Tamil music composer Deva dies at 75, chief minister Vijay mourns

Tamil composer and singer Deva, who popularised street-level gaana music and rhythms of Chennai into mainstream Tamil cinema, passed away on Saturday in Chennai.

He was 75 and breathed his last at a private hospital in Chennai, as confirmed by sources.

Former actor and Tamil Nadu chief minister C. Joseph Vijay mourned the death of the artist and expressed his condolences to the latter's family.

"I was deeply shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of 'Thenisai Thentral' Thiru. Deva, a unique composer of the Tamil film industry and who captivated the hearts of the common people with his Gaana songs. He has composed music for more than 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada, and has written and sung many Gaana songs himself. Having won various awards including Kalaimamani, Thiru.Deva's musical journey and songs will remain forever in the history of film music. His demise is a great loss to the Tamil film industry," Vijay wrote on X.

He added, "I express my deepest condolences and sympathies to the family, relatives, friends, film industry, and music fans who have lost composer Thiru. Deva."

The film fraternity and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar also expressed grief over the demise of Deva. In a career spanning over four decades, he composed music and background scores for more than 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema.

His major musical milestones include Aasai, Kaadhal Kottai, Vasanthakala Paravai, Kushi, and Bharathi Kannamma.