When music director and singer Devanesan Chokkalingam was told that former Singapore president S R Nathan wished to have one of his songs played at his state funeral in 2016, the 74-year-old considered it one of the “biggest honours” he has received.
So, before he sang Thanjavur Mannai Eduththu from the film Porkaalam at the Star Theatre on Tuesday, he found it fitting to dedicate the song to the late president.
As part of the “Deva Innisai Saraal Live” concert organised by 8 Point Entertainment, Deva performed a four-hour show for a crowd of 4,300.
Decked in his signature white kurta, the singer got the crowd on his feet as soon as he appeared on stage.
He and his line-up of well-known singers – his son Srikanth Deva, Mano, Anuradha Sriram and Priya Jerson from the Super Singer reality show, along with Ajay Krishna – performed a lengthy repertoire of nostalgic hits from the 90s, as the crowd danced and clapped along to high-tempo numbers such as Kathadikkudhu and Annanagaru Aaandalu.
With a storied career spanning nearly four decades, Deva is celebrated as a pioneer of “gaana music”, having collaborated with top actors like Kamal Haasan, Ajith and Vijay on numerous film projects. He is also renowned for composing the music to many of the movies which elevated actor Rajinikanth to “superstar” status in the 90s.
“The concert was truly one-of-a-kind and extraordinary,” said Mr Arumai Chandran, chairman of 8 Point Entertainment. “We selected Deva for his status as an iconic figure, and his performance was bound to evoke a sense of nostalgia among the fans who have cherished his music for many years.”
Anuradha’s soulful rendition of Karuppu Thaan Enakku Pudicha Colouru was a highlight of the evening, as was Mano’s energetic performance of Naan Autokaran, a Rajinikanth classic that had the entire hall dancing and singing along.
Deva’s own performances were equally impressive, with songs like Kavala Padathe Sagothara and Vitha Vithama Soappu Seeppu Kannadi earning a rapturous applause from the crowd.
Concert goer R. Vimala, 40, said she didn’t realise the show went on for four hours. “We were having so much fun, it seemed the time just flew by,” she said.
“I’m surprised I remembered almost every song even though they were from movies 20-30 years ago. I especially enjoyed when they performed the theme music from (the Rajinikanth movie) Baasha. That’s a timeless tune.”
