Music has always been a powerful medium in Tamil cinema, and one of the most influential contributors to this musical legacy is Deva, fondly known as Thenisai Thendral (Melody Breeze). With a career spanning from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, Deva composed music for over 400 films, leaving a remarkable imprint with his catchy tunes, folk melodies, and unforgettable background scores.
The Rise of Deva in Tamil Cinema
Deva entered the Tamil film industry at a time when musical legends like Ilaiyaraaja ruled the charts. Despite the competition, Deva carved a niche for himself with his unique ability to blend urban rhythms with traditional folk music. His debut breakthrough came with "Manasukketha Maharasa" (1989), but it was the early 90s that saw his music career skyrocket.
...
1990s – The Peak of Deva’s Musical Brilliance
Deva’s biggest hits came during the 1990s, a golden decade for Tamil film music. He became the go-to composer for directors like Agathiyan, R.K. Selvamani, Saran, Sundar C., and KS Ravikumar. His music was especially known for being youthful, fast-paced, and emotionally resonant.
Deva was especially popular for scoring background music for comedy tracks, especially in Vadivelu and Goundamani-Senthil movies. His quirky BGM and comic sound bites added value to countless laugh-out-loud scenes, making his music inseparable from Tamil comedy cinema
.
Movies like "Ullathai Allitha," "Arunachalam," "Kaathala Kaathala," and "Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga" were not just funny but also musically successful thanks to Deva’s versatile compositions.
Working with Superstars
Deva worked with major stars including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Ajith, Sathyaraj, and Karthik. His compositions were crucial in elevating the mass appeal of many films.
Rajinikanth:
In Baasha (1995), Deva composed the iconic “Naan Autokaaran,” which became a fan anthem.
Ajith Kumar:
Vaali (1999) and Dheena (2001) were milestones, with Deva’s music playing a key role in shaping Ajith’s image as a mass hero. The song “Sollamal Thottu Chellum Thendral” remains a cult classic.
Kamal Haasan:
In Kaathala Kaathala (1998), Deva delivered comical and romantic tunes that matched Kamal’s on-screen charisma.
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|