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BOLLYWOOD SPECIAL JUNE 09, 2023 | The Indian Eye 34

Ilaiyaraaja at 80: Looking at the musical

genius and his work in South Indian cinema

The maestro forayed into Hindi cinema with Kamal Haasan’s Sadma, a remake of

Balu Mahendra’s Tamil film Moondram Pirai

OUR BUREAU

Chennai
laiyaraaja is a well-known Indian
musician, composer, arranger,
Iconductor, orchestrator, instru-
mentalist, lyricist, and singer. He was
born R. Gnanathesikan on June 3,
1943, and is best known for his work
in Tamil and Telugu cinema. He is
nothing short of a legend, having com-
posed songs for over a thousand films,
and a career spanning four decades.
His songs and music frequently
express political themes and are an
essential component of social events
and celebrations because of the
rich aural culture in the Tamil envi-
ronment. They offer both aesthetic
pleasure and linguistic and regional
pride. It is obvious how well-received
his work is since numerous people
have commented on social media
about how his music has given mean-
ing to a wide range of emotions. His
works not only served as a creative
composition but it has a message that
has relevance for a larger section of
society. Born in the village of Pannai- wood. Four years after the release of icate black-and-white movie about the listeners! All of Mani Ratnam
puram in the Theni district, he rose Sadma, Ilayaraja returned to Bolly- unrequited love. Those who listened and Ilayaraja’s songs were theatrical
to prominence quickly. He attempt- wood with Kamagni and it was soon to the radio in the late 1970s will al- feasts, and they made a fantastic team.
ed to write his own music despite followed by Raj Sippy’s Mahaadev. ways have a soft spot for this colour-
working with well-known composers. In 1996, Ilayaraja reunited with Balu ful tune in Janaki’s beautiful voice. Janani Janani
He has written music for films in the Mahendra for Aur Ek Prem Kahaani.
languages of Tamil, Telugu, Kanna- Even though Ilayaraja worked on the Metti Oli Kaatrodu,
da, Malayalam, Hindi, and Marathi. Hindi remake of Ram Gopal Varma’s from ‘Thaai Moogambhigai’
In a true sense, he was a trendsetter. Shiva and Kamal Haasan’s Hey Ram from ‘Metti’ One of the most well-known
Widely popular composer Ilayara- and Mumbai Express, which were re- Tamil devotional songs ever since its
Numerous melodies of this type
ja has come a long way since his debut leased in Hindi; it was in 2007 he made dominated the ‘80s. This Mahen- premiere is this song from the 1982
Tamil album Annakkili in 1976. With a a strong comeback with R Balki’s dran song, “Metti,” was performed movie Thaai Moogambhigai. It was
staggering record of over 1000 albums Cheeni Kum and went on to work with by Ilayaraja, with humming by Jana- one of the songs that was played
and numerous honours to his cred- him in Paa, Shamitabh and Ki & Ka. ki. Many listeners of this song claim during every meeting for worship in
it, he has left a strong imprint across Let’s look at some of his remarkable that it takes them to another realm. the 1980s.
languages with his music. Having pre- creations that left an everlasting impact. Its attractiveness is enhanced by the
dominantly worked in Tamil industry, sensual lyrics. Uravugal Thodarkathai,
the veteran composer has also worked Machana Pathingala,
in few films in other languages. In the Thenpaandi Cheemayile
Hindi industry, he has worked in just from ‘Aval Appadithan’
around half a dozen movies; howev- from ‘Annakili’
er, his work was still unparalleled. A young man who had travelled from ‘Nayagan’ The songs Ilayaraja wrote more
The maestro forayed into Hindi to Chennai in search of riches was A timeless song from a timeless than 30 years ago are still making
cinema with Kamal Haasan’s Sadma, offered the chance to compose mu- film! Understanding the words is not people happy today because of his
unique enchantment.
a remake of Balu Mahendra’s Tamil sic for Annakili in 1975. It signalled necessary to grasp the meaning. Our
film Moondram Pirai. It could be ar- the start of a phenomenon in South eyes start to tear up as a result of the This song is from the 1978 black-
gued that it was Ilayaraja’s long-time Indian cinema. Ilayaraja mixed folk song’s composition and accompany- and-white movie Aval Appadithan
association with Balu Mahendra that rhythms with the era’s film music ing video. A song that leaves such an and features the deep voice of K J
paved way for his entry into Bolly- techniques for the songs in this del- immediate, profound impression on Yesudas. The melody of the maestro
is complemented by the lyrics.

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