Legendary Composer Ilaiyaraaja Launches IIT Madras Music Learning And Research Center

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras has established the Ilaiyaraaja Centre for Music Learning and Research on its Chennai campus, with the foundation stone laid by Ilaiyaraaja and Tripura Governor Indirasena Reddy Nallu on May 20. Ilaiyaraaja expressed his hope that the center would aid individuals in learning music and pursuing their passion by utilizing available resources.

During the event, IIT-M director V Kamakoti emphasized the need for extensive research to comprehend music fully, including exploring the application of advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) in music.

Ilaiyaraaja shared nostalgic anecdotes from his youth when he and his brother ventured to Chennai (then Madras) to learn music. Despite his own admission of not having formally learned music, he encouraged aspiring musicians, stating that passion and determination can lead to great achievements. He envisioned institutions like IIT-M producing numerous musical talents akin to himself, likening music to a natural instinct.

It's reported that Ilaiyaraaja will contribute his musical notes to the center. Additionally, he revealed details about his upcoming project, Director Vetri Maaran's 'Viduthalai Part 2,' and shared his accomplishment of completing a symphony within a remarkably short timeframe of 35 days.

In other news, Ilaiyaraaja has been engaged in legal battles concerning copyright issues, notably issuing a legal notice to the producers of Rajinikanth's film 'Coolie.'