Chennai: Political party leaders, including DMK leader M.K. Stalin and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami, have expressed their deep condolences over the passing of Thenisai Thendral Deva.
In a post on his X account, DMK leader M.K. Stalin said, “I was deeply shocked to hear the news of Thenisai Thendral Deva’s passing. Deva was a man with a pure heart, who knew nothing of envy, deceit, or trickery. He was the one who brought gaana-style songs into film music on a grand scale, and was known as the very face of gaana.”
He came to Chennai from a simple rural background and rose to become a leading music composer in South Indian cinema, 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 with Superstar Rajinikanth, became huge hits.
Even today, the fact that Rajinikanth’s name appears on screen along with Deva’s music itself shows the extent of its reach. There would hardly be any auto stands in Tamil Nadu where “Naan Autokkaran” is not played. He has also left his mark in comedy films such as Kalaignani Kamal Haasan’s Avvai Shanmugi and Panchathanthiram.
Not only to Rajini and Kamal, but also to Captain Vijayakanth, Deva has given many hit songs, including ‘Pasamulla Pandiyare’. In particular, people from Madurai cannot even imagine the Chithirai festival without Deva’s song ‘Vaararu Azhagar Vaararu’.
Not just mass songs for heroes, but in soulful melodious songs too, there is no one equal to Deva except Deva himself. In hundreds of films such as Aasai, Kadhal Kottai, Kannedhirey Thondrinal, Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga, and Aaha, Deva has given melodies that make one want to listen again and again. It was former Chief Minister Karunanidhi who praised the sweetness of Deva’s music and conferred on him the title ‘Thenisai Thendral’.
He began his film music journey in the 80s, and has sung in the music of today’s young composers, including Anirudh, with a sense of friendship and without any arrogance. In recent times, his music concerts too have received a huge welcome from people in every town. No one can write the history of Tamil popular music without leaving out Deva. Several chapters must be set aside for him alone.
At a time when music genius Ilaiyaraaja ruled on one side and the musical storm A.R. Rahman on the other, 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.
Even 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 composer Srikanth Deva, his brother Murali, and other family members, as well as to his friends in the film industry and Deva’s devoted fans,” he said.
In a condolence note issued by AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami, he said, “I was deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of the famous music composer and dear brother ‘Thenisai Thendral’ Deva due to ill health. Coming from a humble background, Deva reflected the lives of ordinary people through his music. He left his unique mark in all kinds of songs, including mass, melody, and devotional numbers.
Deva’s music is so deeply embedded in everyone’s hearts that it can be said there are no feet that do not dance to his ‘Gaana’ songs.
Brother Deva, who held great respect for MGR and Jayalalithaa and deep affection for our party, composed campaign songs for our party that will forever hold a special place in the hearts of AIADMK workers. The passing of “Thenisai Thendral” Deva is an irreparable loss.
I express my deepest condolences and sorrow to his bereaved family, to those in the film and music industries, and to his fans. I pray to the Almighty that his departed soul may rest in the shadow of the Lord’s feet,” he said.
Tamil Nadu BJP leader Nainar Nagendran, said, “The passing of ‘Thenisai Thendral’ music composer Deva, who held an indelible place in the hearts of music lovers in the Tamil film world, is deeply painful and shocking. With his demise, the music world has suffered an irreparable loss.
Deva, with his distinctive music, sweet melodies, and countless songs that continue to resonate in people’s hearts, has left an indelible mark on the Tamil music world.
His music will live on vividly in our memories and hearts, even across many generations. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to his grieving family members, relatives, the film industry, and music fans. I pray to the Almighty that his soul may rest in peace,” he expressed in his condolence message.
In the condolence message shared by PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss, he said, “I was shocked and saddened to hear the news that the renowned Tamil film music composer Deva, who was celebrated as the sweet breeze of music, 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 world of music at a time when music maestro Ilaiyaraaja and musical storm A.R. Rahman were dominating the Tamil film industry.
Deva has the distinction of having composed music for the films of all the leading actors in Tamil cinema. He is the one who composed the music for most of the songs of 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 ordinary people, to the screen. Until just a few days ago, he was taking part in films and television-related events, and it is hard to bear the fact that he has suddenly left us.
His brother Sabesh’s passing around the same time last year had deeply affected him mentally. The death of Deva, a very good human being, is a great loss to the world of music. I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to his family, friends, and everyone in the music fraternity who are grieving the loss of the melodious Deva,” he said.
AMMK General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran said, “The news that Deva, the renowned music composer who won the hearts of millions in the Tamil film industry with his distinctive music and lively gaana songs, and who was celebrated by all as ‘Thenisai Thendral’ for composing music connected to the lives of the poor and ordinary people, has passed away due to ill health, is deeply painful and saddening.
“I extend my deepest condolences and sympathies to Deva’s grieving family members, relatives, and fellow members of the film industry, who are mourning the loss of Deva, who was not only a film composer but also an artist who secured an enduring place in the memories of Tamil music lovers, and I pray to the Almighty that his soul may rest in the shadow of the Lord’s feet,” he has written in his tribute.
The Communist Party of India’s Tamil Nadu State Executive Committee, in a condolence message, said, “The news that the popular Tamil film music composer Deva, affectionately called ‘Thenisai Thendral’ by fans, passed away today (17.10.2026) at the age of 75 due to ill health is shocking.
He served as a music composer in Tamil films for more than forty years, providing gaana songs and wonderful melodies. He has written many gaana songs, composed them himself, and also sung them. He has given many hit songs for Rajini, Kamal, Vijay, Ajith, and others.
He received the Tamil Nadu government award for Best Music Director in 1990 and the Tamil Nadu government’s Kalaimamani Award in 1992. In 1995, the film ‘Aasai’ won Deva another state award.
The passing of music director Deva 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 has expressed its deepest condolences. It has also conveyed its sympathy and comfort to the family members, relatives, and fans grieving his loss,” it said.