Tamil composer Deva dies in Chennai at 75

Composer Deva, one of Tamil cinema’s most prominent musical figures, died in Chennai on October 17, 2026, at age 75. Reports said he died at a hospital, but the circumstances and cause of death had not been confirmed in the available accounts. Born Devanesan Chokkalingam, Deva was known by the nickname Thenisai Thendral. Across a career spanning more than three decades, he composed songs and background scores for more than 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, according to biographical accounts. His work ranged from romantic melodies and devotional music to lively, folk-influenced numbers. Deva was particularly associated with gaana, a music tradition rooted in Chennai’s working-class neighbourhoods. He helped bring its rhythms and colloquial style into mainstream Tamil film music, where the genre became one of his defining signatures. His best-known film work included Annamalai, Baashha, Aasai, Kadhal Kottai, Nerrukku Ner, Vaalee and Kushi. His music became closely linked with several leading actors and films. The title-card music for Rajinikanth’s Annamalai became especially recognizable, and Deva later composed for Baashha and Arunachalam. He also worked on...