Chennai, 17 Oct (H.S.): Veteran music composer Deva, whose songs entertained audiences across South Indian cinema and accompanied some of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars, died following a heart attack at a private hospital in Kodambakkam on Saturday. He was 75.

His death has plunged the film fraternity into mourning, with colleagues and admirers expressing grief over the loss of a composer whose work reached audiences across languages and generations.

During a prolific career spanning nearly four decades, Deva composed songs and background scores for more than 400 films. Although predominantly associated with Tamil cinema, he also worked in Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada, building an extensive musical repertoire.

Popularly called “Thenisai Thendral”, Deva established a distinctive presence in film music through accessible melodies and energetic compositions. His ability to create songs suited to different stars and cinematic situations helped sustain his career in a competitive industry.

His filmography included productions featuring Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay and Ajith Kumar. These collaborations brought his music to a wide audience and made his compositions a familiar part of mainstream Tamil entertainment.

Beyond individual hit songs, his contribution extended to background music, an essential element in shaping a film’s emotional atmosphere and dramatic impact. His work covered both the songs audiences carried beyond theatres and the scores that supported stories on screen.

Born Devanesan Chokkalingam, he belonged to a family closely associated with film music. His son, Srikanth Deva, also became a composer, continuing the family’s involvement in the industry.

The scale of Deva’s output reflected his longstanding association with filmmakers and performers across the southern industries. His career connected him with successive generations of actors, technicians and listeners.

For fans, his passing marks the loss of a musician whose tunes became woven into their memories of cinema, leaving behind a substantial body of work that continues to define his musical legacy.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman