Bengaluru, November 25: The last rites of former Union Minister and Kannada actor Ambareesh, who passed away on Saturday, will be performed today in Bengaluru. On Sunday, his body was kept at the Kanteerrava Stadium in the city for the public to pay their last respect. Politicians, civil society members, actors and supporters of the veteran leader arrived at the Stadium to pay their final tributes. Later, he was flown to Mandya for the people in his hometown. Thousands of people gathered at the Visweswarayya Stadium in the district for a final glimpse of Ambareesh.

The Kannada actor’s body will be taken in procession from Kateerava Stadium to Kanteerava Studio on Monday. The Bengaluru traffic police has issued an advisory for the people of the city to avoid roads on which Ambareesh’s body will be taken for the last rites. Ambareesh passed away on Saturday at the age of 66 after due to a cardiac arrest at Vikram Hospital in Bengaluru. His condition was said to be critical. The veteran leader was also suffering from a lung infection and a kidney ailment. Karnataka government announced a three-day mourning and a state funeral.

Ambareesh Funeral Live Streaming on TV9 Kannada: Watch Antim Darshan And Last Rites of Veteran leader in Bengaluru:

PM Modi described the loss of Veteran leader as "Shri Ambareesh will always be remembered for his memorable performances as an actor and extensive contribution to politics. He was a strong voice for Karnataka’s welfare, at the state and central level. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers.'

Congress president Rahul Gandhi while condoling Ambareesh's death said, "In the passing of Ambareesh Ji, the Congress family has lost a valuable member. He was a famous son of Karnataka, whose work as an actor & and in politics, won him a huge following both in the state & across India. My condolences to his family and friends in this time of grief".

Ambareesh has acted in more than 200 movies, in a career spanning of over 50 years. The real name of Ambareesh was Malavalli Huchche Gowda Amarnath. But his roles in several popular films earned him the title of ‘Rebel Star’ and ‘Mandyada Gandu’ for portraying the angry young man. The Rebel Star was born in Doddarasinakere Village of Maddur Taluk in Mandya District of Karnataka on 29 May 1952.

On a political front, Ambareesh had joined the Congress ahead of the assembly election in 1994, but two years later he quit the party after being denied ticket in 1996. He later joined Janata Dal in the 1998 general election from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency and won the seat defeating the Congress candidate. The former union minister later rejoined the Congress to represent the same Mandya Lok Sabha constituency for two more terms. He was the minister of state for Information and Broadcasting in the 14th Lok Sabha, but resigned over his dissatisfaction with the Cauvery Dispute Tribunal award in 2006.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 26, 2018 12:26 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).