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

Indian music composer Deva, renowned for his distinctive 'gana' style, passed away in a private hospital in Chennai at the age of 75, according to Press Trust of India (PTI). 'Gana' songs, Deva's contribution to Tamil-speaking people, can be viewed as a genre that brought the everyday lives of youth into the mainstream, capturing their preferences and hardships.

Throughout a prolific four-decade career, Deva composed for more than 400 films, with notable hits such as Suresh Krishnas's Rajinikanth-starrers Annamalai (1992) and Baasha (1995), alongside Kamal Haasan's Pammal K Sambandam (2002) and Panchathanthiram, all released in the same year. Known for his powerful voice, Deva often sang many of the songs himself.

Apart from his chart-topping compositions, Deva's memorable background scores, including the pulsating 'Baasha' from the Rajinikanth-led blockbuster, still resonate with audiences today. His distinctive white pyjama-kurta and white sandals, inspired by Rajinikanth's footwear choice, became his trademark look. Deva's son, Srikanth Deva, is also a celebrated music director in the industry.

The film fraternity, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, and various political leaders mourned Deva's demise.