Deva tributes: Rajinikanth, Vijay and Kamal remember

The tributes to Deva on Saturday, October 17, came with memories that reached well beyond a favourite song. Rajinikanth recalled the generosity with which the composer accepted a difficult professional decision. Chief Minister Vijay paid his respects and announced state honours. Kamal Haasan remembered a colleague who would laugh heartily at the smallest joke. Singers spoke of recording sessions where even a newcomer could feel at home.

The composer, whose death at 75 brought an end to a career spanning nearly four decades, had worked across generations of stars. As colleagues visited his family and shared messages, the same qualities kept returning: his humour, his lack of airs, the speed and ease of working with him, and the affection his music continued to receive from younger listeners.

Rajinikanth’s video tribute described Deva as a man of pure gold. He had earlier visited the family in Chennai. Their three films together, Annaamalai, Baashha and Arunachalam, had all been major successes, which made the conversation he remembered from Padayappa especially delicate.

As Cinema Express reported from his remarks, Rajinikanth had wanted AR Rahman for Padayappa and worried about hurting Deva. The composer responded by standing up and shaking his hand. He welcomed the choice of a talented younger musician and expressed gratitude for the three films they had already made. Rajinikanth remembered that response as evidence of a man without malice.

He also recalled the wedding concerts through which Deva had helped support his brothers, and how he kept the family close after finding success. More recently, Deva had spoken with delight about the reception to his live shows. Seeing young people respond to his songs had made him want another ten or fifteen years of that happiness.

In his written condolence, Chief Minister Vijay described Deva as a distinctive composer who had won ordinary listeners over through gaana. His statement noted more than 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada, as well as the songs Deva had written and sung himself. He offered condolences to the family, the film industry and music lovers, saying the composer’s musical journey would retain its place in film history.

Vijay also visited Deva’s family. In a separate announcement, the Chief Minister’s Office said the composer’s final journey would receive state honours in recognition of his service to music. The decision was subsequently acknowledged by Srikanth Deva, who thanked the government on behalf of the family.

Kamal Haasan addressed Deva as his dear brother, recalling the liveliness of their years working together. In his Tamil condolence, translated here, he wrote:

“He was full of energy and enthusiasm, and would laugh heartily even at the smallest joke. I recall the lively times we shared while working together on Avvai Shanmugi, Pammal K. Sambandam and Panchathanthiram.”

Kamal offered his condolences to the family and also visited to pay his respects.

AR Rahman said the death of the beloved Thenisai Thendral had left him deeply saddened. “His melodies, intertwined with the soul of Tamil music, have touched the hearts of many generations. They will continue to resonate in the years to come,” he wrote in Tamil. He offered his deepest condolences to Deva’s family, friends and fans, and prayed for his soul to rest in peace.

Ilaiyaraaja’s response took the form of a pause in work. ABP Tamil reported that he cancelled all music work scheduled at his studio for Saturday following the news. The report also said he intended to pay his respects in person.

Former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin offered one of the most detailed written appreciations of Deva’s music. He recalled the success of the Rajinikanth collaborations, the way the composer’s theme continued to accompany the star’s name, and the reach of Naan Autokaaran. In his telling, there could scarcely be an auto stand in Tamil Nadu where that song had not been heard.

Stalin also pointed to the melodies of Aasai, Kadhal Kottai, Kannedhirey Thondrinal, Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga and Aahaa. He remembered Vaararu Azhagar Vaararu as inseparable from Madurai’s Chithirai celebrations, and praised Deva for finding his own path in an era dominated by Ilaiyaraaja and AR Rahman. Beyond his ability, Stalin wrote, people who knew him remembered his goodness. Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin visited the family together.

Lyricist Vairamuthu, who worked with Deva on Annaamalai, Baashha, Arunachalam, Vaalee and Kushi, responded in verse. His opening lines mourned the man who had given listeners songs that would not die, then asked whether the breeze of sweet music had fallen still. It was a tribute expressed through the name by which audiences had long known him: Thenisai Thendral.

Sathyaraj’s grief was captured in a video carried by Polimer News. The channel’s caption quoted him describing the death as an unbearable loss.

Sarathkumar wrote that he took pride in having introduced Deva to the film industry. He recalled working with him on Suriyan, Vedan, Namma Annachi and Natpukkaga, and said the composer’s distinctive music had earned a permanent place in listeners’ hearts. He offered condolences to Srikanth Deva, the family and their colleagues.

