Deva (1950-2026) | In pictures

Tamil film composer Deva, known for popularising gaana music in mainstream cinema, passed away on Saturday (October 17, 2026), aged 75. His compositions and background scores for Rajinikanth-starrers such as Annamalai (1992), Arunachalam (1997) and Baashha (1995) earned widespread popularity.Deva’s musical repertoire brought together diverse influences, blending the raw, street-rooted sounds of Chennai’s gaana tradition with the commercial energy of Tamil cinema, while drawing on the melodies of classical and devotional music.Here are some rare pictures of the legendary music composer.His debut as a music composer was 'Mattukkara Mannaru' in 1986. Though the film failed at the box office, its songs later gained popularity.Music Director M.S. Viswanathan in conversation with Deva and vocalist T.V. Gopalakrishnan in 2011. V GANESANDeva with former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2014.Deva with filmmaker K S Ravikumar in 2014.Deva with actor Kamal Haasan, actor-writer Crazy Mohan, filmmaker KS Ravikumar and director Mouli during the audio release of the movie 'Pammal K Sambandam' in 2002. R RAGHUDeva performs at the Gaana Artist Association inaugural function in Chennai in 2016.Deva with singer Gana Bala (left) and Gana Ulaganathan at the Gaana Artist Association inaugural function in Chennai in 2016. R RAGHULegendary singer P.B. Srinivas, Deva, and actor P.S. Sachu, at a programme marking the death anniversary of actor and comedian N.S. Krishnan in Chennai in 2011. R RAGHUDeva with Ganesh of Shankar-Ganesh fame during an interaction in Coimbatore in 2007. S SIVA SARVANANThe music composer with filmmaker Suresh Krissna at Deva's Recording Theatre in Chennai in 2009. R SHIVAJI RAO Published - October 17, 2026 06:00 pm IST