Ilaiyaraaja

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Ilaiyaraaja
இளையராஜா

Ilaiyaraaja at his studio in Chennai
Background information
Birth name Gnanadesikan
Also known as Ilaiyaraaja, Raja
Born June 3, 1943 (1943-06-03) (age 68)[1]
Origin Pannaipuram, Theni, Madras Presidency
Genres Film score, World music
Occupations Film score composer, lyricist, music director, songwriter, singer, conductor, instrumentalist and Film producer
Instruments Vocals, (playback singing), guitar, keyboard, harmonium, piano
Years active 1976–present
Website www.raaja.com

Ilaiyaraaja (Tamil: இளையராஜா) (born Gnanadesikan[2] on 3 June 1943) is an Indian film composer, singer, and lyricist mainly in the Tamil film Industry.[3][4] He is regarded as one of the finest music composers in India.[5][6][7][8][9] Ilaiyaraaja is also an instrumentalist, conductor, and a songwriter. To date, he has composed over 4500 songs and provided film scores for more than 950 Indian films in various languages in a career spanning more than 30 years,[10][11][12][13] particularly being acclaimed for his background scoring for Indian films. His songs and background score played a very crucial role in the success of many films.[4][14][15][16] He remains as one of the most popular composers ever in the South Indian film industry.[17]

Ilaiyaraaja has been a prominent composer of film music in South Indian cinema since the late 1970s.[18] His works are mainly in Tamil, but has also scored music for Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi[19] and Hindi film industries. He integrated folk lyricism (in Tamil) and introduced broader Western musical sensibilities into the South Indian musical mainstream. A gold medalist in classical guitar from Trinity College of Music, London, in 1993 he became the first Asian to compose a full symphony performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London's Walthamstow Town Hall.[20][21][22][23] In 2003, according to a BBC international poll, people from 155 countries voted his composition "Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu" from the 1991 film Thalapathi fourth in the world's top 10 most popular songs of all time.[24] He was also nominated in the Best Indian album Music Awards category[25] at US based Just Plain Folks Music Organization, which is the largest grassroots music organization in the world,[26] and stood third for his "Music Journey: Live in Italy".[25][27]

In the 2000s, he composed a variety of non-film music, including religious and devotional songs, an oratorio, and world music, while shifting his focus to Malayalam films. He is usually referred to by the title Isaignani (Tamil: இசைஞானி; English: A man with great knowledge in music), or as The Maestro. He has won four Indian National Film Awards; three for Best Music Direction and one for Best Background Score[28] and is a recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award from the Government of India.

Contents

[edit] Early life and family

Ilaiyaraaja was born as Gnanadesikan in Pannaipuram, Theni district, Tamil Nadu,[29] India, but when he was joined in the school his father changed his name as "Rajaiya" but his village people used to call him as "Raasayya". Ilaiyaraaja joined Dhanraj Master as a student to learn musical instruments and the master renamed and called him as just "Raaja".[30] In his first movie Annakili Tamil film producer Panchu Arunachalam added "Ilaiya" (Ilaiya means younger in Tamil language) as prefix in his name Raaja and he named as "Ilaiyaraaja" because in 1970's there was one more music director A. M. Rajah who was a popular one.

Ilaiyaraaja is married to Jeeva and the couple have three children—Karthik Raja, Yuvan Shankar Raja and Bhavatharini—all film composers and singers.[31][32] His wife Jeeva passed away on October 31, 2011.[33]

[edit] Early exposure to music

Ilaiyaraaja was growing up in a rural area, he was exposed to a range of Tamil folk music.[34] At the age of 14, he joined a travelling musical troupe headed by his elder stepbrother, Pavalar Varadarajan, and spent the next decade performing throughout South India.[35][36] While working with the troupe, he penned his first composition, a musical adaptation of an elegy written by the Tamil poet laureate Kannadasan for Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister.[37] In 1968, Ilaiyaraaja began a music course with Professor Dhanraj in Madras (now Chennai),[30] which included an overview of Western classical music, compositional training in techniques such as counterpoint, and study in instrumental performance.[38] Ilaiyaraaja specialized in classical guitar and had taken a course in it at the Trinity College of Music, London.[39]

[edit] Session musician and film orchestrator

In the 1970s in Chennai, Ilaiyaraaja played guitar in a band-for-hire, and worked as a session guitarist, keyboardist, and organist for film music composers and directors such as Salil Chowdhury from West Bengal.[40][41][42] After being hired as the musical assistant to Kannada film composer G. K. Venkatesh, he worked on 200 film projects, mostly in the Kannada language.[43] As G. K. Venkatesh's assistant, Ilaiyaraaja would orchestrate the melodic outlines developed by Venkatesh. During this period, Ilaiyaraaja also began writing his own scores. To hear his compositions, he would persuade Venkatesh's session musicians to play excerpts from his scores during their break times.[35] Ilaiyaraaja would hire instruments from composer R. K. Shekhar, father of composer A. R. Rahman, who later joined Ilaiyaraaja's orchestra as a keyboardist.

