Tamil Films Lose 2 Notable Personalities As Music Director Sabesh, Actor Bhupathi Pass Away

The Tamil film industry is mourning the loss of two personalities: acclaimed music director MC Sabesan (Sabesh) and actor Bhupathi, the son of late legendary actress Manorama. Both passed away in Chennai on Thursday (October 23).

Music Director MC Sabesan (Sabesh) Dies at 68

Music director MC Sabesan, popularly known as Sabesh, passed away in Chennai on Thursday at 12:15 pm at the age of 68, due to ill health. Sabesh was a well-known figure, both as part of the music duo Sabesh-Murali and as the President of the Cine Musicians Union.

A Pillar of Support to Deva:

Sabesh and his brother Murali were instrumental in the success of their elder brother, composer Deva, especially during his peak in the 1990s. They provided strong support, working on the musical arrangements and scoring for many of his films.

Sabesh, who started as a keyboard player in 1983, proudly revealed in a recent interview that he personally handled the background scores for three of Superstar Rajinikanth's biggest hits: Annamalai, Arunachalam, and Baasha. He also mentioned composing the iconic "Super Star" theme music for Rajini, which was done in the style of James Bond for Annamalai. He and Murali often worked double shifts, sometimes scoring up to 23 films a year with Deva.

Sabesh-Murali Duo:

Sabesh and Murali, who continued working into the current decade, made their debut as composers with the film Samuthiram. Some of their other notable compositions and background scores feature in:

Films (Music): Goripalayam, Milaga, Thavamai Thavamirundhu, Imsai Arasan 23am Pulikesi, Pokkisham, and Koodal Nagar.

Films (Background Score): Jodi (stepping in after AR Rahman's unavailability for the score), Autograph, Paarijatham, Thalaimagan, and Irumbu Kottai Murattu Singam.

Playback Singing: Sabesh was also an active playback singer, lending his voice to songs composed by himself, Murali, and Deva. His famous songs include: 'Kothal Savadi Lady' from Kannedhirey Thondrinal (Deva's music), 'Otta Odasal' from Goripalayam, 'Manisha Manisha' from Ninaithen Vandhai (Deva's music), and 'Ore Oru Thopula' from Devathaiyai Kanden.

Surviving Family: Sabesh is survived by his children-daughters Geetha and Archana, and son Karthik. His wife, Tara, had passed away earlier. He hails from a family of artists: his son Karthik Sabesh and nephew Jai are actors, while his nephew Srikanth Deva and Murali's son Bobo Shashi are composers.

Funeral Details: The final rites for Sabesh will be held at his residence at No. 18th Street, Choudhary Nagar, Valasaravakkam, Chennai, at 3 pm on Friday (October 24), followed by the cremation at the Brindavanam Nagar burial ground.

Manorama's Son Passes Away

Late legendary actress Manorama's son, Bhupathi, also passed away in Chennai on Thursday (October 23). He was aged 70 and breathed his last at 10:40 am due to age-related complications.

Bhupathi had tried his hand at acting, debuting in films like Visu's Kudumbam Oru Kadambam and later acting in Manalkayiru in a role named Bhupathi. His acting career did not achieve significant success, and his mother, Manorama, had even produced the film Dhoorathu Pachai for him, which unfortunately failed to click.

His mortal remains have been kept for public homage at his residence on Neelakanta Mehta Street in T Nagar.

Bhupathi is survived by his wife, Dhanalakshmi, and three children: a son, Rajarajan, and two daughters, Abirami and Meenakshi.

The funeral is scheduled to take place at 3 pm on Friday at the Kannammapettai cremation ground.