Composer Deva buried with state honours in Ranipet

Tamil composer and singer Deva was buried with state honours on Sunday, October 18, at his family farm in Sakkaramallur, Ranipet district, a day after his death in Chennai at age 75. Thousands of people gathered at the site to pay their respects, according to reports from the funeral. Deva, widely known by the name Thenisai Thendral, died on Saturday, October 17. Reports attributed his death to a heart attack. His remains were taken from Chennai to the farm, where relatives, villagers and public officials attended the ceremony. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had announced state honours for the funeral, citing Deva’s contribution to music. Accounts differ on the ceremonial salute. One report said Ranipet Armed Reserve Police fired 72 rounds into the air; another described a 21-gun salute. The available accounts do not establish whether the descriptions refer to different parts of the ceremony. The funeral also included a procession accompanied by traditional percussion music, according to one report. Deva’s son, composer Srikanth Deva, performed the last rites, another account said. Deva’s death followed tributes at his Chennai residence from film figures, political...