India, Oct. 25 -- Damodaran Kothandaraman, the celebrated Tamil chef and television personality known to millions as chef Damu, died on Sunday in Chennai. His death was confirmed by fellow chef Venkatesh Bhat, who posted an Instagram video message. Also read | Days after music composer Deva's death, his nephew and actor Karthik Sabesh dies

Chef Venkatesh called chef Damu a friend and collaborator of 15 years, and said in Tamil, "It's very upsetting to learn that Padma Shree Chef Damu is no more. He set an example for thousands of people in the catering profession, showing them that it was possible to become a Padma Shree awardee (doing what they do). He authored 26-30 books and made traditional Tamil recipes world-famous."

He added, "We...