Arcot: The body of music composer Deva, known as “Thenisai Thendral” and who made a distinct mark in Tamil cinema through gaana songs, was buried with state honors yesterday at Chakkaramallur near Arcot in Ranipet district, with 72-gun salutes.
Music composer Deva suddenly developed chest pain at his home in Chennai yesterday morning. He was then taken to the hospital, but he died on the way. His passing caused deep sorrow among people in the film industry, musicians, political party members, and fans.
Following this, arrangements were made to bury his body in his native place, at the Krishnaveni farm in Anna Nagar under the Chakaramallur panchayat in Arcot taluk, Ranipet district. Deva’s body was brought from Chennai by special vehicle yesterday evening to his birth village, Old Mangadu, at 3:30 p.m. It was kept there for a short time for the public to pay their respects.
Then, to the beat of drums and other musical instruments, Deva’s body was taken to the Krishnaveni farm in Chakramallur. There, his body, which had been kept for public viewing, was garlanded and paid final respects by relatives, villagers, and fans.
Security by 250 police personnel: Following the Tamil Nadu government’s announcement that Deva’s body would be laid to rest with state honors, arrangements were made by the district administration. The burial site was prepared, and the necessary infrastructure work was also carried out.
The farmhouse where Deva’s body was kept and the burial site were inspected by District Superintendent of Police Sibin. Around 250 police personnel were deployed there for security duty. In addition, musicians performed Deva’s songs in front of the farmhouse as a tribute.
Following this, 24 police personnel stood in formation and a 72-gun salute was fired as a mark of state honors. Later, Deva’s body was buried at 4:30 p.m. His son Srikanth Deva and relatives took part in the final rites.
On behalf of the Tamil Nadu government, Minister Kandhiraaj and District Collector Priya laid a floral wreath and paid tribute. Anbalagan from the Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi temple, singer Anuradha Sriram, actor Jai, director Raja, director Cheran, former ministers R. Gandhi, K.C. Veeramani, Sevur Ramachandran, legislators Tahira (Ranipet), Sudhakar (Katpadi), Vinoth Kannan (Vellore), Sugumar (Arcot), former legislators Eeswarappan and Palani, among others, paid their respects. Musicians, singers, political party leaders, and a large number of the public also took part and paid their final respects.
The event in which Deva’s body, having captivated generations of fans with his music, was laid to rest with state honors in the very soil where he was born, evoked both sorrow and emotion among the local people.
