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Deva (composer)
Indian film composer and singer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Devanesan Chokkalingam, more popularly known as Deva, is an Indian 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 closing in on four decades. He has composed music for more than 400 films.
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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 from 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. Srikanth's wife Febi is a playback singer.
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Career
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Before coming to cinema, Deva worked for some time in Doordarshan Podhigai channel and composed songs for the show Vayalum Vaazhvum.[2] 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 Annaamalai (1992) and Baashha (1995).
In 1996, Deva composed tunes for 36 movies. His scores played a big role in the emergence of actors Ajith Kumar 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.[3]
In 2014, Anirudh Ravichander chose Deva to sing a gaana song in his album Maan Karate.[4]
In 2023, Deva collaborated with lyricist Alpha Something and game developer Visai Games to create a song for the video game Venba, drawing heavily from themes of Tamil culture.[5][6][7]
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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.[8][9]
Discography
Tamil films
Kannada films
Telugu films
Malayalam films
Hindi films
Television
- 2007 Vaira Nenjam
- 2007 Bharathi
- 2008 Thangamana Purushan
- 2009 Vilakku Vacha Nerathula
- 2013 Mahabharatham
As a playback singer
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Onscreen appearances
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Television
Uncredited inspirations in Deva's music
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Some of Deva’s songs have been noted for their resemblance to popular Indian and international songs. Music critics and listeners have observed similarities leading to discussions about possible musical influence with no proper credit to the original creators.
- Annaamalai (1992)
- "Vanthenda Paalkaaran" is based on "Mi Dolkara Daryacha Raja".[11]
- The theme song is noted for its partial resemblance to the James Bond Theme.[12]
- Baashha (1995)
- "Azhagu" is based on "Dilbar Dil Se Pyaare", composed by R. D. Burman for Caravan (1971).[13]
- The theme music is based on the theme of Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).[14]
- Aasai (1995)
- "Meenamma" features beats that closely resemble "Mama" by the British band Genesis, although the overall tune differs.[15]
- "Thiloththama" is noted for its partial resemblance to Israeli singer Ofra Haza's version of "Galbi".[15]
- Nerrukku Ner (1997)
- "Akila Akila" is based on "Buffalo Soldier" by Bob Marley and the Wailers.[16]
- Aahaa..! (1997)
- "Mudhan Mudhalil" is based on "Sochenge Tumhe Pyaar" from Deewana composed by the duo Nadeem-Shravan.[15]
- Priyamudan (1998)
- "Hello Maruthi" is based on Boney M.'s version of "Brown Girl in the Ring".[17]
- "White Lakkan" is based on "Hum Kaale Hai Tu Kya Hua" from Gumnaam (1965) composed by the duo Shankar–Jaikishan.[18]: slide 12
- Tholi Prema (1998)
- "Yemaindo Yemo Ee Vela" is based on Ricky Martin's "Maria"[19]
- "Emi Sodhara" is based on "Pyar Ka Musafir" by Lucky Ali.[19]
- "Romance Rhythms" is based on "Noonday Sun" by Deep Forest.[19]
- "Ee Manase Se Se" is based on "Alabalaba (Woman’a’Sexy)" by Dr. Alban.[19]
- Vaalee (1999)
- "Oh Sona" is based on "Susanna" by VOF de Kunst.[20]
- Mugavaree (2000)
- "Oh Nenje" is based on "Get Down (You're the One for Me)" by Backstreet Boys.[21]
- "Poo Virinjachu" is based on "That Thing You Do!" from the film of the same name.[22]
- "Keechu Kiliye" is based on "Enemies" by Dr. Alban.[22]
- Kushi (2000)
- "Mottu Ondru" is based on "Why You Wanna Trip on Me" by Michael Jackson.[23]
- "Oh Vennila" is based on the Portuguese song "Canção do Mar" sung by Dulce Pontes for Primal Fear (1996).[23]
- Citizen (2001)
- "I Like You" is based on "I Feel Lonely" by German singer Sasha.[24]
- Red (2002)
- The prelude of "Kannai Kasakkum" features beats that closely resemble "Catch the Fox" by Den Harrow, although the overall tune differs.[15]
- Bagavathi (2002)
- "Allu Allu" is based on "Nari Narain" by Egyptian singer Hisham Abbas.[15]
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References
External links
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