Ilayaraja@76: It’s Time to Listen and Read

It’s music maestro Ilayaraja’s birthday today. Here are some of his songs and their stories.

(This article is from The Quint’s archives and was first published on 2 June 2016. It is now being republished to mark Ilaiyaraaja’s birthday.)

In a way, you could say that Ilaiyaraja was to the previous generation, what AR Rahman is to today’s. But honestly, Ilayaraja then, was a bigger deal. There was NO ONE else at the time. And though it was almost a monopoly, Ilayaraja composed for fifty movies on average each year. And in each movie, there was a hit song.

He scored for his 1,000th movie in December 2015. Not 1000th song. 1,000th MOVIE.

It’s his 76th birthday today. And with that let’s stop with the numbers and move on to the music. You can read, as you listen.

Let’s Do Covers, Occasionally

I’ve chosen covers that don’t change the mood of the original song. Why?

Some of the visuals in the original song don’t do justice to the melody. If this is your first time, the visuals might ruin it for you.

Now, shall we begin?

The Demon Raga

One of Ilaiyaraja’s most beautiful songs, also defies categorisation. Typically, most of his songs titillate even hardcore carnatic musicians, because each song would plumb the depths of a specific raagam in ways that would mesmerise. But then, there would be songs, like this one, set in no recognisable raagam or even a family of raagams. And yet, the beauty is undeniable. The original song was composed in 1981.

From Silence, to Song

Twenty years ago, veteran actor Nassar completed direction for his debut film, Avatharam (reincarnation). He was sitting in Ilayaraja’s office, waiting to discuss the music and composition with him. Ilaiyaraja had seen a preliminary cut of the movie. There was a long silence, in which Ilaiyaraja jotted down notes and Nassar waited with a chocolate in hand, a full bladder and a rising temper. Ilaiyaraja handed the notes to his assistant. Nassar cleared his throat and asked the maestro if they could begin the discussion. Ilaiyaraja said, “I’ve just composed the songs and sent in the notes. Your movie already told me where they are to come.” Ilaiyaraja also made Nassar sing the song. It adds a beautiful rustic, lilting feel to the tune.

In this case, the visuals in the original are a value-add. So no cover.

Kamal Hassan the Playback Singer

Kamal Hassan, for a brief period of time, learnt music under the legendary Carnatic musician Balamuralikrishna. But he considers Ilaiyaraja his guru. And rightfully so. The playback singer in him was honed, chiselled and tamed by Ilayaraja, who used Kamal for some of his most poignant tunes. Here’s one song from the 1986 spy movie Vikram. I’m again posting the original, because it’s Kamal’s voice I’d like you to pay attention to. Of course, the tune will get you jiggling on your seat.

Ilaiyaraja’s Voices

This is important, not only because you need to know, but also because this paragraph will help save the story from becoming a bloody listicle. SP Balasubramanyam, Chitra and S Janaki were Ilaiyaraja’s most prominent voices. This quartet dished out hit songs in the hundreds across languages, which continue to be copied, plagiarised and remixed.

Someone decided to mix a steamy first night Ilayaraja number to the Elephunk theme. Listen to S Janaki’s glass shattering vocals around 3:33.

Here’s an SPB song with full on wa-wa guitars, with a cameo by Ilaiyaraja himself, 26 years younger!

Bygone Era

Practically speaking, four decades and 1000 movies has definitely taken a toll on Ilaiyaraja’s creative output. Notice how conspicuously absent his recent compositions are from this list?

The one weakness (if you can call it that) in Ilaiyaraja’s otherwise brilliant and amazingly long career is his inability to adapt to electronica. The genius that combined, for the first time in the world, Tamil folk music with a symphony orchestra, is somehow still stuck in the 70s, when it comes to electronic sound sensibilities.

I’ll leave you with what I personally feel is one of the best examples of music maestro Ilayaraja’s ability to combine two seemingly isolated genres.

There are no covers of this song. I’m sure many musicians have tried and failed. So please listen with eyes closed, if you’re not from down south, or if the video looks funny to you.

Happy Birthday, Raja Sir! This one’s for you.