Thavasi, known for his work in Sivakarthikeyan's Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam, passed away on Monday evening, after a long battle with cancer. He was 60 years old. The actor was admitted to Saravana Hospital in Madurai earlier this month after he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. 

"Character artiste Thavasi was admitted to our hospital on November 11 with advanced cancer of the food pipe. We were treating him in a separate room with the help of oesophageal stent. Earlier today, he was moved to the intensive care unit of the hospital after he faced difficulty in breathing. He passed away around 8 pm today. I express deepest condolences to his family, friends and fans," TDr P Saravanan, Managing Director of Saravanan Multispeciality Hospital said.

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Earlier, Thavasi had asked for financial help in a video. He had said, "I have been in this industry for 30 years, I never knew that this kind of disease would affect me.. this is a challenge that God has posed... Kindly help me avail treatment."

A Facebook post by DMK MLA Dr Saravanan from Thirupparankundram had said that Thavasi's condition worsened on November 11, after which he was admitted to the hospital. In a video shared by a drama artist who met Thavasi in the hospital, he said that "it was a sad situation being faced by a man who made everyone laugh and feels happy by his performance. He acted in several films from 'Kizhakku Cheemiayile' to even the upcoming Rajinikanth movie 'Annaatthe' and also hit projects of Sivakarthikeyan. He worked hard and came up to this level."

(Source: Indian Express)