It was a quiet evening until the man in white arrived on the stage with his signature smile — enough to light up anybody's evening. We're referring to Ilaiyaraaja's recent visit to Madurai, for a reason that deserves a big appreciation. He was present to introduce his two books — Paal Nila Paadhai and Enakku Ethuvo Unakkum Athuve.
Addicted to music
It was an astonishing moment when the stories behind some of his notable compositions in the Tamil movies during the 1980s were revealed. Rajinikanth's Kadhalin Deepam Ondru Yetrilnaale Yen Nenjil... from Thambikku Endha Ooru and Kaatuvali Pora Ponnae Kavala Padaathey... from Malaiyur Mambattiyaan were composed during his post operation period. Even though he was suffering from an acute stomach pain, he whistled the track for the lead singer for the Kadhalin Deepam Ondru Yetrilnaale Yen Nenjil. This was recorded and later sung by SPB!
A language shift
Hindi movies were beginning to gain ground in Madurai and most of the songs by Rishi Kapoor, Darmendhra were on every one's lips. When quizzed on what his opinion was on this sudden language shift, he explained how he got working on Annakili and how he was surprised to see the amount of fans he was gaining because of his music — that too on his first movie with the song Machaana Paatheengala... This track attracted the audience back into Tamil cinema.
Life in his music
When asked about his advice to the youngsters, Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja stated that the youngsters should listen to their mind and be guided by their intelligence. Also, when he was asked to share his thoughts on his literary works, he sang a song that contained the values of longing for fame that enthralled all.
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Labels: kollywood
