Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on Saturday paid an emotional tribute to late music director Deva, remembering him as a man of honesty, generosity and integrity whom he described as a “person of pure gold”.
Rajinikanth visited Deva’s residence to pay his respects following the music director’s demise. He later shared a video message recalling their professional association and the personal qualities that made Deva special to him.
“The sudden demise of my dear friend, music director Deva, is both shocking and sorrowful. He has scored music for three of my films — ‘Annamalai’, ‘Baasha’ and ‘Arunachalam’. All three films were very big successes,” Rajinikanth said.
Recalling an incident from the making of Padaiyappa, Rajinikanth said he had decided to work with A.R. Rahman after some of his friends suggested the composer for the film. He personally informed Deva about his decision, concerned that the music director might misunderstand his choice.
Rajinikanth recalled that Deva stood up, held his hand and encouraged him to proceed with the decision.
“I am saying this with happiness, please go ahead. That boy (A.R. Rahman) is coming up well. Please do well. I am very happy. It is my good fortune that I have done three films with you,” Deva had told him, according to the actor.
Rajinikanth said the incident reflected Deva’s character and his ability to support others without resentment.
“Deva was a person of pure gold who was without lies or deceit. He has struggled a lot in life. He had four younger brothers and used to perform in concerts and at weddings to take care of them. Even after he became a star in the film industry, he did not let go of his brothers and kept them with himself. He was such a wonderful family man and a good human being,” the superstar said.
He also praised Deva for establishing his own musical identity at a time when Ilaiyaraaja dominated the Tamil film music industry.
“Even when Ilaiyaraaja was ruling the roost, Deva created a style for himself and succeeded big time,” Rajinikanth observed.
The actor also recalled Deva’s enthusiasm for live performances. Around two-and-a-half years ago, Deva had expressed his desire to organise concerts and asked Rajinikanth to inaugurate one of them. The superstar said he happily attended the event.
Rajinikanth added that Deva subsequently performed concerts abroad and received an encouraging response. During a meeting about three months ago, after returning from a tour to either Canada or Australia, Deva had spoken enthusiastically about the reception he received from younger audiences.
“He said, ‘I am very happy. Youngsters are welcoming me so happily. I am feeling so happy Rajini sir. With this happiness, I will live for another 10 to 15 years,’” Rajinikanth recalled.
Reflecting on Deva’s sudden passing, the actor said, “Maybe God thought Deva was a very nice person and that he should come to him when he was happy itself and therefore called Deva to him. May his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family members.”
Deva, a well-known music director in the South Indian film industry, passed away at a private hospital in Chennai on Saturday. Over his career, he composed music for more than 400 films across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema.