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Melody Maestro Deva Passes Away at 75
17 Oct
Summary
- Veteran Tamil music composer Deva, known as 'Thenisai Thendral', died at 75.
- He composed music for over 400 films across four South Indian languages.
- Tributes poured in from actors, musicians, filmmakers, and political leaders.
Veteran Tamil music composer and singer Deva, widely recognized as 'Thenisai Thendral,' died in Chennai on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the age of 75. His passing has led to numerous tributes from across the entertainment and political spectrum.
Born Devanesan Chokkalingam, Deva composed music for hundreds of films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. His notable works include soundtracks for critically acclaimed films such as 'Annamalai,' 'Baashha,' and 'Kushi,' many of which featured iconic collaborations with lyricist Vairamuthu.
Actors like Vijay Sethupathi and Khushbu Sundar, along with lyricist Vairamuthu, shared emotional messages recalling Deva's significant impact on Tamil cinema music. His ability to create melodies that resonated deeply with audiences, particularly for actor Rajinikanth, was frequently mentioned.
The office of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay also issued a condolence, acknowledging Deva's legacy as a composer of over 400 films and a singer of popular gaana songs. His death is considered a profound loss to the Indian music industry.
