Veteran Tamil composer Deva’s appearance at the ‘Meesaya Murukku 2’ success meet has taken on special significance following his death on October 17, 2026, at the age of 75. At the Chennai event, the musician spoke about his decision to bring Gaana music into mainstream Tamil cinema and praised Hiphop Tamizha Adhi for connecting with audiences and giving Gaana artistes greater visibility. Deva also revealed that his grandson was an Adhi fan, offering a glimpse into the personal warmth behind his appreciation for the younger musician.
Deva praises Hiphop Tamizha Adhi at ‘Meesaya Murukku 2’ success meet
Deva attended the Meesaya Murukku 2 success meet in Chennai as a special guest, where he praised Adhi’s ability to understand listeners and create music that resonates with a wide audience. His remarks have gained added poignancy after the veteran composer’s death, making the event one of his final public appearances.“Adhi understands people very well. That is a great blessing for him. Whatever song he sings, it reaches crores of people,” Deva said, acknowledging the younger musician’s connection with audiences.The composer also shared a personal detail about his family’s admiration for Adhi. “There are so many music composers in our family, but my grandson is a fan of Hiphop Tamizha Adhi. He has Adhi’s photograph as his phone wallpaper,” he said.Deva added that his family had watched and enjoyed the film together. His appreciation was particularly significant because Meesaya Murukku 2 places music and the Gaana tradition at the centre of its story.
Why Deva brought Gaana music into Tamil cinema
Deva recalled that he wanted to establish a recognisable musical identity during a period when Ilaiyaraaja was a dominant force in Tamil cinema and A.R. Rahman was emerging as another influential composer. He said his work was frequently compared with theirs, leaving him determined to find a sound that audiences could identify as his own.“When people spoke about my songs, they would say either that they sounded like an Ilaiyaraaja sir song or like an AR Rahman sir song. Newspapers would criticise me heavily. So, I wanted to create a style of my own,” he said.That search led him towards Gaana, a street-rooted musical tradition associated with Chennai, particularly its working-class communities. Deva helped bring the genre to a wider film audience, giving its rhythms and storytelling a place in mainstream Tamil soundtracks.The composer also recalled his connections with Gaana singers during his years in Mandaveli and Mylapore. He acknowledged the role of North Chennai in sustaining the form, which grew out of everyday experiences, local culture and the lives of ordinary people.
Deva recalls the struggles of Gaana singers and their talent
Reflecting on the people behind the genre, Deva described singing as a central part of life for many Gaana performers. He spoke about how the music offered working people an outlet for their pain and hardships before it developed into a profession for some artists.“For Gaana artists, singing is everything. In the beginning, working people sang these songs to forget their pain and hardships. Later, it became a profession,” he said.Deva also spoke warmly about the creativity of Gaana singers, describing them as people with childlike hearts who could turn almost any subject into a song. He noted that performers such as Antony and Alphons were also associated with the genre.
Deva appreciated Adhi’s efforts to bring Gaana artistes into the spotlight
Deva’s praise for Meesaya Murukku 2 extended beyond its music and storytelling. He appreciated Adhi’s efforts to feature Gaana performers and bring their work before a wider audience, an approach that echoed his own journey in Tamil cinema. The film’s success meet also marked the launch of Gaana Gang, an initiative intended to identify Gaana artistes and create more opportunities for them. At the event, Deva introduced the first four performers associated with the initiative, which aims to help artistes find opportunities beyond the film through albums and other platforms.
Hiphop Tamizha Adhi remembers Deva as an inspiration
Following Deva’s death, Adhi paid tribute to the veteran composer, recalling their interactions and the encouragement he had received from him. Adhi described Deva as an inspiration who built a successful career without a powerful industry background and whose work gave a voice to ordinary people through music. In his earlier response to Deva’s appreciation of ‘Meesaya Murukku 2’, Adhi had described the veteran’s recognition as especially meaningful. He wrote that the man who took Gaana from the streets to the big screen watching and praising the film was the greatest recognition it could receive.
Deva’s legacy in Tamil cinema
Known for bringing a distinctive Gaana-influenced sound to Tamil film music, Deva built a career spanning several decades and composed for more than 400 films across South Indian languages. His work helped shape the musical identities of leading Tamil cinema stars, while his ability to draw from local musical traditions gave his compositions a recognisable character.