Ilaiyaraja
Prolific Tamil composer with a legendary reputation. Born as Daniel Rajayya, the 8th son of an estate supervisor in Pannaipuram, TN. Joined his stepbrother Varadarajan, a CP member, to form a music group, Pavalar Brothers, staging live concerts often as election propaganda for Left groups. Went to Madras as a teenager, where he learnt Western classical music and the Western technique of writing musical scores. Learnt Carnatic music from singer and mridangam performer T.V. Gopalakrishnan. Joined films as a member of various film orchestras. Sensational début as composer in Annakkili, using rural folk melodies. Introduced fusion effects into Tamil cinema combining Carnatic, Western classical and pop (cf. Raja Parvai). Early hits for the films of his childhood friend Bharathirajaa (Pathinaru Vayathinile). Extensively associated with playback singer [[S.P. Balasubramanyam]] and, for a while, lyricist Vairamuthu?. Recent music hits notably in Mani Rathnam’s films, e.g. Raja rajadhirajan indha raja in Agni Nakshatram, followed by the songs of Anjali, etc. Commanded fees equalling those of the highest-paid actors in Tamil and was an independent star attraction until he was partially eclipsed by [[A.R. Rehman]]. Made two independent music albums, How to Name It and Nothing but Wind, both continuing his fusion experiments, as in the composition I Love You, Mozart in which he has flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia playing the raga Kalyani with a violin evocation of Mozart’s 40th Symphony. Occasionally provided lyrics and sang his compositions. Composed music apparently for c.700 films in five languages (the exhaustive filmography is virtually impossible to compile). Published two books, the European travelogue Sangeetha Kanavugal, and Vettaveliyil Kotti Kidakkudhu, addressing his philosophical preoccupations. In an essay (1996) M.S.S. Pandian demonstrates that Ilaiyaraja’s popularity represented ‘a moment of great anxiety for the musical elite’.
FILMOGRAPHY: 1976: Annakkili; Bhadrakali; Paluti Valartha Kili; Uravadum Nenjam; 1977: Alukkoru Asai; Avar Enakke Sontham; Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri; Deepam; Durga Devi; Gayatri; Kavikuyil; Odi Vilayadu Thatha; Penn Janmam; Sainthadamma Sainthadu; Pathinaru Vayathinile; Thunai Eruppal Meenakshi; 1978: Achani; Aval Appadithan; Aval Oru Pachchai Kuzhandhai; Bhairavi; Chattam En Kaiyil; Chittu Kuruvi; Elamai Vunjaladugiradhu; Ithu Eppadi Irukku; Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhanthai; Katrinile Varum Geetham; Kizhakke Pokum Rayil; Mariamman Thiruvizha; Mullum Malarum; Sigappu Rojakkal; Sondhadu Needana; Thirukalyanam; Thyagam; Vattathukkul Chaduram; Vazha Ninaithal Vazhalam; Matu Tappada Maga; Aaru Manikkur; Vyamoham; Vayasu Pilichindi; Priya; 1979: Urvashi Neenu Nanna Preyasi/ Urvashi Nive Naa Preyasi; Yugandhar; Azhage Unnai Aradikiran; Akal Vilakku; Annai Oru Alayam; Azhiyada