KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 14 — The return of South Indian film music composer and singer Devanesan Chokkalingam for his Thenisai Thendral Deva Live concert, left fans wanting more even after a six hour performance.
Better known as just Deva, a crowd of 20,000 fans welcomed his return to Malaysia after three decades.
Known as the ‘King of Gaana songs’ — a style of music originating from his home ground Tamil Nadu, his Gaana songs have a distinctive style, instantly recognisable to his fans.
The 72-year-old veteran music director delivered a memorable show for fans both young and old, featuring some of his biggest hits of all time at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium on June, backed by big-name musicians.
It was enough to have fans raving to flood social media pages of organisers City Production and Poketplay Sdn Bhd, asking for a second show.
Deva who has been in music for over 40 years pulled off a show that was a truly unique, family experience with his multigenerational appeal.
Organisers said because of overwhelming request from fans demanding a second show, plans are already in place for another.
“This was a unique concert. We chose Deva as he is an iconic figure and his concert will surely offer a nostalgic vibe to fans who have been celebrating his music for years,” said co-organisers City Production and Poketplay Sdn Bhd.
“We knew this concert would be special as he is the pioneer of Gaana music.
“In fact, our ticketing partner website told us there were more than 100,000 views for the ticketing sale.”
Not just Gaana but also classic melodies
Deva’s concert attracted a different niche of audience — a unique group of Gaana song lovers.
His songs are characterised by lively percussion, fast-paced melodies in triple pulse beats, originating from North Chennai.
Almost all his music can make fans break into a “kuthu” dance ( a high-energy Indian folk dance).
The veteran musician is also known for witty lyrics that incorporate Indian local slang with energetic and catchy Tamil beats that had the stadium on its feet for six hours non-stop without a single interval or delay.
With his catchy tunes and innovative use of local instruments in over 400 films in various languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada, Deva now has another record under his belt, with the concert receiving the Malaysia Book Of Records recognition for the “Most International Indian Musicians” performing in a concert.
There were 60 musicians in one single stage that night that made for one of the major highlights of the concert.
Other big names from the Tamil music industry who performed included Hariharan, Anuradha Sri Ram, Unni Krishnan, Harini, Sabesh, Murali, Srikanth Deva, SP Charan, Priyanka and Alka Ajith.
Fans turned up the heat despite heatwave
The KL heatwave did not stop ardent fans who started showing up at the stadium as early as 2pm to catch the show that began at 6pm.
Fans went wild when Deva orchestrated his iconic background music scores of Superstar Rajinikanth’s blockbuster movie hits Baasha and Annamalai.
It was as if Rajinikanth himself was present at the concert — as collaborations between both made for instant hits whenever they teamed up in movies in the 90s.
Apart from composing for Rajinikanth, Deva composed music for leading actors in Indian cinema — Ajith, Vijay and Suriya among others.
Deva knew exactly what songs that would resonate with Malaysian fans and never left out a single popular composition, belting out his iconic background scores for movies.
He performed a total of 51 songs which from Salomiya, Aval Varuvaala, Vellarikka, Meenamma, Nalam Nalamariya Aval, Nilavai Konduva, Karupputhaan to 90s kids’ nostalgic teen song Mala Mala from the movie Chocolate.
He also played famous Tamil movie hit music themes such as Rajinikanth’s special introduction logo music, as well as themes from Kushi, Red and Basha.
The concert ended with the iconic Kathadikkuthu, which must have been the most awaited set the whole night.
