ILAYARAAJA

Personal Information

  • Full Name: Gnanathesikan (Stage Name: Ilaiyaraaja)
  • Born: June 2, 1943
  • Birthplace: Pannaipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Nationality: Indian
  • Profession: Composer, Music Director, Singer, Songwriter
  • Years Active: 1976 – Present
  • Genres: Film Music, Classical, Folk, Western Fusion
  • Instruments: Vocals, Piano, Guitar, Violin, Synthesizer

Career Overview

Ilaiyaraaja is regarded as one of the greatest music composers in Indian cinema. He revolutionized Tamil and South Indian film music by introducing orchestration, Western classical influences, and electronic music into traditional Indian melodies.

He has composed over 7,000 songs, provided music for over 1,000 films, and conducted 20,000+ concerts worldwide.

Ilaiyaraaja has composed music for over 1,000 films

1970s (Debut & Early Success)

Ilaiyaraaja made his debut in 1976 and quickly rose to fame.

1976

  1. Annakili
  2. Dheepam

1977

  1. Kavikkuyil
  2. 16 Vayathinile
  3. Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri
  4. Aattukkara Alamelu

1978

  1. Mullum Malarum
  2. Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu
  3. Sigappu Rojakkal

1979

  1. Rosapoo Ravikaikari
  2. Uthiripookkal
  3. Ninaithale Inikkum

1980s (Golden Era & Peak Popularity)

1980

  1. Nizhalgal
  2. Murattu Kaalai
  3. Johnny

1981

  1. Rajaparvai
  2. Alaigal Oivathillai

1982

  1. Moondram Pirai
  2. Payanangal Mudivathillai

1983

  1. Thanga Magan
  2. Mani Osai

1984

  1. My Dear Kuttichathan
  2. Nooravathu Naal

1985

  1. Sindhu Bhairavi
  2. Muthal Mariyathai

1986

  1. Mouna Ragam
  2. Punnagai Mannan

1987

  1. Nayakan
  2. Manathil Uruthi Vendum

1988

  1. Agni Natchathiram
  2. En Bommukutty Ammavukku

1989

  1. Apoorva Sagodharargal
  2. Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
  3. Geethanjali (Telugu)

1990s (Experimentation & Expansion)

1990

  1. Michael Madana Kama Rajan
  2. Keladi Kanmani

1991

  1. Thalapathi
  2. Guna

1992

  1. Thevar Magan
  2. Roja (Background Score)

1993

  1. Jathi Malli
  2. Aasai

1994

  1. Karuththamma
  2. Nammavar

1995

  1. Bombay (Background Score)
  2. Sathi Leelavathi

1996

  1. Indian (Background Score)
  2. Avatharam

1997

  1. Guru (Malayalam)

1998

  1. Kaathala Kaathala

1999

  1. Sethu

2000s (New Challenges & National Recognition)

2000

  1. Hey Ram
  2. Bharathi

2001

  1. Kasi

2002

  1. Azhagi

2003

  1. Pithamagan

2004

  1. Virumaandi

2005

  1. Mumbai Xpress

2006

  1. Vishnu

2007

  1. Cheeni Kum (Hindi)

2008

  1. Azhagar Malai

2009

  1. Naan Kadavul
  2. Paa (Hindi)

2010s & 2020s (Legacy & Continued Excellence)

2010

  1. Nandhalala

2012

  1. Neethane En Ponvasantham

2015

  1. Shamitabh (Hindi)

2016

  1. Tharai Thappattai

2019

  1. Yatra (Telugu)

2022

  1. Maamanithan

Awards & Honors of Ilaiyaraaja

Ilaiyaraaja is one of the most decorated composers in Indian music history. He has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to film music, including National Awards, State Awards, and International Recognitions.

🏆 National Awards (India’s Highest Film Honors)

Ilaiyaraaja has won five National Film Awards, making him one of the most awarded composers in India.

  1. 1984 – Best Music Direction (Sindhu Bhairavi) – Tamil
  2. 1986 – Best Background Score (Rudraveena) – Telugu
  3. 1988 – Best Music Direction (Sagara Sangamam) – Telugu
  4. 1994 – Best Music Direction (Thevar Magan) – Tamil
  5. 2016 – Best Background Score (Tharai Thappattai) – Tamil

🏅 Civilian Awards (India’s Highest Civilian Honors)

These awards are given by the Government of India for lifetime contributions.

  • Padma Bhushan (2010) – India’s third-highest civilian award.
  • Padma Vibhushan (2018) – India’s second-highest civilian award.

🏆 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

Given by the Government of Tamil Nadu for outstanding contributions to Tamil cinema.

  • Best Music Director – 7 times
    • Annakili (1976)
    • Mullum Malarum (1978)
    • Apoorva Raagangal (1975)
    • Sindhu Bhairavi (1985)
    • Nayakan (1987)
    • Thevar Magan (1992)
    • Pithamagan (2003)

🏆 Kerala State Film Awards

Given by the Government of Kerala for Malayalam cinema.

  • Best Music Director – 1995 (Kaalapani)

🏆 Andhra Pradesh State Nandi Awards

Given for excellence in Telugu cinema.

  • Best Music Director – 5 times
    • Sagara Sangamam (1983)
    • Swathi Kiranam (1992)
    • Rudraveena (1988)

🌍 International Recognition

  • Gold Medal from Trinity College of Music, London (for classical composition).
  • BBC World Service Poll (2003) – Ranked Top 25 Greatest Composers in the World, alongside Beethoven and Mozart.

🏆 Other Major Honors

  • Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2012) – India’s highest award for music.
  • Maharashtra Government Lata Mangeshkar Award (2015).
  • Lifetime Achievement Award – Filmfare (2014).
  • Honorary Doctorates from multiple universities, including Madurai Kamaraj University & Annamalai University.

🎖 Guinness World Record

  • For composing over 7,000 songs in 1,000+ films – making him one of the most prolific composers in history.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS : 

YOUTUBE : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=218VThVuUVI&pp=ygUZaWxheWFyYWphIGJpb2dyYXBoeSB0YW1pbA%3D%3D

INSTAGRAM : https://www.instagram.com/ilayaraja_official/

FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/Ilaiyaraaja/

TWITTER : https://x.com/ilaiyaraaja