# Ilaiyaraaja

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Tamil Indian composer and playback singer (born 1943)

Ilaiyaraaja Ilaiyaraaja in 2017 Background information Also known as Ilaiyaraja Maestro Isaignani Born Gnanathesigan Daniel (1943-06-02) 2 June 1943 (age 83)[a] Pannaipuram, Madras Presidency, British India Genres Film score world music classical oratorio folk rock jazz Occupations Composer Arranger Conductor Orchestrator Instrumentalist Lyricist Playback singer Film producer Instruments Vocals (Playback singing) Guitar keyboard harmonium Flute Synthesizer organ Piano Violin Cello Mridangam Tabla Ghatam Drums Years active 1976–present Website ilaiyaraajalive.com Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha Incumbent Assumed office 7 July 2022 Nominated by Ram Nath Kovind Constituency Nominated (Arts) Personal details Spouse Jeeva Rajayya Children Karthik Raja Bhavatharini Yuvan Shankar Raja Education Trinity Laban

Musical artist

**Ilaiyaraaja** (born **Gnanathesigan**)[1] is an Indian musician, composer, arranger, conductor, orchestrator, multi-instrumentalist, lyricist and [playback singer](/source/Playback_singer) popular for his works in [Indian cinema](/source/Indian_cinema), predominantly in [Tamil](/source/Tamil_cinema) in addition to [Telugu](/source/Telugu_cinema), [Malayalam](/source/Malayalam_Cinema), [Kannada](/source/Kannada_cinema) and [Hindi](/source/Hindi_cinema) films. Regarded as one of the most prolific composers, in a career spanning over forty-nine years, he has composed over 8,600 songs, provided film scores for about 1,523 feature films in nine languages,[2] and performed in over 20,000 concerts.[3] He was one of the earliest Indian film composers to use [Western classical music](/source/Western_classical_music) harmonies and string arrangements in Indian film music.[4] He is nicknamed "Isaignani" (the musical sage) and is often referred to as "[Maestro](/source/Maestro)", the title conferred to him by the [Royal Philharmonic Orchestra](/source/Royal_Philharmonic_Orchestra), [London](/source/London).[5]

In 1986, he became the first Indian composer to record a soundtrack with computer for the film *[Vikram](/source/Vikram_(1986_Tamil_film))*.[6] In 2013, when [CNN-IBN](/source/CNN-IBN) conducted a poll to commemorate 100 years of [Indian cinema](/source/Indian_cinema), Ilaiyaraaja secured 49% of the vote and was adjudged the country's greatest music composer.[7] In 2025, he became the first-ever Asian, as well as Indian film composer to compose, record, and perform live a full Western classical [symphony](/source/Symphony) in London.[1][2] He also composed and orchestrated *[Thiruvasagam in Symphony](/source/Thiruvasakam_in_Symphony)* (2006) - the first Indian [oratorio](/source/Oratorio).[8]

Ilaiyaraaja received [several awards](/source/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Ilaiyaraaja) for his works throughout his career. In 2012, for his creative and experimental works in the field of music, he received the [Sangeet Natak Akademi Award](/source/Sangeet_Natak_Akademi_Award), the highest Indian recognition given to people in the field of [performing arts](/source/Performing_arts). In 2010 he was awarded the [Padma Bhushan](/source/Padma_Bhushan), the third-highest civilian honour in India, and in 2018 the [Padma Vibhushan](/source/Padma_Vibhushan), the second-highest civilian award by the [government of India](/source/Government_of_India). He is a nominated [Member of Parliament](/source/Member_of_Parliament%2C_Rajya_Sabha) in the Indian upper house [Rajya Sabha](/source/Rajya_Sabha) since July 2022.[9][2] A biographical film about his life titled "Ilaiyaraaja" was announced on 20 March 2024.[10]

## Early life

Ilaiyaraaja was born as Gnana desigan in a Christian[11] [Dalit](/source/Dalit) family in [Pannaipuram](/source/Pannaipuram), at present-day [Theni district](/source/Theni_district) in Tamil Nadu, India, on 3 June 1943.[1][12][13] He however celebrates his birthday on 2 June to honour [M. Karunanidhi](/source/M._Karunanidhi) whose birthdate also falls on 3 June. It was Karunanidhi who gave Ilaiyaraaja the title "Isaignani".[14][a] At the time of joining school, his father, Daniel Ramasamy[15] changed his name from Gnana desigan[16] to "Daniel Rasappa," and the people in his village called him "Raasaiya".[17] When he joined [Dhanraj Master](/source/Master_Dhanraj) as a student to learn musical instruments, the master changed his name from "Raasaiya" to "Raja"[18] While working for his first film *[Annakili](/source/Annakili)* (1976), Tamil film producer [Panchu Arunachalam](/source/Panchu_Arunachalam) added the prefix "Ilaiya" (meaning 'younger' in [Tamil](/source/Tamil_language)) to the name "Raaja", and renamed him as "Ilaiyaraaja", as in the 1970s there was another popular music director with the same suffix, namely [A. M. Rajah](/source/A._M._Rajah).[19]

### Initial exposure to music

Ilaiyaraaja grew up in a [rural area](/source/Rural_area) and was exposed to a range of [Tamil folk music](/source/Music_of_Tamil_Nadu#Folk_music) in his formative years.[20] At the age of 14, he joined a travelling musical troupe named "Pavalar Brothers", headed by his elder brother [Pavalar Varadharajan](/source/Pavalar_Varadharajan), and spent the next decade performing across [South India](/source/South_India).[21] While working with the troupe, he penned his first composition, a musical adaptation of an [elegy](/source/Elegy) written by the Tamil [poet laureate](/source/Poet_laureate), [Kannadasan](/source/Kannadasan), for India's first prime minister [Jawaharlal Nehru](/source/Jawaharlal_Nehru).[22][23] In the initial years he used to set tunes to the songs of his brother Pavalar Varadarajan, who was a communist in then undivided [Communist Party of India](/source/Communist_Party_of_India). He later left to [Madras](/source/Madras) (now Chennai) along with brother Bhaskar to learn Music, they had only four-hundred rupees, which their mother procured by selling off the home radio. They knew no one in the city and were confident to live off the payments they would receive by singing for people on the streets.[24]

In Madras, he became a student of [Master Dhanraj](/source/Master_Dhanraj) who nurtured his immense potential. Remembering his master, Ilaiyaraaja said, "My master’s tiny room was inhabited by [Bach](/source/Bach), [Haydn](/source/Haydn), [Brahms](/source/Brahms), [Mozart](/source/Mozart) and [Beethoven](/source/Beethoven). He trained me in classical music."[24] Ilaiyaraaja emerged as the topper and a gold medalist in [classical guitar](/source/Classical_guitar) after taking exam from the [Trinity College of Music](/source/Trinity_Laban_Conservatoire_of_Music_and_Dance), London.[2] He also learnt [Carnatic music](/source/Carnatic_music) from [T. V. Gopalakrishnan](/source/T._V._Gopalakrishnan).[21][25][26]

