Renowned Tamil film music composer Deva passes away at 75

Tamil film music composer Deva, who brought gaana music into mainstream cinema, died on Saturday at the age of 75. Hospital sources stated that he had no pulse upon arrival and attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. Born as Devanesan Chokkalingam, Deva worked in the Public Works Department of the Tamil Nadu government before joining the film industry. He made his debut as a film music composer with the 1986 film Mattukkara Mannaru, which gained popularity later despite failing at the box office. He subsequently drew attention with the Ramarajan-starrer Manasuketha Maharasa, and earned wider recognition and his first Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director with Vaikasi Poranthachu in 1990. His career transformed following his work on the Rajinikanth-starrer Annamalai, after which he secured 20 films within two months. He composed hit songs and background scores for several Rajinikanth films including Arunachalam and Baashha. His diverse musical style also included hit tracks like "Lalaku Dol Dappima" from Suryan and collaborations with devotional singers such as Sirkazhi Govindarajan, P. Susheela, M. Balamuralikrishna, and Madurai Somu.

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Deva was popularly known as Thenisai Thendral Deva for his contribution to Tamil cinema and the popularization of Chennai's earthy gaana music tradition. His career spanned decades, blending folk rhythms with classical and devotional elements to shape the sound of mainstream Kollywood.