Tamil Composer Deva Passes Away At 75 After Health Complications

Veteran Tamil music composer Deva, known for Rajinikanth's 'Baasha' and 'Annamalai', has died at 75 after health complications in Chennai.

Veteran Tamil music composer Deva, known for blockbuster soundtracks including Rajinikanth's 'Baasha' and 'Annamalai', has died at the age of 75.

Source : X/ians_india

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

• Renowned composer Deva, 75, died from health complications.
• Deva composed for 400 films, popularizing Gaana music.
• Gaana music distinguished his work amongst prominent composers.
• His lasting legacy includes awards and musical family.

Veteran Tamil music composer Deva, fondly known as 'Thenisai Thendral', has died at the age of 75 after health complications. His death has sent shockwaves through the Tamil film industry, where he earned widespread recognition for his music across more than 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

Deva Dies At 75 After Health Complications

According to IANS, Deva was admitted to Surya Hospital in Chennai's Kodambakkam area on the morning of Saturday, October 17, after experiencing health issues. Industry sources said the composer, who had undergone bypass surgery nearly a decade ago, failed to respond to treatment and passed away at the hospital.

His demise has left fans and members of the film fraternity mourning the loss of one of Tamil cinema's celebrated music directors. His mortal remains were expected to be taken to his Vadapalani residence at around 2 pm, where members of the public and the film industry could pay their respects.

Deva's Musical Legacy And Iconic Rajinikanth Films

Born on November 20, 1950, Deva made his Tamil cinema debut in 1986 with Maatukaara Mannaru. Over the years, he composed music for several successful films, including Rajinikanth's Baasha, Annamalai and Arunachalam.

Beyond his work on mainstream film soundtracks, Deva played a significant role in bringing the popular Gaana music style into Tamil cinema. He composed numerous Gaana songs and also lent his voice to several tracks, helping establish a distinctive identity in a competitive music industry.

Why Deva Introduced Gaana Songs To Tamil Cinema

At a recent success meet for Meesaya Murukku 2, Deva spoke about the challenges he faced when he entered the industry, where established composers Ilaiyaraaja and A R Rahman had already made their mark.

Explaining his decision to introduce Gaana songs, he said, "I was the 28th music director who got introduced to the film indsutry at a time when music director Ilaiyaraaja was ruling the roost. Before me, 27 music directors had made their debut and could not sustain. It is not a small thing if I could sustain at a time the music scene was dominated by two great music composers. On the one hand was Ilaiyaraaja, an iconic composer and on the other was A R Rahman. Any song I composed would either sound like a song composed by Raaja or if I scored a western number, it would sound like Rahman. It was under these circumstances that I wanted an identity for myself and therefore brought the Gaana songs," Deva had said in the function.

Deva's Awards And Family

Deva received the prestigious Kalaimamani Award from the Tamil Nadu government and won the state's State Film Award for the first time in 1990.

His musical legacy also extended to his family. His son, Srikanth Deva, is an established music director, while his nephew, Jai, is a popular actor in Tamil cinema.

Deva's contribution to Tamil film music, particularly through his Gaana compositions and memorable soundtracks, leaves behind a lasting legacy in the industry.

(With inputs from IANS)

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