Kolangal; Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai; Udhiri Pookal; Kalyanaraman; Kavariman; Kuppathu Raja; Chella Kili; Dharma Yuddham; Thayillamal Nannilai; Naan Vazhavippen; Niram Maratha Pookal/Niram? Maradha Pushpangal; Pagalil Oru Iravu; Puthiya Varpugal; Poonthalir; Ponnu Urukku Puthusu; Mudhal Iravu; Anbe Sangeetha; Kadavul Amaitha Medai; Lakshmi; Mugathil Mugam Parkalam; Nadhiyai Thedi Vandha Kadal; Nallathoru Kudumbam; Pattakathi Bhairavan; Rosappu Ravikkaikari; Sakkalathi; Vetrikku Oruvan; Amma Evarikaina Amma; Pancha Bhoothalu; 1980: Janma Janmada Anubandha; Anbukku Naan Adimai; Ilamaikolam; Ullasa Paravaigal; Enga Oor Rasathi; Kallukkul Eram; Kannil Theriyum Kathaigal; Kali; Gramathu Adhiyayam; Guru; Samanthi Poo; Savithri; Soolam; Sundarime Varuga Varuga; Thayi Pongal; Nadhiyai Thedi Vandha Kadal; Nizhalgal; Nenjathai Killathey; Poottadha Poothukkal; Ponnagaram; Murattu Kalai; Moodupani; Rishi Moolam; Rusi Kanda Poonai; Johnny; Sridevi; Dooram Arike; Manju Moodal Manju; Ayiram Vasal Ithayam; Ellam En Kairasi; Ithayithal Oru Edam; Naan Potta Saval; Ore Mutham; Oru Iravu Oru Paravai; Kotha Jeevithulu; Pasidi Mogalu; 1981: Raja Parvai; Geetha; Nee Nanna Gellalare; Bhari Bharjari Bete; Shikari; Do Dil Diwane; Alaigal Oyvathillai; Aradhanai; Ellam Inbamayam; Idru Poyi Nalai Vaa; Enakkaga Kathiru; Garjanai/Garjanam/? Garjane; Kadal Meengal; Karaiyellam Shenbagappu; Kalthoon; Kazhagu; Koyil Pura; Shankaral; Tik Tik Tik; Nandu; Netrikkan; Panneer Pushpangal; Balanagamma; Pennin Vazhkai; Madhumalar; Meendum Kokila; Rajangam; Rama Lakshman; Ranuva Veeran; Veediyum Varai Kathiru; Seethakoka Chilaka; Echil Iravugal; Kanni Theevu; Nallathu Nadanthe Theerum; Nandu; Rattha Katteriyin Marma Maligai; 1982: Kanya Dweep; Azhagiya Kanney; Archanai Pookkal; Ilanjodigal; Echil Iravugal; Engeyo Ketta Kural; Kalyana Kalam; Kanne Radha; Kathal Oviyam; Kozhi Kuvutthu; Sahalakala Vallavan;Sangili; Thanikatu Raja; Thayi Moogambikai; Marumagaley Varuga; Thyagi; Theerpu; Thooral Ninnu Pochu; Nalanthana; Nizhal Thedum Nenjalgal; Nenaivellam Nithya; Nenjalgal; Payanangal Mudivathillai; Pakkathu Veetu Roja; Paritchaikku Neramchu; Pannaipurathu Pandavargal; Puthu Kavithai; Boom Boom Madu; Pookkari Raja; Magane Magane; Moondram Pirai; Metti; Ranga; Rani Theni; Lottery Ticket; Valibame Vaa; Vaa Kanna Vaa; Hitler Umanath; Agaya Gangai; Alolam; Era Vizhi Kaviyangal; Gopurangal Saivathillai; Kavithai Malar; Kelviyum Nane Bathilum Nane; Mangal Nila; Poolapallaki; 1983: Adutha Varisu; Anandakummi; Andha Sila Natkal; Anney Anney; Ayiram Nilave Vaa; Bhagavathipuram Railway Gate; Devi Sridevi; Ennaipar En Azhagai Paar; Ethanai Konam Ethanai Parvai; Ilamai Kalangal; Indru Nee Nalai Naan; Inimai Idho Idho; Jyothi; Kan Sivanthal Man Sivakkum; Kokkarako; Malaiyur Mambattiyan; Manaivi Solle Mandiram; Mann Vasanai; Mellappesungal; Mundhanai Mudichu; Muthu Engal Sotthu; Oru Odai Nadhiyagiradhu; Payum Puli; Ragangal Maruvathillai; Sattai Illatha Pambaram; Soorakottai