Language may not be a known one.....Meaning may not be understood....Yet it penetrates the hearts of people.... only that's real music! And, Cinema songs have the reputation of making even the illiterate and the ordinary mass to hear and enjoy those songs!
As far as Tamil film music is concerned the contribution of Ilayaraja is immense! It was through the film "Annakkili" that he hypnotized the audience and the whole of Tamilnadu and made them turn to be his staunch fans! And through his musical composition "Symphony", he made the whole world look on the Tamils with unbound astonishment and respect! Following is the article that speaks about the music related life-experiences of Ilayaraja and about those musical geniuses who have influenced him to a great extent: Pannaipuram is a village in Madurai district and it's there that Ilayaraja was born on 02-06-1943. His father's name was Ramasamy and mother Chinnathaayammaal. Ilayaraja's original name was "Rasaiya". From his childhood days onwards he (Ilayaraja) was having interest in music. It was further induced by his brother Paavalar Varatharasan. Starting from 1958 until 1968, the music troupe including these brothers toured all over Tamilnadu for conducting music programmes! In 1968, Ilayaraja came to Chenai and he, along with his brothers and Bharathi Raja, stayed here at a rented house. It was then that he started learning Western music methodically! He learnt it from one Thanraj master who was at that time residing at Luz Corner in Chennai. In those days, as Ilayaraja happened to suffer from poverty and hunger, Thanraj master taught him without collecting any fee, it's said! Having learned Western music he had started searching for cinema chances so as to compose music for films. It was then that Panju Arunachalam booked Ilayaraja to work as music director for the film "Annakkili", produced by him. From that day onwards till now, Ilayaraja has composed music for more than 700 films and has created tunes for more than 3,5oo songs! Ilayaraja, so far in his career, has won 3 National Awards for Best Music Direction in the following three years: 1984, 1986 and 1988. He has won State Government Award on many occasions. The title "Isai Gnani" was conferred by Kalaignar Karunanidhi in 1988. That title has come to stay for ever and it has got a permanent place in peoples' hearts too! Ilayaraja who continues performing music on Indian soil, has also achieved the rare feat of creating history by presenting his special musical creation "Symphony" in London Arbert Hall and thus has earned a great name and respect and a distinct identity for the whole Tamil population throughout the world! Moreover, Carnatic Classical Music 'Ragas', which had traditionally been the rare and special mark of artistic erudition of only the selected few belonging to the higher stratum of society, were now made rather easily accessible to and readily enjoyable by even the ordinary people on the street, after the entry of Ilayaraja....For example, based on 'Humsathvani' raga he has composed music for the film song "Mayile, Mayile Un Thogai Ingke". For the songs "Pon Maalai Pozhuthu" and "Poong Kathave Thaazh Thiravaai" he composed music on the basis of different classical ragas. His daughter Pavathaarini and sons Karthik Raja and Yuvan Sankar Raja are the heirs of Ilayaraja in the field of music. Each of those heirs has her and his own individualistic and stylistic pattern of music composition.Until Ilayaraja was introduced into Tamil field, only Hindi film songs and tunes were reigning supreme having sweeping influence on Tamil film goers. But it was vice versa, not only in Tamilnadu but also throughout India, after the entry of Ilayaraja into cinefield! Even North Indians became great fans of Ilayaraja! It has all along been his nature that if once he indulges in music- composing he forgets food, sleep and everything else other than musical creation! But he hasn't yet been given, as far as our country is concerned, what actually he deserves in terms of special respect and regard eventhough the hard fact remains that he isn't such a person as to expect all these recognitions and titles! He has never been after these at all!
Who can forget his compositions like "Aye zindagi gale laga le " and "Surmayi akhiyo me" from Sadma ?
Here is a tamil song by the great MD sung by SPB and S Janaki (?) which I managed to obtain from a generous friend on another forum. I love this melody though I have no clue to the meaning of the words.
http://depositfiles.com/en/files/388748
Enjoy.
Paresh
Cricket
Bollywood
Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
