Chapter 1 : Ilayaraja brought turnaround to film music
He gave new life to village folk music
Ilayaraja lives as music in Tamil film industry. Introduced through movie 'Annakili' in 1976, its Ilayaraja's 31st year(2007) in music industry. His journey started as a musical falls in the film 'Annakili' with songs like "Annakili unnai theduthe" & "Machanai paartheengala", transformed as a river, is developing into a vast ocean now.
Ilayaraja born in 1943 at Pannaipuram in Madurai dist. He was born as 5th child to his parents and 6th one being Amarsingh aka Gangai Amaran. As per Ilayaraja, His birth place Pannaipuram is now in Theni dist. Father's name is Ramasamy & mother's name is Chinnathaymmal. His father is known as "Kankaani" Ramasamy at his place. He had two wives, he being the fifth son of second wife. His eldest brother is Pavalar Varadharajan, next sisters Kamalam & Padmavathy, followed by brother Baskar. He is born on 03-07-1943, 20th day of Tamil month Vaikasi.
In the words of Ilayaraja "My father had knowledge & belief in Astrology. After looking into my horoscope, my father predicted to mother that "he is a important person and you will die only after seeing him become popular & rich".
He also predicted that "I will die when he is nine years old". As per his prediction, my father died at my 9th year. I was studying 4th std when he died. He put my hands & brother Baskar's hands into Brother Pavalar Varadharajan's hands and lost the life in this world.
My father named me as Gnanadesigan. But changed my name to Raajaiya at the time school admission. But since i lived in a village, everybody called me "Raasaiya" as it is easy to pronounce. I am not expert in studies. There was a school run by one, Perumal Vaathiyar. It had classes upto 5th std. While studying 3rd std., watched my first cinema. There was one during talkies in our village. Myself & Baskar become regular visitors there.
Once happened to see a film acted by Bhanumathy & Nageswara Rao named "Laila Majnu". Watched the film 3 or 4 times only for the songs. All the songs become by-heart. My brother Pavalar often sing those songs. One scene in the film just got deep into me. The scene was While Teacher teaches, Kayas would write "Laila Laila" in his slate. After seeing this, Teacher will beat Kayas black and blue. His hands get inflammated. My tutor had given us a home
work. I just wrote "Laila laila" in the slate and got more beating from my teacher than Kayas. He had fans like me to feel sorry for him but i had none.
This films songs got too much deep into me. The film music score was done by C.R.Subburaman who in the later become my role model or guru.
My brother Pavalar Varadharajan had more interest for Music, Plays & Programs. He learned some music from the vidhwan of Trichy radio station, Sri Marianantha bhagavathar. Music was introduced to me by my brother Varadharajan which got my interest. Because of him, i happened to learn about some raagas and that made to me distinguish the raagas Kalyani, Shankarabharanam, Karakarapriya & Thodi.
Next chapter gist : Ilaichi estate lost because of a Play.
Disclaimer :
Most of lines are from direct speech of Ilaiyaraja. I am not pro in english language. So please bear with my language.
its really nice about ilayaraja sir want to know more about him and his family
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