Chapter 2 : Ilaichi estate lost because of a Play/Drama
At the time of Ilayaraja's father's death, He owned 25 acres of Ilaichi estate in Kerala. But soon his mother was forced to sell them. Life is a Play but a Play has made Ilayaraja's family into turmoil.
In the words of Ilaiyaraja :
My mother had to struggle for upbringing of 6 children at the demise of my father. My father had left us a self earned asset of 25 acres of ilaichi estate and a own house and also 3 acres of land converted from a pond.
My brother Pavalar Varadharajan was interested in Communism & Communist party. He arranged 2 plays "Iru Kolaigal"(2 murders) & "Paataliyin Kural"(Peasant's voice) by spending own money. For both the play, He wrote story,screenplay,dialogue,songs & directed them and also acted as a comedian. He arranged for few actors from Madurai & Kerala and chose few from local areas. Rehearsal for the play was done at our house and they rehearsed for a month. During the period, Food for the artists were prepared by my mother & sister Kamalam. Daily menu had mutton,chicken & fish.
On the day of the play, a tragedy strikes. My brother's friend who took the contract for the play, escaped with the money collected from the play. The play was about to start when my brother learned all the money was lost. But he did not want to disappoint the audiences who were eagerly waiting for the play to start. As per planned the play took place. But the real problems started after. Those who have helped in advertisement, printing, posters, music troop and others were asking for money. Brother explanied the situation and convinced them to settle within a month. But he could not keep his words. Understanding the situation, my mother agreed to sell 25 acre ilaichi estate, so that he repay the debts.
My mother sold the estate for just 10,000 rupees, which might worth crores today, just to save his son from debts. My father had named the ilaichi estate as "Ashokavanam".
My brother could be said as the discoverer of today's Karoake system. He used to play LP records and sing along with it with a mike by reducing the volume. He encouraged me sing along with it. This was how i got interested into music. Few old songs which i used to sing along were "Amudai pozhiyum nilave", "Ulavum thendral kaatrinile", "Thiruvizhakku veetukku alangaram".
At the time of village festival, my brother Pavalar Varadharajan would conduct music program with Harmonium & Mridangam. A guy named Sankaradass would come from Saakrapuram to play harmonium. Reheasals would take place in our house. Myself and brother Baskar were impressed with it and became fan of Sankaradass.
As the time passes with education & music, I moved to eighth standard. My mother called 2 astrologers Palanichamy & Santhanam to our house, whose predictions never fails, to know about our life.
After going through my horoscope, both the astrolgers said that i am just like thumb finger to my family. But they also predicted that my education will stop after 8th std. I was very much disappointed. But it just happened.
Next chapter : Ilayaraja went to work to continue his studies.
its show how much that struggle in life ..
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