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Gnanadesikan was born to Daniel Ramaswamy and Chinna Tayammal of Pannaipuram in Teni district of Tamil Nadu on June 2, 1943. He became popular as Ilayaraja after some time and grown up as a music maestro of film industry. He used to work for the cultural troupe of Communist Party of India along with his step brother Pavalar Varadarajan right from his childhood. Ilayaraja, for the first time, tuned a song scripted by popular Tamil writer Kannadasan on the first Prime Minister of India at the age of 14. Later in 1976, he turned a music director of a film with Annakkili (Ramachiluka in Telugu). From then onwards he had no looking back. He enthralled the audiences of Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi languages. Though he was introduced to the film industry with a Tamil film, he earned good recognition with Telugu films and he bagged national awards for Telugu films. 'Sagara Sangamam' (1984), 'Sindhu Bhairavi' (1986) and Rudraveena (1989) earned him several awards for his music direction. The Tamil Nadu government felicitated him with 'Kalaimamani' award, while Annamalai University gave him an honorary doctorate. Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Arizona of the US awarded him with several honorary doctorates and felicitations. Though he earned as many awards and rewards, Illayaraja continued to be very honest and simple. Ilayaraja was in the habit of visiting Ramana Maharshi Ashram at Tiruvannamalai and continued to be very humble. Even now, he claims that he was still a student in the field of music. Both his sons settled in the film industry as music directors.
Ilayaraja for Big B's movie
Quite like Bharathiraja and Manirathinam, music director Ilayaraja is too making a hop to Bollywood now. The big news which is doing rounds is that Ilayaraja has accepted to score music for a Hindi movie featuring Big B. The movie would be directed by a debutant Balakrishnan featuring Tabu in the female lead. The movie is to be produced by Sun Manchanda. It may be recalled that Ilayaraja, who shares a good rapport with Ram Gopal Verma since his early days in Tamil and Telugu filmdom, has completed scoring music for his Hindi movie.
Ilayaraja to produce a movie
Maestro Ilayaraja is all set to resume film production. The music director has composed tunes for over 750 films in different Indian languages and won several accolades. Winner of several awards and acclaims, Ilayaraja ventured to production with his Pavalar Creations (named after his brother Pavalar Varadharajan). He produced many movies including Rajinikanth starrer Rajathi Raja and Kamal Haasan's Singaravelan. After almost two decades, he is back to try his luck again in production. However he has chosen a different name for his banner this time. The details of the movie and the cast and crew would be made known soon. Even though Ilayaraja is the producer, the production controller would be Sangili Murugan, a producer of yesteryear. He and Ilayaraja have been part of many projects together and their association goes a long way back.
Ilayaraja in small screen
The music legend of Indian Cinema Ilayaraja will compose music for the mega serial Nam Kudumbam to be aired in Kalaignar TV. The melody master has composed music for over 800 films in various Indian languages and had come up with several albums. Winner of several National awards and rare honors, Ilayaraja has composed music for Nam Kudumbam, which featured Kushboo in the lead role. Sundar K Vijayan has directed the mega serial. Ilayaraja had earlier scored music for mega-serial Thenpandi Singam.
Ilayaraja sings a duet song after ten years
Ilayaraja, who used to sing at least one song in most of his films, has been avoiding duet songs. Now he has made amends and sung a duet in 'Ajanta' along with Shreya Ghosal. The movie produced and directed by Rajba Ravishankar, has been made in four southern languages. Ravishankar has roped in the popular stars in the respective languages. In Tamil, Ramana dons the hero role while newcomer Vandana Guptha makes her debut in the film. What is the story? 'It is a love story without love', says the director. He has also played an important role in the film. He also has the guts to release all the editions in all the four states on his own. Self confidence, is thy name Ravishankar?
Ilayaraja in 'Jagan Mohini'
'Jagan Mohini' starring Namitha and Nila had a surprise visitor at it sets in Madurai at the Thirumalai Naicker Mahal recently. The legendary music composer Ilayaraja was a special guest at the movie's shooting. A close friend of director N K Viswanathan, Ilayaraja visited the sets and watched the shooting at very close quarters. Interestingly Ilayaraja is composing the musical score for 'Jagan Mohini', which is a remake of the yesteryear classic with the same title. The original version featured Jayamalini in the lead role. The movie which went to the floors recently features Tollywood actor Raja in the lead role. The shooting is on at a fast pace. Ilayaraja was lavishing praises about the grand sets erected for the movie. The legendary music director is very selective in composing for films these days. The storyline and the mood depicted in the film needs to be to his liking.