[edit] Film composer

In 1976, film producer Panchu Arunachalam commissioned him to compose the songs and film score for a Tamil-language film called Annakkili ('The Parrot').[44] For the soundtrack, Ilaiyaraaja applied the techniques of modern popular film music orchestration to Tamil folk poetry and folk song melodies, which created a fusion of Western and Tamil idioms.[45][46] Ilaiyaraaja's use of Tamil music in his film scores injected new influence into the Indian film score milieu.[47] By the mid-1980s Ilaiyaraaja was gaining increasing stature as a film composer and music director in the South Indian film industry.[18] He has worked with acclaimed Indian poets and lyricists such as Kannadasan, Vaali, Vairamuthu, Veturi Sundararama Murthy, Sirivennela Sitaramasastri, O. N. V. Kurup and Gulzar[48] and celebrated film directors such as Bharathiraja, K. Balachander, K. Vishwanath, Vamsi, Balu Mahendra, Priyadarshan, Ram Gopal Varma, Mani Ratnam and R. Balki.[49]

[edit] Impact and musical style

Ilaiyaraaja was one of the earliest Indian film composers to use Western classical music harmonies and string arrangements in Indian film music.[50] This allowed him to craft a rich tapestry of sounds for films, and his themes[51] and background score gained notice and appreciation among Indian film audiences.[52] The range of expressive possibilities in Indian film music was broadened by Ilaiyaraaja's methodical approach to arranging, recording technique, and his drawing of ideas from a diversity of musical styles.[50]

According to musicologist P. Greene, Ilaiyaraaja's "deep understanding of so many different styles of music allowed him to create syncretic pieces of music combining very different musical idioms in unified, coherent musical statements".[18] Ilaiyaraaja has composed Indian film songs that amalgamated elements of genres such as Afro-tribal,[53] bossa nova,[54] dance music (e.g., disco),[55] doo-wop,[56] flamenco,[57] acoustic guitar-propelled Western folk,[58] funk,[59] Indian classical,[60] Indian folk/traditional,[61] jazz,[62] march,[63] pathos,[64] pop,[65] psychedelia,[66] and rock and roll.

By virtue of this variety and his interfusion of Western, Indian folk and Carnatic elements, Ilaiyaraaja's compositions appeal to the Indian rural dweller for its rhythmic folk qualities, the Indian classical music enthusiast for the employment of Carnatic ragams,[67] and the urbanite for its modern, Western-music sound.[68] Ilaiyaraaja's sense of visualization for composing music is always to match up with the storyline of the running movie and possibly by doing so, he creates the best experience for the audience to feel the emotions flavored through his musical score. He mastered this art of blending music to the narration, which very few others managed to adapt themselves over a longer time.[17]

Although Ilaiyaraaja uses a range of complex compositional techniques, he often sketches out the basic melodic ideas for films in a very spontaneous fashion.[18][34] The Indian filmmaker Mani Ratnam illustrates:

Ilayaraja would look at the scene once, and immediately start giving notes to his assistants, as a bunch of musicians, hovering around him, would collect the notes for their instrument and go to their places. When the orchestra played out the notes, they would be perfect, not just in harmony but also in timing — the background score would commence exactly where it should and end at the exact place required. Ilayaraja was a genius, who could compose music with just one look at the scene.

[edit] Musical characteristics

Ilaiyaraaja's music is characterised by the use of an orchestration technique that is a synthesis of Western and Indian instruments and musical modes. He uses electronic music technology that integrates synthesisers, electric guitars and keyboards, drum machines, rhythm boxes and MIDI with large orchestras that feature traditional instruments such as the veena, venu, nadaswaram, dholak, mridangam and tabla as well as Western lead instruments such as saxophones and flutes.[18][69]

He uses catchy melodies fleshed out with a variety of chord progressions, beats and timbres.[70][71][72] Ilaiyaraaja's songs typically have a musical form where vocal stanzas and choruses are interspersed with orchestral preludes and interludes.[73] They often contain polyphonic melodies, where the lead vocals are interwoven with supporting melody lines sung by another voice or played by instruments.[74]

The basslines in his songs tend to be melodically dynamic, rising and falling in a dramatic fashion.[71] Polyrhythms are also apparent, particularly in songs with Indian folk or Carnatic influences. The melodic structure of his songs demand considerable vocal virtuosity, and have found expressive platform amongst some of India's respected vocalists and playback singers, such as S. P. Balasubramaniam, K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki, K. S. Chitra, Swarnalatha, S. P. Sailaja, T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela, Sujatha, Malaysia Vasudevan, Asha Bhonsle, Lata Mangeshkar, Sadhana Sargam and the latest sensation Shreya Ghoshal.[75] Ilaiyaraaja has sung over 400 of his own compositions for films,[76][77] and is recognisable by his stark, nasal voice. He has penned the lyrics for some of his songs in Tamil and other languages.[78][79][80] Ilaiyaraaja's film scores are known both for the dramatic and evocative melodies, and for the more subtle background music that he uses to provide texture or mood for scenes in films such as Johnny (1980), Mouna Raagam (1986), Geethanjali (1989) and Guna (1991).

[edit] Non-cinematic output

Thiruvasakam album cover, a symphony oratorio based on ancient Tamil poem.

