Ilaiyaraaja: The Maestro Who Redefined Indian Music


Ilaiyaraaja, often hailed as Isaignani (musical genius), is one of India’s most celebrated and influential music composers. With a career spanning over five decades, he has composed over 7,000 songs and scored music for more than 1,000 films in various Indian languages, predominantly Tamil. Ilaiyaraaja’s genius lies not only in his prolific output but in his unmatched ability to fuse Indian folk, classical, and Western musical styles, creating a unique and timeless body of work.

Early Life and Background

Ilaiyaraaja was born as Gnanathesikan on June 2, 1943, in Pannaipuram, a small village in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district. He grew up in a modest Dalit Christian family. His exposure to village folk music and Tamil devotional songs in his formative years had a profound impact on his musical sensibilities. He later changed his name to Raaja, which became Ilaiyaraaja (“young Raaja”) when he entered the Tamil film industry to distinguish him from another popular composer, A. M. Rajah.

His early musical journey involved performing in a traveling musical troupe with his elder brother, Pavalar Varadarajan. During this time, he composed folk songs and performed in rural areas, absorbing musical styles from the grassroots level. In the late 1960s, he moved to Chennai (then Madras) to pursue formal musical training. He studied Western classical music at Trinity College of Music, London, earning a gold medal in classical guitar. His Western training allowed him to blend global harmonies with Indian melodies — a hallmark of his style.

Entry into Cinema

Ilaiyaraaja’s entry into film music was through director Bharathiraja, who gave him his first break in the Tamil film “Annakili” (1976). The songs of Annakili, with their rural flavor and modern arrangements, were a sensation. It marked a departure from the dominant Carnatic-heavy style of the time. The film’s success catapulted Ilaiyaraaja into the limelight.

By the late 1970s and early 1980s, Ilaiyaraaja became the go-to music director for most top filmmakers in Tamil cinema. His collaborations with directors such as Balu Mahendra, Bharathiraja, K. Balachander, Mani Ratnam, and K. Bhagyaraj produced some of the most memorable soundtracks in Indian cinema history.

Musical Innovation and Style

Ilaiyaraaja’s strength lies in his fusion of genres. He integrated Indian classical ragas, Tamil folk rhythms, and Western orchestration seamlessly. He was among the first in Indian cinema to use symphonies and string orchestras in film music, recording with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra for several of his compositions.

He introduced the synthesizer and electronic sounds in South Indian film music much before they became a trend. He mastered counterpoint and harmony, often writing full orchestral scores himself — something rare among Indian composers. His background score in films like Nayakan, Thalapathi, and Mouna Ragam demonstrated how instrumental music could enhance the emotional depth of a film.

Ilaiyaraaja’s compositions are known for their complex structures, yet they remain accessible to the common listener. A song like “Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu” from Thalapathi is a perfect example — rhythmically dynamic, melodically rich, and widely popular. In fact, this song was voted one of the most popular songs ever in a BBC international poll.

Prolific Output and Multilingual Reach

Though predominantly a Tamil composer, Ilaiyaraaja has composed extensively in Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi. Some of his notable Hindi works include “Sadma”, “Cheeni Kum”, and “Paa”. His music also played a key role in popularizing regional South Indian films in other parts of India.

Unlike most composers who relied on assistants, Ilaiyaraaja composed, arranged, and orchestrated his music all by himself. It’s said that he could compose a song in just minutes, complete with notations for every instrument.

His record of composing for more than 20 films in a single year across multiple languages is unmatched. He often completed full soundtracks in less than a week — a testament to his speed, mastery, and creative vision.

Awards and Recognition

Ilaiyaraaja has received numerous awards, both national and international. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2010 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2018 — India’s third and second-highest civilian honors, respectively. He has won five National Film Awards, including for Best Background Score and Best Music Direction.

In 2006, Ilaiyaraaja became the first Asian composer to score a full symphony performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, making him a global figure in orchestral music. In 2022, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament), recognizing his contribution to Indian arts and culture.

Spiritual and Philosophical Side

Despite being surrounded by fame, Ilaiyaraaja has always projected a humble, spiritual image. He is deeply influenced by Indian philosophy and devotion, and many of his non-film works are devotional compositions. He has composed over 500 devotional songs and even released independent albums, including “Thiruvasagam in Symphony”, which combined ancient Tamil Shaivite poetry with Western classical music.

Ilaiyaraaja often speaks about music being divine — a language of the soul. His compositions reflect a deep sense of emotional depth, spirituality, and philosophical introspection, touching listeners across generations.

Legacy and Impact

Ilaiyaraaja has inspired an entire generation of composers, including A. R. Rahman, who worked under him as a keyboard player. Many of today’s leading South Indian and Bollywood musicians cite him as a primary influence. His influence extends beyond music into culture and society, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where he is revered as an icon.

His music has an almost timeless appeal. Even decades-old songs like “Thenpandi Seemayile”, “Ilaya Nila”, or “Janani Janani” continue to captivate new audiences through remixes, digital platforms, and live concerts.

In the age of computer-generated music, Ilaiyaraaja’s work reminds people of the power of handcrafted, emotionally rich compositions that transcend the barriers of language, region, and time.

Conclusion

Ilaiyaraaja is not merely a composer — he is a cultural phenomenon. His music has shaped the soundscape of Indian cinema for over five decades, giving voice to rural dreams, urban angst, romantic longing, spiritual devotion, and every emotion in between. He broke the monopoly of classical-heavy film scores, brought in orchestral grandeur, and democratized music in Indian cinema.

For millions of Indians across generations, Ilaiyaraaja’s songs are part of their life’s soundtrack — played at weddings, sung during journeys, or heard in moments of joy and sorrow. His genius, rooted in deep tradition yet open to the world, makes him one of the greatest music composers India has ever produced.


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