Malayali's love for elephants is unfathomable. On January 28, celebrity tusker Mangalamkunnu Karnan passed away breaking the hearts of many. The 60-year-old elephant died due to cardiac arrest, say reports.

Karnan reached Kerala from Varanasi in 1991. Known for its height and elegance, the 302 centimeter tall tusker has acted in several movies including Shah Rukh Khan's Dil Se, Kathanayagan, Mohanlal's Narasimham and also in many TV commercials.

Karnan was always an irreplaceable tusker in festivals and is known for his ability to hold his heads up for a long time and has won the title for the Thalappokkam competition at several Thalappokkam competitions across Kerala.