DMK leader M.K. Stalin has expressed his condolences, saying that he was deeply shocked to hear the news of the passing of Deva, the honey-toned breeze of music, a person with a pure heart who knew nothing of envy, deceit, or trickery.
In the condolence message issued by M.K. Stalin on the demise of music composer Deva,
Deva was a person with a pure heart who knew nothing of envy, deceit, or trickery. He introduced gaana-style songs into film music on a large scale, and was known as the one who made gaana synonymous with Deva.
He came to Chennai from a simple village background and rose to become a leading music composer in the South Indian film industry, serving as an inspiration to many. He composed music for films of all the top stars and played a key role in their success.
In particular, the songs from the films Annamalai, Baasha, and Arunachalam, which Deva worked on together with Superstar Rajinikanth, became huge hits. Even today, one can sense the scale of his impact from the fact that Rajinikanth’s name appears on screen accompanied by Deva’s music. There would hardly be any auto stand in Tamil Nadu where “Naan Autokkaran” is not played. He has also left his mark on comedy films such as Kalaignani Kamal Haasan’s Avvai Shanmugi and Panchathanthiram.
Deva has given many hit songs not only for Rajini and Kamal, but also for Captain Vijayakanth, including beloved songs like Pandiyare. In particular, people from Madurai cannot even imagine the Chithirai festival without Deva’s song “Vararu Alagar Vararu.”
Not only mass songs for heroes, Deva is unmatched even in soul-stirring melodies. In films like Aasai, Kadhal Kottai, Kannedhirey Thondrinal, Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga, and Aaha, Deva has given melodies that make one want to listen again and again in hundreds of films. It was Leader Kalaignar who praised the sweetness of Deva’s music and conferred on him the title “Thenisai Thendral.”
He began his film music journey in the 1980s, and even in the music of today’s artists, he has sung with a friendly spirit, without any arrogance. In recent times, his concerts too have been receiving an enthusiastic response from people in every town.
No one can write the history of Tamil popular music without including Deva. Several chapters must be set aside for him alone.
Even in an era when the music genius Ilaiyaraaja on one side and the musical storm A.R. Rahman on the other were reigning supreme, Deva carved out his own path and achieved success. Beyond being a master of music, Deva is someone who has earned the reputation of being a very good person among all who have known him.
I was deeply shocked to hear the news of the passing of Thenisai Thendral Deva. Deva was a man with a pure heart, who knew nothing of jealousy, deceit, or trickery. He brought gaana-style songs into film music on a grand scale, and became known as the one and only Deva when it came to gaana. Coming to Chennai from a simple village background, he rose to become a leading music director in South Indian cinema and stood as an inspiration to countless people. He composed music for films of all the top stars and played a vital role in their success. In particular, the songs from the films Annamalai, Baashha, and Arunachalam, which Deva worked on with Superstar Rajinikanth, became huge hits. Even today, one can understand the reach of his music from the fact that Rajinikanth’s name appears on screen with Deva’s music. There would hardly be an auto stand in Tamil Nadu where “Naan Autokaaran” was not playing. He also left his mark in comedy films such as Avvai Shanmugi and Panchathanthiram starring the music genius Kamal Haasan. Not only Rajini and Kamal, but Deva also gave Captain Vijayakanth many hit songs, including Pasamulla Pandiyare. In particular, people of Madurai cannot even imagine a Chithirai festival without Deva’s song Vararu Azhagar Vararu. Deva was unmatched not only in mass songs for heroes, but also in soul-stirring melodies. In hundreds of films such as Aasai, Kadhal Kottai, Kannedhirey Thondrinal, Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga, and Aaha, Deva gave melodies that make listeners want to hear them again and again. It was Kalaignar who, admiring the sweetness of Deva’s music, bestowed on him the title “Thenisai Thendral.” He began his film music journey in the 1980s, and even sang in the music of today’s young composers, including Anirudh, with warmth and friendship, without any arrogance. In recent times, his concerts too received an overwhelming response from people in every town. No one can write the history of Tamil popular music without Deva. Several chapters must be devoted to him. At a time when Music Maestro Ilaiyaraaja on one side and the musical storm A.R. Rahman on the other were reigning supreme, Deva carved out his own path and found success. Beyond being a master of music, Deva was also known by everyone who knew him as a very good human being. Though Deva has left this world, the breeze of his Thenisai Thendral will never cease. I extend my deepest condolences and comfort to his family, including his son, music director Srikanth Deva, his brother Murali, his film industry friends, and the countless fans of Deva who are grieving his loss.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) October 17, 2026
Even though Deva has left this world, the sweet musical breeze he created will never cease. I extend my deepest condolences and comfort to his family, including his son, music composer Srikanth Deva, his brother Murali, and other family members who are grieving his loss, as well as to his friends in the film industry and the countless fans of Deva.