Deva (composer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Deva
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Deva at KJ Yesudas 50 Concert Press Meet
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Devanesan Chokkalingam |
| Born | 20 November 1950 |
| Origin | Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation(s) | Film composer, music director |
| Instruments | Vocals (playback singing), guitar, keyboard/harmonium/piano |
| Years active | 1988–present |
Devanesan Chokkalingam, known to many as Deva, is a talented music composer and singer from India. He is famous for his work in Tamil cinema, where he has created many popular songs and background scores. Deva has also composed music for films in Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam languages. His career in music has lasted for over 36 years, and he has worked on more than 400 films!
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About Deva's Life
Deva was born on November 20, 1950. His parents were M. C. Chokkalingam and M. C. Krishnaveni. From a very young age, Deva loved music. He even performed in musical shows with his friend, Chandra Bose.
Deva studied classical music with a teacher named JB Krishna. He also learned Western music at the famous Trinity College of Music in London. Music runs in his family! His son, Srikanth Deva, is also a music director. His brothers, Sabesh–Murali, work together as music directors too. Deva's nephew, Jai, is an actor, and Srikanth's wife, Febi, is a singer.
Deva's Music Career
Before joining the film industry, Deva worked for a TV channel called Doordarshan Podhigai. He composed songs for a show there called Vayalum Vaazhvum. His brothers were already working as musicians for other big music directors like Illayaraja.
Deva's first movie as a composer was Manasukketha Maharasa, released in 1989. After that, he worked on the film Vaigasi Poranthachu. This movie helped him become well-known in the Tamil film world.
A famous music composer, M. S. Viswanathan, gave Deva a special nickname: "thenisai thendral." This means "the breeze of sweet music." Deva has composed music for over 400 films across different languages. He is also known for his music in religious films.
Famous Film Scores
Deva created memorable music for many popular movies. He received great praise for his work in films starring the superstar Rajinikanth, like Annamalai (1992) and Baashha (1995).
In 1996, Deva composed music for 36 movies in just one year! His music helped many young actors become famous. He composed hit songs for films starring Ajith and Vijay. Some of these movies include Aasai (1995), Kadhal Kottai (1996), Nerrukku Ner (1997), Vaalee (1999), and Kushi (2000). These films helped Ajith and Vijay become the next generation of superstars.
In 2014, another popular music director, Anirudh Ravichander, asked Deva to sing a special "gaana" song for his album Maan Karate. More recently, in 2023, Deva worked with lyricist Alpha Something and Visai Games. They created a song for the video game Venba, which featured themes from Tamil culture.
Deva's Awards and Recognition
Deva has won many awards for his amazing music.
- In 1990, he received his first Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director.
- He was honored with the Kalaimamani Award by the Tamil Nadu Government in 1992.
- The film Aasai earned him another state film award in 1995.
- For his work on Baashha, he received the Tamil Nadu Arts and Cultural Academy Award.
- He also received an award from Guinness World Records for the movie Sivappu Mazhai. This film was recognized as the world's fastest movie made from script to screening.
- Deva has also been honored by popular magazines and newspapers like Dinakaran, Cinema Express, and Screen.
- He won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director - Kannada for the Kannada film Amrutha Varshini.
Deva's Work in Films
Deva has composed music for a huge number of films. Here are some of his notable works in different languages:
Tamil Films
Deva has composed for over 300 Tamil films. Here are a few examples:
- 1989: Manasukketha Maharasa
- 1990: Vaigasi Poranthachu (Won Tamil Nadu State Film Award)
- 1992: Annamalai, Suriyan
- 1995: Baashha, Aasai (Won Tamil Nadu State Film Award)
- 1996: Kadhal Kottai, Avvai Shanmugi
- 1997: Arunachalam, Nerukku Ner
- 1999: Vaalee, Unnai Thedi
- 2000: Kushi (Won Tamil Nadu State Film Award), Mugavaree
- 2002: Pammal K. Sambandam, Panchathanthiram
- 2003: Chokka Thangam, Dum
- 2005: Devathayai Kanden, Sivakasi (Background Score Only)
- 2010: Sivappu Mazhai
- 2023: Va Varalam Va
Kannada Films
Deva has also composed music for many Kannada films:
- 1997: Amrutha Varshini (Won Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Kannada)
- 2000: Independence Day
- 2001: Kotigobba
- 2002: Naanu Naane
- 2004: Kadamba
- 2011: Olave Mandara
Telugu Films
His work extends to Telugu cinema as well:
- 1997: Master
- 1998: Tholi Prema
- 2003: Naaga
- 2007: Vijayadasami (Background Score Only)
Malayalam Films
Deva has composed for a few Malayalam films:
- 1996: The Prince
- 2002: Phantom
Deva as a Singer
Besides composing, Deva is also a talented playback singer. He has sung many songs for films, often for his own compositions, but also for other music directors.
- 1996: "Pillayarpatti Hero" from Vaanmathi (composed by himself)
- 1998: "Marimuthu Marimuthu" from Kaadhal Mannan (composed by Bharathwaj)
- 1998: "White Lagaan" from Priyamudan (composed by himself)
- 2009: "Modhi Vilayadu" from Modhi Vilayadu (composed by Hariharan-Leslie Lewis)
- 2014: "Open The Tasmac" from Maan Karate (composed by Anirudh)
- 2016: "Jithu Jilladi" from Theri (composed by G. V. Prakash)
- 2021: "Manjanathi Puranam" from Karnan (composed by Santhosh Narayanan)
- 2023: "PalaPattra" from Good Night (composed by Sean Roldan)
- 2024: "Anbalane" from Lal Salaam (composed by A. R. Rahman)
Deva's Onscreen Appearances
Deva has also appeared in films as himself, often in songs or special guest roles.
- 1996: Summa Irunga Machan (as himself in the song "Chandhiranum")
- 1998: Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (as himself)
- 2004: Adi Thadi (as himself in the song "Thagadu")
- 2009: Modhi Vilayadu (as himself in the song "Modhi Vilayadu")
Deva on Television
Deva has also made appearances on television shows.
- 2024: Super Singer Season 10 (as a guest on Star Vijay)
