Happy Birthday Maestro
Today is Ilaiyaraja's birthday. Here are a few interesting tidbits, some of which I came to know only recently, about the Isaignyani...
- Ilaiyaraja's original name was Daniel Rasaiah
- He was born on June 3rd, 1943
- Ilaiyaraja first scored music for Annakkili in 1976
- When he scored music for Annakkili, producer Panju Arunachalam changed his name to Raja. But since there was already a music director named Periyaraja, Raja became Ilaiyaraja!
- He has 3 children - Karthik Raja, Yuvan Shankar Raja and Bhavatharini
- An interesting bit of trivia... all 4 had their debuts in movies starting with A (Ilaiyaraja - Annakkili; Karthik Raja - Alexander; Yuvan Shankar Raja - Aravindan; Bhavatharini - Anjali)
Happy Birthday Maestro... And a heartfelt thank you for all the mesmerizing music and timeless tunes from Annakkili Unna Theduthe... to Andha Naal Nyaabagam....
I started listing some of my favorite numbers from the genius but but realized within a few lines that it was going to be an impossible task because of the sheer number of them. So let me add a slight twist to just one of my favorite numbers and just say
Nalam Vaazha Ennaalum En Vaazhthukkal
Thamizh Paadum Pallaandu Un Paadalgal...
Balaji's Thots... [Permalink]
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20 Comments:
Interesting. Is he a christian?
a trivia question (for which i am not sure i have the complete answer):
what are the movies in which illayaraja appears on screen?
He was in some Ramarajan movie (opening scene?).
Then of course, dharma pathini - naan thedum sevvanthi poovithu.
I read somewhere that yesterday was his birthday and elsewhere that day before was his birthday. Well, no matter, we are all glad he was born in our land.
He contributed a big chunk to my love for music.
saadhanai(in which he composes a song on screen with Sivaji), and some movie with Gangai amaran - karagaatakaaran(?) or kumbakkarai thangaiah, pudhu pudhu arthangaL(kalyaaNa maalai song)
Nizhalgal - He sings 'Madai thiranthu' for Chandrasekhar in the recording studio.
he was in one ramarajan Movie Karagattakaran and one ramarajan CLASSIC:
villupaatukaaran, where he appears as himself and says that the temple (where Nambiar works as a sculptor) should be maintained properly...for a review of this underrated classic, check out
www.geocities.com/ram_aishoo/VPK.htm ...the review was written on 3/31/03 but my opinion hasnt changed in 2 yrs...
btw, i thot karthik raja's first movie was the ramki-kushboo starrer "enakkoru magan pirappan"...
Many many happy returns of the day, Dr. Maestro!!! Few more trivia on Isaignani:
1) He started his own audio cassette company called "Echo", which functioned for a few years.
2) He produced movies under the banner "Pavalar Creations". (Singaravelan, Karpooramullai, etc.)
3) He has penned several classic songs himself, the stand-out one being "Idhayam oru kovil".
4) "Naadodi Thendral", his last movie with old buddy Bharathiraja had the story written by him.
5)He has composed music for over 800 movies, which is a world record.
Bhavatharini debuted with Anjali? Which song did she compose? Also, the first song Karthik Raja composed was for "Pandiyanin rajjiyathil" from Pandian. Also, I thought his first movie was "Manickam" of Rajkiran.
For junior IR Yuvan's new one Arindhum Ariyamalum movie review, check my new post.
after AA, another A movie (in class) Anniyan news: Wait for one more week for its release.. June 17 is the 'new' date now.
That trivia part, is an interesting one...
It is unfortunate that Karthik Raja, is not in the scene as a scenestealer...?
As GP said Karthik's Raja's first song was Pandiyanin Rajiyathil. Thanks for letting us know the real name of IR. I knew the Rasiah part....but didn't know the Daniel part. Heard Karthik is helping out IR in some of his projects.
karthik raja, occasionally gives us glimpses of his talent...but mostly, turns in substandard work...his best (overall) albums were ullasam and dum dum dum...thot he did a wonderful job composing the background score in kudaikkull mazhai...
Ram, me too agrees with u. His other good songs were "Kadhal vaanoli" and "Chellame chellam" from Album.
IR must be beaming with pride, all his kids are talented... But he should stop Bavatharani from singing. Thaangamudilaada saamiiiii
Karthik Raja is so quite these days... His songs are usually good, but how come it doesnt make waves like his younger sibling?
Anyways... Bavatharani scored music for ANJALI?? how old is she??? dayam
I think Bhavatharini debuted in Anjali as a singer.. I know that the IR family kids like Yuvan, Karthi Bhaskar and Venkat Prabhu all sang for Anjali. May be she did too.
I find there is quite bit difference between KR's and Yuvan's songs.. Also, KR was a bit unlucky that the initial movies he composed music didnt become hit. Yuvan picked up from Poovellam KettuPaar and from 2004, it seems he can do no wrong no matter how big or small the movie is.
anon, i read that his dad converted to christianity after marrying his 2nd wife and had 3 kids with her.
munimma, u might've read about his bday on some blog from India on thursday! but not sure who thot it was day before!
ram, yes KR's songs for DDD were probably his best. he had some good songs in that sundarC-prabhu deva flick too.
i dont know how genuine is the news about Ilayaraja being a born christian. His brothers bear the name 'Pavalar' varadarajan and Bhaskar... Pavalar was quite senior to IR-Gangai Amaran.. And IR's mother name was Chinnathai..
Surely all these names dont sound christian.. In regions around madurai, it is common for some people to mix names while naming their children.. I think Daniel somehow came like that..
he marreid twice???
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yeah KR's "naam iruvar namak iruvar" was good, quite catchy.
i also rate ullasam as one of his v.best...
all the songs sounded grr888...
konjum manjall, muthe muthammaa, cholare cho cholaare, jolly jolly life, veesum kaatrukku...
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