Singhakutty; Thanga Magan; Thoongathe Thambi Thoongathe; Urangatha Ninaivugal; Veetile Raman Veliyele Krishnan; Vellai Roja; Yuga Dharmam; Pallavi Anupallavi; Nyaya Gedditu; Aa Rathri; Oomakuyil; Pinninvalu; Sandhyakku Virinja Poovu; Sadma; Abhilasha (Tel); Mantrigari Viyyankudu; Rajakumar; Sagara Sangamam; Oppantham; 1984: Alaya Deepam; Ambigai Neril Vandhal; Anbe Odi Vaa; Anbulla Malare; Anbulla Rajnikant; Pudhumai Penn; Dhavani Kanavugal; Enakkul Oruvan; Ezhuthantha Sattangal; Ingeyum Oru Gangai; January 1; Kayi Kodukkum Kayi; Kairasikaran; Komberi Mookan; Kuva Kuva Vathukal; Magudi; Meendum Oru Kadhal Kadai; Mudivalla Arambham; Nalai Onadu Naal; Naan Mahaan Alla; Naan Padum Padal; Nalla Naal; Nallavanukku Nallavan; Neengal Kettavai; Nee Thodum Pothu; Neram Nalla Neram; Nilavu Suduvathillai; Nyayam; Nooravathunaal; O Mani Mane; Poovilangu; Pozhudu Vidinachu; Sanganatham; Thalaiyana Mandiram; Thambikku Entha Ooru; Thangamdi Thangam; 24 Mani Neram/24 Hours; Unnai Naan Santhithan; Vaidehi Kathirunthal; Vazhkai; Vellai Pura Ondru; Nagara Mahime; Accident; Mangalam Nerunne; My Dear Kuttichathan/Chhota? Chetan; Onnanu Nammal; Unaroo; Challenge; Gadusu Pindam; Ithe Naa Saval; Jalsarayudu; Mayadari Mogudu; Merupu Dadi; Noorava Roju; Nuvva Nena/Neeya? Nanna; Prema Sangamam; Sahasame Jeevitham; Sitara; Takkaridonga; Tiger Rajani; Veerabhadrulu; Etho Mogam; Kalyana Kanavugal; Thavani Kanavukal; 1985: Aan Pavam; Aduthathu Albert; Alai Osai; Amudha Ganam; Anbin Mukavari; Andha Oru Nimidam; Annai Bhoomi; Chinna Veedu; Eetti; En Selvame; Hello Yaar Pesarathu; Idaya Koyil; Japanil Kalyanaraman; Kakki Chattai; Kanni Rasi; Ketti Malam; Kumkuma Chimizh; Malargal Naniginrana; Muthal Mariyathai; Nane Raja Nane Mandiri; Naan Sigappu Manithan; Nallathambi; Neethiyin Marupakkam; Oru Kaithiyin Diary; Padikkadhavan; Padikkatha Panayar; Pagal Nilavu; Pillai Nila; Pudhiya Theerpu; Raja Rishi; Selvi; Sindhu Bhairavi; Shri Raghavendrar; Thanga Mana; Thendrale Ennai Thodu; Udaya Geetham; Unnai Thedi Varuven; Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal; Urimai; Uyarntha Ullam; Ajeya; Namma Bhoomi; Mera Inteqam; Anveshana; Illali Sapadham; Jalsa Bullodu; Khooni; Kirathakudu; Mangalya Bandham; Monagadu Mosagadu; Muthyala Jallu; Jwala; Praja Poratam; Preminchu Pelladu; Rahasya Hanthakudu; Shivabhakta Naga Shakti; Shri Shirdi Saibaba Mahatyam; Geetanjali; Poove Poo Chooda Va; Yathra; Namma Bhoomi; 1986: Satya Jyothi; Jadu Nagari; Amman Koil Kizhakkale; Aruvadainal; Ananda Kannir; Iravu Pookkal; Isai Padum Thendrai; Unakkagave Vazhkiran; Enakku Nane Needipathi; Engal Thaikulame Varuga; Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu; Karimedi Karivayan; Kalamellam Un Mediyil; Kodai Malai; Sadhanai; December Pookkal; Dharmapatni; Thaluvatha Kaikal; Thaikku Oru Thalattu; Nam Ooru Nalla Ooru; Natpu; Nanum Oru Thozhilali; Neethana Anda Kuyil; Punnagai Mannan; Paru Paru Pattinam Paru; Palaivana Rojakkal; Maragatha Veenai; Mandhira