Alyque Padamsee, former head of advertising heavyweight Lintas, and theatre veteran, died today after a long illness. He was 90 years old.
Alyque, known for the legendary advertising campaign ‘Lalitaji’ for Surf detergent, also played Muhammed Ali Jinnah in Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi.
His death was marked by tributes from many leaders including the President of India, and the Prime Minister.
Sorry to hear of the passing of Alyque Padamsee, creative guru, theatre personality and doyen of our ad industry. My condolences to his family, friends and colleagues #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 17, 2018
Saddened by the demise of Shri Alyque Padamsee. A wonderful communicator, his extensive work in world of advertising will always be remembered. His contribution to theatre was also noteworthy. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this sad hour: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 17, 2018
Saddened to hear of the passing of advertising doyen #AlyquePadamsee
When he was head of Lintas he’d given me some of my early breaks in advertising photography
Ever grateful for the break and opportunity
A D V E R T I S E M E N TRIP Sir
??? pic.twitter.com/5aZ8EUVT69— atul kasbekar (@atulkasbekar) November 17, 2018
If you grew up in south Mumbai in the 70s, did a bit of theatre, went to Xaviers college , watched the Liril ad and imbibed the cosmopolitan spirit of a city that simply loved life and its people , then Alyque Padamsee was an iconic figure.. RIP
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) November 17, 2018
Saddened to hear of the passing of Ad Guru and Theatre doyen #AlyquePadamsee.
He gave me my first break in Theatre, like countless before and after me.
Maverick, Unique, Uncompromising.
There will never be another….#RIP Alyque.— Boman Irani (@bomanirani) November 17, 2018
Alyque was conferred a Padma Shri in 2000, and a Sangeet Natak Academy award as well.
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Meanwhile on Twitter, director Pa.Ranjith has been asking film industry, media professionals and others to come together to overthrow caste. He was reacting to the news that another couple — Nandeesh and Swathi — were murdered. Nandeesh, who belonged to oppressed caste, and Swathi were murdered by Swathi’s parents in a caste-based honour killing. Their bodies were found washed ashore on the banks of the Cauvery river.
Ranjith tweeted:
தமிழக அரசே உடனடியாக, ஆணவ படுகொலைக்கு எதிராக தனிசட்டத்தை ஆவணப்படுத்து!!
— pa.ranjith (@beemji) November 17, 2018
தயவு செய்து தமிழக ஊடகங்களிடம் மன்றாடி கேட்டு கொள்கிறோம்…துடைத்து அப்புற படுத்த வேண்டிய சாதி கேவலத்துக்கு எதிராக முழுவீச்சில் வினையாற்றுவோம்..இன்னும் எத்தனை உயிர்களை ஆணவ சாதி தின்னப்போகிறது? இந்த கொடுந்துயருக்கு இப்போதே முடிவு கட்டுவோம்!!! #சாதிக்கு_முடிவு_கட்டுவோம்
— pa.ranjith (@beemji) November 16, 2018
திரையுலக மற்றும் முற்போக்கு எண்ணம் கொண்ட தோழமைகளே!!விழித்துகொள்வோம்!இன்னும் இன்னும் நம் குடும்பங்கள், நம் தெருக்கள், நம் ஊர்கள், நகரங்கள், நம் நாடு என, எல்லா இடங்களிலும் நீக்கமற இருக்கும் இந்த நூற்றாண்டின் கொடூம் இழிவு, இந்த சாதி திமிருக்கு எதிராக திரள்வோம்!!!
— pa.ranjith (@beemji) November 16, 2018
In a series of tweets, Ranjith says that the concept of caste supremacy and casteism, which ought to have been wiped out, is still claiming the lives of young people. He calls for film industry professionals, media, and other progressive individuals to come together to raise voice against this century’s greatest evil.
Feature Image courtesy: Atul Kasbekar on twitter
