Deva, the Composer Who Took Chennai Gaana to Mainstream Tamil Cinema, Reportedly Dies at 75
Tamil composer Deva, known for popularising gaana music with over 400 films, has reportedly died at 75 after a heart attack. Read his career and best-known works.
Composer and singer Deva, whose full name was Devanesan Chokkalingam, has reportedly passed away at 75. According to the report, he died of a heart attack on Saturday, October 17, while news agency IANS said he died due to health issues. Media reports say he was taken to a hospital in Chennai at around 8:30 am and died there. The family has not been quoted in the source.
The Man Behind Gaana in Cinema
Born in Mylapore, Chennai, on November 20, 1950, Deva is credited with popularising “gaana” music in Tamil cinema. The style, rooted in the street music of North Chennai, became his signature through energetic, folk-influenced songs. He composed music for more than 400 films in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam, and the report also lists Kannada cinema.
