Composer Deva’s death: What is confirmed, what reports differ on

Confirmed: Deva died in Chennai on October 17, and the state government announced a funeral with full State honours.

Differs: the age is given as 76 by DT Next and 75 by Gulte and others.

Differs: only one report mentions a heart attack, and others give no cause.

Scheduled: the funeral in Arcot on October 18.

Career: more than 400 films, the Kalaimamani title and a State Film Award for Aasai.

Reports differ on the composer’s age, with DT Next giving 76 and Gulte and some other outlets giving 75.

One report says the death followed a reported heart attack, but the others did not give a cause.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay paid respects at the residence and announced that the final rites will be held with full State honours, according to Deccan Chronicle and DNA India.

Vijay called the death an irreplaceable loss to Tamil cinema, according to the reports.

The state government recognised the composer’s contribution to the music industry and the local flavour brought to Tamil film music, according to the reports.

Actor Rajinikanth and DMK president M K Stalin visited the T Nagar residence to pay their respects, according to India.com and other reports.

The funeral is scheduled for Arcot, the composer’s native town, on October 18, according to the reports.

Deva worked on more than 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada, according to the reports.

The honours include the Kalaimamani title and the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director for Aasai in 1995, according to the reports.

The Tamil Nadu State Film Awards list also credits the composer for Khushi in 2000 and Vaigasi Poranthachu in 1990.

Gulte’s report identifies the composer as the music director of the Telugu film Tholi Prema.

The announcement of State honours was reported by DT Next, Deccan Chronicle, DNA India and LatestLY on October 17.

Chennai (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, public domain