Dhwanii - Issue No. 1

Personality of the Month

The author is an ardent fan if Ilayaraaja, and has had the privilege of sharing the same roof with him. The author has extensive links with the industry in India and chooses to remain anonymous for personal reasons. Here is Part I of the Main story that we had advertised - the Life and Times of India's foremost musical genius - Ilayaraaja.

The young Tamil Music fans of today have an awe-inspired respect for Ilayaraaja. His name commands immediate respect and admiration.
Most of them will nod their heads in agreement that he is an icon of Tamil movies, a trendsetter of his times and no doubt, a musical genius.
But…will they spend money to buy his albums? Or will they dance to his songs?

It has not always been like this. Once upon a time, not long ago, Ilayaraaja had held the entire industry tightly in his grip. Movies were produced on just the strength of his name alone. Producers and directors were practically camping at his doorstep to get him to score for their movies. "Big Banner Movies" could only be called such, if it had music scored by Ilayaraaja.

Every new release of his was a cause for celebration. The entire music industry revolved around him. Even today, he has a cult-like following which is tough to be matched by anyone else' in the industry.

Who is this man, Ilayaraaja, who held an entire generation spellbound by his magic? What was in his music that stirred people from all nooks and corners, and all walks of life? Why was he the subject of much criticism by many, just as millions around the globe adored him? Who is Ilayaraaja; the man, his music and the myths surrounding him?

THE EARLY DAYS

Ilayaraaja came from a musically inclined family. With his brothers, he formed a troupe named Paavalar Brothers and performed for various music programmes, at kutcheris, weddings, street festivities, etc, throughout Tamil Nadu. But Ilayaraaja's mind was set on composing music for movies. Together with his younger brother Gangai Amaran, Ilayaraaja (born Daniel Raaja) packed his bags and headed for Chennai, the Tamil movie capital of India. Opportunities were hard to come by and poverty set in for the young and talented musician. Movie producers were not keen to engage an untested young country bred to do the music for their expensive productions. Many a night, Ilayaraaja went to bed on a hungry stomach, but his desires and persistence never waned. It would not be wrong to say that failures only motivated him. (A quarter of century later, he would begin writing books on the experiences life taught him.)

And then all of a sudden, Lady Luck smiled upon him, in the form of Panju Arunachalam. Annakkili, the Sivakumar-Sujatha starrer was entrusted to him! Scoring for a rural based movie could not have been easier for the village-born Ilayaraaja.

Even in this fortunate moment, Ilayaraaja had to cross several hurdles. Popular singer L.R. Eswari refused to sing for Ilayaraaja, claiming he was an unknown. "Who is he that I need to sing for him," was what she felt then. She was to pay a heavy price for this statement later. S. Janaki became the benefactor of this unfortunate situation, something Ilayaraaja never forgot for the next 20 years or so. The first recording itself was considered inauspicious, due to a sudden power failure.

But Ilayaraaja persisted and Annakkili, featuring the rustic Machanai Paartheengalaa and the haunting Annakkili Unnai Theduthe, was released in 1976, to great success for both the producer, as well as the new and young music director.

An icon was born!

To be continued...