TN Government to Recognize Music Legend Ilaiyaraaja on June 2: CM Stalin
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Synopsis
Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin announced that the state will honor legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja for his extraordinary contributions to music. The ceremony is scheduled for June 2 in Chennai, coinciding with Ilaiyaraaja's recent achievements, including a historic symphonic performance in London.
Key Takeaways
- Tamil Nadu government to honor Ilaiyaraaja on June 2.
- Celebration of over 50 years of musical contributions.
- Ilaiyaraaja's historic performance with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Recognition of his blending of Western and Indian music.
- Upcoming biopic on Ilaiyaraaja announced.
Chennai, March 27 (NationPress) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin declared today that the state will pay tribute to the iconic music composer Ilaiyaraaja for his incredible musical journey that has spanned over five decades.
The ceremony of recognition is set to occur in Chennai on June 2.
While addressing the state legislative assembly, Stalin remarked that this tribute will honor Ilaiyaraaja’s outstanding contributions to the realm of music.
The maestro recently returned to Chennai after delivering a historic symphonic performance in London.
Ilaiyaraaja met with the Chief Minister at his residence and expressed his appreciation for the forthcoming accolade. It’s noteworthy that Stalin had also met the composer just before his trip to the UK.
The music maestro is gearing up for a live performance in Chennai this June, which is anticipated to be a grand celebration of his remarkable career.
On March 9, at midnight, Ilaiyaraaja made history with his first-ever Western classical symphony titled Valiant, performed at the Eventim Apollo Theatre in London.
This performance included a surprise collaboration with the renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and represented a significant achievement, making him the first Indian film composer to reach such a milestone in London. Valiant was recorded with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and marked its world premiere.
Ilaiyaraaja is widely recognized as one of the pioneering Indian composers to fuse Western classical music with Indian film music and is the first from India to create a full-length symphony.
With a career extending over 48 years, Ilaiyaraaja has written more than 7,000 songs and composed music for over 1,500 films.
He has also performed in more than 20,000 concerts worldwide.
Acknowledged as Isaignani (the musical sage), he was awarded the title of Maestro by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London.
In 2013, a survey marking 100 years of Indian cinema named him the greatest music composer in the country, receiving 49 percent of the votes.
The following year, he was ranked ninth on Taste of Cinema’s list of the 25 greatest film composers in global cinema history—alongside international legends like Ennio Morricone, John Williams, and Jerry Goldsmith.
He is the only Indian composer to be featured on that list. Ilaiyaraaja received the Padma Bhushan in 2010 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2018, which are India’s third and second-highest civilian honors, respectively. Since July 2022, he has been a nominated Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha.
A biopic titled Ilaiyaraaja was officially announced on March 20, 2024, and is expected to showcase the journey of one of India’s most celebrated musicians.