## Career

### Session musician and orchestrator

During the 1970s, Ilaiyaraaja played guitar in a band-for-hire, and worked as a [session guitarist](/source/Session_musician), keyboardist, and organist for film music composers and directors such as [Salil Chowdhury](/source/Salil_Chowdhury) from [West Bengal](/source/West_Bengal).[27][28][29][30] Chowdhury once remarked that "[Ilaiyaraaja] is going to become the best composer in India".[31] "Our main guitarist in Madras is the best composer in India", he said.[32] After being hired as musical assistant to [Kannada film](/source/Kannada_film) composer [G. K. Venkatesh](/source/G._K._Venkatesh), he worked on 200 film projects, mostly in Kannada cinema.[33] As Venkatesh's assistant, Ilaiyaraaja would [orchestrate](/source/Orchestration) the melodic outlines developed by Venkatesh, and learn about composing under Venkatesh's guidance. During this period, Ilaiyaraaja also began to write his own scores. To listen to his compositions, he used to persuade Venkatesh's [session musicians](/source/Session_musician) to play excerpts from his scores during their leisure times.[34]

### Film score composer

Ilaiyaraaja at the TFPC Press Meet

At the start of his career, the music sensibility of Ilaiyaraaja was very different to the film music composed in those days. Even though he spent a lot of his time learning, he "wasn't able to grasp how music was being made for films." However, in 1975 when film producer Panchu Arunachalam was impressed by a song Ilaiyaraaja casually sung, he commissioned him to compose the songs and film score for the Tamil film *[Annakili](/source/Annakili)* (1976).[35] For the soundtrack, Ilaiyaraaja applied techniques of modern popular film music orchestration to Tamil [folk poetry](/source/Folk_poetry) and [folk song](/source/Folk_song) melodies. This resulted in creation of a fusion of Western and Tamil idioms. Initially he was little apprehensive about how his work would be received, he thought musicians in the industry may write him off. However, when *Annakili* released in 1976, the music became a huge hit. For his following 12 films, Ilaiyaraaja based his compositions on the contemporary film music. Later, when a new wave of films started to come, they opened the space for the kind of music he wanted to explore.[36][37][38]

Ilaiyaraaja's use of [Tamil folk music](/source/Music_of_Tamil_Nadu) in his film scores injected new life in the Indian film score milieu.[39] By the mid-1980s, he started gaining increasing stature as a composer and music director in the [South Indian film](/source/South_Indian_film) industries.[40] He worked with Indian poets and lyricists such as [Kannadasan](/source/Kannadasan), [Vaali](/source/Vaali_(poet)), [Vairamuthu](/source/Vairamuthu), [O. N. V. Kurup](/source/O._N._V._Kurup), [Sreekumaran Thampi](/source/Sreekumaran_Thampi), [Veturi](/source/Veturi), [Acharya Aatreya](/source/Acharya_Aatreya), [Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry](/source/Sirivennela_Seetharama_Sastry), [Chi. Udayashankar](/source/Chi._Udayashankar) and [Gulzar](/source/Gulzar). Most of his compositions were sung by [S. P. Balasubrahmanyam](/source/S._P._Balasubrahmanyam), [S. Janaki](/source/S._Janaki) and [K. S. Chithra](/source/K._S._Chithra).[41]

### Non-cinematic output

Ilaiyaraaja and Vikram at the Nadigar Sangam Protest

Ilaiyaraaja's first two non-film albums were explorations in the fusion of Indian and Western classical music. The first, *[How to Name It?](/source/How_to_Name_It%3F)* (1986), is dedicated to the Carnatic master [Tyāgarāja](/source/Tyagaraja) and to [J. S. Bach](/source/Johann_Sebastian_Bach). It features a fusion of the Carnatic form and *[ragas](/source/Ragas)* with Bach [partitas](/source/Partita), [fugues](/source/Fugue) and [Baroque](/source/Baroque) musical textures.[42] The second, *Nothing But Wind* (1988), was performed by flautist [Hariprasad Chaurasia](/source/Hariprasad_Chaurasia) and a 50-piece orchestra and takes the conceptual approach suggested in the title—that music is a "natural phenomenon akin to various forms of air currents".[43]

He has composed a set of Carnatic *[kritis](/source/Kriti_(music))* which were recorded by electric mandolinist [U. Srinivas](/source/U._Srinivas) for the album *Ilayaraaja's Classicals on the Mandolin* (1994). Ilaiyaraaja has also composed albums of religious/[devotional](/source/Bhakti) songs. His *Guru Ramana Geetam* (2004) is a cycle of prayer songs inspired by the Hindu mystic [Ramana Maharshi](/source/Ramana_Maharshi), and his *[Thiruvasakam](/source/Thiruvasakam): A crossover* (2005) is an [oratorio](/source/Oratorio) of ancient Tamil poems transcribed partially in English by American lyricist [Stephen Schwartz](/source/Stephen_Schwartz) and performed by the [Budapest Symphony Orchestra](/source/Budapest_Symphony_Orchestra).[44][45] His most recent release is a world music-oriented album called *The Music Messiah* (2006).[46] In 2025, he became the first asian to debut a western classical symphony in London[47]. He composed his first English classical symphony “Valiant”, performed by [Royal Scottish National Orchestra](/source/Royal_Scottish_National_Orchestra).[48]

In May 2020, he composed a song titled *Bharath Bhoomi*, as tribute to the people working amid [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic).[49] The song was crooned by [S. P Balasubrahmanyam](/source/S._P._Balasubrahmanyam) and the video of the song was unveiled by Ilaiyaraaja on his YouTube channel on 30 May 2020, in Tamil and Hindi.[50][51]

On his birthday in 2020, Ilaiyaraaja announced the upcoming launch of his 'Isai OTT' [app](/source/Mobile_app). He stated that the app would contain much more than just his songs, like behind-the-scenes trivia about how each song was conceived, produced, and delivered, as well as collaborations with other musicians.[52]

Ilaiyaraaja's song 'Naanthaan Ungappanda' from the 1981 film *[Ram Lakshman](/source/Ram_Lakshman_(film))* was part of the playlist for the opening ceremony of the [2012 Summer Olympics](/source/2012_Summer_Olympics).[53][54]

His compositions *Paayum Puli Title Music* and *Ilamai Itho* were part of the soundtrack of [Ashim Ahluwalia](/source/Ashim_Ahluwalia)'s 2012 [Cannes Film Festival](/source/Cannes_Film_Festival) entry, *[Miss Lovely](/source/Miss_Lovely)*.[55] [*The Lovebirds*](/source/The_Lovebirds_(2020_film)) (2020) incorporated a section of Ilaiyaraaja's "Oru kili" soundtrack composed for the movie *[Aanandha Kummi](/source/Aanandha_Kummi)* (1983) as background music in its official trailer.[56]

[The Black Eyed Peas](/source/The_Black_Eyed_Peas) sampled the Ilaiyaraaja's composition "Unakkum Ennakum" from *Sri Raghavendra* (1985) for the song "The Elephunk Theme" in *[Elephunk](/source/Elephunk)* (2003).[57]

Ilaiyaraaja's song "Mella Mella Ennaithottu" from [Vaazhkai](/source/Vaazhkai_(1949_film)) was sampled by Rabbit Mac in the song *Sempoi*.[58] Popular American rapper [Meek Mill](/source/Meek_Mill) sampled one of Ilaiyaraaja's hit songs for *Indian Bounce*.

