Deva (composer) explained

Deva
Birth Name:Devanesan Chokkalingam
Birth Date:1950 11, df=yes[1]
Origin:Tamil Nadu, India
Instrument:Vocals (playback singing), guitar, keyboard/harmonium/piano
Occupation:Film composer, music director
Years Active:1988–present

Devanesan Chokkalingam, also known as Deva, is a south Indian film composer and singer who predominantly works in Tamil Cinema. He has composed songs and provided background music for Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam films in a career spanning about 36 years. He has composed music for more than 400 films.[2]

Personal life

Deva was born on 20 November 1950 to M. C. Chokkalingam and M. C. Krishnaveni. Even in his childhood, Deva was attracted to the world of music. Teaming up with Chandra Bose, he staged many musical programmes. He started learning classical music under JB Krishna and continued the same with Dhanraj and has completed a course in Western music at Trinity College of Music in London. His son Srikanth Deva is also a music director, as are his brothers, who have formed the duo Sabesh–Murali. His nephew Jai is an actor.

Career

Before coming to cinema, Deva worked for some time in Doordarshan Podhigai channel and composed songs for the show Vayalum Vaazhvum.[3] In those days, Deva's brothers were working in the musical troupes of Illayaraja and other music directors as instrumentalists. His first film, Manasukketha Maharasa, was released in 1989. He was then called to work on the movie Vaigasi Poranthachu. After the release of Vaikaasi Poranthaachu, his name became known throughout the Tamil community.[1]

The great music composer M. S. Viswanathan called him “thenisai thendral”, or the breeze of sweet music. So far, he has composed music for more than 400 films, which include Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam films. He is also famous for his compositions for religious films. He was widely acclaimed for his scores for the Rajinikanth starrer Annamalai (1992) and Baashha (1995).

In 1996, Deva composed tunes for 36 movies. His scores played a big role in the emergence of actors Ajith and Vijay, with hits such as Aasai (1995), Kadhal Kottai (1996), Nerrukku Ner (1997), Ninaithen Vandhai (1998), Priyamudan (1998), Vaalee (1999), Kushi (2000) helping them establish themselves as the next-generation superstars.[4]

In 2014, Anirudh Ravichander chose Deva to sing a gaana song in his album Maan Karate.[5]

In 2023, Deva teamed with lyricist Alpha Something and game developer Visai Games to sing a song for the video game Venba, which draws heavily from themes of Tamil culture.[6] [7] [8]

Awards

In 1990, he received his first Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director. He received the Tamil Nadu Government's Kalaimamani Award in the year 1992. In 1995, the film Aasai brought him another state film award. For Baashha, he got the Tamil Nadu Arts and Cultural Academy Award. He received an award by Guinness world records for Sivappu Mazhai as the world fastest movie from script to screening. He has also been honoured by awards from popular journals like Dinakaran, Cinema Express and Screen. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director - Kannada film Amrutha Varshini.[9] [10]

