Legendary composer Deva, 75, passed away on October 17 after suffering a heart attack. According to reports, he was admitted to Surya Hospital at around 8:30 AM. Further details about his death are still awaited. Deva composed music for Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam films.
Deva: The Man Behind Rajinikanth’s Iconic Intro
Deva was the man behind South superstar Rajinikanths screen presence and the energetic musical cues accompanying his appearances became a memorable combination for fans.
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Tributes pour in for Deva
Deva's death shocked fans and actress Khushbu Sundar, who had met him just 10 days earlier. Actor-politician confirmed Deva’s death on X and wrote, "Absolutely devastated. Unbelievable. A man who was healthy and laughing, blessing and was part of us just 10 days ago is gone. Its heartbreaking."
"Thenisai Thendral as he was known, was indeed a man as sweet as honey and light hearted as the wind. His contribution to the world of music and cinema is beyond. Gone too soon. Why?? You will be missed Deva Sir. Rest in peace. #Deva #thenisaithendral #OmShanti," she added.
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Absolutely devastated. Unbelievable. A man who was healthy and laughing, blessing and was part of us just 10 days ago is gone. Its heartbreaking. Thenisai Thendral as he was known, was indeed a man as sweet as honey and light hearted as the wind. His contribution to the world of music and cinema is beyond. Gone too soon. Why?? You will be missed Deva Sir. Rest in peace. 😢😢😢😢🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 #Deva #thenisaithendral #OmShanti
— KhushbuSundar (@khushsundar) October 17, 2026
Actor Sibi Sathyaraj also mourned the veteran’s death and wrote on X, "Extremely saddened to hear the passing away of #Deva sir.A complete allrounder when it came to music be it songs or background score and several movies in the 90s and 2000s became super hits and blockbusters mainly for his music."
"A wonderful human being who was truly humble and was a delight for Directors and Producers and of course Lead actors loved him for the kind of Mass elevations he had given them! A huge loss to the Film industry. My sincere condolences to his family, friends, relatives and fans. RIP dear sir. #Thenisaithendral," Sathyaraj added.
Extremely saddened to hear the passing away of #Deva sir.A complete allrounder when it came to music be it songs or background score and several movies in the 90s and 2000s became super hits and blockbusters mainly for his music.A wonderful human being who was truly humble and was a delight for Directors and Producers and of course Lead actors loved him for the kind of Mass elevations he had given them! A huge loss to the Film industry. My sincere condolences to his family,friends,relatives and fans. RIP dear sir🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 #Thenisaithendral
— Sibi Sathyaraj (@Sibi_Sathyaraj) October 17, 2026
Popularly known for his memorable compositions and the iconic introductory music associated with South superstar Rajinikanth, Deva carved a special place for himself in the Indian film industry through his distinctive musical style and energetic soundtracks.
FAQs
How many films has Deva composed for?
He has composed songs and background scores for more than 400 to 450 films across a career spanning over 36 years.
When did Deva make his debut?
His first film as a music director was Manasukkeththa Maharasa in 1989, followed shortly by Vaigasi Poranthachu, which brought him widespread recognition.