Chennai: If his music was uncomplicated, so was the man behind it. Deva’s humility remained one of his most endearing qualities. Success neither distanced him from his roots nor prevented him from appreciating the achievements of fellow composers.Unlike the fiercely competitive image often associated with the film industry, Deva openly admired his contemporaries. He spoke appreciatively of Ilaiyaraaja and A R Rahman and was equally enthusiastic about younger musicians. In an earlier interview, he acknowledged that ego had no place in his musical journey. Even during his busiest years, he would personally contact fellow composers to express his admiration for their work.That absence of professional insecurity was central to his character. He never hesitated to sing under composers much younger than himself. Whether it was Anirudh Ravichander, G V Prakash Kumar, or Santhosh Narayanan, Deva was always willing to lend his distinctive voice and learn from an evolving musical landscape. His outlook reflected a rare quality in an industry where generations often compete for relevance: the willingness to remain a student despite being a master.Even in June 2026, while discussing his work on ‘Charukesi’, Deva expressed the excitement of a newcomer fulfilling a long-cherished ambition to compose music rooted in Carnatic classical traditions. After decades of commercial success, there were still musical territories he wished to explore.There was something particularly touching about that enthusiasm. Here was a composer who had scored for hundreds of films, helped shape the musical identities of superstars, and created songs that far outlived their films, yet continued to approach music with curiosity rather than complacency.Deva’s journey remains a reminder that talent does not always arrive with privilege. From modest beginnings and years of uncertainty to becoming one of Tamil cinema’s most prolific composers, his career was built on patience, adaptability, and an instinctive understanding of audiences.With his son Srikanth Deva following him into film music, the family’s artistic legacy continues. Ultimately, Deva’s impact cannot be measured merely by film counts or chartbusters. He belonged to that rare category of artists whose compositions became part of everyday life, heard at weddings, festivals, political rallies, street celebrations, and quiet moments of nostalgia.
