Deva: a well-rounded composer bids goodbye
Renowned Tamil music director Deva has passed away at the age of 75. He is remembered for his unique contribution to Tamil cinema, particularly for popularizing the 'gaana' music form and creating iconic background scores for stars like Rajinikanth.
Why it matters
Deva was a transformative figure in Indian film music who bridged the gap between traditional folk rhythms and mainstream commercial cinema.
Deva: a well-rounded composer bids goodbye left Music director Deva. File R. Ashok The Hindu https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/92eiuo/article71596034.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/Music_Director_Deva_03.jpg ASHOK R MADURAI, TAMIL NADU, 19/07/2017: Music director Deva during the interview with The Hindu Metroplus, in Madurai on July 19,2017. Photo: R. Ashok The renowned music director passed away at the age of 75 on Saturday CHENNAI In the 1990s, when Tamil film music largely reflected a duopoly vested with the established Ilaiyaraaja and the emerging A.R. Rahman, Deva stepped up and carved his own unique path. This was never easy, as Maragathamani and Vidyasagar were also trying to shape an identity for themselves. Once Deva found his spotlight through Vaigasi Poranthachu in 1989, one of his early movies as a music composer, he turned prolific.
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