The Guruz Of Music

Ilayaraja - Master Of Music

Born and brought up in an obscure village near Kambam in Southern Tamil Nadu, Ilayaraja became the first Asian to score a symphony for the London Philharmonic Orchestra, besides scoring over 500 feature films in a period of 20 years. Raja, as he is popularly known and affectionately called, comes from a family of musicians. His mother, a huge repository of Tamil folk songs, seems to be a very strong influence in his music. He learned to play the harmonium, the typical musical instrument used in street performances. The team of the brothers, the eldest being Pavalar Varadharajan, a poet, worked as a group of musicians traveling across the state, accompanying theater artists. Raja picked up most of his acumen for audience tastes during this period. The music legend has sung many tamil songs of success with his voice. "Poo Maalaye '- pagal Nilavu," Potri Paadadi' - Devar Magan, 'Thaazhampoo Thalayodu "- the album,' Raja Raajathi" - Agni Natchathiram, 'Arithaaratha' and 'Oru Gundumani' - Avatharam, Valli Valli Yena '- Deiva Vakkkku 'Antha Vanatha Pola' and 'Kannupada' - Chinna Gounden and others affected humungous tamil songs.