Punnagai; Maaveeran; Mr Bharat (Ta); Mudhal Vasantham; Murattu Karangal; Mella Thirandathu Kathavu; Mouna Ragam; Yaro Ezhuthia Kavithai; Vikram; Vidunja Kalyanam; 1987: Poovizhi Vasalile; Ninaikka Therindha Maname; Ullam Kavarntha Kalvan; Teertha Karayanile; Vazhgai Valarga; Nayakan; Puyal Padum Pattu; Kalyana Kacheri; Anand; Iniya Uravu Poothathu; Manadhil Urudhi Vendhum; Sankeerthana; Aradhana; Khaidi; Andarikante Ghanudu; Rendu Thokala Titta; Kamagni; Ore Oru Gramathile; Veedu; Idhu Oru Thodarkathai; Enga Ooru Pattukaran; Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupadu; Kadhal Parisu; Krishnan Vandhan; Sirai Paravai; Chinna Kuyil Padhutthu; Ninaive Oru Sangeetham; Thoorathu Pachai; Padu Nilave; Persollum Pillai; Mangai Oru Gangai; Irattaival Kuruvi; Velaikkaran; Jalli Kattu; 1988: Shenbagame Shenbagame; En Uyir Kannamma; Rasave Unnai Nambi; Satya; Irandil Onru; Oruvar Vazhum Alayam; Solla Thudikuthu Manasu; En Jeevan Paduthu; En Bommu Kutti Ammavukku; Guru Shishyan; Agni Nakshatram; Therkkithi Kallan; Pasaparaivaigal; Parthal Pasu; Poonthotha Kavalkaran; Soora Samharam; Ennai Veetu Pogathe; Naan Sonnadhe Sattam; Unnal Mudiyum Thambi; Illam; Enga Ooru Kavalkaran; Idhu Engal Needhi; Manamagale Vaa; Dharmathin Thalaivan; Padatha Thenikkal; Thayam Onnu; Moonnam Pakkam; Maharshi; Rudraveena; Abhinandana; Shri Kanakamahalaxmi Recording Dance Troupe; Jamadagni; Swarna Kamalam; Varasoduchadu; Rakthabhisekham; En Vazhi Thani Vazhi; 1989: Ennai Petha Rasa; En Purushanthan Enakkum Mattumthan; Varusham 16; En Uyir Thozhan; Rajadhi Raja; Thenral Sudum; Pongivarum Kaveri; Pattukoru Thalaivan; Pandinattu Thangam; Apoorva Sahodarargal/Appu? Raja; Ninaivu Chinnam; Shiva (Ta); Shiva (Te); Enga Ooru Mappillai; Poruthanthu Potham; Annanukkey Jey; Raja Rajathan; Kadhal Oyvathillai; Pickpocket; Chinnappadas; Karagatta Karan; Ponmana Selvan; Dharmam Vellum; Vadhiyar Veetu Pillai; Mappillai; Pasa Mazhai; Anbu Kattalai; Padicha Pullai; Kaiveesu Amma Kaiveesu; Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal; Thiruppumunai; Vetri Vizha; Thangamana Rasa; Mahadev; Garijinchina Ganga; Prema; Chettukinda Pleader; Geetanjali; Rudra Neta; Gopalraogari Abbayi; Ashoka Chakravarthi; Indrudu Chandrudu; Kondaveeti Donga; 1990: Anjali; Arangetra Velai; Adisaya Piravi; Urudhimozhi; Ooru Vittu Oru Vandhu; Engatta Modathe; En Oyir Tholan; Oru Pudhiya Kadhai; Kavalukku Kettikaran; Kizhakku Vasal; Kiladi Kanmani; Jagadeka Veerudu Atilokasundari; Kshatriyan; Thalattu Padava; Nadigan; Nilapennay; Panakkaran; Pudhu Pattu; Pattukku Naan Adimai; Pulan Visaranai; Periaveetu Pannaikaran; Pondatti Thevai; Michael Madana Kamarajan; My Dear Marthandan; Mounam Sammadham; Raja Kaiye Vacha; Vellaya Thevan; Velai Kidaichiruchu; Bobbili Raja; 1991: Aditya 369; Nirnayam; Chinna Gounder; Chinna Thambi; En Rasavin Manisile; 1992: Thevar Magan; A Okati Adakku; Killer; Papayude Sontham Appoose; 1994: Magalir Mattum; Sammohanam; Adharma; Mogha Mull; 1995: Sati Leelavathi.