Ramarajan, the star of Deva’s first released film Manasukketha Maharasa, was still struggling with the news in his written condolence reported by Maalaimalar. He said his heart wished it would turn out to be false. He remembered how Deva continued to acknowledge that first opportunity on public stages long after he had become successful, and praised his dedication to music, kindness and spiritual life.

T. Rajendar’s statement, shared with the press, remembered a composer who was easy for directors to approach and willing to support producers. He placed Deva’s work for Rajinikanth and Kamal alongside the many other actors whose films benefited from his songs. He singled out Dum, starring his son Silambarasan, and the energy of Kalakkuven Kalakkuven. The man whose songs had once stirred that excitement had now left his colleagues grieving, he said.

Khushbu Sundar’s shock came with the immediacy of a recent meeting. She had seen Deva just ten days earlier, laughing, offering blessings and appearing well. “Absolutely devastated. Unbelievable,” she wrote. Her tribute linked his familiar title to the personality she knew: someone sweet and light-hearted.

Simran remembered the melodies that had become part of people’s lives over decades. She wrote that his music held a special place in millions of hearts and would continue through the songs.

Gautami described the music as a treasure that would outlive its maker. Her tribute held the melodies and the warmth of his personality together, saying he would be missed for both. She offered prayers for him and remembered the body of work he had left for future generations.

Vijay Sethupathi wrote that Deva had made a distinctive mark on film music and that his songs would remain in memory. Karthi, meanwhile, remembered the man with the same affection as the music: his energy, innocence and the particular joy he brought to everything he did. Karthi placed the melodies and Chennai gaana side by side, describing both as part of listeners’ lives.

Nivin Pauly offered a brief farewell, writing that Deva’s music would echo through generations. Jiiva thanked him for the tunes that had made people dance and celebrate.

Among younger filmmakers and musicians, RJ Balaji singled out the experience of working with Deva on Mookuthi Amman as a cherished memory. He described that opportunity as a blessing and offered condolences to the family.

Hiphop Tamizha Adhi’s tribute came from a particularly recent friendship. He remembered their conversations during the making and release of Meesaya Murukku 2 and said he felt fortunate to have known Deva closely. Writing in Tamil, he described an artist who had entered the field without backing, succeeded on a large scale and become an example to others. He called him Deva appa, and offered his condolences as one of the composer’s fans.

G.V. Prakash Kumar kept his message to a few words: “Rest in Peace legend.” Sam CS thanked Deva for enriching music through his work, remembering the melodies and songs that listeners would continue to carry with them.

The singers’ memories brought the recording room into sharper focus. Srinivas wrote that he loved Deva for his humanity and warmth as much as for his music. He described himself as one of the composer’s countless fans, and said that the humour and humaneness would remain part of how he was remembered.

Chinmayi wrote that she did not know how to process the news, calling it a huge loss.

Sujatha Mohan remembered the humour that made recording sessions with Deva warm. She described a musician who made room for everyone:

“You respected every singer and every musician, and even a newcomer felt completely at home in front of your mic. That kind of warmth is rare.”

She thanked him for the melodies, kindness and laughter, and offered prayers for Srikanth and the family.

Pushpavanam Kuppusamy and Chinnaponnu also spoke in video reactions carried by Thanthi TV. The channel’s report of Kuppusamy’s response highlighted his anguished question about God’s mercy. Chinnaponnu broke down while speaking about the death.

Sibi Sathyaraj remembered an all-round musician whose songs and background scores had helped drive films through the 1990s and 2000s. He also pointed to the pleasure directors, producers and lead actors took in working with him. He singled out the musical flourishes that made their heroes’ entrances and big moments work.

Kishen Das wrote that Deva had disrupted musical norms and occupied countless playlists, remembering his infectious energy. Producer Ishari K. Ganesh also mourned him, highlighting the melodies and energetic songs that had become part of the industry’s shared musical memory.

One of the longest personal memories came from Y.G. Mahendran, whose association with Deva reached back to the UAA theatre years of the 1970s. In a statement shared with the press, he said Deva’s music had reached ordinary people at the deepest level, while his humility reminded him of M.S. Viswanathan. He remembered an infectious laugh and a distinctive sense of humour, and described Deva as a brother.

Their recent work on Charukesi made the loss especially close. Mahendran credited the classical score with helping him become the character on screen.

“The film world has lost a great composer and an even greater human being,” Mahendran said in his Tamil statement. Bharat Kalachar had planned to honour Deva on December 13 with a special award in K. Balachander’s name.