The alternative artist [M.I.A.](/source/M.I.A._(artist)) sampled "Kaatukuyilu" from the film *Thalapathi* (1991) for her song "Bamboo Banga" on the album *[Kala](/source/Kala_(album))* (2007).[59]

Alphant sampled Ilaiyaraaja's music for his song *An Indian Dream*.[60] [Gonjasufi](/source/Gonjasufi) sampled Ilaiyaraaja's "Yeh Hawa Yeh Fiza" from the movie *[Sadma](/source/Sadma)*.[61]

### Live performances

Ilaiyaraaja at the inauguration of 91st Music Academy Concerts & Conferences

Ilaiyaraaja rarely performs his music live. His first major live performance since his debut was a four-hour concert held at the [Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium](/source/Jawaharlal_Nehru_Stadium%2C_Chennai) in Chennai, India, on 16 October 2005.[62] He performed in 2004 in Italy at the Teatro Comunale di Modena, an event-concert presented for the 14th edition of Angelica, Festival Internazionale Di Musica, co-produced with the L'Altro Suono Festival.[63]

A television retrospective titled *Ithu Ilaiyaraja* ("This is Ilaiyaraja") was produced, chronicling his career.[64] He last performed live at the audio release function of the film *[Dhoni](/source/Dhoni_(film))* and before that, he performed a programme that was conducted and telecasted by Jaya TV titled *Enrendrum Raja* ("Everlasting Raja") on 28 December 2011 at Jahawarlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai.

On 5 September 2012, Ilayaraja performed in a live concert in Chennai with the [Hungarian National Philharmonic](/source/Hungarian_National_Philharmonic) orchestra; during this event the music launch of his films *[Neethaane En Ponvasantham](/source/Neethaane_En_Ponvasantham)* and *[Yeto Vellipoyindhi Manasu](/source/Yeto_Vellipoyindhi_Manasu)* took place.[65] On 23 September 2012, he performed live in [Bangalore](/source/Bangalore) at National High School Grounds.

On 16 February 2013, Ilayaraja made his first appearance in North America performing at the [Rogers Centre](/source/Rogers_Centre) in Toronto, Canada.[66] The Toronto concert was promoted by Trinity Events for Vijay TV in India and produced by Sandy Audio Visual SAV Productions with PA+. Following his show at Toronto, Ilaiyaraaja also performed at the [Prudential Center](/source/Prudential_Center) Newark, New Jersey, on 23 February 2013 and at the [HP Pavilion at San Jose](/source/HP_Pavilion_at_San_Jose) on 1 March 2013. After his North America tour, he made a live performance at [The O2 Arena](/source/The_O2_Arena) in London on 24 August 2013, along with [Kamal Haasan](/source/Kamal_Haasan) and his sons [Yuvan Shankar Raja](/source/Yuvan_Shankar_Raja) and [Karthik Raja](/source/Karthik_Raja).[67]

## Musical style and sensibility

"Only the film director will be with me when the situation and the story are narrated. Then, it's just me and my harmonium. I just think about the situation and touch my harmonium and music flows. If people consider it as an alternate world, so be it. To me, it is something that I can't explain."

— Ilaiyaraaja on his creative process[68]

Ilaiyaraaja, once reflecting over his works after turning seventy-five, said his "life experiences and learning" have been the fount from which his musical output poured, but sometimes felt that some of his compositions transcended them as if they were "the reflection of the efforts of past lives — mine, or those of other musical exponents." When enquired if it was mystical as in the case of mathematical genius [Srinivasa Ramanujan](/source/Srinivasa_Ramanujan), who insisted he received math formula in [dreams](/source/Dreams) from a goddess, Ilaiyaraaja said that unlike Ramanujan who felt a supernatural being guiding him, he always felt a moment of clarity when a composition came to his mind — "It is as if I am the subject and the object of art at the same time when that happens," he said.[69] Nevertheless, he regards music as a form of spiritual seeking, where one needs to keep their "inner eye constantly open", but also assist it with vigorous work, "In my early years, I would be in the studio till 11 pm. Come home, have bath and dinner, and write music till 2 am. I would wake up by 4, sit down to do my music and be at the studio at sharp 7 am. Music is everything to me. Do you know it took me 27 years to understand the C [major chord](/source/Major_chord) on the piano", he said.[24]

Ilaiyaraaja uses the same [harmonium](/source/Harmonium), both in his studio and in concerts. He has scored with it throughout his career. When he was younger, he was never allowed to touch it by his brother who thought he would spoil it. However, Ilaiyaraaja would play with it whenever his brother was not there, "that's how I learnt how to play," he said, "the harmonium knows that it was made for me. It tells me that there is more music to be made."[68] The harmonium was reportedly bought for eighty-five rupees.[65]

Ilaiyaraaja's musical style is characterised by an orchestration which is a synthesis of [Indian folk music](/source/Indian_folk_music) and Western classical music, with traditional [Indian instruments](/source/Indian_instruments) and [modes](/source/Mode_(music)). He uses electronic music technology that integrates synthesizers, electric guitars and [keyboards](/source/Electronic_keyboard), drum machines, rhythm boxes and [MIDI](/source/MIDI) with large orchestras that feature traditional instruments such as the *[veena](/source/Veena)*, *[venu](/source/Venu)*, *[nadaswaram](/source/Nadaswaram)*, *[dholak](/source/Dholak)*, *[mridangam](/source/Mridangam)* and *[tabla](/source/Tabla)* as well as Western lead instruments such as saxophones and flutes.[40] When asked to explain what his music is, Ilaiyaraaja said, "How can I explain anything? Everyone’s music is made of their own life experiences. To me music is that which connects human hearts. It is something that takes you to unknown levels."[24]

Ilaiyaraaja speaking after receiving the centenary award at the [46th International Film Festival of India](/source/46th_International_Film_Festival_of_India) (IFFI-2015), in [Panaji, Goa](/source/Panaji%2C_Goa)

