As tasteless as this comment is at this somber moment, Amarar Deva was asked this uncomfortable question in a podcast. He answered it honestly - many directors already came to him with a literal Telugu/Hindi song in mind and only wanted Tamilized version of the same tune. When he politely refused, the directors did not accept any other tune or simply switched over to other MDs. He was in no position to challenge the directors, so he went through with it as his career and livelihood was at stake. He also was halfheartedly convinced that most of his audience had no way of knowing which tune was flicked from where. Doing our best within the constraints of life is what all of us normal people can do. Nevertheless, plenty of Deva sir's melodies are still in vogue, directors continue to use his old songs for the 90s vibe. His iconic BGM continues to play for Superstar's namecard. He remains the only composer whose song was played at a state funeral (that of former Singapore President S.R. Nathan). Despite all this, he never got due credits for his work. It did not make him a bitter person. He played at concerts even in his 70s and spread joy. Deva was a simple, unassuming, honest man and a practicing Hindu. Sometimes, that is enough. Atleast that's better than being an armchair pundit ragebaiting on the internet. History will be much kinder to Thenisai Thendral.