Known as: Thenisai Thendral.
Died: Chennai, Saturday, October 17, 2026; age reported as 75 or 76.
Career: more than 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.
Honours: Kalaimamani; Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Aasai (1995).
Funeral: Arcot, October 18, with full State honours.
The state government recognised the composer’s contribution to the music industry and the local flavour brought to Tamil film music, according to the reports.
Actor Rajinikanth and DMK president M K Stalin visited the T Nagar residence to pay their respects, according to India.com and other reports.
The funeral is scheduled for Arcot, the composer’s native town, on October 18, according to the reports.
Deva worked on more than 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada, according to the reports.
The honours include the Kalaimamani title and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director for Aasai in 1995, according to the reports.
The Tamil Nadu State Film Awards list also credits the composer for Khushi in 2000 and Vaigasi Poranthachu in 1990.
Tributes from film personalities and political leaders continued to be posted on social media on Saturday.
A State funeral with honours usually includes a police guard of honour and the national or state flag on the body, as per the state’s protocol.
The reports reviewed gave no statement from the composer’s family on the arrangements beyond the date and place of the funeral.
Gulte’s report identifies the composer as the music director of the Telugu film Tholi Prema.
The announcement of State honours was reported by DT Next, Deccan Chronicle, DNA India and LatestLY on October 17.
Deccan Chronicle reported that the Chief Minister paid respects to the mortal remains.
DNA India described the Chief Minister’s tribute as emotional.
India.com reported that Rajinikanth visited the residence to pay tribute.
Kalaimamani is a state award given in Tamil Nadu for achievement in the arts.
Chennai (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, public domain
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