General | People | Ilayaraja

Profile

Ilayaraja is a veteran music director of South Indian film industry. The music maestro has composed over 4000 songs and worked in over 800 films, in a career spanning over three decades. He is accredited with setting a trend for film music in South India, by introducing Western musical nuances into songs. Apart from Telugu, he has also worked in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films as a music director. The musician has been awarded the title of Isaignani ('savant of music').

Childhood

Ilaiyaraaja was born on June 2, 1943 in a poor family living in a small village “Pannaipuram”, located in Theni district of Tamil Nadu, India. He was originally named Gnanadesikan by his father Ramaswamy and mother Chinnathayammal. Ilaiyaraaja spent his childhood in the rural area of Pannaipuram, which sowed the seeds of music in him. He was well acquainted with the range of Tamil folk music prevalent in the place.

Early Life

At the age of 14, Ilaiyaraaja joined the musical troupe owned by his elder step-brother, Pavalar Varadarajan, and was associated with it for the next ten years. Ilayaraja composed his first song - an elegy written by veteran Tamil poet Kannadasan - when he was still working with the troupe. In 1968, Ilayaraja collaborated with Professor Dhanraj to start a music course in Madras. The course concentrated at the overview of Western classical music, study of techniques related to composition of music and instrumental performance. After specializing in classical guitar, Ilayaraja went on to pursue a course in the same, at the Trinity College of Music, London.

As An Instrumentalist

Ilayaraja worked with a band-for-hire in Chennai, as a guitarist in the 1970s. Thereafter, he worked as a session guitarist, keyboardist and conducted the orchestra for renowned film music directors, including Salil Chowdhury. Later on, Ilayaraja worked as an assistant to Kannada music director G K Venkatesh, with whom he worked on around 200 films. While working with him, Ilayaraja penned his own music compositions as well. He listened to his own compositions by asking the session musicians to play excerpts from his scores. In the meantime, he also hired instruments from R K Shekhar (AR Rahman’s father), who later on joined the orchestra as its keyboardist.

As A Music Director

Ilayaraja has provided one of the finest music to various Telugu Films. His great compositions for films “Saagara Sangamam” (1984), “Sindhu Bhairavi” (1986) and “Rudraveena” (1989) has won him National awards. Following is the list of movies in Telugu composed by Ilayaraja.
1978: Vayasu Pilichindi
1979: Ammaa Evarigaina Amma, Pancha Bhoothalu, Urvasi Niney Naa
Priyasi, Yerra Gulabi
1980: Kotha Jeevithalu, Maayadhaari Krishnudu
1981: Amaavaasya Chandhrudu, Nee Nanna Gellare, Prema Pichchi, Seethakoka Chilaka
1982: Angadhudu, Nireekshana
1983: Abhilasha, Sagara Sangamam
1984: Jalsarayudu, Nuvva Nena, Takkaridonga, Veerabhadhrudu
1985: Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu, Anveshana, Darja Donga , Jalsa Bullodu, Monagadu Mosagadu, Preminchu Pelladu, Rahasya Hanthakudu,
Swathi Muthyam
1986: Raakshasudu, Kiraathakudu, Aalaapana, Manchi Manasulu, Sri
Shirdi Saibaba Mahathyam
1987: Sankeerthana, Sri Kanaka Mahalakshmi Recording Dance Troupe
1988: Aasthulu Anthasthulu, Abhinandana, Varasudochhadu
1989: Indrudu Chandrudu, Swathi Chinukulu
1990: Jagadeka Veerudu Attilokasundari, Kondaveeti Donga, Guru
Shishyulu
1991: Keechu Raallu, Sri Edukondala Swaami
1992: Ashwamedham, Chinna Rayudu, Marutode Naa Mogudu
1993: Amma Koduku
2007: Anumanaspadam

Personal Life

Ilayaraja is married to Jeeva and has two sons and a daughter. His sons, Karthik Raaja and Yuvan Shankar Raaja are regarded as two of the best music directors of the present generation. His daughter, Bhavathaarini, is a playback singer. Ilayaraja’s brother - Gangai Amaran - is a renowned director-lyricist and music composer.

Awards

National Film Award for Best Music Direction : “Saagara Sangamam” (1984), “Sindhu Bhairavi” (1986) and “Rudraveena” (1989)
Gold Remi Award for Best Music Score : “Vishwa Thulasi” (2005)
Kalaimamani Award from the Government of the State of Tamil Nadu, India
State Government Award from Government of Kerala in 1995
Madhya Pradesh State Award in 1998
NTR National Award in 2004

Ilayaraja Great Compositions