On numerous occasions, Ilaiyaraaja has credited [M. S. Viswanathan](/source/M._S._Viswanathan) as an overwhelming influence on his music.[32] "I could be a music director only by closely watching and listening to the great techniques introduced by M.S. Viswanthan in film music", he said. Ilaiyaraaja first played the organ for the song *Malar Ethu Kankal Than* in the film [Avalukendru Or Manam](/source/Avalukendru_Or_Manam) for MSV. He later worked on composing background music for few of his films.[70] Along with M.S. Viswanthan, he called [Naushad](/source/Naushad), [Roshan](/source/Roshan_(music_director)), [Madan Mohan](/source/Madan_Mohan), and [G.K. Venkatesh](/source/G.K._Venkatesh) among several others, as the "great masters".[24] [Lata Mangeshkar](/source/Lata_Mangeshkar) and [S. Janaki](/source/S._Janaki) had been the singers with whom he experimented his songs relentlessly.[32]

Ilaiyaraaja is nicknamed "Isaignani" (the musical sage), a title conferred by Kalaignar Karunanidhi. He is often referred to as "Maestro", the title conferred by the [Royal Philharmonic Orchestra](/source/Royal_Philharmonic_Orchestra), London.[5] He was one of the earliest Indian film composers to use Western classical music harmonies and string arrangements in Indian film music.[4] This allowed him to craft a rich tapestry of sounds for films, and his themes and background score gained notice and appreciation among Indian film audiences.[71] The range of expressive possibilities in Indian film music was broadened by his methodical approach to arranging, recording technique, and his drawing of ideas from a diversity of musical styles.[4]

According to musicologist Paul Greene, Ilaiyaraaja's "deep understanding of so many different styles of music allowed him to create syncretic pieces of music combining very different musical idioms in unified, coherent musical statements".[40] By virtue of this variety and his intermingling of Western, Indian folk and [Carnatic](/source/Carnatic_music) elements, Ilaiyaraaja's compositions appeal to the Indian rural dweller for its [rhythmic](/source/Rhythm) folk qualities, the Indian classical music enthusiast for the employment of Carnatic *[ragas](/source/Ragas)*, and the urbanite for its modern, Western-music sound.[72] His sense of visualisation for composing music is always to match up with the movie storyline and help the audience feel the emotions flavoured through his musical score. He mastered this art of blending music to the narration, which very few others managed to adapt themselves over a longer time.[73] Although he uses a range of complex compositional techniques, he often sketches out the basic melodic ideas for films in a very spontaneous fashion.[20][40]

## Honours and legacy

Main article: [List of awards and nominations received by Ilaiyaraaja](/source/List_of_awards_and_nominations_received_by_Ilaiyaraaja)

Ilaiyaraaja receiving the [Padma Vibhushan](/source/Padma_Vibhushan) from President [Ram Nath Kovind](/source/Ram_Nath_Kovind)

In 2010, Ilaiyaraaja was awarded the [Padma Bhushan](/source/Padma_Bhushan), the third-highest civilian honour in India and the [Padma Vibhushan](/source/Padma_Vibhushan) in 2018, the second-highest [civilian award](/source/Indian_honours_system) by the government of [India](/source/Republic_of_India).[74][75] On 6 July 2022, Ilaiyaraaja was nominated to the [Rajya Sabha](/source/Rajya_Sabha) as Member of Parliament by the President of India, [Ram Nath Kovind](/source/Ram_Nath_Kovind).[76] In November 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conferred an honorary doctorate to Ilaiyaraaja during the 36th Convocation Ceremony of [Gandhigram Rural Institute](/source/Gandhigram_Rural_Institute) in Tamil Nadu's [Dindigul](/source/Dindigul).[77]

Ilaiyaraaja has been awarded five [National Film Awards](/source/National_Film_Awards)—three for [Best Music Direction](/source/National_Film_Award_for_Best_Music_Direction) and two for Best Background Score.[2][78] In 2012, he received the [Sangeet Natak Akademi Award](/source/Sangeet_Natak_Akademi_Award), the highest Indian recognition given to practising artists, for his creative and experimental works in the music field.[79] He is a gold medalist in classical guitar from [Trinity College of Music](/source/Trinity_College_of_Music), London.[2] In 2013, when the Indian news channel [CNN-IBN](/source/CNN-IBN) conducted a poll commemorating 100 years of Indian cinema, he secured 49% of the people's vote and was adjudged as the country's greatest music composer; [A. R. Rahman](/source/A._R._Rahman) stood second with 29% of the vote.[7]

Ilaiyaraaja is reputed to be one of the world's most prolific composers.[80] He composed more than 8,600 songs, provided film scores for about 1,523 movies in nine languages,[2] and performed in over 20,000 concerts. He is the only musician to have composed a song only in ascending notes.[81][82][83] He was one of the earliest Indian film composers to use Western classical music harmonies and string arrangements in Tamil film music.[4] He composed the score and soundtrack for the 1984 [Malayalam](/source/Malayalam)-language film *[My Dear Kuttichathan](/source/My_Dear_Kuttichathan)*, the first stereoscopic 3D film made in India.[84] In 1986, he became the first Indian composer to record a soundtrack with computer for the film *[Vikram](/source/Vikram_(1986_Tamil_film))*.[6] He composed the soundtrack for the movie *[Nayakan](/source/Nayakan)* (1987), an Indian film which was ranked by [*Time*](/source/Time_(magazine)) magazine as one of the all-time 100 best movies.[85] Director [R. K. Selvamani](/source/R._K._Selvamani) said that for his film *[Chembaruthi](/source/Chembaruthi)* (1992), Ilaiyaraaja composed nine songs in just 45 minutes which is a record.[86] Actor [Rajinikanth](/source/Rajinikanth) said Ilaiyaraaja used to complete the [re-recording](/source/Re-recording_(filmmaking)) of three films in a single day without any sleep, whereas the present-day generation composers take 30 days for a single film.[87]

On March 9, 2025, Ilaiyaraaja became the first-ever Indian, as well as Asian film composer to compose, record, and perform live a full Western classical [symphony](/source/Symphony) in London.[2][1] He had reportedly written the entire symphony in 34 days.[2][88][89] He also composed and orchestrated *[Thiruvasakam in Symphony](/source/Thiruvasakam_in_Symphony)* (2006), the first Indian [oratorio](/source/Oratorio).[8] With his work over decades, Ilaiyaraaja made a deep influence on the cultural landscape of Southern India.[1]

Achille Forler, board member of the Indian Performing Right Society, said in 2017, "the kind of stellar body of work that Ilaiyaraaja has created in the last 40 years should have placed him among the world's top 10 richest composers, somewhere between [Andrew Lloyd Webber](/source/Andrew_Lloyd_Webber) ($1.2 billion) and [Mick Jagger](/source/Mick_Jagger) (over $300 million)."[90]

