Deva | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Devanesan Chokkalingam |
Born | [1] | 20 November 1950
Origin | Tamil Nadu, India |
Occupation(s) | Film composer, music director |
Instrument(s) | Vocals (playback singing), guitar, keyboard/harmonium/piano |
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]
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.
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]
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]
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 | |
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 | |
Year | Film Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
1996 | The Prince | |
King Soloman | ||
2002 | Phantom | |
Year | Film Title | Song(s) | Composer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | Vaanmathi | "Pillayarpatti Hero" | Himself | |
Kadhal Kottai | "Kavalaipadathe Sagothara" | Himself | ||
1997 | Porkkaalam | "Oonam oonam" | himself | |
1998 | Kaadhal 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 | |
Natpathigaaram 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 | |
2021 | Karnan | "Manjanathi Puranam" | Santhosh Narayanan | |
Take Diversion | "Mammaro" | Jose Franklin | ||
2022 | Anbarivu | "Anbae Arivu" | Hiphop Tamizha | |
Takku Mukku Tikku Thalam | "Takku Mukku" | Dharan Kumar | ||
Hostel | "Hostel Gaana" | Bobo Shashi | ||
2023 | Good Night | "Paala Patra" | Sean Roldan | |
Maamannan | "Nenjame Nenjame - Reprise(Film Version)" | A. R. Rahman | ||
Venba | "Chellakutty" | Alpha Something | Video game soundtrack | |
2024 | Lal Salaam | "Anbalane" | A. R. Rahman | |
Captain Miller | "Koranaaru" | G. V. Prakash Kumar | ||
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" |
Vaalee is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language psychological romantic thriller film written and directed by S. J. Suryah in his directorial debut. The film stars Ajith Kumar in dual roles with Simran and Jyothika in cameo appearance ,which marked her Tamil debut while Vivek, Rajeev, Pandu and Sujitha appear in important supporting roles. A modern-day adaptation of the legend of Vali from the Ramayana, it revolves around Shiva and Deva, two identical twin brothers, with Deva being deaf-mute. When Shiva marries Priya, Deva becomes obsessed with and lusts for her.
Porkkaalam is a 1997 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Cheran. The film stars Murali, Meena and Sanghavi. It was released on 30 October 1997, Diwali, and became a huge success. The film was remade in Telugu as Manikyam, in Hindi as Meri Pyaari Bahania Banegi Dulhania, and in Kannada as Odahuttidavalu.
Baashha is a 1995 Indian Tamil-language gangster action film written and directed by Suresh Krissna. The film stars Rajinikanth, Nagma and Raghuvaran, with Janagaraj, Devan, Shashi Kumar, Vijayakumar, Anandaraj, Charan Raj, Kitty, Sathyapriya, Shenbaga and Yuvarani in supporting roles. It revolves around an auto-driver who maintains a humble exterior and stays away from violence, but has a dark past which he conceals from his family.
Sistla Janaki is an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer from Andhra Pradesh. She is referred to respectfully as "Janaki Amma" and Nightingale of South India. She is one of the best-known playback singers in India. She is referred to as 'Gaana Kogile' in Karnataka, and 'Gaana Kokila' in Telugu States and 'Isaikkuyil' in Tamil Nadu She has recorded over 48,000 songs in films, albums, TV and Radio which includes solos, duets, chorus and title tracks in 17 languages including Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Sanskrit, Odia, Tulu, Urdu, Punjabi, Badaga, Bengali, Konkani and also in foreign languages such as English, Japanese, German and Sinhala. However the highest number of songs in her career were in Kannada followed by Malayalam. Starting in 1957 with the Tamil film Vidhiyin Vilayattu, her career has spanned over six decades. S. Janaki is widely acclaimed as a Queen of expressions in any languages with nativity.
Basuva Raju Sundaram is an Indian dance choreographer, actor and director, who works primarily in Tamil and Telugu films. He appeared as an actor in films like Jeans (1998), 123 (2002), I Love You Da (2002), Quick Gun Murugun (2009); and directed one film, Aegan (2008). He is the son of dancer Mugur Sundar, and the elder brother of choreographers Prabhu Deva and Nagendra Prasad.
Aasai (transl. Desire) is a 1995 Indian Tamil-language romantic thriller film, written and directed by Vasanth and produced by Mani Ratnam. The film stars Ajith Kumar and debutant Suvaluxmi, with Prakash Raj, Rohini, Poornam Viswanathan, Nizhalgal Ravi, and Vadivelu in roles. It revolves around an army major lusting for his sister-in-law, and attempting to ruin her relationship with her lover.
