Overview
- Doctors at Surya Hospital said Deva arrived with no pulse after complaining of chest pain and could not be revived, reports said on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
- The composer, born Devanesan Chokkalingam, scored more than 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema during a career that began in the 1980s.
- Deva popularised gaana, a colloquial Chennai folk style, and created signature star anthems including the 'Superstar' intro music used in Rajinikanth films since the early 1990s.
- His body will be kept at his T Nagar residence in Chennai for people to pay respects and details of final rites have not yet been announced.
- Political leaders and figures from the film industry issued tributes, noting his state awards and institutional roles and the lasting influence his songs have on everyday life and film culture.