Legendary Musician Drummer Deva,Passes Away at 64 in Bengaluru

By: Entertainment Bureau | Bangalore Mail

Published: September 27, 2026 | Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Veteran percussionist and acclaimed music director Deva—affectionately remembered across Karnataka as ‘Kannada’s Sivamani’—passed away at his residence in RR Nagar, Bengaluru, on Saturday night following a prolonged illness. He was 64.

Deva, who had been dealing with severe health complications including gangrene and a stroke over the past few months, breathed his last surrounded by family. He is survived by his son and daughter.

From Stagehand to Sandalwood Percussion Icon

Deva’s journey in the music industry stands as an inspiring story of grit and pure passion. He entered the field at the absolute grassroots level, working as an assistant handling and cleaning instruments for live bands.

Through relentless practice and innate rhythm, he quickly mastered the drums, rising to become one of the most sought-after session musicians in South India. Over a career spanning several decades, Deva contributed drum and percussion arrangements to over 300 songs in Kannada cinema, collaborating with icons such as Dr. Rajkumar and Puneeth Rajkumar.

Collaborations with Legends: Ilaiyaraaja, Hamsalekha & Sadhu Kokila

Deva’s extraordinary timing, rapid beats, and energetic performance style earned him a permanent place alongside India’s finest music directors.

 Indian Music Industry: Performed regularly in orchestra setups led by legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja.

 Sandalwood Giants: Played a crucial role in classic soundtracks composed by Hamsalekha, Sadhu Kokila, and Gurukiran.

 Composition Work: Beyond live percussion, he composed original film scores for Kannada projects including 5 Idiots and Preethi Nee Hingyaake.

An Unyielding Spirit Until the End

Even in his final months, Deva displayed remarkable resilience. After undergoing an amputation on his right leg due to gangrene, he adapted to using a prosthetic leg and continued to play the drums.