Shri Balasaheb Thackeray: The one and only Tiger

Shiv Sena pramukh Shri Balasaheb Thackeray passed away earlier today. The charismatic leader will no longer  grace the popular Dassehra rallies which are held by the party every year at the iconic Shivaji Park grounds.

As the flag flew at half-mast atop Shiv Sena Bhavan, the party's headquarters, millions of party workers and associates paid their last respects to the leader.

The one and only Tiger

Shri Balasaheb Thackeray was often referred to as the tiger for his strong fearless views on various topics which he delivered with panache in party rallies, in television interviews and in the columns of his party's famous newspaper Saamna. His oratorial skills would get roaring approval from crowds, with thousands of spectators willing to stand for hours awaiting his speech. The late leader was highly respected by his party workers and held in awe by them.

Shri Balasaheb Thackeray's aura overshadowed even his opponents. Nobody could and nobody ever will be able to match his oratory wit and his charisma.

As the poster below points out: he was and will always be the one and only Tiger.

This poster says it all

Shri Balasaheb Thackeray Funeral 

Large crowds of people gathered at the Shivaji Park maidan since the early hours of the morning to attend the funeral of Shri Balasaheb Thackeray. The funeral procession left from his home at Bandra and made its way to the party's headquarters at Shiv Sena Bhavan and then to the Shivaji Park grounds.

Shiv Sena Bhavan

Large television screens in and outside the Shivaji Park grounds projected the live telecast of the funeral.

Shivaji Park funeral

Image from TV screen outside the grounds

Image from TV screen outside the grounds

There were beautiful creative banners around the park, each one paying a moving tribute to the legendary leader.