Deva, a composer whose catalogue of work spanned more than 400 productions across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada cinema, died at a private hospital on Saturday. At the time of his passing, he had reached the age of 75.

According to people with knowledge of the matter, Deva — who had a bypass procedure carried out roughly a decade back — was taken to Surya Hospital in Kodambakkam on Saturday morning to receive care for an undisclosed health condition. Treatment proved ineffective, and the music director died.

News of the passing of the music director, who had been honoured with the title 'Thenisai Thendral', prompted tributes and expressions of sympathy from figures throughout the Tamil film world.

Composing scores for Tamil films formed the foundation of Deva's professional standing, with three Rajinikanth-fronted releases — 'Baasha', 'Arunachalam', and 'Annamalai' — among the box-office productions that cemented that standing over the course of his career, which began on 20 November 1950.

Credited with bringing the Gaana musical tradition into Tamil cinema, Deva began his film career in 1986 through the Tamil production 'Maatukaara Mannaru'. His work on the Gaana soundtrack extended to both writing and performing a number of the film's tracks.

At a celebration screening for the Tamil film Meesaya Murukku 2 held a fortnight prior, Deva explained the reasoning behind his decision to bring Gaana music into Tamil cinema, noting that he had entered the industry as its 28th music director during a period when Ilaiyaraaja held a commanding presence over the field. Of the 27 music directors who held the post before that appointment, none managed to maintain a lasting tenure.

Deva noted that retaining relevance through an era when two composers of considerable stature shaped the direction of the musical world was itself a noteworthy feat. Ilaiyaraaja and A R Rahman each represented a distinct musical generation, with one composer's legacy sitting alongside the other's rising body of work.

At the same function, Deva acknowledged that his compositions in traditional arrangements tended to draw comparisons to Ilaiyaraaja's style, while Western-influenced pieces prompted listeners to associate the work with A R Rahman. He told those gathered that a desire to establish a personal identity had led him to incorporate Gaana songs into his work.

Deva had received Kalaimamani recognition from the Tamil Nadu government, and also took home a Tamil Nadu State Film Award when the 1990 ceremony concluded.

Srikanth Deva, who works as a music director in Tamil cinema, is Deva's son, while Jai — a nephew of Deva — has built a career as an actor within the same industry. His body was scheduled to arrive at his Vadapalani home by approximately 2 pm, where it would then lie in state for fans and fellow industry members wishing to offer their respects.