Comments on: Indian composer Ilaiyaraaja is a genius; how long can the West ignore him?

By: Naggy

Naggy — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:52:45 +0000

Great Article, Vicky. Thanks

By: Thiru

Thiru — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:13:31 +0000

Excellent contribution to Indian Music – Thanks Raja sir

By: Sathya

Sathya — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:35:11 +0000

Illayaraja is a great composer, but I really fail to understand why we beg for acceptance from western world. Let them listen or let them not, why are we so worried ?
Dear Vignesh you have commented on Lesmoore choice of music you may be well versed with nuances of music, but I request you to be more polite on choices of other people let them like what they like. Please don't challenge anyone on what they like.
There are three types of people,
Listening to a composition
Appreciate a composition
Make others to appreciate a composition (forcible)

Please avoid becoming the third kind.

By: nadja

nadja — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:25:28 +0000

Very nice article - thanks. -Yeh Hai Life http://yehhailife.wordpress.com www.yehhailife.com

By: B F FIROS

B F FIROS — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:30:41 +0000

Dear lesmoore,

I agree with your argument that Ilayaraja has to make music that appeals to global audience. But I don't understand the logic choosing Michael Jackson as the yardstick for the ultimate musician in the world. Jackson deifinitely is not bad. But don't put him as the ultimate. He is more of a showman who excelled on stage. There are scores of genuine, gifted musicians like Mark Lenegan, Neil Young, etc………………etc…

By: Akbar Basha S

Akbar Basha S — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:12:39 +0000

Dear Vicky,

Your words on IlaiyaRaaja's music are so perfect.

Vicky, you please mention also about the speed of IlaiyaRaaja in writing notes.

Akbar

By: john

john — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:24:56 +0000

raja sir music is not only film based, he made history throught his carrer from annakili to nandahalala. This kind of talent is not simply possible for other music directore After 30 years of his music life, still he is using symphony musicians for his movies. T.his is simply amazing. I know still malayalam film world is praising raja's music and 2008 he gave good malayalam melodies. Can u forgot senthalam povil song from mullum malarun, what is there in that song, simple lyrics, no sets, but no one can forgot that still now. Many movies his BGM tells stories like moondram pirai, sigapu rojaka, mudupani, etc He no need to prove his talent to bollywood or hollywood etc etc Where ever tamil people are there or upto tamil era continues his music will be there

By: lesmoore

lesmoore — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:16:13 +0000

Vignesh – Why only the West, this lopsided entreating propelled my response. What about Africa, Asia, South East, Europe, Australia, Gulf? By sensible music I meant a comparison to the roller coaster ride that will make you sensless upon listening to the man's works. Anyway, thanks to Rahman, the world will get to enjoy Ilayaraja and many other film musical composers, who made music primarily to draw and entertain the poor masses, especially the slums of India. No greater tribute to these geniuses. More – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xq6KbXVom0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC6jzVNb9UA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjMhPfdWIQU&NR...

By: lesmoore

lesmoore — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:50:55 +0000

How did this page become news? Wonder of wonders. Vignesh, I did not see this was serious stuff! Go for it, in fact, I just only read your write-up now, after finding it on google news, of all places! Anbe Odi Vaa has a couple of songs that will grab the listener by the coattails : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4CEhATV8Ew , a masterpiece of a composition . Places like raaga.com & thiraipaadal.com lists movies

By: Mathusha Senthil

Mathusha Senthil — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 06:44:15 +0000

Excellent piece. Illaiyaraaja is definitely an icon that sometimes goes unnoticed but through and through, he is definitely amazing!

By: Nithya

Nithya — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:01:21 +0000

Terrific write up. The songs alone can be researched and analyzed for generations to come, and then the BGMs that are of another league altogether. But forget the westeners, the treatment meted out to him by the so called Indians is what irks me more. While he should have been given the Dada Saheb Phalke atleast 20 years ago, he has not even been given a Padma Shree. Sick!

By: J Vijay Venkatraman

J Vijay Venkatraman — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 04:41:14 +0000

Hi Rajesh!

I was reading your comment casually till your last line landed as a surprise on me! Do you remember me? I was your junior at Ragadhwani, (obviously) at Coimbatore Medical College

Though you were a strong inspiration for me to try to become a keyboardist, I tried very little (not enough even to call it a minimal attempt). But, Destiny had other plans and led me to found and moderate 'Ilaiyaraaja' Yahoo group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ilaiyaraaja). By any chance, are you a member of this group already?

I look forward to talking to you in greater detail soon! Do reply when you find time.

Yours Always Musically,
Vijay.