Mohit Singh
Veteran Tamil music composer Deva, fondly known as “Thenisai Thendral” and celebrated as the composer who brought Chennai’s gaana music into the mainstream, died in Chennai on Saturday, October 17, 2026. He was 75.
According to reports, Deva was admitted to Surya Hospital in Kodambakkam around 8:30 in the morning following a sudden health emergency. He had undergone bypass surgery nearly a decade ago. Doctors were unable to revive him, and he was declared dead later in the day. His mortal remains were taken to his residence in Vadapalani, where family members, colleagues and fans gathered to pay their last respects.
The news sent shockwaves through the Tamil film industry. The film fraternity, along with Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and political leaders across party lines, expressed grief over the composer’s death.
The man behind the sound of the nineties
Born Devanesan Chokkalingam on November 20, 1950, Deva made his debut as a film composer in 1986 with Maatukaara Mannaru. Over a career spanning nearly four decades, he composed music for more than 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema — a body of work that made him one of the most prolific composers in South Indian film history.
Deva became the defining sound of Tamil film music through the late 1980s and the 1990s. His biggest commercial triumphs came with Rajinikanth’s blockbusters — Annamalai (1992), Baashha (1995) and Arunachalam (1997), all directed by Suresh Krissna. The pulsating “Baasha, Baasha” background score remains one of the most recognisable themes in Tamil cinema, and Deva’s scores for these films were credited with a large share of their box-office success.
Beyond the Rajinikanth hits, Deva composed memorable albums for Aasai, Kadhal Kottai, Vaalee, Nerrukku Ner, Ninaithen Vandhai, Priyamudan, Kushi and Kamal Haasan’s Pammal K Sambandam (2002) and Panchathanthiram (2002). His score for veteran comedian Goundamani’s antics in Sooriyan (1992) became so iconic that it was still played at his own music concerts, regularly reducing audiences to laughter.
The gaana legacy
Deva’s most distinctive contribution was mainstreaming gaana — Chennai’s street and folk music tradition — in film soundtracks. His energetic gaana numbers, alongside romantic melodies and devotional songs, gave his music an accessibility and range that connected with audiences across class and geography. He was also a distinctive vocalist, singing many of his own compositions, and his stentorian voice made him a familiar presence behind the mic.
His work crossed language barriers. In Malayalam, he scored films including The Prince (1996), King Soloman (1996) and Phantom (2002), featuring Mohanlal and Mammootty. In Telugu, his albums included Chiranjeevi’s Master and Pawan Kalyan’s Tholi Prema, whose songs remain popular among Telugu audiences. In Kannada, his score for Amrutha Varshini earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director in the Kannada category.
Recognition followed his work: the Tamil Nadu government honoured him with the Kalaimamani award in 1992, and he won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director for Aasai in 1995, with earlier recognition for Vaigasi Poranthachu.
Tributes pour in
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay paid tribute to the composer, describing his death as an irreplaceable loss to the industry and acknowledging his extensive body of work and his ability to connect with a wide audience through folk-infused melodies.
Actress and politician Khushbu Sundar shared her shock on social media, noting that she had seen the composer in good spirits just days earlier. Actors Vijay Sethupathi and Sibi Sathyaraj also paid their respects, with Sathyaraj praising the late musician as a complete all-rounder whose background scores were instrumental in the success of numerous 1990s blockbusters.
Even in his later years, Deva stayed active. He sang “Open The Tasmac” for Anirudh Ravichander’s Maan Karate in 2014 and contributed to the soundtrack of the Tamil-themed video game Venba in 2023.
A family of musicians
Music remained a family profession for Deva. His son, Srikanth Deva, followed him into the profession and established himself as a film composer. His brothers Sabesh and Murali worked in the industry as instrumentalists before becoming known as the composing duo Sabesh-Murali. Srikanth Deva was among those at the centre of the family’s mourning as industry figures visited the Vadapalani residence.
Further details of the final rites were awaited at the time of reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was music director Deva?
Deva, born Devanesan Chokkalingam on November 20, 1950, was a veteran Tamil film composer known as “Thenisai Thendral”. He composed music for over 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada over a career spanning nearly four decades, and was celebrated for bringing Chennai’s gaana music into mainstream cinema.
How did Deva die?
Deva died in Chennai on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at the age of 75. He was admitted to Surya Hospital in Kodambakkam that morning following a sudden health emergency, and doctors were unable to revive him. He had undergone bypass surgery nearly a decade earlier.
Which films is Deva best known for?
Deva is best remembered for the Rajinikanth blockbusters Annamalai (1992), Baashha (1995) and Arunachalam (1997), alongside hits such as Aasai, Kadhal Kottai, Vaalee, Kushi and Pammal K Sambandam. His background scores for Baashha and Sooriyan remain iconic.
Is Srikanth Deva related to Deva?
Yes. Srikanth Deva is Deva’s son and has established himself as a film composer in his own right. Deva’s brothers Sabesh and Murali are also composers, known as the duo Sabesh-Murali.
