23/03/2026

LYFE MONDAY | MAR 23, 2026

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Malaysian Paper

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T AMIL music legend Deva, affectionately known as Thenisai Thendral and the Gaana King, is set to electrify Penang with a high-energy marathon concert featuring around 40 songs in an evening packed with nostalgia and fan-favourite hits lasting more than four hours. Deva, whose real name is Devanesan Chokkalingam, said the Thenisai Baasha Deva Live in Penang concert will take place on March 28 at Setia Spice Arena, celebrating his vast catalogue of hits that defined Tamil cinema in the 1990s and beyond. He added that the setlist will be refreshed to offer something new for audiences who have attended his recent performances in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. “I am still working on the song list and selecting which new songs can be included so that fans will have a different experience this time. This upcoming concert is expected to last between four and four-and-a-half hours, featuring about 40 songs from my extensive music catalogue,” the 75-year-old veteran music director and singer told a press conference. Deva also expressed excitement about returning to perform in Penang, describing the state’s fans as energetic and highly supportive, adding that their enthusiasm makes every performance especially memorable. The concert will feature a stellar line-up of singers, including his son Srikanth Deva, prolific playback singer Mano, who has recorded more than 35,000 songs, and Anuradha Sriram, who has sung over 5,000 tracks in multiple Indian languages. Several guest performers, including stars from Super Singer ,

Deva to perform 40 hits at Penang concert

o Tamil music legend to stage show at Setia Spice Arena, singer line-up includes his son

fans who purchase one ticket will be able to attend two concerts, offering greater value and a more memorable entertainment experience. The founder of Key Global Network Sdn Bhd said the first night will feature Deva’s main performance, while the second show at the same venue will showcase a separate concert by National Award winning playback singer Naresh Iyer, offering audiences a different musical genre and experience. “Ticket prices start from RM99 and go up to about RM1,999 depending on seating categories. Ticket sales have also started to pick up following Deva’s arrival in Penang over the past few days,” he said. Kugilan, who was born in Penang, also noted that a portion of the proceeds from the concerts will be channelled to charitable causes, including Tamil schools in Penang and the Malaysian Cancer Society, particularly to support children undergoing cancer treatment.

will also take the stage. Beyond the concert, Deva shared that he is currently composing music for five new Tamil films, including an upcoming production titled Charukeshi , which revolves around the life of a musical genius and features a soundtrack composed entirely in the Carnatic classical style. “I have composed many types of music such as folk, melodies and Western rock, but I have never done a film entirely based on Carnatic classical music. This has been my dream for the past 36 or 37 years,” he said, adding that the film is expected to be released in April. A celebrated composer during the golden era of Tamil cinema in the 1990s, Deva is widely credited with popularising the gaana genre and producing numerous chart topping hits for superstar actors including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay and Ajith. Meanwhile, concert organiser Dr Kugilan Pushpanathan announced a unique concept for the event, where

Fans who purchase one ticket will be able to attend two concerts. – PIC FROM GREAT TICKET

Aidilfitri not same for Azhan Rani since dad’s passing ACTOR Azhan Rani admitted that the festive excitement of Aidilfitri no longer feels the same since the passing of his father nearly a decade ago. on,” he told reporters after the launch of the short film Ya, Abah Saya Security ( My Father is a Security Guard ) recently.

The actor, widely known for his role as Ustaz Madi in the drama series Nur , also admitted that he has not worn the traditional baju Melayu on the morning of Syawal since his father’s passing. “When my father was ill, in the last year before Hari Raya, he told me not to make a baju Melayu . Coincidentally, at that time, I had a filming session in Hulu Langat and saw people selling kurtas at a mosque, so I bought a grey kurta. That was the last one he wore. “Many of my friends are ambassadors for baju Melayu brands and every year, they give me some. But I rarely wear them – some are still kept in boxes. If I do wear them, it is usually for acting roles,” he said. On his involvement in the short film Ya, Abah Saya Security , Azhan said the work is very close to his heart as his late father had also worked as a security guard at a school. “When I acted in it, I didn’t feel much because I thought of it as just another acting role. But when I watched the final result, I was reminded of my late father. “I have seen him wearing that kind of uniform, sitting in a place like that, opening and closing the gate. My father used to work as a security guard at a school and I once brought him food there late at night,” he said. The short film, produced by D’Herbs in collaboration with Tangerine Pictures, was inspired by

Azhan said the absence of his father, who died of thyroid cancer in 2016, has caused many family traditions to change, leaving a sense of emptiness every time Syawal approaches. “My late father loved creating a lively atmosphere. He would make sure the table was always filled with food and drinks. Now we have to do everything ourselves, and my mother is no longer strong enough, so the atmosphere feels quiet. “For me, Ramadan and Aidilfitri now feel incomplete, but life must go

The release unites a diverse line-up of musicians in a collaborative project.

Kuala Lumpur Ska Syndicate celebrates Raya with single KUALA LUMPUR Ska Syndicate has released Kita Di Aidilfitri in celebration of Aidilfitri 2026.

reggae, Kita Di Aidilfitri delivers a refreshing sound while remaining deeply rooted in local musical sensibilities. The track is not merely a festive song but also a cultural expression that bridges traditional festive spirit with a contemporary musical approach. The collective line-up within The Raya Syndicate adds distinctive character to the arrangement, resulting in a vibrant and energetic composition that reflects the collaborative spirit of Malaysia’s independent music scene.

Azhan says he has not worn the traditional baju Melayu on the morning of Syawal since his father’s passing. – PICS FROM BERNAMA the true-life story of entrepreneur Datuk Seri Aliff Syukri Kamaruzaman and his late father. The film, directed by Bobby Husaini and Bahri Umar, also features child actor Mikael Noah, as well as Megat Sharizal Mohamed Yusoff and Niezam Zaidi. – Bernama

This special release is performed through a unique musical collective known as Kuala Lumpur Ska Syndicate – “The Raya Syndicate”, bringing together a diverse line-up of musicians in a collaborative project that celebrates the true spirit of Hari Raya: Togetherness, unity and a living cultural identity expressed through rhythm and music. Blending the energetic groove of ska with the laid-back pulse of

Azhan is widely known for his role as Ustaz Madi in the drama series Nur .