Ilaiyaraaja's first two non-film albums were explorations in the fusion of Indian and Western classical music. The first, How To Name It? (1986),[81] is dedicated to the Carnatic master Tyāgarāja and to J. S. Bach. It features a fusion of the Carnatic form and ragas with Bach partitas, fugues and Baroque musical textures.[82] The second, Nothing But Wind (1988), was performed by flutist Hariprasad Chaurasia and a 50-piece orchestra and takes the conceptual approach suggested in the title — that music is a natural phenomenon akin to various forms of air currents (e.g., the wind, breeze, tempest etc.).[83]

He has composed a set of Carnatic kritis that was recorded by electric mandolinist U. Srinivas for the album Ilayaraaja's Classicals on the Mandolin (1994).[84] Ilaiyaraaja has also composed albums of religious/devotional songs. His Guru Ramana Geetam (2004) is a cycle of prayer songs inspired by the Hindu mystic Ramana Maharishi,[85] and his Thiruvasakam: A crossover (2005) is an oratorio of ancient Tamil poems transcribed partially in English by American lyricist Stephen Schwartz and performed by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra.[86][87] Ilaiyaraaja's most recent release is a world music-oriented album called The Music Messiah (2006).[88] Its musical concept is based against a mythological narrative.[73][89] His recent release in November 2008, is Manikantan Geet Mala released by India Tales with 9 songs praising Lord Ayyappa in almost all south Indian languages.[citation needed]

[edit] Albums (instrumental, non-film)

Year Album Year Album Year Album
1986 How to Name It 1988 Nothing but Wind 2000 Raajavin Ramanamalai, Guru Ramana Geetam
2001 Geethanjali 2002 Amma Paamalai 2003 India 24 Hours
2005 Thiruvasagam 2007 The Music Messiah 2008 Manikantan Geet Mala
2009 Namratha Ke Sagar 2010 Ramana Saranam Saranam, Baba Pugazh Maalai 2011 Amma - Short film

[edit] Notable works

See also: Ilaiyaraaja discography

Ilaiyaraaja's composition "Rakkama Kaiya Thattu", sung by SPB and Swarnalatha in the movie Thalapathi (1991), was among the songs listed in a BBC World Top Ten music poll.[90] He composed the music for Nayagan (1987), an Indian film ranked by TIME Magazine as one of the all-time 100 best movies,[91] a number of India's official entries to the Oscars, such as Anjali (1990)[92] and Hey Ram (2000),[93] and for Indian art films such as Adoor Gopalakrishnan's FIPRESCI Prize-winning Nizhalkkuthu ('The Dance of Shadows') (2002).[94] Ilaiyaraaja has composed music for events such as the 1996 Miss World beauty pageant that was held in Bangalore, India, and for a documentary called India 24 Hours (1996).[95][96] The pop/hip-hop band The Black Eyed Peas sampled an Ilaiyaraaja composition called "Unakkum Ennakum", from the film Sri Raghavendra (1985), for their tune "The Elephunk Theme" from their breakout album, Elephunk (2003).[97] The alternative artist M.I.A. sampled his composition "Kaatukuyilu" from the film Thalapathi (1991) for her song "Bamboo Banga" on the album Kala (2007).[98] His music compositions for the Hindi movie Paa (December 3, 2009) has won critical acclaim in several media reviews.

[edit] Live performances

Ilaiyaraaja rarely performs his music live, which may be due to the time he devotes to his composing activities.[99] His last major live performance, the first in 25 years, was a four-hour concert held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, India on October 16, 2005.[100] The show was widely televised both in India and abroad, in which he played a song with just three notes (sa re ga).[101] Less well-known was his live 2004 performance in Italy at the Teatro Comunale di Modena, an event-concert presented for the 14th edition of Angelica, Festival Internazionale Di Musica, co-produced with the L'Altro Suono Festival.[102][103] He had done a few small-scale shows early in his career in Sri Lanka and Malaysia and was involved in a charity concert to raise funds for the construction of a Hindu temple in India.[99] A television retrospective titled Ithu Ilaiyaraja ('This is Ilaiyaraja') was produced, chronicling his career.[104] He last performed live at the audio release function of Dhoni film and before that he performed a programme that was conducted and telecasted by Jaya TV titled Enendrum Raja ('Everlasting Raja') on December 28, 2011 at Jahawarlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai.