British musician [Andy Votel](/source/Andy_Votel), described Ilaiyaraaja in an essay thus, "Whatever "genre" of music you choose to like/ love/ promote/ protect/ politicise/ over-intellectualize/ despise/ defend or pretend to enjoy, Ilaiyaraaja has done it."[32] Carnatic vocalist [T. M. Krishna](/source/T._M._Krishna) stated that no other film composer has displayed the broad range of understanding music like the way Ilaiyaraaja did, and the way he adapts himself and creates music is "unfathomable" making him the "absolute master".[91] [G. K. Venkatesh](/source/G._K._Venkatesh), one of the earliest mentors of Ilaiyaraaja, remarked on his success thus: "He is not in awe of his creations. That is the secret of his success. An Ilaiyaraja song is overshadowed only by another Ilaiyaraja song."[24]

Ilaiyaraaja's soundtrack for the 1991 film *[Thalapathi](/source/Thalapathi)* was included in *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*'s *100 Albums to Hear Before You Die*.[92] In 2003, according to an international poll conducted by [BBC](/source/BBC) of more than half-a million people from 165 countries, his composition "[Rakkamma Kaiya Thattu](/source/Rakkamma_Kaiya_Thattu)" from *Thalapathi* was voted fourth in the top 10 most popular songs of all time.[93] Cinematographer [Santosh Sivan](/source/Santosh_Sivan) said that Ilaiyaraaja finished composing for the entire soundtrack of the film *Thalapathi* in less than "half a day".[94] During the recording for the song "Sundari" from the movie *Thalapathi* in Mumbai with [R.D. Burman](/source/R.D._Burman)'s orchestra, when Ilaiyaraaja gave the notes, they were so moved and taken in by the composition that all the musicians put their hands together in awe and gave him a standing ovation as a mark of respect.[95]

## Personal life

Ilaiyaraaja was married to his sister's daughter, Jeeva (who died in 2011[96]). He has three children with her—[Karthik Raja](/source/Karthik_Raja), [Bhavatharini](/source/Bhavatharini) and [Yuvan Shankar Raja](/source/Yuvan_Shankar_Raja)—all of whom are film composers and singers.[97][98] Jeeva died on 31 October 2011.[99] His brother, [Gangai Amaran](/source/Gangai_Amaran), is also a music director and lyricist in the Tamil film industry. The composer was engaged in a 13 year feud with Amaran, until February 2022, when they both met.[100] His only daughter Bhavatharini died of liver cancer on 25 January 2024.[101]

Despite being born and raised Christian[102], Ilaiyaraaja has converted to Hinduism, and regards the Tamil Hindu sage [Ramana Maharshi](/source/Ramana_Maharshi) as his spiritual guru.[24]

## Legal issues and controversies

Ilaiyaraaja (center) with [Kamal Haasan](/source/Kamal_Haasan) (left) and [Rajinikanth](/source/Rajinikanth) (right) at the [Nadigar Sangam](/source/Nadigar_Sangam) Protest in 2018

In 2017, claiming copyright violations, Ilaiyaraaja sent legal notices to singers, [S. P Balasubrahmanyam](/source/S._P._Balasubrahmanyam), his son [S. P. Charan](/source/S._P._Charan) and [Chithra](/source/K._S._Chithra), prohibiting them from singing his compositions without his consent, and warned they would have to pay huge [royalties](/source/Royalties) and face legal action if they do so.[103] Ilaiyaraaja's brother Gangai Amaran criticized him, saying legal notice to SPB is 'foolishness'.[104]

In 2018, during a talk show in the US, Ilaiyaraaja expressed his doubts regarding the credibility of the Christian belief in the [Resurrection of Jesus Christ](/source/Resurrection_of_Jesus) and claimed that resurrection happened only in the case of the Hindu saint [Ramana Maharshi](/source/Ramana_Maharshi). He is reported to have said, "I regularly watch documentaries on Youtube. It is said that Jesus was not resurrected"[105]. In protest, a Christian group lodged a complaint with the Police Commissioner of [Tiruchi](/source/Tiruchirappalli), demanding police action against Ilaiyaraaja, or an apology from him, for raising doubt about the "ultimate belief of Christians".[106]

In early 2022, while talking about the state of music composers in industry, Ilaiyaraaja said, "There are no composers in the film industry today; there are only programmers."[107]

In April 2022, Ilaiyaraaja triggered a controversy by writing a foreword in the book titled, "Ambedkar & Modi—Reformer's Ideas", in which he praised Indian Prime Minister [Narendra Modi](/source/Narendra_Modi) and compared him to the celebrated anti-caste activist [B.R. Ambedkar](/source/B.R._Ambedkar). He was criticized by anti-caste activists and politicians who alleged that "Ambedkar worked for the uplift of the downtrodden and oppressed castes, and Ilaiyaraaja’s comparison was an insult to Ambedkar"[108]. Supporters of Modi's [BJP](/source/Bharatiya_Janata_Party) party, however, defended his comparison, citing his freedom of speech.[109]

## Discography

Main article: [Ilaiyaraaja discography](/source/Ilaiyaraaja_discography)

Ilaiyaraaja 1970s Ilaiyaraaja 1980s Ilaiyaraaja 1990s Ilaiyaraaja 2000s Ilaiyaraaja 2010s Ilaiyaraaja 2020s New / Non-Film

## See also

- [List of songs recorded by Ilaiyaraaja](/source/List_of_songs_recorded_by_Ilaiyaraaja)

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-birthdate_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-birthdate_1-1) Official date of birth of Ilaiyaraaja is June 3. As the birth dates of both Ilaiyaraaja and [Karunanidhi](/source/M._Karunanidhi) fall on the same date i.e June 3, Ilaiyaraaja started celebrating it on June 2, so that people of Tamil Nadu can celebrate only that of Karunanidhi on June 3. This was done in honour of Karunanidhi who gave the title "Isaignani" to Ilaiyaraaja.[14]

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-hindu_200508050167_99-0)** Staff reporter. ["Ilaiyaraja's daughter gets engaged".](http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/05/stories/2005080501670200.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070429073520/http://www.hindu.com/2005/08/05/stories/2005080501670200.htm) 29 April 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) *The Hindu*. 5 August 2005. Retrieved 3 March 2007.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-106)** ["Ilayaraja says no proof for Jesus' resurrection, sparks controversy"](https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2018/03/27/ilayaraja-says-no-proof-for-jesus-resurrection-sparks-controversy.html?fromNewsdog=1). *[The Week](/source/The_Week_(Indian_magazine))*.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-109)** ["Elangovan's tirade against Ilaiyaraaja goes viral"](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/elangovans-tirade-against-ilaiyaraaja-goes-viral/article65351346.ece/). *The Hindu*. 24 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-110)** ["The sound of criticism: How Ilaiyaraaja's comparison of Ambedkar and Modi triggered a political row"](https://www.firstpost.com/india/the-sound-of-criticism-how-ilaiyaraajas-comparison-of-ambedkar-and-modi-triggered-a-political-row-10572601.html). Firstpost. 19 April 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220922130557/https://www.firstpost.com/india/the-sound-of-criticism-how-ilaiyaraajas-comparison-of-ambedkar-and-modi-triggered-a-political-row-10572601.html) from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.

