August 29, 2023 / 04:07 PM ISTByFilmy Focus

Ilaiyaraaja

Music DirectorSong WriterSingerLyricistProducer

Born : 02/06/1943

Birth Place : Pannaipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

Father : Daniel Ramaswamy

Mother : Chinnathayammal

Sibling : Pavalar Varatharajan, Amar Singh, Daniel Baskar, Kamalammal, Padmavathi

Spouse : Jeeva

Children : Yuvan Shankar, Karthik Raja, Bhavatharini

Biography:

Ilaiyaraaja was born as Gnanathesikan in Pannaipuram, Tamil Nadu, India, on June 2, 1943. He showed an early interest in music and started learning classical music at a young age. He later graduated with a degree in Western classical music from the Trinity College of Music in London.

Ilaiyaraaja began his career as a session musician, working as a guitarist and conductor for various music directors. His breakthrough as an independent composer came with the 1976 Tamil film “Annakili,” for which he composed the iconic song “Senthoora Poove.”

Ilaiyaraaja’s musical contributions are vast and diverse. He is known for blending Indian classical music, folk music, Western classical elements, and innovative sounds to create unique compositions. His ability to understand the emotional context of a film and translate it into his music is highly regarded.

He has composed music for over 1,000 films in various languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. Some of his notable works include “Sagara Sangamam,” “Mouna Ragam,” “Nayakan,” “Dalapathi,” “Geethanjali,” “Indian,” and “Thalapathi,” among many others.

Ilaiyaraaja is credited with introducing new soundscapes to Indian cinema. He was one of the pioneers in using electronic instruments and synthesizers in film music during the 1980s. His ability to experiment with different musical styles and genres while maintaining a deep emotional connection with the audience set him apart.

His compositions range from soulful melodies to energetic folk numbers to intricate orchestral arrangements. His work has left a lasting impact on Indian film music and continues to be celebrated by music enthusiasts and filmmakers alike.

Ilaiyaraaja has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to music, including several National Film Awards in India. He has also received international recognition, including the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors, in 2010.

More Details

Name	Ilaiyaraaja
Also Known as	Ilaiyaraaja
Date of Birth	02/06/1943
Current Residence	Pannaipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Religion	Hindu
Nationality	Indian
Height	162 CM
Father	Daniel Ramaswamy
Mother	Chinnathayammal
Sibling	Pavalar Varatharajan, Amar Singh, Daniel Baskar, Kamalammal, Padmavathi
Spouse	Jeeva
Children	Yuvan Shankar, Karthik Raja, Bhavatharini
Educational Qualification	Music Course(1968), Degree in Western Art Music
College (s)	Trinity College of Music, London

Debut Movies
Language	Movie Name

Awards List
Year	Award	Category	Movie Name
1977	Tamil Nadu State Film Awards	Best Music Director	16 Vayathinile
1980	Tamil Nadu State Film Awards	Best Music Director	Zizhalgal
1981	Tamil Nadu State Film Awards	Best Music Director	Alaigal Oivathillai
1981	Nandi Award	Best Music Director	Seethakoka Chiluka
1983	National Film Award	Best Music Director	Saagara Sangamam
1985	National Film Award	Best Music Director	Sindhu Bhairavi
1988	National Film Award	Best Music Director	Rudra Veena
1988	Tamil Nadu State Government Awards
1988	Tamil Nadu State Film Awards	Best Music Director	Agni Natchathiram
1988	Nandi Award	Best Music Director	Rudraveena
1989	Filmfare Awards	Lifetime Achievement
1989	Tamil Nadu State Film Awards	Best Music Director	Varusham Padhinaaru, Karagattakaran
1990	Filmfare Awards	Best Music Director	Bobbili Raja
1990	Nandi Award	Best Music Director	Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari
1991	Filmfare Awards	Best Music Director	Thalapathi
1994	Kerala State Film Awards	Best Background Music	Sammohanam
1995	Kerala State Film Awards	Best Music Director	Kalapani
1998	Kerala State Film Awards	Best Background Music	Kallu Kondoru Pennu
2001	Screen Awards	Best Background Music	Hey Ram
2003	Filmfare Awards	Best Music Director	Manassinakkare
2005	Nandi Award	NTR National Award	Many movies
2005	Filmfare Awards	Best Music Director	Achuvinte Amma
2005	Golden Remi Award		Vishwa Thulasi
2009	National Film Award	Best Background Score	Pazhassi Raja
2009	Tamil Nadu State Film Awards	Best Music Director	Ajantha
2010	Padma Bhushan
2011	Nandi Award	Best Music Director	Sri Rama Rajyam
2011	Norway Tamil Film Festival Award	Best Music Director	Azhagarsamiyin Kuthirai
2012	Nandi Award	Best Music Director	Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu
2012	Sangeet Natak Akademi Award	Creative and experimental music
2015	National Film Award	Best Background Score	Tharai Thappattai
2015	International Film Festival of India	Centenary Award for Lifetime Achievement
2016	Kerala State Government Awards
2018	Padma Vibhushan
2020	Kerala State Government Awards