Superstar Rajinikanth visited the residence of veteran music composer Deva in Chennai on Saturday, October 17, to pay his final respects following the composer’s death earlier in the day. Known for his memorable contributions to Tamil cinema, Deva shared a longstanding musical association with Rajinikanth, while tributes from actors, political leaders and fans have continued to pour in.
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Rajinikanth Pays Tribute To Music Composer Deva
Visuals from Deva’s residence showed Rajinikanth arriving to honour the late composer. The two shared a notable professional partnership, with Deva composing music for several of the superstar’s films, including Annamalai (1992), Baashha (1995) and Arunachalam (1997).
One of Deva’s most recognisable contributions was the signature title-card music accompanying Rajinikanth’s name on screen. The musical piece became an iconic part of the actor’s cinematic identity and remains closely associated with his film introductions.
Kamal Haasan Shares Emotional Tribute
Actor Kamal Haasan, who worked closely with Deva on several films, expressed shock at the composer’s passing and remembered their time together.
In a tribute, he wrote, “The news of my dear brother Deva's passing is shocking. He was a vibrant soul, full of enthusiasm and zeal, with a penchant for light-hearted humour and hearty laughter. Memories of the joyful times we shared working together on films like Avvai Shanmugi, Pammal K. Sambandam, and Panchatanthiram come flooding back. My heartfelt tribute to him. My deepest condolences and words of comfort to his family.”
MK Stalin Remembers Deva’s Contribution To Music
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also paid tribute to the composer on X, recalling his personality, musical achievements and influence on the industry.
“I was deeply shocked to hear the news of the passing of 'Thenisai Thendral' Deva. Deva possessed a pure, guileless heart, entirely free from jealousy, deceit, or cunning. He was instrumental in bringing the 'Gaana' genre into mainstream film music—to such an extent that the term 'Gaana' became synonymous with Deva himself. Coming from a simple rural background to Chennai, he rose to become one of the leading music directors in the South Indian film industry, serving as an inspiration to many. He composed music for films featuring all the top superstars, playing a pivotal role in their success,” Stalin wrote.
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Deva’s Legacy In South Indian Cinema
Deva primarily worked in Tamil cinema, composing music for more than 400 films during his career. His work also extended to Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema, establishing his presence across the South Indian film industry.
Born on November 20, 1950, Deva became widely recognised for his distinctive musical style and his contribution to popular film soundtracks. His signature music for Rajinikanth’s title-card appearances remains one of his most enduring contributions to the superstar’s on-screen persona.
(With inputs from ANI)