### Bibliography

- [Ramachandran, Naman](/source/Naman_Ramachandran) (2014) [2012]. [*Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography*](/source/Rajinikanth%3A_The_Definitive_Biography). New Delhi: [Penguin Books](/source/Penguin_Books). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-14-342111-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-14-342111-5).

## Further reading

- Prem-Ramesh. 1998 *Ilaiyaraja: Isaiyin Thathuvamum Alagiyalum* (trans.: Ilaiyaraja: The Philosophy and Aesthetics of Music). Chennai: Sembulam.

- Ilaiyaraaja. 1998 *Vettaveli Thanil Kotti Kidakkuthu* (trans.: My Spiritual Experiences) (3rd ed.). Chennai: Kalaignan Pathipagam. → A collection of poems by Ilaiyaraaja

- Ilaiyaraaja. 1998 *Vazhithunai*. Chennai: Saral Veliyeedu.

- Ilaiyaraaja. 1999 *Sangeetha Kanavugal* (trans.: Musical Dreams) (2nd ed.). Chennai: Kalaignan Pathipagam. → An autobiography about Ilaiyaraaja's European tour and other musings.

- Ilaiyaraaja. 2000 *Ilaiyaraajavin Sinthanaigal* (trans.: Ilaiyaraaja's Thoughts). Chennai: Thiruvasu Puthaka Nilayam.

- Srinivasan, Pavithra (20 September 2010). ["Making Music, Raja-style"](http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/sep/20/south-ilaiyaraja-bio.htm). *Rediff.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210126153207/http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/sep/20/south-ilaiyaraja-bio.htm) from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2010.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Ilaiyaraaja](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Ilaiyaraaja).

- [Official website](https://ilaiyaraajalive.com/)

- [Ilaiyaraaja](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006137/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

v t e Ilaiyaraaja Soundtracks Annakili (1976) 16 Vayathinile (1977) Aval Appadithan (1978) Moodu Pani (1980) Moondram Pirai (1982) Payanangal Mudivathillai (1982) Sindhu Bhairavi (1985) Mouna Ragam (1986) Punnagai Mannan (1986) Nayakan (1987) Agni Natchathiram (1987) Rudraveena (1988) Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) Siva (1989) Thalapathi (1991) Ponnar Shankar (2011) Sri Rama Rajyam (2011) Neethaane En Ponvasantham (2012) Rudhramadevi (2015) Related articles Discography Songs

