{
  "id": 15359832,
  "title": "Deva, who taught Tamil cinema how a hero should sound, dies at 75",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/deva-who-taught-tamil-cinema-how-a-hero-should-sound-dies-at-75",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T05:57:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/india/deva-tamil-cinema-hero-sound-dies-10926616/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Deva, a composer and singer who shaped Tamil cinema, passed away at the age of 75 in Chennai on Saturday. He had been hospitalized and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. His funeral is scheduled to take place on Sunday in his native village of Mangadu, near Arcot in Ranipet district, with full state honors.\n\nBefore Vijay became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, he was already a well-known figure in Tamil homes through Deva's songs. Deva's work extended beyond providing songs for stars; he played a significant role in shaping the sound of Tamil cinema. His contributions ranged from romantic, heroic, and devotional melodies to mischievous and local tunes.\n\nBorn as Devanesan Chokkalingam on November 20, 1950, Deva initially worked in the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department and later trained in music. He faced early challenges in his film career, but with the release of Vaikasi Poranthachu in 1990 and Annamalai in 1992, he gained wider recognition and won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award.\n\nDeva's unique approach to music set him apart from other composers. He believed in understanding the specific needs of each moment in a film and how it should impact the audience. For example, the staircase scene in Annamalai showcased his ability to compress emotions such as suspense, recognition, and elevation into a few seconds.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Deva, Tamil cinema composer, dies at 75 in Chennai",
    "Funeral scheduled for Sunday in Mangadu village",
    "Known for shaping Tamil cinema's sound and style"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The loss of this versatile composer marks the end of an era for a musician who defined the sonic identity of Tamil cinema through his ability to translate cinematic emotion into melody.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express - India",
        "title": "Deva, who taught Tamil cinema how a hero should sound, dies at 75",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/deva-who-taught-tamil-cinema-how-a-hero-should-sound-dies-at-75-15362370",
        "published": "2026-10-18T05:57:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}