TRIBUTES and prayers will be paid tonight to a Southampton dad who died suddenlyaged just 42 after fighting a battle against liver disease.

Dhurjati Shukla, known in the community as Tiku and as DJ, died in hospital after struggling to combat liver disease for months.

He was secretary of the Vedic Society Hindu Temple for many years and was in charge of the Belvikas children’s group, as well as being an IT technician at the Daily Echo.

The President of the temple, Ravindra Parmar, said the 42-year old was “well loved” by the community and said he was the “adopted son of the temple”.

He leaves behind a wife, Manisha, and a 15-year old daughter, Udita.

“There was always a beautiful smile on his face, he was always very pleasant to everyone. He was someone who couldn’t say no to anybody,” Mr Parmar said.

An accomplished tabla player, he took part in many concerts and would be called upon to take part in ceremonies at the temple.

More than 100 people were expected to visit the Radcliffe Road temple in the city last night, to pay their respects.

A collection will be held in memory of Tiku, to be given to his wife Manisha.

Tributes were also be paid when the temple held its annual meeting yesterday afternoon.