Discography

Tamil films

Year Film Title Notes
1986 Maattukara Mannaru Debut film as a composer
1989 Manasukketha Maharasa
1990 Vaigasi Poranthachu Winner Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director
Namma Ooru Poovatha
Mannukketha Maindhan Not Released
1991 Naadu Adhai Naadu
Pudhu Manithan
Marikozhundhu
Aatha Un Koyilile
Mill Thozhilali
Vaidehi Kalyanam
Mangalyam Thanthunane
Vasanthakala Paravai
Kizhakku Karai
Oyilattam
Vaasalile Oru Vennila
En Pottukku Sonthakkaran
Vaidehi Vandhachu
Thoothu Po Chellakkiliye
Thambi Oorukku Pudhusa
Nadodi Kadhal Not Released
1992 Brahmachari
Ilavarasan
Periya Gounder Ponnu
Government Mappillai
Kasthuri Manjal
Thangarasu 25th Film
Therku Theru Machan
Tamil Ponnu
Oor Mariyadhai
Unakkaga Piranthen
Pokkiri Thambi
Pudhusa Padikkiren Paattu
Kizhakku Velathachu
Amma Vanthachu
Annamalai
Vasantha Malargal
Pattathu Raani
Suriyan
Kottai Vaasal
Pondatti Rajyam
Mouna Mozhi
Kizhakku Veedhi
Samundi
Natchathira Nayagan
Solaiyamma
Sooriya Namaskaram Not Released
1993 Pudhu Piravi
Madurai Meenakshi
Suriyan Chandiran
Madhumathi
Vedan 50th Film
Idhaya Nayagan
Munarivippu
Band Master
Nallathe Nadakkum
Thanga Pappa
Pass Mark
Maravan
Moondravadhu Kann
Karuppu Vellai
Akkarai Cheemayile
Rajadurai
Kattabomman
Muthupandi
Purusha Lakshanam
Rojavai Killathe
Kizhakke Varum Paattu
Senthoorapandi
Nee Oru Thanipiravi Not Released
Shenbagam
1994 Veettai Paaru Naattai Paaru
Subramaniya Swamy
Chinna Muthu
Aranmanai Kaavalan
En Rajangam
Indhu 75th Film
Vaa Magale Vaa
Namma Annachi
Pathavi Pramanam
Sevatha Ponnu
Manasu Rendum Pudhusu
Maindhan
Rasigan
Watchman Vadivel
Thamarai
Sarigamapadani
En Aasai Machan
Killadi Mappillai
Raja Pandi
Thai Maaman
Pattukottai Periyappa
Ilaignar Ani
Jallikattu Kaalai
Veera Padhakkam
Nila
Magudikkaran
Pandiyanin Rajyathil
Thaai Manasu
Manja Virattu
Maappillai Thozhan Not Released
1995 Karuppu Nila
KattumarakaaranSongs by Ilaiyaraja. Background by Deva
Baashha
Veluchami 100th Film
Gangai Karai Paattu
Deva
Chinna Mani
En Pondatti Nallava
Thirumoorthy
Chellakannu
Sandhaikku Vandha Kili
Rani Maharani
Thamizhachi
Anbu Magan
Marumagan
Pullakuttikaran
Gandhi Pirantha Mann
Chakravarthy
Vishnu
Nadodi Mannan
Aasai Winner Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director
Sindhu Bath
Thaikulame Thaikulame
Aakaya Pookal
Ilavarasi
Seethanam
Varraar Sandiyar 125th Film
Mannai Thottu Kumbidanum
Dear Son Maruthu
Karutha Machan Not Released
1996 Parambarai
Thayagam
Thirumbi Paar
Vaanmathi
Mahaprabhu
Kalloori Vaasal
Summa Irunga Machan
Puthiya Parasakthi
Mappillai Manasu Poopola
Maanbumigu Maanavan
Kaalam Maari Pochu
Pudhu Nilavu
Veettukulle Thiruvizha
Kadhal Kottai
Tamizh Selvan
Vishwanath
Sivasakthi
Parivattam
Avvai Shanmugi
Gokulathil Seethai
Kalki
Panchalankurichi
Senathipathi
Gopala Gopala 150th Film
Deiva Saatchi Not Released
1997 Dharma Chakkaram
Kaalamellam Kaathiruppen
Nalla Manasukkaran
Periya Thambi
Bharathi Kannamma
Nesam
Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga
Ettupatti Rasa
Vaimaye Vellum
Mannava
Mappillai Gounder
Arunachalam
Vallal
Sishya
Pongalo Pongal
Pasamulla Pandiyare
Once More
Kaadhali
Pagaivan
Kadhal Palli
Sathi Sanam
Abhimanyu
Adimai Changili
Kalyana Vaibhogam
Nerukku Ner
