Veteran Tamil music composer and singer Deva, fondly known as ‘Thenisai Thendral’, was laid to rest with full state honours at his family farmland in Sakkaramallur near Arcot in Ranipet district on Sunday. He was 75.
Deva died of a heart attack in Chennai on the morning of October 17. His mortal remains were transported from his Chennai residence to his native village, where the final rites were performed amid an outpouring of grief. Thousands of fans, relatives and well-wishers gathered to pay their last respects to the celebrated composer.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay had visited Deva’s residence in Chennai to offer his condolences. He also announced that the funeral would be conducted with state honours in recognition of the composer’s immense contribution to the music industry. Revenue and police officials supervised arrangements for the ceremony.
Born Devanesan Chokkalingam, Deva maintained a close bond with his roots despite his long and successful career in the film industry.
Relatives and villagers recalled that he regularly visited Sakkaramallur during festivals, including Pongal, and supported local initiatives. He also contributed towards the construction of a Sri Ranganathar temple in the village, reflecting his enduring connection to his hometown.
His final journey to his native village brought together people from different walks of life, united in their grief over the loss of a composer whose music had become part of Tamil cinema’s cultural landscape.
Deva's career spanned nearly four decades, during which he composed music for more than 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema.
Before entering the film industry, he worked in the Tamil Nadu government's Public Works Department (PWD). He made his debut as a film composer in 1986 with Mattukkara Mannaru. Although the film did not perform well at the box office, its songs gradually found an audience.
His work gained wider recognition with Manasukketha Maharasa in 1989, featuring Ramarajan and Seetha. His major breakthrough came the following year with the Prashanth-starrer Vaigasi Poranthachu, which brought him widespread acclaim.
Deva became one of Tamil cinema’s most recognisable composers during the late 1980s and 1990s, earning a reputation for energetic tunes rooted in folk traditions.
He is widely credited with helping bring gaana music into mainstream Tamil cinema. Originating in the working-class neighbourhoods of North Chennai, the urban folk genre became closely associated with his musical identity.
His distinctive style resonated with audiences across generations, making him a sought-after composer for leading actors of his time, including Vijayakanth, Sarathkumar, Vijay and Ajith.
Among Deva’s best-known compositions were songs from Rajinikanth-starrers such as Annamalai, Baashha and Arunachalam. His collaborations with Kamal Haasan also produced popular soundtracks for films including Avvai Shanmugi, Pammal K Sambandam and Panchathanthiram.
His music helped define the sound of several successful films and earned him a lasting place in the history of Tamil film music.
Following news of his death, political leaders, members of the film fraternity and fans across Tamil Nadu paid tribute to the veteran composer, remembering his musical legacy and his contribution to the evolution of popular Tamil cinema.