Chapter 3 : Ilayaraja started working to continue studies.
Salary one rupee per day. Ilayaraja went to the astrologers to have a look at his horoscope again. He could not digest about what they had predicted. They looked at it and told the same thing. Ilayaraja started quarreling with them and challenged them that he would make their predictions wrong. He took the reference from the Tamil epic Silappathikaram where a astrologer's prediction of younger brother becoming king before the elder was failed, as the younger brother become a saint and the elder made the king.
In the words of Ilayaraja
At the time of 8th std final exam, I got into a problem. To write the exam, i have to travel to Utthamapalayam and stay there in hostel for 3 days. I have to pay for the food & accommodation. But my mother could not collect the money for this. My sister Kamalam came to my rescue at this problematic situation, by selling her Thali/Mangalsutra without the knowledge of my brother-in-law, raised the money.
I didn't even felt bad for my sister, but was in a mood to make the predictions of the astrologers go wrong. But now i realize the greatness & kindness of my sister Kamalam and also realize that studies alone will not make a person perfect. How can i repay the sacrifice of my sister? There is no words to explain the love of my sister which cannot be repayed.
I finished my 8th exam and went to high school at Devaram to study 9th std. But there was a special fees of 25 rupees to paid. My mother could not able collect the amount. Days and month went as the school started. At the end of 3rd month, I realized that i could not study in this school and this also remind the words of the astrologers and how to face them.
At that time, My brother-in-law & sister were living in Vaigai dam. After coming from Military, brother-in-law worked as a driver in Vaigai dam. I decided work at Vaigai dam to earn for a year, after that continuing my studies. I went to my mother and told about my plan. She understood my plan and sent me to Vaigai dam.
The journey to Vaigai dam was my first and was dreaming about the place. There was no great trouble in getting the job with the help of my brother-in-law. Guess what's my first job? I had to water the lawns & flowers in the park of Vaigai dam. My salary was one rupee per day. Salary was paid weekly as seven rupees.
With half trouser, half sleeve shirt, a short black figure will water the lawns. That's me. While watering, i would sing loudly without caring for others. Myself and brother Baskar had the habit of singing loudly not caring for others.
On Sunday at the end of first week of work, received my first salary. New seven one rupee notes which were smelling great. At that moment, i was just flying in the sky. Happiness of that moment was not brought back to me by any money till today. I thought of joining the school after earning 25 rupees, but 4 months studies already lost. So I decided to join the next year.
One day while working, The chief engineer of the Vaigai dam happened to hear his song.
Next Chapter : Ilayaraja impressed the officer by singing.
so beautiful days
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