Veteran Tamil music composer Devanesan Chokkalingam, known across South Indian cinema as Deva or 'Thenisai Thendral', died at a hospital in Chennai on Saturday, October 17, at the age of 75.

Doctors who treated him, speaking to Sun News according to The Times of India, said he arrived with no pulse after a massive cardiac arrest and could not be revived despite roughly 90 minutes of advanced cardiac life support.

AP7AM reports that Deva, who had undergone bypass surgery about a decade earlier, was admitted to Surya hospital in Kodambakkam that morning. His mortal remains were taken to his T Nagar residence for the public and film industry to pay homage.

Across nearly four decades, Deva composed songs and background scores for more than 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, a scale of output reported by NDTV, The Hindu, India Today and Khaleej Times.

He made his debut with 1986's Mattukkara Mannaru, drew wider attention with Manasuketha Maharasa and Vaigasi Poranthachu, and by The Hindu's account composed for 36 films in 1996 alone.

He also created the iconic title-card theme that announces Rajinikanth's name on screen — music Khaleej Times describes as an iconic, consistently used part of the star's cinematic identity.

Deva's death resonates because he carved out a sound nobody else owned at the time. AP7AM reports he explained at a recent success meet that he was the 28th composer introduced while Ilaiyaraaja dominated, and with A R Rahman on the other side, he brought gaana songs to give himself an identity.

The Hindu says his music bridged the earthy rhythms of Chennai's gaana tradition, Tamil cinema's mass appeal, and classical and devotional richness, with collaborations spanning Sirkazhi Govindarajan, P. Susheela and M. Balamuralikrishna.

His honours included the Kalaimamani award, state film awards, and a Filmfare Award for Best Music Director for the Kannada film Amrutha Varshini, as NDTV reports.

WION reports that Rajinikanth arrived at Deva's residence with tears in his eyes, consoling the family before paying his last respects — a poignant moment for fans who know the pair's work on Annamalai (1992), Baashha (1995) and Arunachalam (1997).

Moneycontrol says Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay placed a floral garland on the composer's body, and the state government announced that Deva's final journey will be accorded state honours.

Former Chief Minister and DMK president MK Stalin also visited, while Kamal Haasan remembered films like Avvai Shanmugi, Pammal K. Sambandam and Panchatanthiram, and actor Karthi and composer Sam CS shared condolences on X, per NDTV.

GoodReturns lists Deva's signature hits as including 'Naan Autokaaran' from Baashha, 'Vanthenda Paalkaran' from Annamalai, 'Konja Naal Poru Thalaiva' from Aasai, 'Aval Varuvala' from Nerukku Ner and 'Kavalai Padathey Sagothara' from Kadhal Kottai.

The Hindu details how 'Baatcha, Baatcha' heralded Rajinikanth's arrival in Baashha during speculation about his political ambitions, and how 'Kondaiyil Thazhamboo' boosted Khushbu's popularity in Tamil Nadu.

Open Magazine notes his folk-influenced soundtracks helped shape the sound of Tamil cinema in the 1990s, turning a star's entrance into a musical event of its own.

The Hindu notes that Deva's devotional composition 'Kariyangal Niraiverum Ganapathiye', rendered by Sirkazhi Govindarajan, continues to be heard in temples across Tamil Nadu in the early hours — a sign his reach went far beyond cinema halls.

AP7AM reports his son Srikanth Deva is a popular music director himself and his nephew Jai a well-known Tamil actor, suggesting the family's musical line continues.

Open Magazine frames his legacy as bringing a recognisable local sound into mainstream entertainment, and as the state prepares to honour his final journey, Chief Minister Vijay has written that his songs will forever endure in the history of film music as an irreplaceable loss to Tamil cinema.