Pathhini
Aahaa..! 175th Film
Periya Manushan
Porkkaalam
Vidukadhai
Thadayam
Rettai Jadai Vayasu
Chachi 420Hindi film; BGM only
Remake of Avvai Shanmugi
Pudhalvan
Adhanda Idhanda Released in 2003
Charumathi Not Released
Santharpam Not Released
1998 Kaadhale Nimmadhi
Sundara Pandian
Vaettiya Madichu Kattu
Santhosham
Ninaithen Vandhai
Ponnu Velayira Bhoomi 200th Film
Iniyavale
Priyamudan
Natpukkaga
Sandhippoma
En Aasai Rasave
Ellame En Pondattithaan
Kannedhirey Thondrinal
Unnudan
En Uyir Nee Thaane
Urimai Por
Veeram Vilanja Mannu
Pudhumai Pithan
Gurupaarvai
Sivappu Nila
Bhagavath Singh
Rosappoo Chinna Rosappoo Not Released
Thambikku Thaai Manasu Not Released
1999 Nee Enakku Uyiramma
Kallazhagar
Ninaivirukkum Varai
Unnai Thedi
Chinna Raja
Ullathai Killathe
Vaali
Annan Thangachi
Anantha Poongatre
Nenjinile
Oruvan
Suyamvaram 1 Song
Viralukketha Veekkam
Kanave Kalaiyadhe
Ponvizha 225th Film
Kannodu Kanbathellam
Minsara Kanna
Anbulla Kadhalukku
Hello
Maanaseega Kadhal
Ooty
Pudhu Kudithanam
Iraniyan
Sundari Neeyum Sundaran Naanum
Unnaruge Naan Irundhal
Azhagarsamy
Aasaiyil Oru Kaditham
Kadhal Solla Vandhen Not Released
2000 Eazhaiyin Sirippil
Thai Poranthachu
Mugavaree
Sandhitha Velai
Vallarasu
Veeranadai
Kushi Winner Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director
Appu
Ennamma Kannu
Vetri Kodi Kattu
Koodi Vazhnthal Kodi Nanmai
Independence Day
Kannaal Pesavaa
Krodham 2 250th Film
Sabhash
Unnai Kann Theduthey
Ninaivellam Nee Co-composed by M. S. Viswanathan
Uyirile Kalanthathu
Kannukku Kannaga
Vaanavil
Seenu
Manasu
Manu Needhi
Chandramathy Not Released
Kadhal Vandhiruchu Not Released
2001 Looty
Engalukkum Kaalam Varum
En Purushan Kuzhandhai Maadhiri
Ninaikkatha Naalillai
Sri Raja Rajeshwari
Citizen
Love Channel
Dosth
Lovely
Kalakalappu
Chocklet
Maayan
Veettoda Mappillai 275th Film
Kabadi Kabadi
Love Marriage
Azhagana Naatkal
Kadal Pookkal
Kottai Mariamman
Ulagai Vilai Pesava Not Released
2002 Pammal K. Sambandam
Red
Vivaramana Aalu
Nettru Varai Nee Yaaro
123
Panchathanthiram
Maaran
Samasthanam
Bagavathi
Virumbugiren
Vinnodum Mugilodum Not Released
2003 Annai Kaligambal
Chokka Thangam
Ramachandra 300th Film
Military
Dum
Kadhal Sadugudu
Indru Mudhal
Success
Vani Mahal
Kadhal Kirukkan
Thathi Thavadhu Manasu
Soori
Indru
2004 Engal Anna
Adi Thadi
Kavidhai
Jore
Super Da
Loves
Sound Party
Azhagesan
Gajendra
Maha Nadigan
Jaisurya
Ramakrishna 325th Film
2005 Devathayai Kanden
Girivalam
Englishkaran
Selvam
Varapogum Sooriyane
Sivakasi Background Score Only
Saadhuriyan
Vanakkam Thalaiva
Kadhalanathey Not Released
2006 47A Besant Nagar Varai
Uyir Ezhuthu Not Released
Solli Addipen Not Released[11]
2007 Thirumagan
Nanbanin Kadhali
Manikanda
Adavadi 350th Film
Viyabari
Moondram Pournami movie released in 2023
En Uyirinum Melana
Cheena Thaana 001
Pasupathi c/o Rasakkapalayam
2008 Kodaikanal
2009 Enga Raasi Nalla Raasi
Saamy Sonna Saridhan
Aarumugam
Suriyan Satta Kalloori
2010 Sivappu Mazhai
Kutti Pisasu
Pen Singam
2012 Mattuthavani
Kondaan Koduthaan 375th Film
2014 Dummy Tappasu
2016 Mugappair Sri Kanaka Durga
2017 Unnai Thottu Kolla Vaa
2021 Sillu Vandugal
2022Amaichar
2023Jambu Maharishi
Kakkan
Colony
Thoongadha Vizhigal Naangu
Va Varalam Va
Peter