[edit] Partial discography

Main article: Ilaiyaraaja discography

[edit] Tamil

Year Album Year Album Year Album
1976 Annakili, Bhadrakali, Uravadum Nenjam 1977 16 Vayathinile, Kavikkuyil, Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri 1978 Sigappu Rojakkal, Bairavi,Mullum Malarum, Priya
1979 Annai Oru Aalayam, Kalyanaraman, Dharma Yuddham 1980 Ullasa Paravaigal, Thai Pongal, Johnny, Nizhalgal, Murattu Kaalai, Anbukku Naan Adimai 1981 Tik Tik Tik, Ellam Inba Mayyam, Panneer Pushpangal, Meendum Kokila, Kazhugu, Raja Parvai
1982 Moondram Pirai, Sagalakala Vallavan, Kathal Oviyam 1983 Aanandha Kummi, Thanga Magan, Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey, Aayiram Nilave Vaa, Paayum Puli, Andha Sila Naatkal, Annae Annae, Kokkarakko 1984 Enakkul Oruvan, Nallavanuku Nallavan, Kai Kodukkum Kai, Anbulla Rajinikanth, Oru Kaidhiyin Diary
1985 Muthal Mariyathai, Sindhu Bhairavi, Kaakki Sattai, Sri Raghavendra, Idaya Kovil, Padikkadavan, Naan Sigappu Manithan, Uyarndha Ullam, Poove Poochudava 1986 Mouna Raagam, Punnagai Mannan, Vikram, Mr. Bharath 1987 Nayagan, Kadhal Parisu, Per Sollum Pillai
1988 Sathya, Dharmathin Thalaivan, Agni Natchathiram, Unnal Mudiyum Thambi, Naan Sonnathe Sattam 1989 Rajadhi Raja, Siva, Apoorva Sagodharargal, Vetri Vizha, Karagattakaran 1990 Adhisaya Piravi, Anjali
1991 Thalapathi, Guna, Chinna Thambi, Captain Prabhakaran 1992 Mannan, Chembaruthi, Chinna Gounder, Bharathan, Thevar Magan, Pandiyan 1993 Ejamaan, Marupadiyum, Poovilangu, Valli, Ponnumani, Kalaignan
1994 Mahanadhi, Sethupathi IPS, Veera 1995 Makkal Aatchi, Chinna Vaathiyaar, Nandhavan Theru, Sathi Leelavathi 1996 Poo Mani, Poovarasan
1997 Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, Raman Abdullah 1998 Anthapuram 1999 Sethu, Kadhal Kavithai, Housefull
2000 Hey Ram, Bharathi, Kaadhal Rojave, Kaakai Chiraginile, Kannukkul Nilavu 2001 Friends, Kutty 2002 Azhagi, Ivan, Enn Mana Vaanil, Ramanna, Solla Marantha Kadhai
2003 Pithamagan, Julie Ganapathy, Manasellam 2004 Virumaandi, Kamaraj 2005 Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam, Mumbai Express, Oru Naal Oru Kanavu, Karakattakari
2006 Pachakudhira 2007 Ajantha, Maya Kannadi 2008 Dhanam, Inimey Nangathan, Uliyin Osai
2009 Naan Kadavul, Azhagar Malai,Jagan Mohini,Vaalmiki 2010 Nandalala 2011 Ayyan,Thandavakonae,Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai, Ponnar Shankar, Mayilu
2012 Dhoni, Neethane En Ponvasantham, Sengathu Bhoomiyile

[edit] Telugu

Year Album Year Album
1976 1978 Vayasu Pilichindi
1979 Yugandhar 1980 Guru
1981 Seethakoka Chiluka, Tik Tik Tik 1982 Nireekshana, Vasantha Kokila
1983 Abhilasha, Manthrigari Viyyankudu, Saagara Sangamam, Seethakoka Chiluka, Sitaara, Rajakumar 1984 Challenge, Merupu Daadi, Sitaara, Sahasame Jeevitham, Samaram
1985 Anveshana, Swathi Muthyam, Preminchu Pelladu, Aalapana, Jwala, Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu, Pagale Vennela 1986 Ladies Tailor, Manchi Manasulu, Rakshasudu, Sri Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam, Kirathakudu
1987 Aakhari Poratam, Rudraveena, Swarna Kamalam, Aradhana, Indrudu Chandrudu, Nayakudu (dubbed from Nayakan), Pelli Natakam, Sankeerthana 1988 Abhinandana, Chinababu, Maharshi, Sri Kanakamahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe, Marana Mrudangam, Prema, Rakthabhishekam, Varasudochhadu
1989 Geethanjali, Kokila, Shiva, Chettukinda Pleader, Rudranetra, Premanjali 1990 Bobbili Raja, Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari, Kondaveeti Donga, Anjali, April 1 Vidudhala, O Papa Lali
1991 Surya IPS, Chaithanya, Nirnayam, Killer, Aditya 369, Chanti, Coolie No. 1, Sri Yedukondala Swamy, Stuartpuram Police Station 1992 Detective Narada, Dharma Kshetram, Aswamedham, Chinarayudu, Meera, Chamanthi, Dalapathi (dubbed from Tamil), Killer, Moratodu Naa Mogudu, Prema Vijetha, Pattudala
1993 Aa Okkati Adakku, Amma Koduku 1997 Chinnabbayi, Kunthi Putrudu
1998 Antahpuram 2002 Preminchedi Endukamma
2002 Ninuchoodaka Nenundalenu, Pelli Koduku Ammabadunu, Seshu 2003 Shambu
2004 Shiv Shankar 2007 Anumanaspadam, Sunny
2008 Mallepuvvu 2010 Om Shanti, Gaayam 2
2011 Sri Rama Rajyam 2012 Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu

[edit] Malayalam

Year Album Year Album Year Album
1978 Vyamoham 1980 Dooram Arike 1981 Garjanam
1982 Olangal, Aa Rathri, Aalolam 1983 Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu, Oomakkuyil, Pinnilavu 1984 My Dear Kuttichathan-3D, Mangalam Nerunnu, Onnanu Nammal, Unaru
1985 Yathra 1986 Poomukhapadiyil Ninneyum Kathu, Kaveri 1988 Moonnam Pakkam
1989 Adharvam, Chaithram, Season 1991 Anaswaram, Ente Sooryaputhrikku 1992 Pappayude Swantham Appoos, Aparatha
1993 Jackpot 1996 Kaalapani, Man of the Match 1997 Guru, Kaliyoonjal, Oru Yathramozhi
1998 Anuragakottaram, Manjeera Dhwani 1999 Friends 2000 Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal, Kallu Kondoru Pennu
2003 Manassinakkare, Nizhalkuthu 2005 Ponmudipuzhayorathu, Achuvinte Amma 2006 Rasathanthram, Pachakuthira
2007 Vinodayathra, Sooryan 2008 Innathe Chintha Vishayam, S M S 2009 Bhagyadevatha, Pazhassi Raja
2010 Kadha Thudarunnu 2011 Snehaveedu, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star 2012

[edit] Hindi

Year Album Year Album Year Album
1983 Sadma 1987 Kamagni 1989 Mahaadev
1990 Shiva 1996 Aur Ek Prem Kahani 1996
1999 Hey Ram 2001 Lajja 2005 Mumbai Xpress, Divorce
2006 Shiva 2007 Cheeni Kum 2009 Chal Chalein, Paa
2011 Happi,[105] SRK 2012 Assi Nabbe Poorey Sau 2013

[edit] Marathi

Year Album
2011 Hello Jai Hind!

[edit] Kannada

Year Album Year Album
1978 Maathu Tappada Maga 1981 Geetha, Janma Janmada Anubandha, Nee Nanna Gellalare
1983 Accident, Pallavi Anu Pallavi 1984 Bharjari Bete,"onddu muthina kathe"
1996 Nammoora Mandara Hoove, Shivasainya 1998 Hoomale
2004 Namma Preetiya Ramu 2007 Aa Dinagalu
2009 Nannavanu, Bhagyadha Balegara, Prem Kahani 2010 Suryakaanti
2011 Hare Rama Hare Krishna 2012 Prasad

