Global InformationIlaiyaraaja information
Ilaiyaraja | |
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 Ilaiyaraaja in 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | R. Gnanathesikan |
| Also known as |
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| Born | 3 June 1943 Pannaipuram, Theni District, Tamil Nadu |
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| Years active | 1976–present |
| Website | ilaiyaraajalive |
| Member of parliament, Rajya Sabha | |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 7 July 2022 | |
| Nominated by | Ram Nath Kovind |
| Constituency | Nominated (Arts) |
Ilaiyaraaja (born R. Gnanathesikan, 3 June 1943) is an Indian musician, composer, arranger, conductor, orchestrator, multi-instrumentalist, lyricist and singer, popular for his works in Indian cinema, prominently in Tamil films. Reputed to be one of the most prolific composers in a career spanning over forty-seven years, he has composed over 7,000 songs and provided film scores for over 1,000 films,[1] apart from performing in over 20,000 concerts.[2] He is nicknamed "Isaignani" (the musical sage) and often referred to as "Maestro", the title conferred by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London.[3]
Ilaiyaraaja was also one of the earliest Indian film composers to use Western classical music harmonies and string arrangements in Indian film music,[4] and the first South Asian to compose a full symphony.[5] In 1986, he became the first Indian composer to record a soundtrack with computer for the film Vikram.[6] He also composed Thiruvasagam in Symphony (2006), the first Indian oratorio.[7]
In 2013, when CNN-IBN conducted a poll commemorating 100 years of Indian cinema, he secured 49% of the vote and was adjudged as the country's greatest music composer.[8] In 2014, the American world cinema portal, "Taste of Cinema", placed him at 9th position in its list of 25 greatest film composers in the history of cinema. He is the only Indian in the list, appearing alongside Ennio Morricone, John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith.[9][10]
Ilaiyaraaja received several awards for his works throughout his career. In 2012, for his creative and experimental works in the field of music, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest Indian recognition given to people in the field of performing arts. In 2010, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honour in India; and was conferred the Padma Vibhushan in 2018, the second-highest civilian award by the government of India. He is a nominated Member of Parliament in the Indian upper house, Rajya Sabha, since July 2022.[11]His biographical drama titled "Ilaiyaraaja" with Dhanush as the lead, directed by Arun Matheswaran was announced on 20 March 2024. The film is set to release in five languages.[12] Most of his compositions were sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki and K. S. Chithra.[13]
- ^ Ramamoorthy Preethi, Surendran Anusha (28 January 2019). "Ilaiyaraaja: Music is my religion". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 April 2022.
- ^ "Kerala News : No point in classifying music, says Ilayaraja". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 January 2016.
- ^ "To Appreciate Ilaiyaraaja's Anti-Caste Politics, You Have To Listen To His Music". HuffPost India. 7 June 2020. Archived from the original on 6 April 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- ^ Venkatraman, S. 1995. "Film music: the new intercultural idiom of 20th century Indian music". pp. 107–112 in A. Euba and C.T. Kimberlin (eds.). Intercultural Music Vol. I. Bayreuth: Breitinger (p. 110).
- ^ Ganesh, Deepa (6 June 2018). "There's India in Ilaiyaraja's music". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 7 June 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ "10 Technologies brought in by Tamil Cinema". Behindwoods. 21 November 2016. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ "CD Review: Ilaiyaraaja / Thiruvasagam | Finndian". Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- ^ "NTR is the greatest Indian actor". The Times of India. 8 March 2013. Archived from the original on 31 March 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
- ^ "Ilayaraja among 25 Greatest Film Composers in world cinema!". Sify. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015.
- ^ White, Brian (14 March 2014). "The 25 Greatest Film Composers In Cinema History". Taste of Cinema. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2019.
- ^ "Music maestro Ilaiyaraaja nominated to the Rajya Sabha". The Newsminute. 6 July 2022. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
- ^ "Ilayaraja's Biopic announcement". 20 March 2024.
- ^ "Long Live Ilayaraja!' Salim Kumar's case for immortal music..." onmanorma.