Devanesan Chokkalingam, also 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 spanning about 36 years. He has composed music for more than 400 films.
Deva | |
|---|---|
 Deva at KJ Yesudas 50 Concert Press Meet | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Devanesan Chokkalingam |
| Born | 20 November 1950[1] |
| Origin | Tamil Nadu, India |
| Occupation(s) | Film composer, music director |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals (playback singing), guitar, keyboard/harmonium/piano |
| Years active | 1988–present |
Personal life
editDeva 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. Srikanth's wife Febi is a playback singer.
Career
editBefore 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 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 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]
Awards
editIn 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
editTamil films
editKannada films
edit| Year | Film Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Raja | |
| Amrutha Varshini | Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Kannada | |
| 2000 | Independence Day | |
| Vande Matharam | ||
| Galate Aliyandru | ||
| Jithendra | ||
| 2001 | Kotigobba | Remake of Baasha Reused two songs from Baasha Reused one song from Arunachalam |
| 2002 | Naanu Naane | |
| Nata | Remake of Priyamudan Reused four songs from Priyamudan | |
| Sainika | ||
| Simhadriya Simha | Remake of Nattamai reused one song from said film | |
| 2003 | Vijayadashami | |
| Raja Narasimha | Reused one song from Madhumathi (1993) | |
| 2004 | Kadamba | Reused one song from Annamalai |
| 2005 | Vishnu Sena | |
| 2008 | Akasha Gange | |
| 2010 | Bombat Car | |
| 2011 | Olave Mandara | |
| 2012 | Super Shastri | |
| 2016 | Bheeshma |
Telugu films
edit| Year | Film Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Sreeman Brahmachari | |
| Jagannatham and Sons | ||
| 1994 | Bhale Pellam | |
| 1997 | Master | |
| 1998 | Auto Driver | |
| Tholi Prema | ||
| Love Story 1999 | ||
| 2000 | Bagunnara | Reused one song from Ninaivirukkum Varai (1999) |
| 2003 | Naaga | Reused three songs from Kushi |
| 2004 | Naalo | |
| 2005 | Naayudamma | |
| 2007 | Vijayadasami | Remake of Sivakasi Background score only, reused from said film |
| 2010 | Cara Majaka |
Malayalam films
edit| Year | Film Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | The Prince | |
| King Soloman | ||
| 2002 | Phantom |
Television
edit- 2007 Vaira Nenjam
- 2007 Bharathi
- 2008 Thangamana Purushan
- 2009 Vilakku Vacha Nerathula
- 2013 Mahabharatham
As a playback Singer
edit| 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 | |
| Natpathigaram 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 | "PalaPattra" | 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 | ||
| Boat | "Thakida Thadhimi" | M. Ghibran |
Onscreen appearances
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Summa Irunga Machan | Himself | Special appearance in the song "Chandhiranum" |
| 1998 | Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen | Special appearance | |
| 1999 | Chinna Raja | ||
| 2003 | Vani Mahal | ||
| 2004 | Adi Thadi | Special appearance in the song "Thagadu" | |
| 2005 | Englishkaran | Special appearance | |
| 2009 | Modhi Vilayadu | Special appearance in the song "Modhi Vilayadu" | |
| 2009 | Suriyan Satta Kalloori | Special appearance in the song "Kadhal Panna" |
Television
edit| Year | Name of Television Show | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Super Singer Season 10 | Guest | Star Vijay |
Plagiarism
editSeveral of Deva's songs are blatantly copied or inspired from both international and Indian songs:
- Aasai (1995)
- "Meenamma" is based on "Mama" by the British band Genesis.[11]
- "Thiloththama" is inspired by Israeli singer Ofra Haza's version of "Galbi".[11]
- Tholi Prema (1998)
- "Yemaindo Yemo Ee Vela" is based on Ricky Martin's "Maria"[12]
- "Emi Sodhara" is based on "Pyar Ka Musafir" by Lucky Ali.[12]
- "Romance Rhythms" is based on "Noonday Sun" by Deep Forest.[12]
- "Ee Manase Se Se" is based on "Alabalaba (Woman’a’Sexy)" by Dr. Alban.[12]
- Vaalee (1999)
- "Oh Sona" is based on "Susanna" by VOF de Kunst.[13]
