nadu and Government Boys High School, Pallipalayam, Tamil Nadu. He then did a commerce degree from the American College, Madurai. He then attended SRM College of Arts and Science, Tamil Nadu and Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Tamil Nadu. He did his postgraduate degree in commerce.
An old photo of Vivek
appearance
Height (approximate): 5′ 7″
Eye color: Black
Hair color: Black
Family and caste
Parents and siblings
His father’s name is Angayya and mother’s name is Maniyammal.
Vivek and his mother
Relationships, Wife and Children
He and his wife Arulselvi Vivek have two daughters, Tejaswini and Amritha Nandini. His son Prasanna Kumar died at the age of 13 due to dengue and brain fever.
Vivek and his wife
Vivek and his family
Vivek and his son
Vivek’s daughter Tejasvini Vivek
Profession
As a stand-up comedian
He started his career as a secretary in the Tamil Nadu government and worked as a stand-up comedian in his spare time at the Madras Humor Club. Later, he moved to Chennai to pursue his degree and continued to work at the Madras Humor Club. Later, PR Govindarajan, the founder of the Humor Club, introduced him to Indian film director K. Balachandar and Vivek got an opportunity to work as a screenwriter in one of his films.
As an actor
When he was working as a screenwriter for the Tamil film Manathil Uruthi Vendum (1987), K. Balachandarn approached him to act in the film, which he agreed to, playing the role of Suhasini’s (South Indian actress) brother. In the early days of the Tamil film industry, he played supporting roles in films like Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal (1989), Oru Veedu Iru Vasal (1990), Vanaja Girija (1994), Muthukulikka Vaariyala (1995) and Mayabazar (1995).
Vivek in an old movie
He started his career as a comedian in Tamil films in 1996. Some of his popular Tamil films include Anniyan (2005), Sivaji (2007), Velaiyilla Pattathari (2014), VIP 2 (2017), and Dharala Prabhu (2020).
As of 2021, he has acted in over 220 films, with his last film as an actor being Indian 2 (2021).
As a social activist
Apart from his work in films, he is also actively involved in various social activities. He is a green environmental activist and he planted 10,000 saplings on the eve of Environment Day on 6 June 2019. Later, he started the NGO “Green Action” “Thuimai Arunai” to promote green environment and he also worked to promote the “Green Kalam Project”.
Vivek at the International Coastal Cleanup 2011
He was inspired by the work of former Indian President Dr. Abdul Kalam to promote the Green Planet Initiative, a campaign to combat global warming. In an interview, speaking about the project, he said,
Kalam sir has given me a task to plant 10 million trees. I have planted 2.15 million trees in the last three years and I will plant another 300,000 saplings next month. Usually, when people from the entertainment industry commit to social work, it is difficult to maintain the momentum due to the nature of the work. In his position, Kalam sir could have easily chosen Shah Rukh Khan or Salman Khan, even Aamir Khan would have liked. But I asked him, why did he choose me for this task? He quoted a poem from Thirukurral. It says that some tasks need to be done by the person who is best suited for the task. “
Vivek and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
He has been appointed as the Plastic Free Tamil Nadu brand ambassador along with South Indian actress Jyothika to promote the Plastic Free Tamil Nadu campaign launched by the Tamil Nadu government.
Awards and Honors
- Tamil films Run (2002), Saamy (2003) and Perazhagan (2004) won Indian Film Awards
- Won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedy Actor for the Tamil films Unnaruge Naan Irundhal (1999), Run (2002), Parthiban Kanavu (2003), Anniyan (2005) and Sivaji (2007)
- Kalaimamani Award for his contribution to Tamil cinema (2006)
Vivek receives Karai Mamani Award
- Edison Award for Best Comedian for Guru En Aalu (2007)
- Recipient of the Padma Shri Award for his contribution to the arts (2009)
Vivek receives Padma Shri Award
- Doctor of Literature degree from Sadhiya Bama University for his contribution to society through cinema (2015)
Note: He has won many more honors.
die
On April 16, 2021, he suffered a severe cardiac arrest and was immediately rushed to SIMS Hospital, Vadapalani. He underwent angioplasty and stenting but did not survive and breathed his last at 4:35 am on April 17, 2021. The hospital issued a statement on his death, they said,
Acute coronary syndrome with cardiogenic shock. This was an isolated cardiac event. It was probably not due to the COVID-19 vaccine.”
His death has left many Indian celebrities like AR Rahman, Radikaa Sarathkumar, Mohan Raja and Gautham Karthik deeply saddened.
Facts/Trivia
- During college, he often participated in various drama performances and other extracurricular activities.
- Reportedly, he named his son Prasanna after his late friend who had co-written and filmed the Tamil film Run (2002) with Vivek.
- He has recorded some songs for some Tamil films.
When Vivek recorded his first song
- Vivek was appointed the brand ambassador for Mirinda soft drinks (2003) and Nathella jewellery (2011).
- He has acted in some television commercials like Bajaj Boxer and Medimix Ayurveda.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6m54vV-nV0
- In 2019, at the audio launch of the Tamil film Bigil, he made a statement that was not welcomed by the public. He said,
‘Nenjil Kudiyirukkum’ is a song from the 1960 Sivaji Ganesan-starrer film ‘Irumbuthirai’. The song did not have much appeal, but now Vijay’s ‘Nenjil Kudiyirukkum’ has a bigger impact.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education