Published Oct 17, 2026 | 11:54 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 17, 2026 | 12:57 PM
Veteran music composer Deva, popularly known as Thenisai Thendral. (Supplied)
Veteran music composer Deva, popularly known to fans as Thenisai Thendral (Breeze of sweet music), has died. He was rushed to a private hospital in Chennai on Saturday, 17 October, following age-related ailments and health complications, but died despite treatment.
Deva made his debut as a music composer with the 1989 film Manasukketha Maharasa. Over his career, he composed music for more than 400 films in multiple languages.
The 76-year-old carved out a distinctive place in Tamil cinema with popular soundtracks for films such as Annamalai and Baashha. He composed several hit songs for leading actors, including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay and Ajith Kumar.
Deva played a significant role in bringing gaana music into mainstream Tamil cinema. Known for his distinctive voice and musical style, he built a dedicated fan base of his own.
During the 1990s, when Ilaiyaraaja and AR Rahman dominated Tamil film music, Deva established a unique identity and enjoyed a loyal following. Actor Rajinikanth recalled Deva’s popularity while speaking at the Deva Devathan musical concert in 2022.
Although Deva had spoken on several occasions about being associated with Gaana songs, he had also said that he was happy with the recognition.
“People identify me with my Gaana songs because I introduced Gaana to cinema, but I personally love composing melodies,” he said in an interview.
Deva also sang for composers ranging from AR Rahman and Anirudh Ravichander to GV Prakash Kumar, Sean Roldan, Santhosh Narayanan, and Sam CS. He once said that he composed more than 300 album songs before his entry into cinema.
Deva collaborated with Superstar Rajinikanth in only three movies: Annaamalai (1992) and Baashha (1995), both directed by Suresh Krissna, and Arunachalam (1997), helmed by Sundar C.
All three were blockbuster films and their songs left a lasting impact. Music composer Anirudh Ravichander, in fact, once revealed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India that his “favourite Rajinikanth songs” were composed by Deva.
Tributes have been pouring in from members of the film industry and political leaders following his demise.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay was among those who expressed his shock and grief.
In his condolence message, Vijay noted that Deva composed music for more than 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, while also writing and singing numerous Gaana songs that resonated with ordinary people.
He highlighted that Deva, a recipient of several prestigious awards including the Kalaimamani, will be remembered forever for his remarkable musical journey and contributions to Indian cinema.
Describing Deva’s passing as an irreparable loss to the Tamil film industry, Vijay conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, relatives, friends, members of the film fraternity, and music lovers across the globe.
DMK president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin remembered Deva as a humble and kind-hearted individual who left an indelible mark on Tamil film music.
In his statement, Stalin credited Deva with popularising Gaana music in mainstream Tamil cinema, noting that the composer had become synonymous with the genre.
Stalin highlighted Deva’s iconic collaborations with superstar Rajinikanth in blockbusters such as Annamalai, Baashha, and Arunachalam, as well as his memorable contributions to Kamal Haasan’s comedies Avvai Shanmughi and Panchathanthiram, alongside his popular chartbusters for actor Vijayakanth.
He recalled that tracks like “Naan Autokaaran” and “Vaararu Azhagar Vaararu” have become deeply embedded in Tamil Nadu’s popular culture, with the latter remaining an integral part of Madurai’s annual Chithirai festival celebrations. Stalin also praised Deva’s enduring melodies in romance and family dramas such as Aasai, Kaadhal Kottai, Kannethirey Thondrinal, Kaalamellam Kaathal Vaazhga, and Aaha.
Recalling that former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had conferred the title Thenisai Thendral upon Deva in recognition of his musical excellence, Stalin noted that the composer successfully carved out a distinct, celebrated identity during an era dominated by legends like Ilaiyaraaja and AR Rahman.
Stalin further observed that Deva maintained a warm and encouraging approach while collaborating with younger musicians, including Anirudh Ravichander, and noted that his recent live concerts continued to draw enthusiastic responses from packed audiences.
“Tamil popular music history cannot be written without Deva,” Stalin said, adding that several definitive chapters would have to be devoted to the composer’s monumental contributions.
Extending his heartfelt condolences to Deva’s son and music composer Srikanth Deva, his brother Murali, other family members, colleagues in the film industry, and his legion of fans, Stalin concluded, “Though Deva has passed away, the breeze of his melodious music will never cease to blow.”
Actress and politician Khushbu Sundar was “absolutely devastated”.
“Unbelievable. A man who was healthy and laughing, a blessing and part of us just 10 days ago, is gone. It’s heartbreaking. Thenisai Thendral, as he was known, was indeed a man as sweet as honey and lighthearted as the wind. His contribution to the world of music and cinema is beyond measure. Gone too soon. Why??” she wrote.
Music director Sam CS hailed the legend’s “timeless melodies and unforgettable songs,” noting they will forever live in our hearts.
“Thank you for enriching Tamil music with your extraordinary talent. Rest in Peace, Legend,” he posted.
Also Read:
‘Dorothy’: The boundaries of caste, gender and the violence of patriarchy
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Subash Chandra Bose)
