Key Highlights

• Industry in mourning: Veteran composer Deva, who scored music for over 400 films, passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on Saturday.
• Personal farewell: Rajinikanth visited Deva’s residence and shared a video remembering him as a man “without lies or deceit.”
• Last meeting: Three months ago, Deva told the superstar he was overjoyed by the love young audiences gave him at concerts abroad.
• Family man first: Rajinikanth recalled how Deva supported his four younger brothers by performing at concerts and weddings.
• Own identity: The actor said Deva built his own style even during Ilaiyaraaja’s dominance.

There are composers whose music people remember, and composers whose kindness people remember just as much. As Tamil cinema mourned the death of veteran music director Deva on Saturday, superstar Rajinikanth made it clear that his friend belonged to both groups.

A Second Career That Brought Him Joy

Rajinikanth’s tribute centred on how happy Deva had been in his final years. Recalling a visit two-and-a-half years ago, he said Deva had told him: “Everyone is doing concerts. I too would like to do concerts. You must come and inaugurate my concert.” Rajinikanth said, “I very happily went and participated in that event.”

What followed was a new chapter for the composer. “Deva then did concerts abroad and was very successful. He came after going on a tour to meet me. Three months ago, he came after going to either Canada or Australia and said, ‘I am very happy. Youngsters are welcoming me so happily. I am feeling so happy Rajini sir. With this happiness, I will live for another 10 to 15 years,’” Rajinikanth recalled.

Reflecting on the loss, the superstar said: “Maybe God thought Deva was a very nice person and that he should come to him when he was happy itself and therefore called Deva to him. May his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family members.”

Three Films, Three Successes

Rajinikanth, who visited Deva’s residence before sharing his video message, called his death “both shocking and sorrowful.” He noted that Deva scored music for “Annamalai,” “Baasha” and “Arunachalam,” adding, “All three films were very big successes.”

He also recalled a defining moment of their friendship. When Rajinikanth told Deva he was choosing AR Rahman for “Padaiyappa,” the composer responded warmly: “I am saying this with happiness, please go ahead. That boy (A R Rahman) is coming up well. Please do well. I am very happy. It is my good fortune that I have done three films with you.”

A Life of Struggle and Sacrifice

“Deva was a person of pure gold who was without lies or deceit,” Rajinikanth said. “He has struggled a lot in life. He had four younger brothers and used to perform in concerts and at weddings to take care of them. Even after he became a star in the film industry, he did not let go of his brothers and kept them with himself.”

He also praised Deva’s creative courage: “Even when Ilaiyaraaja was ruling the roost, Deva created a style for himself and succeeded big time.”

The Music He Leaves Behind

Deva, popularly known as “Thenisai Thendral,” composed music for over 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. He is widely credited with bringing gaana, the street music of Chennai, into mainstream Tamil cinema. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has announced state honours for his final journey.

A Fitting Farewell

Rajinikanth’s tribute paints the picture of an artist who found fresh joy late in life, performing for a new generation of fans across the world. For millions of listeners, that is perhaps the most comforting way to remember Deva: happy, celebrated and still making music until the very end.

Rajinikanth’s remarks are from a video message shared by the actor after visiting Deva’s residence.

With inputs from IANS.

Key Highlights

• Industry in mourning: Veteran composer Deva, who scored music for over 400 films, passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on Saturday.
• Personal farewell: Rajinikanth visited Deva’s residence and shared a video remembering him as a man “without lies or deceit.”
• Last meeting: Three months ago, Deva told the superstar he was overjoyed by the love young audiences gave him at concerts abroad.
• Family man first: Rajinikanth recalled how Deva supported his four younger brothers by performing at concerts and weddings.
• Own identity: The actor said Deva built his own style even during Ilaiyaraaja’s dominance.

There are composers whose music people remember, and composers whose kindness people remember just as much. As Tamil cinema mourned the death of veteran music director Deva on Saturday, superstar Rajinikanth made it clear that his friend belonged to both groups.

A Second Career That Brought Him Joy

Rajinikanth’s tribute centred on how happy Deva had been in his final years. Recalling a visit two-and-a-half years ago, he said Deva had told him: “Everyone is doing concerts. I too would like to do concerts. You must come and inaugurate my concert.” Rajinikanth said, “I very happily went and participated in that event.”

What followed was a new chapter for the composer. “Deva then did concerts abroad and was very successful. He came after going on a tour to meet me. Three months ago, he came after going to either Canada or Australia and said, ‘I am very happy. Youngsters are welcoming me so happily. I am feeling so happy Rajini sir. With this happiness, I will live for another 10 to 15 years,’” Rajinikanth recalled.

Reflecting on the loss, the superstar said: “Maybe God thought Deva was a very nice person and that he should come to him when he was happy itself and therefore called Deva to him. May his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family members.”

Three Films, Three Successes

Rajinikanth, who visited Deva’s residence before sharing his video message, called his death “both shocking and sorrowful.” He noted that Deva scored music for “Annamalai,” “Baasha” and “Arunachalam,” adding, “All three films were very big successes.”

He also recalled a defining moment of their friendship. When Rajinikanth told Deva he was choosing AR Rahman for “Padaiyappa,” the composer responded warmly: “I am saying this with happiness, please go ahead. That boy (A R Rahman) is coming up well. Please do well. I am very happy. It is my good fortune that I have done three films with you.”

A Life of Struggle and Sacrifice

“Deva was a person of pure gold who was without lies or deceit,” Rajinikanth said. “He has struggled a lot in life. He had four younger brothers and used to perform in concerts and at weddings to take care of them. Even after he became a star in the film industry, he did not let go of his brothers and kept them with himself.”

He also praised Deva’s creative courage: “Even when Ilaiyaraaja was ruling the roost, Deva created a style for himself and succeeded big time.”

The Music He Leaves Behind

Deva, popularly known as “Thenisai Thendral,” composed music for over 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. He is widely credited with bringing gaana, the street music of Chennai, into mainstream Tamil cinema. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has announced state honours for his final journey.

A Fitting Farewell

Rajinikanth’s tribute paints the picture of an artist who found fresh joy late in life, performing for a new generation of fans across the world. For millions of listeners, that is perhaps the most comforting way to remember Deva: happy, celebrated and still making music until the very end.

Rajinikanth’s remarks are from a video message shared by the actor after visiting Deva’s residence.

With inputs from IANS.