Rajinikanth mourns music director Deva: 'A person of pure gold'
Synopsis
Rajinikanth’s tribute to Deva went far beyond condolence protocol — it revealed a friendship defined by dignity and selflessness. The story of Deva stepping aside gracefully for A R Rahman, then wishing Rajinikanth well with genuine warmth, captures a generosity rare in any industry, and makes the composer’s sudden passing all the more striking.
Key Takeaways
Music director Deva passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on 17 October .
Rajinikanth visited Deva’s residence to pay homage and released a personal video tribute, calling him ‘a person of pure gold.’ Deva scored music for three Rajinikanth blockbusters: Annamalai , Baasha , and Arunachalam .
Rajinikanth recounted how Deva graciously stepped aside when A R Rahman was chosen for Padaiyappa , wishing the superstar well without bitterness.
Deva is credited with composing music for more than 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.
Deva had reportedly told Rajinikanth just three months ago that he expected to ‘live for another 10 to 15 years’ after a successful overseas concert tour.
Rajinikanth on Saturday, 17 October visited the residence of late music director Deva in Chennai to pay his personal condolences, later releasing a heartfelt video tribute in which he described the composer as ‘a person of pure gold’ who lived without lies or deceit. Deva, who scored music for over 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada, passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on Saturday.
Three Films, an Unbreakable Bond
Rajinikanth recalled the deep personal and professional ties he shared with Deva, noting that the composer had scored music for three of his biggest blockbusters — Annamalai, Baasha, and Arunachalam. ‘All three films were very big successes,’ the superstar said in the video, underscoring the creative chemistry between the two.
The tribute took on added emotional weight when Rajinikanth recounted a moment of rare generosity. When friends urged him to sign A R Rahman for Padaiyappa, he went personally to inform Deva. According to Rajinikanth, Deva stood up, held his hand, and said: ‘Please, by all means, do so. I am saying this with happiness, please go ahead. That boy is coming up well. Please do well. I am very happy. It is my good fortune that I have done three films with you.’
A Life of Struggle and Loyalty
Rajinikanth painted a portrait of a self-made man who never forgot his roots. He noted that Deva had shouldered responsibility for four younger brothers from an early age, performing at concerts and weddings to support his family. ‘Even after he became a star in the film industry, he did not let go of his brothers and kept them with himself. He was such a wonderful family man and a good human being,’ Rajinikanth said.
The superstar also highlighted Deva’s remarkable ability to carve out his own identity in a fiercely competitive era. ‘Even when Ilaiyaraaja was ruling the roost, Deva created a style for himself and succeeded big time,’ he observed — a tribute that speaks to the composer’s distinct musical voice across decades.
Last Meeting and a Joyful Farewell
Rajinikanth shared a poignant final memory: roughly three months ago, Deva had visited him after returning from a concert tour to either Canada or Australia, radiating joy. ‘I am very happy. Youngsters are welcoming me so happily. I am feeling so happy Rajini sir. With this happiness, I will live for another 10 to 15 years,’ Deva had reportedly told him.
Reflecting on the cruelty of the timing, Rajinikanth said: ‘Maybe God thought Deva was a very nice person and that he should come to him when he was happy itself and therefore called Deva to him.’ He closed with a message of condolence to Deva’s family and a prayer for the composer’s soul to rest in peace.
Who Was Deva
Deva was one of Tamil cinema’s most prolific composers, credited with music for more than 400 films across four south Indian languages. He rose to prominence in the 1990s, a period dominated by Ilaiyaraaja, by developing a distinctive, mass-appeal sound that resonated especially with rural and semi-urban audiences. His partnership with Rajinikanth produced some of the decade’s most iconic film scores. His death marks the loss of a significant chapter in south Indian film music history.
Condolences from across the Tamil film industry continued to pour in throughout Saturday, as fans and colleagues mourned the passing of a composer who, by all accounts, matched his artistry with uncommon decency.
Point of View
Who commands unmatched loyalty in the industry, chose to speak at such personal length about Deva signals the composer’s standing went well beyond professional courtesy. The A R Rahman anecdote is particularly telling: in an industry not known for graceful exits, Deva’s reported response stands out as a measure of the man. His passing at a moment of personal happiness — fresh off a triumphant overseas concert run — adds an almost literary irony that mainstream obituaries are likely to underplay.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was music director Deva?
Deva was a prolific Tamil film composer credited with scoring music for over 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. He rose to prominence in the 1990s, developing a distinctive mass-appeal style, and is best known for his work on Rajinikanth blockbusters including Annamalai, Baasha, and Arunachalam.
What did Rajinikanth say about Deva?
Rajinikanth called Deva ‘a person of pure gold’ who lived without lies or deceit. In a video tribute released after visiting Deva’s residence on 17 October, he recalled the composer’s selfless character, his support for four younger brothers, and a notable incident in which Deva graciously stepped aside when A R Rahman was chosen for the film Padaiyappa.
Which Rajinikanth films did Deva compose music for?
Deva scored music for three Rajinikanth films — Annamalai, Baasha, and Arunachalam — all of which were major commercial successes. Rajinikanth noted that he later chose A R Rahman for Padaiyappa, and Deva responded with full support and warmth.
When and where did Deva pass away?
Deva passed away on Saturday, 17 October, at a private hospital in Chennai. His death was described by Rajinikanth as ‘both shocking and sorrowful.’
What was Deva doing in the months before his death?
According to Rajinikanth, Deva had been on a successful overseas concert tour — reportedly to either Canada or Australia — approximately three months before his passing. He had visited Rajinikanth after the tour and expressed great joy, saying youngsters were welcoming him warmly and that he expected to live happily for another 10 to 15 years.
