{
  "id": 15140976,
  "title": "Deva, composer whose music announced Rajinikanth's stardom, dies at 75 in Chennai",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/deva-composer-whose-music-announced-rajinikanths-stardom-dies-at-75",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-17T06:40:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/deva-composer-whose-music-announced-rajinikanths-stardom-dies-at-75/articleshow/135009043.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chennai: Renowned composer Deva, whose iconic music marked every Rajinikanth film since 1992, passed away in Chennai on Saturday at the age of 75. Complaining of chest pain in the morning, he was rushed to Surya Hospital, but succumbed to his condition despite heroic efforts of the medical team.\n\nDeva, affectionately known as Thenisai Thendral, was a trailblazer in music, blending street music of Chennai with mainstream cinema. His rhythmic tunes and colloquial lyrics struck a chord with audiences, transcending the dominance of Ilaiyaraaja and AR Rahman.\n\nFrom his debut in 1989 with Manasukketha Maharaasaa to his massive hits like Aasai, Kaadhal Kottai and Avvai Shanmugi, Deva etched his legacy in more than 400 film scores across Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. He embraced the work of his contemporaries and younger composers alike.\n\nRajinikanth's iconic introductory song in Baashha, Naan Autokaaran, became a symbol of the actor's persona, while Deva's simple yet catchy tunes defined an era in Tamil cinema. Colleagues and fans alike mourned the loss of the versatile musician, whose influence will echo in the realms of Indian music.",
  "summary": "Deva, a celebrated figure in Tamil cinema, has passed away in Chennai after experiencing chest pain. His unique musical style particularly enriched many Rajinikanth films, leaving an indelible mark with iconic introductory songs. An influential force in popularizing Gaana music during the 1990s, he contributed to more than 400 films in various Indian languages. His legacy is deeply mourned within…",
  "key_points": [
    "Renowned composer Deva dies at 75 in Chennai",
    "Iconic music marked Rajinikanth films since 1992",
    "Blended street music with mainstream cinema"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Veteran Tamil Music Composer Deva Dies At 75 In Chennai, Leaving Behind Lasting Legacy Of Iconic Songs And Memorable Film Scores",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/veteran-tamil-music-composer-deva-dies-at-75-in-chennai-leaving",
        "published": "2026-10-17T08:20:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}