^{A banner in Jaffna.}

Memorial events were held across the North-East last month to pay homage to the late Tamil Nadu actor and political figure Vijayakanth, fondly known by his moniker ‘Captain’.

Vijayakanth's legacy encompasses not only his versatile acting career but also his contributions to Tamil Nadu's political landscape and his support for Eelam Tamils.

Tributes were paid in both Jaffna, Mullaitivu and Batticaloa to the late actor.

^{A memorial event in Batticaloa}

^{A memorial event in Trincomalee.}

His support for Eelam Tamils and their liberation struggle has been longstanding. As early as 1986, as attacks on Eelam Tamils ​​continued to increase, he went on a fast at the District Collector's office in Chennai to demand that it be stopped.

_{Vijayakanth protesting in 1986.}

He not only raised his voice for the Eelam Tamils but also helped those who were displaced as refugees in Tamil Nadu camps. In the late 1980’s there were reports that he personally helped those living in the Mandapam camps.

As the armed conflict ramped up in the 90s, Vijayakanth starred in the 1991 movie "Captain Prabhakaran," with the title considered a tribute to LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. Although the film is unrelated to Eelam, Vijayakanth's charismatic portrayal in what was his hundredth movie earned him the 'Captain' moniker.

^{A poster for the film 'Captain Prabhakaran'}

Vijayakanth admired the LTTE chief so much, that he also named his own son after the Tamil Eelam leader.

^{A news clipping from announcing Vijayakanth's intention to name him son after the LTTE leader.}

In 2005, Vijayakanth founded his Dravida Desiya Murpokku Kazhagam (DMDK) party and entered politics by contesting Assembly Elections from the Virudhachalam district in Cuddalore, securing victory with a substantial margin. Following his win, he passionately urged the Union government to intervene on behalf of Eelam Tamils, asserting it was India's duty to compel Sri Lanka to cease the violence against the.

"The Sri Lankan Tamils are orphans," Vijayakanth said in a statement. Again, in 1983, "during the genocide of Tamils" India had sent ships to help move Tamil refugees to safety, Vijayakanth added, as he pressed for the central government to intervene.

"The aerial bombings of Tamil areas without any concern for people living there is an act no civilised state resorts to," he said. 

"In Sri Lanka, Rajapakse wants to get rid of Tamils,” he said a few months after the Mullivaikkal genocide of 2009, in which tens of thousands of Tamils were massacred. He went on to criticise plans by then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi, stating,

“Sri Lankan Tamils are fighting within to retain their homeland. By giving them Indian citizenship Karunanidhi is fulfilling dreams of Sri Lankan president. Sri Lankan refugees want to get back home soon. In fact struggle by Tamils in Sri Lanka is to retain their homes, not forsaking it forever."

In 2011, Vijayakanth hit out at Karunanidhi once more, accusing him of betraying Eelam Tamils. He deemed Karunanidhi's half-day fast in April 2009 a mere "eyewash" which did little to bring an end to the massacres or aid the Tamils.

“The late Vijayakanth supported the Tamil people in Sri Lanka,” Tamil National Alliance MP Shanakiya Rasamanickam told an audience in Chennai last week.

“We hope his supporters will follow in the footsteps of this great gentleman and will raise their voices just as Vijayakanth did, to win the rights of Tamil people in Sri Lanka.”

Photographs courtesy of Streets of Tamil Eelam.