[edit] See also

[edit] References and notes

  1. ^ Ilayaraja celebrates birthday in style, sify.com., Moviebuzz June 2, 2010, 16:05:06
  2. ^ UK. "Thursday, 10 June. Accessed 9 June 2009". Myspace.com. http://www.myspace.com/theroyalphilharmonicorchestra. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
  3. ^ Ilayaraja gets Padma Bhushan, Published January 26, 2010
  4. ^ a b "Ilayaraja's Profile". Breezemagic.net. http://www.breezemagic.net/forum/index.php?topic=2162.0. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
  5. ^ "An 'Unknown' Indian Film Music master". Film Score Monthly. March 9, 2009.
  6. ^ "‘No words can describe Ilayaraja’: Amitabh Bachchan". Anon. blog, Planetradiocity.com. 2010.
  7. ^ Anand Subramanian, "Upperstall Profile: Ilayaraja". Upperstall.com, [n.d.].
  8. ^ Anon., "Maestro Ilaiyaraaja—An Introduction", album notes to CD recording, Ilaiyaraaja's Music Journey: Live in Italy. Agi Music 9555356800022. Bologna: I dischi di angelica, [n.d.]. Cited on CDBaby.com website. A music director and composer
  9. ^ Trinity College of London to felicitate Illayaraja and 5 others, radioand music.com, Aug 25 10 14:07 IST
  10. ^ SEARCH showing results "Ilaiyaraaja” JOINT SCENE INDIA
  11. ^ Allirajan, M. "Musical journeys". The Hindu. June 10, 2004. Accessed October 12, 2006.
  12. ^ Behal, S. "Melodious music". The Hindu. July 23, 2006. Accessed October 12, 2006.
  13. ^ "Ilaiyaraja to score music for a Marathi film". Kollytalk. http://www.kollytalk.com/cinenews/ilayaraja-to-score-music-to-a-marathi-film/. Retrieved July 2, 2011. 
  14. ^ "Specials, One man show". Cinesouth.com. April 21, 2006. http://www.cinesouth.com/specials/specials/ilayarajaspl.shtml. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
  15. ^ "Ilaiyaraaja — film composer". Mfiles.co.uk. http://www.mfiles.co.uk/composers/Ilaiyaraaja.htm. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
  16. ^ Subramanian, Vignesh (February 16, 2009). "Indian composer Ilaiyaraaja is a genius". Thecommentfactory.com. http://www.thecommentfactory.com/indian-composer-ilaiyaraaja-is-a-genius-how-long-can-the-west-ignore-him-1878/. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
  17. ^ a b S. Theodore Baskaran "Jnana To Gana: Consistent eclecticism has kept Tamil film music virile". Outlookindia.com, June 26, 2006.
  18. ^ a b c d e Greene, P.D. 1997. Film music: Southern area. Pp. 542-546 in B. Nettl, R.M. Stone, J. Porter and T. Rice (eds.). The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music. Volume V: South Asia — The Indian Subcontinent. New York: Garland Pub. (p. 544).
  19. ^ "Now, Ilayaraja makes melodies in Marathi". dnaindia.com. June 26, 2011. http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_now-ilayaraja-makes-melodies-in-marathi_1559187. Retrieved June 30, 2011. 
  20. ^ "Profile, Ilaiyaraaja". Ilayaraja.freeservers.com. http://www.ilayaraja.freeservers.com/ilayaraja-profile.htm. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
  21. ^ "Legend, Ilaiyaraaja". Ilayaraja.freeservers.com. http://www.ilayaraja.freeservers.com/legend.htm. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
  22. ^ "Indiaglitz, 2 June 2007". Indiaglitz.com. http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/31525.html. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
  23. ^ "Home, Ilaiyaraaja". Ilayaraja.freeservers.com. http://www.ilayaraja.freeservers.com/index.htm. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
  24. ^ THE WORLD'S TOP TEN, BBC World Service.com
  25. ^ a b A. R. Rahman wins 'Grassroot Grammy', THE HINDU, New Delhi Sep 2, 2009
  26. ^ "JPF". Justplainfolks.org. http://www.justplainfolks.org/. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
  27. ^ Ilaiyaraaja's Music Journey: Live in Italy, Live Recording Genre: World Asian Release Date: 2005, cdbaby.com
  28. ^ Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India. 2006. Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original on April 18, 2007. Accessed November 22, 2006.
  29. ^ "Pride of Tamils". The Hindu (Chennai, India). November 27, 2004. http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/11/27/stories/2004112700900300.htm. 
  30. ^ a b "Humorist springs a surprise". The Hindu (Chennai, India). August 8, 2008. http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/08/08/stories/2008080850910200.htm. 
  31. ^ Sangeetha Devi, K. "Music from the past". The Hindu. January 13, 2007. Accessed March 3, 2007.
  32. ^ Staff reporter. "Ilaiyaraja's daughter gets engaged". The Hindu. August 5, 2005. Accessed March 3, 2007.
  33. ^ "Music maestro Ilayaraja's wife passes away". The Hindu (Chennai, India). November 1, 2011. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article2587916.ece. 
  34. ^ a b Mohan, A. 1994. Ilaiyaraja: composer as phenomenon in Tamil film culture. M.A. thesis, Wesleyan University (pp. 106-107).
  35. ^ a b Ramnarayanan, G. "Matchless in quality and speed!" The Hindu. May 26, 1989. Accessed October 13, 2006.
  36. ^ Ilaiyaraja. 1999. Sangeetha Kanavugal (2nd edition). Chennai, India: Kalaignaan Pathipagam.
  37. ^ Rangarajan, M. "Memorable evening in many ways". The Hindu. July 9, 2004. Accessed November 19, 2006.
  38. ^ Panneerselvan, A.S. 1989. "Ilaiyaraaja — Musical mission (Part 1)". Frontline, (date of publication indeterminate). Accessed March 5, 2008.
  39. ^ Author unknown. "No point in classifying music, says Ilayaraja". The Hindu. June 19, 2005. Accessed February 1, 2007.
  40. ^ Gautam, S. "'Suhana safar' with Salilda". The Hindu. November 13, 2004. Accessed October 13, 2006.
  41. ^ Chennai, S. "Looking back: flawless harmony in his music". The Hindu. November 20, 2005. Accessed November 15, 2006.
  42. ^ Choudhury, R. 2005. The films of Salil Chowdhury: Introduction. Accessed November 16, 2006.
  43. ^ Vijayakar, R. "The prince in Mumbai". Screen. July 21, 2006. Accessed February 6, 2007.
  44. ^ "Let down by screenplay -- Maayakkannaadi". The Hindu (Chennai, India). April 20, 2007. http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/04/20/stories/2007042000230200.htm. 
  45. ^ Greene, P.D. 2001. "Authoring the Folk: the crafting of a rural popular music in south India". Journal of Intercultural Studies 22 (2): 161–172.
  46. ^ Sivanarayanan, A. 2004. Translating Tamil Dalit poetry. World Literature Today 78(2): 56-58.
  47. ^ Baskaran, S.T. "Music for the people". The Hindu. January 6, 2002. Accessed November 15, 2006.
  48. ^ RaajaNGAHM Online. 2000. Discography: Film database — Lyricist list. Accessed February 7, 2007.
  49. ^ Ilaiyaraja.com. Undated. Directors. Accessed February 14, 2007.