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Dhebar Valerian Gracias Veerendra Heggade Mary Clubwala Jadhav Gaganvihari Lallubhai Mehta Usha Mehta Sister Nirmala Nellie Sengupta Sports Viswanathan Anand Edmund Hillary Mary Kom Sachin Tendulkar Trade and industry Dhirubhai Ambani Ghanshyam Das Birla Ashok Sekhar Ganguly Karim Al Hussaini Aga Khan Lakshmi Mittal Anil Manibhai Naik N. R. Narayana Murthy M. Narasimham Prithvi Raj Singh Oberoi Azim Premji Prathap C. Reddy Osamu Suzuki J. R. D. Tata Ratan Tata Portal Category WikiProject v t e IFFI Indian Film Personality of the Year Award 2013–present (Film personality) Waheeda Rahman (2013) Rajinikanth (2014) Ilaiyaraaja (2015) S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (2016) Amitabh Bachchan (2017) Salim Khan (2018) Biswajeet Chatterjee (2021) Hema Malini (2021) Prasoon Joshi (2021) Chiranjeevi (2022) Vikrant Massey (2024) Nandamuri Balakrishna (2025) 2023–present (Special recognition in Bharatiya cinema) Madhuri Dixit (2023) Allu Arjun (2024) 2019 (Golden Jubilee ICON) Rajinikanth (2019) v t e NTR National Award Nandi Awards 1996–2000 Akkineni Nageswara Rao (1996) Dilip Kumar (1997) Sivaji Ganesan (1998) Lata Mangeshkar (1999) P. Bhanumathi (2000) 2001–2010 Hrishikesh Mukherjee (2001) Dr. Rajkumar (2002) Krishna (2003) Ilaiyaraaja (2004) Ambareesh and Nutan Prasad (2005) Waheeda Rehman (2006) Dasari Narayana Rao (2007) Jamuna (2008) B. Saroja Devi (2009) Sharada (2010) 2011–present Amitabh Bachchan (2011) S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (2012) Hema Malini (2013) Kamal Haasan (2014) K. Raghavendra Rao (2015) Rajinikanth (2016) v t e Padma Bhushan award recipients (2010–2019) 2010 Satya Paul Agarwal Mohammad Amin Sailesh Kumar Bandopadhyay M. S. Banga Anil Bordia Bipan Chandra B. K. Chaturvedi Sant Singh Chatwal G. P. Chopra Tan Chung Madhusudan Dhaky P. R. Dubhashi Puttaraj Gawai Belle Monappa Hegde Ilaiyaraaja Jagdish Chandra Kapur Shrinivas Khale Aamir Khan Sultan Khan Ram Kumar Kumudini Lakhia Kuzhur Narayana Marar Chhannulal Mishra Eledath Thaikkattu Narayanan Mooss C. P. Krishnan Nair S. P. Oswal Akbar Padamsee Ramakanta Panda Balasaheb Vikhe Patil Arogyaswami Paulraj A. R. Rahman Moosa Raza Mallika Sarabhai Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana Abhijit Sen Satya Vrat Shastri Noshir M. Shroff Kushal Pal Singh Bikash Sinha Balagangadharanatha Swamiji Narayanan Vaghul P. K. Warrier Fareed Zakaria 2011 S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Rajashree Birla M. N. Buch C. V. Chandrasekhar Ajai Chowdhry Yogesh Chander Deveshwar Satyadev Dubey T. J. S. George Shankha Ghosh Kris Gopalakrishnan Keki Byramjee Grant Shashi Kapoor Krishen Khanna Khayyam Chanda Kochhar Dwijen Mukhopadhyay Madavoor Vasudevan Nair Ramdas Pai Dashrath Patel Rajendra Singh Pawar Suryanarayanan Ramachandran Shobhana Ranade Gunupati Venkata Krishna Reddy Kallam Anji Reddy Waheeda Rehman Shyam Saran Analjit Singh Arpita Singh Surendra Singh R. K. Srikantan Raghavan Thirumulpad 2012 Suresh H. Advani Shabana Azmi Homi K. Bhabha Shashikumar Chitre Khaled Choudhury Jatin Das Vidya Dehejia Dharmendra S. N. Goenka M. S. Gopalakrishnan T. V. Gopalakrishnan Buddhadev Das Gupta Sunil Janah Anish Kapoor S. B. Mujumdar B. Muthuraman Mira Nair Arvind Panagariya José Pereira Mata Prasad M. S. Raghunathan P. Chandrasekhara Rao Ronen Sen Devi Shetty M. V. Subbiah N. Vittal N. H. Wadia George Yeo 2013 Satya N. 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Kashyap Gokulotsavji Maharaj Saichiro Misumi Ambrish Mithal Sudha Ragunathan Harish Salve Ashok Seth Rajat Sharma Satpal Singh Shivakumara Swami Khadg Singh Valdiya 2016 Ravindra Chandra Bhargava Robert D. Blackwill Hafeez Contractor Indu Jain Heisnam Kanhailal Anupam Kher Sania Mirza Pallonji Mistry Udit Narayan Saina Nehwal Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad Vinod Rai N. S. Ramanuja Tatacharya A. V. Rama Rao D. Nageshwara Reddy Dayananda Saraswati Barjinder Singh Hamdard Ram V. Sutar Tejomayananda 2017 Vishwa Mohan Bhatt Deviprasad Dwivedi Ratnasundarsuri Niranjanananda Saraswati Cho Ramaswamy Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Tehemton Erach Udwadia 2018 Pankaj Advani Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mahendra Singh Dhoni Alexander Kadakin Ramachandran Nagaswamy Laxman Pai Arvind Parikh Sharda Sinha 2019 John T. Chambers Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Pravin Gordhan Dharampal Gulati Darshan Lal Jain Ashok Laxmanrao Kukade Kariya Munda Budhaditya Mukherjee Mohanlal Nambi Narayanan Kuldip Nayar Bachendri Pal V. K. Shunglu Hukmdev Narayan Yadav # Posthumous conferral 1954–1959 1960–1969 1970–1979 1980–1989 1990–1999 2000–2009 2010–2019 2020–2029 v t e Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Music Director 1991–2000 Ilaiyaraaja (1991) A. R. Rahman (1992) A. R. Rahman (1993) A. R. Rahman (1994) A. R. Rahman (1995) A. R. Rahman (1996) A. R. Rahman (1997) A. R. Rahman (1998) A. R. Rahman (1999) A. R. Rahman (2000) 2001–2009 Harris Jayaraj (2001) Bharadwaj (2002) Harris Jayaraj (2003) Bharadwaj & Yuvan Shankar Raja (2004) Harris Jayaraj (2005) A. R. Rahman (2006) A. R. Rahman (2007) Harris Jayaraj (2008) Harris Jayaraj (2009) 2010–present A. R. Rahman (2010) G. V. Prakash Kumar (2011) D. Imman (2012) A. R. Rahman (2013) Anirudh Ravichander (2014) A. R. Rahman (2015) A. R. Rahman (2016) A. R. Rahman (2017) Govind Vasantha (2018) G. V. Prakash Kumar (2020–2021) A. R. Rahman (2022) Dhibu Ninan Thomas and Santhosh Narayanan (2023) G. V. Prakash Kumar (2024) v t e National Film Award for Best Music Direction 1967–1980 K. V. Mahadevan (1967) Kalyanji–Anandji (1968) S. Mohinder (1969) Madan Mohan (1970) Jaidev (1971) S. D. Burman (1972) Satyajit Ray (1973) Ananda Shankar (1974) Bhupen Hazarika (1975) B. V. Karanth (1976) B. V. Karanth (1977) Jaidev (1978) K. V. Mahadevan (1979) Satyajit Ray (1980) 1981–2000 Songs Khayyam (1981) Ramesh Naidu (1982) Ilaiyaraaja (1983) Jaidev (1984) Ilaiyaraaja (1985) M. Balamuralikrishna (1986) Vanraj Bhatia (1987) Ilaiyaraaja (1988) Sher Chowdhary (1989) Hridaynath Mangeshkar (1990) Rajat Dholakia (1991) A. R. Rahman (1992) Johnson (1993) Ravi (1994) Hamsalekha (1995) A. R. Rahman (1996) M. M. Keeravani (1997) Vishal Bhardwaj (1998) Ismail Darbar (1999) Anu Malik (2000) Background music Johnson (1994) 2001–2008 A. R. Rahman (2001) A. R. Rahman (2002) Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy (2003) Vidyasagar (2004) Lalgudi Jayaraman (2005) Ashok Patki (2006) Ouseppachan (2007) Ajay-Atul (2008) 