‘Baasha’ composer Deva, king of Tamil cinema’s ‘gana’ sound, dies at 75

Veteran Indian composer Deva, renowned for popularising the ‘gana’ style in Tamil cinema, has died aged 75. — AFP file pic

First Published: Saturday, 17 Oct 2026 7:35 PM MYT

CHENNAI, Oct 17 — Indian music composer Deva, hugely popular for his unique ‘gana’ style, died here today, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.

He was 75 and breathed his last at a private hospital here, sources said.

‘Gana’ songs, Deva’s gift to Tamil-speaking people, may be described as a genre of musical composition that brought the subaltern world into the mainstream, capturing its likes, dislikes, and the rough-and-tumble lives of youth.

In a career spanning nearly four decades, Deva composed music for over 400 films. These included runaway hits such as the Rajinikanth-starrers Annamalai (1992) and Baasha (1995), both directed by Suresh Krissna, alongside Kamal Haasan’s Pammal K Sambandam (2002) and Panchathanthiram, also released the same year.

Known for his stentorian voice, Deva sang a wide variety of songs himself.

Besides his hit songs, several of Deva’s background scores remain hits with moviegoers, including the pulsating Baasha, Baasha from the Rajinikanth-led blockbuster.

His score for veteran comedian Goundamani’s antics in the Tamil film Sooriyan (1992) remains vividly remembered by movie lovers.

Deva was known for his signature white pyjama-kurta and white sandals, with his choice of footwear reportedly inspired by Rajinikanth.

Deva’s son, Srikanth Deva, is also a well-known music director.

The film fraternity, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, and various political leaders expressed profound grief over Deva’s demise. — Bernama-PTI