  50. ^ a b Venkatraman, S. 1995. "Film music: the new intercultural idiom of 20th century Indian music". pp. 107-112 in A. Euba and C.T. Kimberlin (eds.). Intercultural Music Vol. I. Bayreuth: Breitinger (p. 110).
  51. ^ e.g., the title themes for the films Sigappu Rojakkal (1978), Netrikkan (1981) and Mouna Raagam (1986), and the instrumental themes in Raja Paarvai (1981) and Punnagai Mannan (1986).
  52. ^ Venkatraman, S. 1995. "Film music: the new intercultural idiom of 20th century Indian music". pp. 107-112 in A. Euba and C.T. Kimberlin (eds.). Intercultural Music Vol. I. Bayreuth: Breitinger (p. 111).
  53. ^ "Aasayil Kaatrula" from Johnny (1980).
  54. ^ "Kadhal Oviyam" from Alaigal Oivathillai (1981).
  55. ^ e.g., "Solla Solla Enna Perumai" from Ellam Inba Mayam (1981); "Ilamai Itho" from Sakalakalavallavan (1982); "Paatu Enggey" from Poovizhi Vasalile (1987).
  56. ^ "Pudhu Mappilaiku", Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989).
  57. ^ refer, for instance, to the musical vignettes/interludes that accompany the rock-lifting scenes in the film Muthal Mariyathai (1985).
  58. ^ "Roja Ondru" and "Ponmane Theduthey" from the soundtrack of the film Oh Maane Maane (1984).
  59. ^ e.g., the comedic funks "Oru Nayagan Uthayamagiraan" from Dhavani Kanavugal (1984), and "Ada Machamulla" from Chinna Veedu (1985).
  60. ^ "Kalaivaniye" and "Paadariyen Padipariyen" from Sindhu Bhairavi (1985).
  61. ^ e.g., "Poongatru Thirumbuma" from Muthal Mariyathai (1985).
  62. ^ e.g., the fusion-jazz/pop sound of "Vikram", from Vikram (1986).
  63. ^ "Raja Kaiya Vecha", Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989).
  64. ^ e.g., "Chittukku Chella Chittukku" from Nallavanukku Nallavan (1984); "Aarariro" from Thaaikku Oru Thaalaattu (1986).
  65. ^ e.g., "Antha Naal Nyaabagam" from Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam (2005); "Videya Videya" from Sethu (1999); "Vaan Engum" from Moondram Pirai (1983).
  66. ^ e.g., "Vaanam Keezhe Vandhal Enna" from Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey (1983).
  67. ^ Panneerselvan, A.S. 1993. Master of melody, Ilaiyaraaja: Challenging musical frontiers. Frontline, September 10. Accessed March 5, 2008.
  68. ^ Greene, P.D. 1997. Film music: Southern area. Pp. 542-546 in B. Nettl, R.M. Stone, J. Porter and T. Rice (eds.). The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music. Volume V: South Asia — The Indian Subcontinent. New York: Garland Pub. (p. 545).
  69. ^ Balaji, R.S. 2002. Lessons from Maestro Ilayaraja: Lesson 10, expressing moods through music — 2. Accessed November 15, 2006.
  70. ^ Subramanian, V. Undated. 9th chords in Rajaa's music. Accessed October 13, 2006.
  71. ^ a b Subramanian, V. Undated. The boss of bass. Accessed October 13, 2006.
  72. ^ Balaji, R.S. 2002. Lessons from Maestro Ilayaraja: A case study on Maestro Ilayaraja's style of music. Accessed October 13, 2006.
  73. ^ a b CD Baby. 2006. Ilaiyaraaja - The Music Messiah (with notes in CD sleeve). Accessed February 27, 2007.
  74. ^ e.g., "Poo Maalayeh Thol Sera Vaa" from Pagal Nilavu (1985).
  75. ^ RaajaNGAHM Online. 2000. Discography: Film database — List of singers. Accessed October 13, 2006.
  76. ^ e.g., "Nila Athu Vaanathu Mele" from Nayakan (1987); "Appanendrum Ammayenrum" from Guna (1991).
  77. ^ RaajaNGAHM Online. 2000. Discography: Film database — List of singers: Ilaiyaraaja. Accessed November 19, 2006.
  78. ^ RaajaNGAHM Online. 2000. Discography: Film database — Lyrics by Ilaiyaraaja. Accessed February 7, 2007.
  79. ^ Rangarajan, M. "From Texas to tinsel town". The Hindu, October 15, 2004. Accessed February 1, 2007.
  80. ^ Ashok Kumar, S.R. "Variety fare for Pongal". The Hindu. January 9, 2004. Accessed February 1, 2007.
  81. ^ This album was also incidentally used as the score for the Balu Mahendra film, Veedu (1988).
  82. ^ Greene, P.D. 1997. Film music: Southern area. Pp. 542-546 in B. Nettl, R.M. Stone, J. Porter and T. Rice (eds.). The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music. Volume V: South Asia — The Indian Subcontinent. New York: Garland Pub. (pp. 544-545).
  83. ^ Oriental Records. Undated. Nothing But Wind. Accessed November 19, 2006.
  84. ^ Chennai Interactive Business Services (P) Ltd. Undated. Mandolin U. Srinivas plays Ilaiyaraaja's classics. Accessed February 6, 2007.
  85. ^ Ayyar, I. and Govindan, H. Undated. Ilaiyaraja: Guru Ramana Geetam — notes. Accessed November 19, 2006.
  86. ^ Viswanathan, S. 2005. A cultural crossover. Frontline 22 (15), July 16–29. Accessed October 13, 2006.
  87. ^ Parthasarathy, D. 2004. Thiruvasagam in 'classical crossover'. The Hindu, Friday, November 26. Accessed March 1, 2007.
  88. ^ Soman, S. 2006. 'The Music Messiah'. The Hindu, Saturday, December 30. Accessed February 27, 2007.
  89. ^ "'manikantan geet mala'". Raaga.com. http://www.raaga.com/channels/malayalam/movie/MD000140.html. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
  90. ^ BBC World Service. 2002. BBC World Service 70th Anniversary Global Music Poll: The World's Top Ten. Accessed October 13, 2006.
  91. ^ TIME Magazine. 2005. 23220, nayakan, 00.html All-TIME 100 Movies. Accessed October 13, 2006.
  92. ^ IMDb (Internet Movie Database). Undated. Biography for Mani Ratnam. Accessed October 13, 2006.
  93. ^ Loewenstein, L. 2001. Hey Ram (review). Variety, January 29. 381 (10): 60.
  94. ^ Press Information Bureau of the Government of India. 2003. Feature film: Nizhalkkuthu. Accessed November 17, 2006.
  95. ^ Dongre, A. and Malik, R. 1997. A day in the life of India. Hinduism Today, February. Accessed November 19, 2006.
  96. ^ Rakkamma.com. Undated. Albums. Accessed November 19, 2006.
  97. ^ Mehar, R. 2007. Hip-hopping around the world. The Hindu, October 17. Accessed March 14, 2008.
  98. ^ MIA, Switch (2007) [DVD 2007] (Booklet). Track listing and credits as per liner notes on Kala album (Liner notes). XL Records. 
  99. ^ a b Rangaraj, R. "This one for Ilayaraja fans". ChennaiOnline. October 16, 2005. Accessed March 7, 2007.
  100. ^ Rangarajan, M. "The Raja still reigns supreme". The Hindu. October 21, 2005. Accessed October 13, 2006.
  101. ^ "youtube link for 3 note song". Youtube.com. February 8, 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwGeHvOCxfQ. Retrieved April 20, 2011. 
  102. ^ Rangaraj, R. "Events: Ilayaraja live in Italy". Chennai Online. August 3, 2005. Accessed October 13, 2006.
  103. ^ Van Ryssen, S. "Ilaiyaraaja's Musical Journey". Leonardo Digital Review. December 2005. Accessed March 7, 2007.
  104. ^ "Ithu Ilaiyaraja". The Hindu. July 1, 2005. Accessed October 13, 2006.
  105. ^ Jha, Subhash K. "Ilayaraja's musical journey". http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Ilayarajas-musical-journey/articleshow/6053635.cms. Retrieved November 1, 2010. 