Vasudevan, known as Malaysia Vasudevan, was a Malaysian-Indian playback singer and actor in Tamil cinema.
Kushi (transl. Happiness) is a 2000 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by S. J. Suryah and produced by A. M. Rathnam. The film stars Vijay, Jyothika and Mumtaj, while Vijayakumar, Vivek and Nizhalgal Ravi and others in the supporting roles. The film's cinematography was done by Jeeva, while music was composed by Deva. The film was released on 19 May 2000. Kushi was remade in Telugu as under the same title, in Hindi as Khushi, and in Kannada as Eno Onthara. Jyothika went on to win the Filmfare Best Actress Award in Tamil and Cinema Express Award for Best Sensational Actress at the Cinema Express Awards, for her performance.
S. A. Rajkumar is an Indian composer and lyricist. He has made music for all South Indian language films in Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Kannada.
Kalki is a 1996 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by K. Balachander, starring Shruti, Rahman, Prakash Raj, Geetha, Renuka, Suvaluxmi and Fathima Babu. The film was released on 10 November 1996, and was dubbed into Telugu with the same name. For her performance, Shruti won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress, while Prakash Raj won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain.
Thamarai is an Indian poet and lyricist who writes in Tamil. She is a prominent figure in the Tamil literary world and has worked in Tamil cinema.
Ranjith K. Govind, also known as K.G. Ranjith, is an Indian playback singer, working in the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada film industries and has sung more than 2500 songs.
Immanuel Vasanth Dinakaran, better known as D. Imman, is an Indian film composer and singer, predominantly working in Tamil cinema. His first film as music director was Thamizhan in 2002. Since then he has composed music for more than 100 films. He is the fifth Tamil music composer to win the National Film Award for Best Music Direction. He has also won the Filmfare Awards South and he has received 4 Filmfare Awards South nominations. He has also won 1 Tamil Nadu State Film Award, 2 Vijay Awards, 1 Edison Award, 1 Ananda Vikadan Cinema Award and 1 Zee Tamil Award. D. Imman is appointed as the Ambassador for Tamil Chair in University Of Toronto, Canada (2019).
Yugendran is a Malaysian actor and singer who has sung several songs in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. He is also an occasional music director and host.
Oruvan is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by Suresh Krissna. The film stars Sarathkumar, Pooja Batra and Devayani, while Raghuvaran and Anandaraj play supporting roles. Produced by Lakshmi Movie Makers, the film had cinematography handled by S. Saravanan and music composed by Deva. It was released on 25 June 1999.
Avatharam (transl. Avatar) is a 1995 Indian Tamil-language film written and directed by Nassar, making his directorial debut. The film stars him and Revathi. It was released on 9 June 1995 and failed at the box office, but won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Third Best Film.
Vaalee is a 2001 Indian Kannada-language romantic psychological thriller film directed by S. Mahendar starring Sudeep in a dual role and Poonam Singar. The film features background score and soundtrack composed by Rajesh Ramanath and lyrics by K. Kalyan. It is a remake of the 1999 Tamil film of the same name.
Kotigobba is a 2001 Indian Kannada-language action film starring Vishnuvardhan, Priyanka Upendra and Ashish Vidyarthi. The film was a remake of Rajinikanth's 1995 Tamil film Baashha which itself was inspired from the 1991 Hindi movie Hum. This movie was directed by Naganna and features soundtrack from Deva who also composed the music for the Tamil version. Vishnuvardhan was nominated for Filmfare Best Actor category.
Thani Oruvan is the soundtrack album for the 2015 Tamil film of the same name starring Jayam Ravi, Arvind Swamy and Nayanthara and directed by Mohan Raja. The album has five songs in total, all of them being composed by Hiphop Tamizha, and also wrote four out of five tracks, with Mohan Raja penning one of the tracks from the album. It is Hiphop Tamizha's third feature film as a composer, after Aambala and Indru Netru Naalai. The soundtrack album was unveiled by Sony Music India on 25 July 2015, and received positive response from critics and audiences. Thani Oruvan was listed as the most streamed Tamil album and the second best Tamil album of iTunes of the year 2015, followed by O Kadhal Kanmani.
Sam Vishal J.X. is a singer and an independent vocalist. In 2019, he became the 2nd runner up of Super Singer 7 reality show. As the 2nd runner up of his season, he won a chance to sing songs for music director Anirudh Ravichander – 'Chitti Story' and 'Putta Story' for the film Master. Apart from film music, Sam Vishal is also a regular in independent music and is also seen releasing music independently. He has won the 'Sensational Singer at Digital' award at Blacksheep Digital Awards 2022.