Governor, Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, and political party leaders have expressed condolences on the passing of renowned music composer Deva.
Renowned Tamil film music composer Deva (75), who was fondly hailed as the “Breeze of Sweet Music,” passed away on Saturday at a private hospital in Vadapalani, Chennai, due to ill health.
He composed music for more than 400 films in languages including Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam. A master at singing gaana songs, he made his screen debut through the film Maatukkaran Mannaru.
He composed music for Rajinikanth films such as Annamalai, Baashha, and Arunachalam. He was a key pillar in the early success of Vijay and Ajith.
The Tamil Nadu Governor, Chief Minister, political party leaders, members of the film industry, and many celebrities have been expressing their condolences over his passing.
Governor Arlekar's condolence
Deva made a magnificent contribution to Tamil film music. His passing is saddening.
He held a special place in the hearts of millions of music lovers. He has said that Deva left an indelible mark on Tamil film music.
Chief Minister Joseph Vijay's condolence
I was deeply shocked and profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Deva, the unique music composer of the Tamil film industry and the one who won the hearts of ordinary people with gaana songs, known as 'Thenisai Thendral'.
He composed music for more than 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, and also wrote and sang many gaana songs himself. Mr. Deva, who received various awards including the Kalaimamani, will forever remain in the history of film music through his musical journey and songs. His passing is a great loss to the Tamil film industry.
I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to the family, relatives, friends, members of the film industry, and music lovers mourning the loss of music composer Mr. Deva.
M.K. Stalin (DMK)
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 envy, deceit, or trickery. He introduced gaana-style songs into film music on a grand scale, and became known as the one and only Deva when it came to gaana.
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, Baashha, and Arunachalam, which Deva worked on with superstar Rajinikanth, became huge hits. Even today, the fact that Rajinikanth’s name appears on screen with Deva’s music itself shows the scale of his impact. There would hardly be any auto stand in Tamil Nadu where “Auto Kaaran” is not played. The “Kalaignani” Kamal Haasan has also left his mark in comedies such as Avvai Shanmugi and Panchathanthiram.
Not only Rajini and Kamal, but Deva has also given many hit songs, including Captain Vijayakanth’s Paasamulla Pandiyare. In particular, people from Madurai cannot even imagine the Chithirai festival without Deva’s song “Vaararu Azhagar Vaararu.”
Not only in mass songs for heroes, Deva has no equal even in soul-stirring melodious songs. 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. Leader Kalaignar, appreciating the sweetness of Deva’s music, conferred on him the title “Thenisai Thendral.”
Having begun his film music journey in the eighties, he has also sung in the music of today’s young composers, including Anirudh, with no trace of ego and with a spirit of friendship. In recent times, his musical concerts too have received 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.
At a time when the musical genius Ilaiyaraaja ruled on one side and the musical storm A.R. Rahman on the other, Deva carved out a path of his own and found success. Beyond being a master of music, Deva was also known by everyone who knew him as a very kind person.
Though Deva has left this world, the breeze of his sweet music will never cease. I extend my deepest condolences and comfort to his family, including his son, music director Srikanth Deva, his brother Murali, his friends in the film industry, and all of Deva’s devoted fans who are grieving his loss.
Manickam Tagore (Congress)
The news of the passing of the renowned music composer brother Deva, affectionately called “Thenisai Thendral” by the people of Tamil Nadu, is deeply heartbreaking.
A great musician who captivated the generation of the nineties with his lively gaana songs and soul-stirring melodies. He has the distinction of transforming the emotions of ordinary people into film music.
His demise is an irreparable loss to the Tamil film industry and the music world. I extend my deepest condolences to his grieving family and fans.
Anbumani (PMK)
I was shocked and saddened to hear the news that the renowned Tamil film music composer Deva, who was also celebrated as “Thenisai Thendral,” has passed away due to ill health.
Deva’s contribution to the Tamil film industry is immense. Coming from a humble background, Deva carved out a place for himself and ruled the music world at a time when music maestro Ilaiyaraaja and musical storm A.R. Rahman were dominating the Tamil film industry.
Deva has the special distinction of having composed music for the films of all the leading actors in the Tamil film industry. He is the one who composed most of the songs for Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, today’s Chief Minister Vijay, Ajith, and others, songs that are celebrated by their fans. Deva was also the one who introduced gaana music, the music of the common people, to the screen.
Until just a few days ago, he was taking part in films and television-related programs, and it is hard to bear the sudden loss of him from among us. Last year, around the same time, the passing of his brother Sabesh had deeply affected him mentally. The demise of Deva, a very kind man, is a great loss to the world of music.
Thirumavalavan(VCK)
The passing of music composer Thenisai Thendral Deva is deeply saddening and shocking. He was someone who left a distinct mark in the film industry. Even at 75, he remained celebrated and admired. He won the overwhelming support and affection of the Tamil people. It is unbearable to accept that he is no longer among us today. On a personal level, he had great affection for me. His loss is a huge loss not only to the film industry, but to the entire Tamil community. He composed music for more than 400 films in various languages.
Deva was the one who created the famous introductory song for Superstar Rajinikanth. Even today, that song remains one of Rajinikanth’s identities. He composed music for films including Annamalai and Baasha, and played a major role in Rajinikanth’s cinematic journey. I express my deepest condolences to his family, including his son and composer Srikanth Deva, who are grieving the loss of Deva, and to those in the film industry, said Thirumavalavan.
M. Veerapandian (Communist Party of India)
The news that popular Tamil film music composer Deva (75), affectionately known by fans as “Thenisai Thendral,” passed away today (Oct. 17) due to ill health is shocking.
Deva was one of the leading music composers in the Tamil film industry. He made his debut as a music composer in 1989 with the film “Manasukketha Maharasa.” He became widely known across Tamil Nadu through the 1990 film “Vaigasi Poranthachu.” He has composed music for more than 450 films, including Annamalai and Baasha. He has also composed background music for Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films.
He worked as a music composer in Tamil films for more than forty years, and has delivered gaana songs as well as wonderful melodies. He has written many gaana songs and has also composed and sung them himself.
He has given many hit songs for Rajini, Kamal, Vijay, Ajith, and others.
He received the Tamil Nadu government award for Best Music Composer in 1990 and the Kalaimamani award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1992. In 1995, the film ‘Aasai’ earned Deva another state award.
Deva’s passing is a huge loss not only to the Tamil film industry, but to the entire South Indian film industry.
The Tamil Nadu State Executive Committee of the Communist Party of India pays its deepest respects to him. It conveys its condolences and comfort to the family members, relatives, and fans grieving his loss.
Su. Thirunavukkarasar (Congress)
I am shocked and saddened to learn of the news that music composer Mr. Deva, affectionately called “Thenisai Thendral,” passed away untimely due to a heart attack.
He was someone who delighted Tamil music fans living across the world with his melodious music. He successfully composed music for numerous films, including those of leading stars such as Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay, and Ajith. Through his gaana songs, he carved out a new path for himself and introduced many innovations to the film industry. The passing of Mr. Deva, who brought joy to music lovers around the world, is a great loss to both the music world and the film world.
I express my deepest condolences with sorrow on his passing. I also convey my heartfelt sympathies to his family members, relatives, fans, and everyone in the film industry who are grieving his loss.