Overview
- Deva was taken to Surya Hospital in Chennai after complaining of chest pain and was pronounced dead on Saturday, October 17, 2026, after doctors’ attempts to revive him failed.
- His body has been kept at his T. Nagar residence for the public to pay respects and senior political and film figures have visited the family to offer condolences.
- Over a career spanning nearly four decades, Deva composed for more than 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema and became closely identified with energetic gaana songs.
- He created the distinctive title-card music used to herald Rajinikanth’s screen appearance and supplied major scores for films such as Annamalai, Baashha and Arunachalam.
- Deva received honours including the Tamil Nadu Kalaimamani and a Filmfare award, funeral arrangements are pending, and the state and film community are preparing formal tributes that will mark his cultural legacy.