2009–2020 Songs Amit Trivedi (2009) Vishal Bhardwaj (2010) Neel Dutt (2011) Shailendra Barve (2012) Kabir Suman (2013) Vishal Bhardwaj (2014) M. Jayachandran (2015) Bapu Padmanabha (2016) A. R. Rahman (2017) Sanjay Leela Bhansali (2018) D. Imman (2019) Thaman S (2020) Background music Ilaiyaraaja (2009) Isaac Thomas Kottukapally (2010) Mayookh Bhaumik (2011) Bijibal (2012) Shantanu Moitra (2013) Gopi Sundar (2014) Ilaiyaraaja (2015) Bapu Padmanabha (2016) A. R. Rahman (2017) Shashwat Sachdev (2018) Prabuddha Banerjee (2019) G. V. Prakash Kumar (2020) 2021–present Songs Devi Sri Prasad (2021) Pritam (2022) G. V. Prakash Kumar (2023) Background music M. M. Keeravani (2021) A. R. Rahman (2022) Harshavardhan Rameshwar (2023) v t e Nandi Award for Best Music Director 1977–1980 Rajan–Nagendra (1977) M. S. Viswanathan (1978) K. V. Mahadevan (1979) S. Rajeswara Rao (1980) 1981–1990 Ilaiyaraaja (1981) Ramesh Naidu (1982) K. Chakravarthy (1983) Ramesh Naidu (1984) S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (1985) K. Chakravarthy (1986) K. V. Mahadevan (1987) Ilaiyaraaja (1988) O. P. Nayyar (1989) Ilaiyaraaja (1990) 1991–2000 K. V. Mahadevan (1991) M. M. Keeravani (1992) M. M. Keeravani (1993) Raj–Koti (1994) M. M. Keeravani (1995) Madhavapeddi Suresh (1996) Vandemataram Srinivas (1997) Mani Sharma (1998) Vandemataram Srinivas (1999) Vandemataram Srinivas (2000) 2001–2010 R. P. Patnaik (2001) M. M. Keeravani (2002) Mani Sharma (2003) Vidyasagar (2004) M. M. Keeravani (2005) K. M. Radha Krishnan (2006) Mickey J. Meyer (2007) Mickey J. Meyer (2008) M. M. Keeravani (2009) Chakri (2010) 2011–present Ilaiyaraaja (2011) Ilaiyaraaja & M. M. Keeravani (2012) Devi Sri Prasad (2013) Anup Rubens (2014) M. M. Keeravani (2015) Mickey J. Meyer (2016) v t e Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director 1969–1980 G. Devarajan (1969) G. Devarajan (1970) V. Dakshinamoorthy (1971) G. Devarajan (1972) K. Raghavan M. B. Sreenivasan (1973) M. S. Viswanathan (1974) Bhaskar Chendra Varker (1975) A. T. Ummer (1976) K. Raghavan (1977) M. B. Sreenivasan (1978) None (1979) Jerry Amaldev (1980) 1981–2000 M. B. Sreenivasan (1981) Johnson (1982) Shyam (1983) Shyam (1984) G. Devarajan (1985) Bombay Ravi (1986) Ouseppachan (1987) G. Aravindan (1988) Johnson (1989) Perumbavoor G. Raveendranath Jerry Amaldev (1990) Raveendran (1991) Bombay Ravi (1992) S. P. Venkatesh (1993) Berny-Ignatius (1994) Ilaiyaraaja (1995) Vidyasagar (1996) Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri (1997) Vidyasagar (1998) Sunny Stephen (1999) Vidyasagar (2000) 2001–present M. G. Radhakrishnan (2001) Raveendran (2002) M. Jayachandran (2003) M. Jayachandran (2004) M. G. Radhakrishnan (2005) Ramesh Narayan (2006) M. Jayachandran (2007) M. Jayachandran (2008) Mohan Sithara (2009) M. Jayachandran (2010) Sharreth (2011) M. Jayachandran (2012) Ouseppachan (2013) Ramesh Narayan (2014) Ramesh Narayan (2015) M. Jayachandran (2016) M. K. Arjunan (2017) Vishal Bhardwaj (2018) Sushin Shyam (2019) M Jayachandran (2020) Hesham Abdul Wahab (2021) v t e Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director 1968-1980 M. S. Viswanathan (1968) K. V. Mahadevan (1969) Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan (1970) Not awarded (1971-1976) Ilaiyaraaja (1977) M. S. Viswanathan (1978) Shankar–Ganesh (1979) Ilaiyaraaja (1980) 1981-2000 Ilaiyaraaja (1981) M. S. Viswanathan (1982) Not awarded (1983-1987) Ilaiyaraaja (1988,1989) Deva (1990) M. M. Keeravani (1991) A. R. Rahman (1992,1993,1994) Deva (1995) A. R. Rahman (1996) S. A. Rajkumar (1997) Bobby (1998) A. R. Rahman (1999) Deva (2000) 2001-2020 Vidyasagar (2001) Sirpy (2002) Harris Jayaraj (2003) Srikanth Deva (2004) Harris Jayaraj (2005) Yuvan Shankar Raja (2006) Vidyasagar (2007) Ilaiyaraaja (2008) Sundar C. Babu (2009) Yuvan Shankar Raja (2010) Harris Jayaraj (2011) D. Imman (2012) Ramesh Vinayakam (2013) A. R. Rahman (2014) Ghibran (2015) Sam C. S. (2016) Hiphop Tamizha (2017) Santhosh Narayanan (2018) S. Thaman (2019) G. V. Prakash Kumar (2020) 2021-present Sean Roldan (2021) A. R. Rahman (2022) v t e Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South 1983–1989 S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (1983) Sowcar Janaki (1984) Sivaji Ganesan (1985) Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair (1986) P. Bhanumathi (1987) Akkineni Nageswara Rao (1988) Ilaiyaraaja (1989) 1990–1999 Padmini (1990) M. T. Vasudevan Nair (1991) L. V. Prasad (1992) Gemini Ganesan (1993) K. Balachander, K. Viswanath, B. Saroja Devi, Madhu, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Soumitra Chatterjee (1994) Nagesh & Manorama (1995) Krishna & Sharada (1996) Nedumudi Venu & S. Janaki (1997) Allu Ramalingaiah & Lakshmi (1998) Pandari Bai & Mugur Sundar (1999) D. Ramanaidu & Sheela (2000) 2001–2010 M. S. Viswanathan & Dasari Narayana Rao (2001) K. Raghavendra Rao & Vishnuvardhan (2002) K. J. Yesudas & Vijayashanti (2003) K. R. Vijaya & Ramoji Rao (2004) Thilakan & Sukumari (2005) Krishnam Raju & P. Susheela (2006) Sivakumar & Jaya Prada (2007) Veturi (2008) Ambareesh & K. P. A. C. Lalitha (2009) Chiranjeevi & Jayasudha (2010) 2011–2018 S. P. Muthuraman & Seema (2011) Bapu & Vani Jairam (2012) Balu Mahendra & Jayabharathi (2013) I. V. Sasi & Radhika Sarathkumar (2014) Mohan Babu (2015) Vijaya Nirmala (2016) Kaikala Satyanarayana (2017) Hariharan (2018) 2020–present Puneeth Rajkumar and Allu Aravind (2020–2021) Srinath (2023) v t e Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Telugu 1990–2000 Ilaiyaraaja (1990) M. M. Keeravani (1991) K. V. Mahadevan (1992) M. M. Keeravani (1993) M. M. Keeravani (1994) Raj–Koti (1994) M. M. Keeravani (1995) M. M. Keeravani (1996) Vandemataram Srinivas (1997) Mani Sharma (1998) S. A. Rajkumar (1999) Mani Sharma (2000) 2001–2010 R. P. Patnaik (2001) R. P. Patnaik (2002) Mani Sharma (2003) Devi Sri Prasad (2004) Devi Sri Prasad (2005) Devi Sri Prasad (2006) Mickey J. Meyer (2007) Mickey J. Meyer (2008) M. M. Keeravani (2009) A. R. Rahman (2010) 2011–2018 Thaman S (2011) Devi Sri Prasad (2012) Devi Sri Prasad (2013) Anup Rubens (2014) Devi Sri Prasad (2015) Devi Sri Prasad (2016) M. M. Keeravani (2017) Devi Sri Prasad (2018) 2020–present Devi Sri Prasad (2020–2021) M. M. Keeravani (2022) Vijai Bulganin (2023) Devi Sri Prasad (2024)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ilaiyaraaja](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilaiyaraaja) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilaiyaraaja?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.