#SHOWBIZ: Tamil music maestro Deva, who loved Malaysia, dies at 75

Veteran Tamil film composer and singer Deva, affectionately known as Thenisai Thendral, passed away at the age of 75 in Chennai. Deva's career spanned nearly four decades, during which he composed songs and background scores for over 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam. His music, which popularised gaana—a folk music tradition rooted in Chennai's working-class communities—earned him a devoted following in Malaysia and beyond.

Deva's contributions to music were recognised with prestigious awards, including the Tamil Nadu government's Kalaimamani award and a state film award for his work on Aasai. His musical legacy continues through his son, composer Srikanth Deva, and brothers Sabesh and Murali, who have also worked in the film music industry. Tributes from the Indian film industry and Malaysian listeners alike mourn the loss of a composer whose melodies transcended borders and remained cherished by generations of Tamil music lovers.

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