“Turn to page 394.”
On the first glance, the above statement appears to be a mere statement, but when delivered in Alan Rickman’s inimitable double-bass drawl, it turned into one of the most iconic lines ever voiced on screen.
On 14th January, 2016, the world lost one of its brightest stars to cancer at the age of 69. An actor and director of the highest calibre, Alan Rickman touched so many lives with his art and philanthropy that the world will always be indebted to him. With performances like Hans Gruber in Die Hard (1988), Sheriff Of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves (1991), Colonel Brandon in Sense And Sensibility (1995), The Metatron in Dogma (1999), Harry in Love Actually (2003) to Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series (2001-2011), Sir Rickman essayed every character with grace and conviction that established him to be an indisputable legend in his art.
Such was the power of his acting that within a short time of the news of his death became public, Harry Potter fans began leaving memorials and flowers at Platform 9 ¾ , the famous Harry Potter attraction at London’s King’s Cross train station.
To garner an inkling of the kind of person he was, remember his words,
I want to swim in both directions at once. Desire success, court failure.
Tributes began pouring on social media in remembrance of the late legend, led by JK Rowling who tweeted her shock, “There are no words to express how shocked and devastated I am to hear of Alan Rickman’s death. He was a magnificent actor & a wonderful man. My thoughts are with Rima and the rest of Alan’s family. We have all lost a great talent. They have lost part of their hearts.”
Daniel Radcliffe posted a touching tribute to Sir Rickman saying, “Alan Rickman is undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with” and “film sets and theatre stages are all far poorer for the loss of this great actor and man.” Fellow Potter actors Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Michael Gambon, Warwick Davis also posted their tributes online along with people across all spheres of life from actors like Sir Ian McKellen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson to politicians like Jeremy Corbyn and David Miliband.
Fans are sharing some beautiful and heart-breaking art online in tribute to the actor.
Artist Jesus Piña who painted the iconic dialogue from Harry Potter.
Another fantastic portrayal of Alan Rickman as one of his most famous characters, Severus Snape by artist Jane Mere.
This absolutely excellent sketch of Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber in Die Hard by Edward Booth.
Alan Rickman as Absolem The Caterpillar from Alice In Wonderland by Ignacio Cardoso.
Sir Rickman as Judge Turpin from Sweeney Todd created by Lance Murdoch.
Last but not the least, “Severus Snape” by Smeha.
The New Yorker also released a cartoon remembering Alan Rickman.
Cartoon drawn by Benjamin Schwartz in The New Yorker.
When the wound left behind by Alan Rickman’s death feels to be too deep to bear, remember Albus Dumbledore’s words from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, “After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.”
Thank you, Alan Rickman, for showing us the virtuousness and multitudes a human being can possess. You will be loved and remembered. ALWAYS.
