#WhyRaajaIsGod

In the past decade, A.R.Rahman has been my music idol. But nonetheless there is another greater legend who single-handedly changed the face of Tamil music in the late seventies and the eighties and still continues to do so. His works still remain one of the best forms of music from Tamil industry, and there is no denial that his musical arrangements specifically the violins and the percussion are the best in the country. He was the man who put raagam (melody) into the mounam (silence), and vice versa. And this is #WhyRaajaIsGod

Raaja sir, wishing you many many more happy returns of this day. Your discography is a wonderful lesson in music for many of us. Thank you for all the music.

A few of Ilayaraaja's films/songs that will find a place in my list of all-time favorite songs are listed below:

- Mouna Raagam: It is hard to single out a favorite from this soundtrack. I oscillate between Mandram Vantha, Nilave Vaa and Pani Vizhum Iravu.

- Poo Maalaye - Pagal Nilavu

- Chinna Thayaval and Sundari Kannal - Dhalapathy

- Thoongatha Vizhigal and Ninnukori Varnam - Agni Natchatiram

- Naguva Nayana - Pallavi Anu Pallavi

- Anjali - Anjali

- Yedhedho Ennam Valarthen - Punnagai Mannan

- Katril Varum Geethame - Oru Naal Oru Kanavu

- Enakku Piditha - Julie Ganapathy

- Ilangathu Veesudhey - Pithamagan

- Poo Maalai Vaangivandaan - Sindhu Bhairavi

It's no surprise that his association with Mani Ratnam has yielded some of the best soundtracks in the late 80s and early 90s. As much as I like A.R.Rahman's association with Mani Ratnam, I yearn for a Mani Ratnam-Ilayaraaja soundtrack. I wish that happens sometime in the near future! :-)

And I definitely want to attend a live concert of this great legend!


Pic Courtesy: http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article75875.ece