[edit] Further reading

  • Prem-Ramesh. 1998. Ilaiyaraja: Isaiyin Thathuvamum Alagiyalum (trans.: Ilaiyaraja: The Philosophy and Aesthetics of Music). Chennai: Sembulam.
  • Ilaiyaraaja. 1998. Vettaveli Thanil Kotti Kidakkuthu (trans.: My Spiritual Experiences) (3rd ed.). Chennai: Kalaignan Pathipagam. → A collection of poems by Ilaiyaraaja.
  • Ilaiyaraaja. 1998. Vazhithunai. Chennai: Saral Veliyeedu.
  • Ilaiyaraaja. 1999. Sangeetha Kanavugal (trans.: Musical Dreams) (2nd ed.). Chennai: Kalaignan Pathipagam. → An autobiography about Ilaiyaraaja's European tour and other musings.
  • Ilaiyaraaja. 2000. Ilaiyaraajavin Sinthanaigal (trans.: Ilaiyaraaja's Thoughts). Chennai: Thiruvasu Puthaka Nilayam.
  • Srinivasan, Pavithra (September 20, 2010). "Making Music, Raja-style". Rediff.com. http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/sep/20/south-ilaiyaraja-bio.htm. Retrieved October 15, 2010. 

[edit] External links
1968–1980
1981–2000
2001–present
1969–1980

G. Devarajan (1969) · G. Devarajan (1970) · V. Dakshinamoorthy (1971) · G. Devarajan (1972) · K. Raghavan, M. B. Sreenivasan (1973) · M. S. Viswanathan (1974) · Bhaskar Chendra Varker (1975) · A. T. Ummer (1976) · K. Raghavan (1977) · M. B. Sreenivasan (1978) · None (1979) · Jerry Amaldev (1980)
1981–2000

M. B. Sreenivasan (1981) · Johnson (1982) · Shyam (1983) · Shyam (1984) · G. Devarajan (1985) · Bombay Ravi (1986) · Ouseppachan (1987) · Aravindan (1988) · Johnson (1989) · Perumbavoor G. Raveendranath, Jerry Amaldev (1990) · Raveendran (1991) · Bombay Ravi (1992) · S. P. Venkatesh (1993) · Berny-Ignatius (1994) · Ilaiyaraaja (1995) · Vidyasagar (1996) · Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri (1997) · Vidyasagar (1998) · Sunny Stephen (1999) · Vidyasagar (2000)
2001–present

M. G. Radhakrishnan (2001) · Raveendran (2002) · M. Jayachandran (2003) · M. Jayachandran (2004) · M. G. Radhakrishnan (2005) · Ramesh Narayan (2006) · M. Jayachandran (2007) · M. Jayachandran (2008) · Mohan Sithara (2009) · M. Jayachandran (2010) ·
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