Actor Suriya paid his final respects to veteran music composer Deva by visiting his residence in Chennai. The actor met Deva’s family and offered his condolences following the composer’s death. Known as the ‘Thenisai Thendral’ of Tamil cinema, Deva left behind a rich musical legacy filled with memorable melodies and energetic gaana songs. His death has left the film industry and music lovers mourning the loss of a composer whose work remained popular across generations.
Here’s why Suriya missed Deva’s funeral
Suriya could not attend Deva’s funeral because he was away from Chennai for a film shoot when news of the composer’s death emerged. His father, actor Sivakumar, had attended the funeral and paid his respects earlier. After returning to the city, Suriya visited Deva’s house despite the heavy rain. He offered floral tributes to the composer’s portrait and met Deva’s son, music composer Srikanth Deva, along with other family members. During the visit, Suriya expressed his condolences and offered support to the grieving family. This visit was symbolic of the personal relationship he had with the composer, who played a vital role in the initial stages of his acting career.
Deva composed music for Suriya’s debut film Nerukku Ner’
The musical association between Deva and Suriya started right from the beginning with the movie ‘Nerukku Ner,’ which was released in 1997 and was Suriya’s first acting movie. The soundtrack of this movie contained some hit songs like ‘Manam Virumbudhe Unnai’ and ‘Aval Varuvaala,’ which fans of Tamil music still remember. Deva had composed the music for many of Suriya’s early movies, such as ‘Kaadhale Nimmadhi,’ ‘Sandhippoma,’ and ‘Uyirile Kalanthathu.‘
Tamil cinema mourns Deva as his musical legacy lives on
Deva’s death prompted tributes from actors, filmmakers, political leaders and fans. Several prominent personalities, including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Vijay, paid their respects, while his funeral was held with state honours. The composer was later laid to rest at his native village of Chakramallur near Arcot in Ranipet district. As the industry continues to remember his contribution, Suriya’s visit stands as a personal tribute to the musician whose songs marked an important chapter in his journey as an actor.
