Biography of Tamil Music Director Ilayaraaja

Ilayarajaa is a incredible Music director in Tamil film industry. He is also called as Music Meastro. He has composed over 4000 songs and worked over 800 films. He also worked in Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and also Hindi films as music director. He has been awarded as title of 'Isaignani'('savant of music').

He was born on June 2, 1943 in a small village "Pannaipuram", located in Theni district of Tamilnadu. His father Ramasamy and mother Chinnathayammal kept his name as Gnanadesikan but later he changed as Ilayaraaja. In his childhood he was more interest in Tamil folk music.

Ealry Life of Ilayaraaja

At the age of 14, Ilayaraaja has joined in first Musical troupe, which was owned by his elder step brother Pavalar Varadarajan. And he was associated with it for next 10 years. Ilayaraja written his first song written by famous Tamil lyricist Kannadasan. In 1968, Ilayaraaja joined with Professor Dhanraj to start a music course in Madras. And he concentrated on Western Classical Music. Soon after he got specialized in classical guitar, Ilayaraaja went on to pursue a course in the same, at the Trinity College of Music, London.

Ilayaraaja as a Music Director

In 1976, Ilayaraaja entered into film music direction by composing songs and background music for tamil fils. He has started it with his first film 'Annakili'. His music of Folk song melodies became a big hit among the tamil music lovers. The songs of his films, including "Pathinaru Vayathinile" (1977), "Bhuvana Oru Kelvikkuri" (1977) and "Annai Oru Aalayam" (1979), were became the super hits of his career as a music director.

During mid 1980's he proved that he is a 'Evergreen' of the period. The songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja in "Moondram Pirai" (1982), "Payanangal Mudivathillai" (1982), "Munthanai Mudichu" (1984), "Sagara Sangamam" (1983), "Nallavanukku Nallavan" (1984), "Muthal Mariyathai" (1985), "Padikkathavan" (1985), "Sindhu Bhairavi" (1986), "Mouna Ragam" (1986), "Punnagai Mannan" (1986), "Nayakan" (1987), "Apoorva Sahodarargal" (1989) and "Rudra Veenai" (1989) are still lives in the minds of music lovers.

In early 1990's he paid a great complement by working in following tamil films "Anjali" (1990), "Thalapathi" (1991), "Michael Madana Kamarajan" (1991), "Guna" (1992), "Thevar Magan" (1992), "Magalir Mattum" (1994), "Sirai Chaalai" (1996) and "Sethu" (1999). Ilayaraja also composed the music for several Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and a few Hindi films as well. 

Personal Life of Ilayaraaja

Ilayaraaja is married to Jeeva and has two Sons and a Daughter. His sons, Karthik Raaja and Yuvan Shankar Raaja are playing a vital role in Music direction of the present generation. His daughter, Bhavathaarini, is a playback singer. Ilayaraja's brother Gangai Amaran is a good director, lyricist and music composer.

Awards by Ilayaraaja

1.National Film Awards for Best Music Direction for the following films,
* "Saagara Sangamam" (1984), 
* "Sindhu Bhairavi" (1986) and 
* "Rudraveena" (1989)

2.Gold Remi Award for Best Music Score for the film: "Vishwa Thulasi" (2005)

3.Kalaimamani Award from the Government of the State of Tamil Nadu, India

4.State Government Award from Government of Kerala in 1995

5.Madhya Pradesh State Award in 1998

6.NTR National Award in 2004 

7.The Lata Mangeshkar Award For Excellence in Music, conferred by the Government of Madhya Pradesh, India in 1998.

List of Tamil film Albums

1978 Sigappu Rojakkal
1981 Tick! Tick! Tick!
1983 Moondram Pirai
1985 Muthal Mariyathai
1985 Sindhu Bhairavi
1986 Mouna Raagam
1986 Punnagai Mannan
1987 Nayakan
1989 Karakattakaran
1990 Mannan
1991 Thalapathi
1992 Guna
1997 Kadhalukku Mariyadhai
1999 Sethu
2002 Azhagi
2007 Ajantha

Some of his Hits in Tamil Films

* 16 Vayathinilae (contains National Award-winning song Sendhoora Poove, sung by S. Janaki)
* Agni Natchatram (directed by Mani Ratnam)
* Alaigal Oivathillai
* Anjali (500th film, directed by Mani Ratnam)
* Azhagi (contains National Award winning-song Paattu Solli Pada Solli, sung by Sadhana Sargam)
* Bharathi (contains National Award-winning song Mayil Pola, sung by Bhavatharini Ilayaraja)
* Chinna Thambi
* Dalapathi (a Mani Ratnam film)
* Devar Magan (600th film - contains National Award-winning song Inji Idupazhaga, sung by S. Janaki and Kamal Hassan)
* Ejamaan
* Enga Ooru Paatukaran (contains the popular song Shenbagamae, sung by Asha Bhosle)
* Guna (contains the popular song Kanmani Anbodu, a duet by Kamal Hassan and S. Janaki)
* Hey Ram (contains Aparna's Theme (or Nee Partha) and Janmon Ki Jwala, sung by Asha Bhosle)
* Karakaatakaran
* Idhayam
* Idhaya Koil (a Mani Ratnam film)
* Johnny
* Kadolara Kavithaikal
* Mannan
* Mella Thiranthathu Kathavu (co-scored with M.S.Vishwanathan)
* Moondram Pirai (the Award-winning film by Balu Mahendra)
* Mouna Ragam (a Mani Ratnam film)
* Mudhal Mariyathai (contains the National Award-winning song Poongkatru Thirumbuma, the lyrics of which was penned by Vairamuthu)
* Mumbai Xpress
* Nallavanukku Nallavan
* Nayakan (400th film -- directed by Mani Ratnam)
* Nineivellam Nithya
* Nizhalgal
* Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
* Punnagai Mannan
* Salangai Oli (contains the National Award-winning song Thagida Thathimi, sung by S.P. Balasubramaniam)
* Sigappu Rojakkal
* Sindhu Bhairavi (a film by K. Balachander; awarded the National Award for best musical direction)
* Siraichaalai
* Siva
* Tic..Tic..Tic..
* Udhaya Geetham
* Velaikaaran
* Virumandi (Sandiyar)

Ilayaraaja is always maintaining that his music is a gift from God. NO wonder that is music sounds Divine.