Veteran Tamil film composer Deva dies at 75
Veteran Tamil film composer Deva has died in Chennai at 75. He composed for more than 400 films across four languages.
Composer Deva on 28 October 2024. This is an archival/contextual photograph and does not depict the events of 17 October 2026. Photo: Santhosh2903 / Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Source page: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Deva_Music_Director.jpg . No modification except WordPress resizing.
Chennai, October 17: Veteran Tamil film composer Deva, popularly known as “Thenisai Thendral,” died in Chennai on Saturday. He was 75.
Born Devanesan Chokkalingam, Deva worked in film music for nearly four decades. An official condolence message from the Vice President of India and independent news reports said he composed for more than 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema.
Deva was known for helping bring gaana music into mainstream Tamil cinema. Political leaders and members of the film industry have paid tribute to him.
Key facts
- Died: October 17, 2026, in Chennai
- Age: 75
- Birth name: Devanesan Chokkalingam
- Career: More than 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam
Sources
Image credit and licence
Archive/context photograph taken on October 28, 2024; it does not depict the events of October 17, 2026. Photo: Santhosh2903 / Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0. No modification except WordPress resizing.
