Music director Deva died on Saturday at the age of 75. Through the 1990s, Tamil film music operated under a two-composer hold on the industry, with Ilaiyaraaja commanding an entrenched position and A.R. Rahman occupying another. Deva took a path that was distinctly his own, shaped by the decisions he made along the way.

Establishing distinct identities drew composers such as Maragathamani and Vidyasagar into a tension that had long defined others before them, leaving no clear or uncomplicated route ahead. Vaigai Poranthachu, released in 1989 and among Deva's earlier assignments as a film music composer, marked the point at which his output expanded at a rapid pace.

His playing carried a distinct earthen quality, and he drew on the gaana tradition rooted in the narrow streets of north Madras before others had thought to do so. His work drew on the street-rooted gaana tradition of Chennai, the broad popular currents of Tamil cinema, and the tonal depth of classical and devotional forms, weaving them into a body of music that held those distinct influences together.

His compositional work extended into high-tempo, rhythmically driven tracks that served as the sonic backbone for Rajinikanth's hero-entry sequences in productions such as Annamalai and Baashha. His background score for Baashha continues to draw mention decades later, and the atmospheric quality he brought to those compositions has found its way into the sensibility of contemporary artists such as Anirudh Ravichander.

At one point in a concert, Deva brought a Baashha sequence onto the screen and, with his orchestra supporting him, delivered the background score live as footage of Rajinikanth descending a staircase played out before the audience. Footage assembled for that sequence draws on the criminal history tied to the character's on-screen role.

The Tamil film pairing Deva with Kamal Haasan — Avvai Shanmugi — drew its central premise from the same cross-dressing conceit underpinning Mrs. Doubtfire. Condolences for the death of composer Deva were put forward by Tamil Nadu Governor Arlekar and Chief Minister Vijay.

In a social media post, Chief Minister Vijay described Deva as a composer whose rootsy folk melodies had found a genuine audience among everyday listeners. Observers have noted that characterisation understated the range and depth of a catalogue stretching well beyond uptempo dance tracks.

The melodies he wrote at his peak demonstrated a capacity to remain relevant across different eras. Tracks from the 1995 release Kadhal Kottai — among them Konja Naal, Meenamma, and Pulveli Pulveli — have maintained a steady presence on radio playlists decades after the film's debut.

A working bond took shape between Deva and vocalist Hariharan, whose contributions to films including Nerukku Ner and Kushi drew considerable attention. Kadhal Kottai stands as one example of how Deva delivered chart-worthy compositions for leading actors across the industry, from Vijay to Ajith.

Observers have noted that a spiritual dimension appeared to run through aspects of Deva's work, drawing comparisons to a quality associated with Ilaiyaraaja. His work spanned Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam productions alongside Tamil, placing Deva across four distinct South Indian film industries. A track he wrote for the 2002 Mammootty picture Phantom — titled Viral Thottal — has held a place in the everyday musical memory of Kerala ever since.

His death at 75 brings to a close a particular chapter in the musical landscape of southern cinema.