“Fans See Me as a Music God”: Ilaiyaraaja Reflects On 50-Year Musical Journey

Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja has reflected on his extraordinary five-decade journey in Indian cinema music, speaking emotionally about the love and reverence he continues to receive from audiences across generations.

Speaking at a commemorative event celebrating 50 years of his musical career, the maestro recalled the early days of his debut film Annakili and credited writer-producer Panchu Arunachalam for giving him his first major break in cinema. According to Ilaiyaraaja, he initially composed tunes without instruments, using only his voice and rhythmic taps on a table to communicate melodies. Those compositions eventually became the foundation for the film’s music and marked the beginning of an iconic career in Indian cinema.

Reflecting on the admiration he receives from fans, Ilaiyaraaja said he takes pride in the way audiences celebrate his contribution to music, adding that many see him as a “music god.” He also expressed confidence that his music would continue to live on for generations.

Over the last five decades, Ilaiyaraaja has become one of the most influential composers in Indian music history, known for blending Tamil folk traditions with Western orchestration and classical elements. His work across thousands of songs and film scores has shaped the soundscape of Tamil cinema and inspired generations of composers.

The composer’s golden jubilee celebrations have drawn tributes from across the film and music industries. Earlier, A. R. Rahman praised Ilaiyaraaja for bringing global recognition to Tamil music, while actors including Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan have publicly acknowledged the lasting impact of his compositions on Indian cinema.

The Tamil Nadu government has also honoured the composer’s milestone journey with large-scale celebrations and announced the launch of an annual “Ilaiyaraaja Award” recognising excellence in music composition.