Devanesan Chokkalingam, popularly known as Deva, is an Indian film composer and singer who predominantly works in Tamil Cinema. He has composed songs and provided background music for Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films in a career spanning about 20 years. Many know his gaana songs, written mostly using Madras Tamil. He is known as the “Father of Gaana Genre” in the Tamil film industry. He has composed music for more than 400 films.
Personal life
Deva was born 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 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 the television field. 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.
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 and Malayalam films. He is also famous for his compositions for religious films. He was widely acclaimed for his scores for the Illayaraja starrer Annamalai (1992) and Baashha (1995).
The 1990s belonged as much to Deva as it did to A. R. Rahman. 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.
In 2014, Anirudh Ravichander chose Deva to sing a gaana song in his album Maan Karate.
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.
Filmography
Tamil films
| Year | Film Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Manasukketha Maharasa | Debut film as a composer |
| 1990 | Mattukara Mannaru | |
| 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 | ||
| Thoodhu Poo Chellakiliye | ||
| Thambi Oorukku Pudhusa | ||
| Nadodi Kadhal | Not Released | |
| 1992 | Brahmachari | |
| Ilavarasan | ||
| Periya Gounder Ponnu | ||
| Government Mappillai | ||
| Kasthuri Manjal | ||
| Thangarasu | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Sendhoorapandi | ||
| Nee Oru Thanipiravi | Not Released | |
| Shenbagam | Not Released | |
| 1994 | Veettai Paaru Naattai Paaru | |
| Subramaniya Swamy | ||
| Chinna Muthu | ||
| Aranmanai Kaavalan | ||
| En Rajangam | ||
| Indhu | ||
| 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 | |
| Baashha | ||
| Veluchami | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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..! | ||
| Periya Manushan | ||
| Porkkaalam | ||
| Vidukadhai | ||
| Thadayam | ||
| Rettai Jadai Vayasu | ||
| Chachi 420 | Hindi film; BGM only Remake of Avvai Shanmugi |
|
| Pudhalvan | ||
| Adhanda Idhanda | Not Released | |
| Charumathi | Not Released | |
| Santharpam | Not Released | |
| 1998 | Kaadhale Nimmadhi | |
| Sundara Pandian | ||
| Vaettiya Madichu Kattu | ||
| Santhosham | ||
| Ninaithen Vandhai | ||
| Ponnu Velayira Bhoomi | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Manasukkul Varlama | Not Released | |
| 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 | |
| 2007 | Thirumagan | |
| Nanbanin Kadhali | ||
| Manikanda | ||
| Adavadi | ||
| Viyabari | ||
| 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 | ||
| 2014 | Dummy Tappasu | |
| 2016 | Mugappair Sri Kanaka Durga | |
| 2017 | Unnai Thottu Kolla Vaa | |
| 2021 | Sillu Vandugal |
Kannada films
| Year | Film Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Raja | |
| Amrutha Varshini | Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Kannada | |
| 1998 | King | |
| 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 | Aakasha 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 | |
| 2003 | Naaga | |
| 2005 | Naayudamma | |
| 2010 | Cara Majaka |
Malayalam films
| Year | Film Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | The Prince | |
| King Soloman | ||
| 2002 | Phantom |
Television
- 2007 Vaira Nenjam
- 2007 Bharathi
- 2008 Thangamana Purushan
- 2009 Vilakku Vacha Nerathula
- 2013 Mahabharatham
Discography
| Year | Film Title | Song(s) | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Vaanmathi | “Pillayarpatti Hero” | Himself | |
| 1996 | Kadhal Kottai | “Kavalaipadathe Sagothara” | Himself | |
| 1998 | Kaadhal Mannan | “Marimuthu Marimuthu” | Bharathwaj | |
| 1998 | Kaadhale Nimmadhi | “Vidha Vidhama” | Himself | |
| 1998 | Ninaithen Vandhai | “Manisha Manisha” | Himself | |
| 1998 | Priyamudan | “White Lagaan” | Himself | |
| 1998 | Kannedhirey Thondrinal | “Salomiya” | Himself | |
| 2004 | Adithadi | “Thagadu” | Himself | |
| 2009 | Modhi Vilayadu | “Modhi Vilayadu” | Colonial Cousins | |
| 2014 | Maan Karate | “Open The Tasmac” | Anirudh | |
| 2015 | Vandha Mala | “Aana Aavanna” Aana Aavanna (Remix) |
Sam D Raj | |
| 2016 | Anjala | “Tea Podu” | Gopi Sunder | |
| 2016 | Theri | “Jithu Jilladi” | G. V. Prakash | |
| 2016 | 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 | |
| 2018 | Jarugandi | “Aadupuli Aattam” | Bobo Shashi | |
| 2020 | Mookuthi Amman | “Saami Kulasami” | Girishh | |
| 2021 | Karnan | “Hey Pandarathi” | Santhosh Narayanan |
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
- Kotigobba (2001) from Baashha (1995) (3 songs added with one of them being reused version of “Athanda Ithanda” from Arunachalam (1997))
- Simhadriya Simha from Kattabomman (1 song “Priya Priya” has been reused; while “Kalladre Naanu” was reused as “Poove Mudhal Poove” in Kadhal Kirukkan with different vocals and instrumentations; “Malnad Adike” was reused from “Kottapaakum” in Nattamai).
- Naaga from Kushi (3 songs “Megam Karukuthu”, “Macarina” and “Oru Ponnu” has been reused).
- Nata (2002) from Priyamudhan (1997) (3 songs “Bharathikku”, “Pooja Vaa”, and “Mowriya” have been reused).