Kannada films

Year Film Title Notes
1997 Raja
Amrutha Varshini Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Kannada
2000 Independence Day
Vande Matharam
Galate Aliyandru
2001 Kotigobba
2002 Naanu Naane
Nata
Sainika
Simhadriya Simha
2003 Vijayadashami
Raja Narasimha
2004 Kadamba
2005 Vishnu Sena
2008 Akasha Gange
2010 Bombat Car
2011 Olave Mandara
2012 Super Shastri
2016 Bheeshma

Telugu films

Year Film Title Notes
1994 Bhale Pellam
1997 Master
1998 Auto Driver
Tholi Prema
Love Story 1999
2000 Bagunnara Reused one song from Ninaivirukkum Varai (1999)
2003 Naaga
2005 Naayudamma
2010 Cara Majaka

Malayalam films

Year Film Title Notes
1996 The Prince
King Soloman
2002 Phantom

Television

As Playback Singer

Year Film Title Song(s) Composer Notes
1996Vaanmathi"Pillayarpatti Hero"Himself
Kadhal Kottai "Kavalaipadathe Sagothara" Himself
1997Porkkaalam "Oonam oonam"himself
1998Kaadhal Mannan"Marimuthu Marimuthu" Bharathwaj
Kaadhale Nimmadhi"Vidha Vidhama" Himself
Ninaithen Vandhai "Manisha Manisha" Himself
Priyamudan "White Lagaan" Himself
Natpukkaga "Meesakara Nanba" himself
Kannedhirey Thondrinal "Salomiya" Himself
2004 Adithadi "Thagadu" Himself
2009 Modhi Vilayadu "Modhi Vilayadu" Hariharan-Leslie Lewis
Thee"Valliyamma"Srikanth Deva
2014 Maan Karate "Open The Tasmac" Anirudh
2015 Vandha Mala "Aana Aavanna"
"Aana Aavanna" (Remix)
Sam D Raj
Sakalakala Vallavan "Bulb Vaangitten"S. Thaman
2016 Anjala "Tea Podu" Gopi Sunder
Natpathigaram 79 "sollu sollu chellamma" Deepak Nilambur
Theri "Jithu Jilladi" G. V. Prakash
Enakku Veru Engum Kilaigal Kidayathu "Kodambakkam Maru Peru" S. N. Arunagiri
2017 Vilayattu Aarambam "Adhiri Pudhiri" Srikanth Deva
2018 Annanukku Jai "Thaarumaaraa Manasu" Arrol Corelli
Jarugandi "Aadupuli Aattam" Bobo Shashi
2020 Mookuthi Amman "Saami Kulasami" Girishh
2021Karnan "Manjanathi Puranam"Santhosh Narayanan
Take Diversion "Mammaro"Jose Franklin
2022Anbarivu "Anbae Arivu"
Takku Mukku Tikku Thalam "Takku Mukku" Dharan Kumar
Hostel "Hostel Gaana"Bobo Shashi
2023Good Night"Paala Patra"Sean Roldan
Maamannan"Nenjame Nenjame - Reprise(Film Version)"A. R. Rahman
Venba"Chellakutty"Alpha SomethingVideo game soundtrack
2024Lal Salaam"Anbalane"A. R. Rahman
Captain Miller"Koranaaru"G. V. Prakash Kumar

Onscreen appearances

Year Film Title Notes
1996 Summa Irunga Machan himself in song "Chandhiranum"
1998 Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen as himself
1999 Chinna Raja as himself
2003 Vani Mahal as himself
2004 Adi Thadi himself in song "Thagadu"
2005 Englishkaran as himself
2009 Modhi Vilayadu himself in song "Modhi Vilayadu"

Reused tunes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: dinakaran . DINAKARAN dinakaran.com . 20 July 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20010111211000/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/cinebio/28-12-99/Deva.htm . 11 January 2001 .
  2. Web site: Deva tamil music director. behindwoods.com. 20 July 2014.
  3. ஒளரங்கசீப் . 21 January 1996 . சினிமா உலகம் பணத்தை மதிக்கிறது! . . Ta . 6–8 . 18 May 2023.
  4. Web site: How Tamil composer Deva rolled out the hits: 'A film song should immediately register with people'. 24 June 2018 .
  5. News: Deva sings for Anirudh !. The Times of India. 14 April 2014.
  6. வெண்பா/Venba [@venbaGame] (7 February 2023). "Humbled, grateful, and ecstatic to announce that Thenisai Thendral Deva (@ungaldevaoffl) has sung a song for us in Venba!!! Special thanks to @alpha_something who has written and composed this absolute banger!! Can't believeeeee we got to do this!!! ". via Twitter. Retrieved on 30 July 2023.
  7. Alpha Something [@alphasomething] (24 July 2023). "செல்லக்குட்டி / Chellakutty from Venba Original Soundtrack. The Venba team is extremely fortunate to have @ungaldevaoffl sing for our game, and no doubt he's made it into a complete banger! ". via Instagram. Retrieved on 30 July 2023.
  8. https://venbagame.com Venba | A game about cooking, family and more
  9. Web site: 45th Annual Filmfare Best Kannada Music Director : Santosh : Free Dow…. https://archive.today/20170205071917/https://archive.org/details/45thAnnualFilmfareBestKannadaMusicDirector. dead. 5 February 2017. 5 February 2017. archive.is.
  10. Web site: deva_won_filmfare__best_kannada_music_director : santosh : Free Downl…. https://archive.today/20170205073809/https://archive.org/details/DevawonfilmfarebestkannadamusicdirectorAmruthavarshini. dead. 5 February 2017. 5 February 2017. archive.is.
  11. Web site: Sollie Adippaen has youthful music .