- Nenjinile (1999)
- "Anbe En Anbe" is based on "Aicha" by Khaled.[citation needed]
- Mugavaree (2000)
- "Oh Nenje" is based on "Get Down (You're the One for Me)" by Backstreet Boys.[14]
- "Poo Virinjachu" is based on "That Thing You Do!" from the film of the same name.[15]
- "Keechu Kiliye" is based on "Enemies" by Dr. Alban.[15]
- Kushi (2000)
- "Mottu Ondru" is based on "Why You Wanna Trip on Me" by Michael Jackson.[16]
- "Oh Vennila" is based on the Portuguese song "Canção do Mar" sung by Dulce Pontes for Primal Fear (1996).[16]
- "Oru Ponnu Onnu" is based on the song "Jab Nain Milein Nainon Se, Laaraa Lu" from Jadoo (1951).[citation needed]
- Appu (2000)
- "Punnagaikku" is based on "Farolito" (Little Star) from the album Abriendo Puertas by Gloria Estefan.[citation needed]
- Citizen (2001)
- "I Like You" is based on "I Feel Lonely" by German singer Sasha.[17]
- Bagavathi (2002)
- "Allu Allu" is based on "Nari Narain" by Egyptian singer Hisham Abbas.[11]
- "July Malargale" is based on "Jaana" from the album Suno to Deewana Dil, which was composed by Anand Raaj Anand and performed by Kamaal Khan.[citation needed]
- "Saiyo Saiyo" is based on "Suno to Deewana Dil" from the album of the same name, which was composed by Anand Raaj Anand and performed by Kamaal Khan.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ a b DINAKARAN dinakaran.com. "dinakaran". Archived from the original on 11 January 2001. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
- ^ ஒளரங்கசீப் (21 January 1996). "சினிமா உலகம் பணத்தை மதிக்கிறது!" (PDF). Kalki (in Tamil). pp. 6–8. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
- ^ "How Tamil composer Deva rolled out the hits: 'A film song should immediately register with people'". 24 June 2018.
- ^ "Deva sings for Anirudh !". The Times of India. 14 April 2014.
- ^ வெண்பா/Venba [@venbaGame] (7 February 2023). "Humbled, grateful, and ecstatic to announce that Thenisai Thendral Deva (@ungaldevaoffl) has sung a song for us in Venba!!! 🙌 Special thanks to @alpha_something who has written and composed this absolute banger!! Can't believeeeee we got to do this!!! 🥹 🥹". via Twitter. Retrieved on 30 July 2023.
- ^ Alpha Something [@alphasomething] (24 July 2023). "செல்லக்குட்டி / Chellakutty from Venba Original Soundtrack. The Venba team is extremely fortunate to have @ungaldevaoffl sing for our game, and no doubt he's made it into a complete banger! 💥💜". via Instagram. Retrieved on 30 July 2023.
- ^ Venba | A game about cooking, family and more. Retrieved on 30 July 2023.
- ^ "45th Annual Filmfare Best Kannada Music Director : Santosh : Free Dow…". archive.is. 5 February 2017. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017.
- ^ "deva_won_filmfare__best_kannada_music_director : santosh : Free Downl…". archive.is. 5 February 2017. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017.
- ^ "Sollie Adippaen has youthful music".
- ^ a b c S, Karthik. "Deva [Tamil]". ItwoFS. Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d Srinivasan, Karthik (19 February 2019). "How Four Songs In Tholi Prema Were Plagiarized From Ricky Martin, Lucky Ali, Two French Musicians And A Nigerian Artiste". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
- ^ "Superhit Tamil songs that were inspired from other songs". Suryan FM. 1 June 2018. Archived from the original on 23 January 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ Srinivasan, Sudhir (30 September 2016). "Mindframe: Inspired stuff". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 16 October 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
- ^ a b Srinivasan, Karthik (12 February 2019). "How 3 Songs In A 1999 Tamil Film Were Blatantly Ripped Off From The Backstreet Boys, A Tom Hanks Movie And A Nigerian Musician". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 15 November 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
- ^ a b Ramanujam, Srinivasa (18 May 2020). "Deva interview: 'Kushi' proved that I could do more than just 'gaana'". The Hindu.
- ^ "20 Years of Thala Ajith's Citizen: Five interesting facts about the film". The Times of India. 12 June 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2024.