Ilayaraja - Musical Genius. Review on Illayaraja

I am a great fan of Ilayraja. I have about 300 songs from collection. As far as I can know, he is the single person, who has actually used all the instruments well.

Ilayaraja's biggest strenth was his orchestration . He had an excellent ear for orchestration. He is the only music director I have ever heard in tamil industry who had blended the instruments to a perfect balance. Another strength of his was that he a solid support of excellent singers - SPB,S.Janaki,Chitra, Malaysia Vasidevan, Jesudas. This team could convey any songs with soul. Since much his known about him and his background, I shall actually classify my review into the different categories and moods of his composition.

CLASSICS - If there was any director who was at ease with Classical Music and Dappanguthu at the same time, it was only Ilayaraja. His classical compositions include songs from Sindhu Bhairavi, a sample.

Example - Kalaivaaniye, Poomaalai Vaangi vandhan, Paadariyen Padippariyen

DISCO AND WESTERN MUSIC- At the time when south india was enamoured by north indian and elementary western music, ilayaraja was the one who turned theie eyes. He proved that he could any type of music including the then untried disco music.

Examples - Vaa Vaa Pakkam Vaa (Thanga Magan),Ilamai Idho Idho(Sakalakala Vallavan), Aasai Nooru Vagai( Adutha Vaarisu), Netru Indha Neram , Idhu oru nila kaalam (Both form TIc Tic Tic), Indha Minminukku ( Sigappu Rojakkal), Kaalam Kaalamga Vaazhum( Punnagai Mannan), Sangeetha Megam( Udaya Geetham), En Iniya Pon Nilaave( I dont remember the film) , Ilaya Nila (Paalaivana Cholai I think).Although Ilaya Nila is a take off from Neele Neele Ambar in Kalaakar in Hindi, the entire song procedes in a totally different mood and pitch. If you watch carefully, in all these songs, he has used piano, druma and guitar pretty extensively. This is amazing considering that he hails form a remote village in tamil nadu which may not have even heard of these instruments.

Romantic numbers - Amidst all the jarring percussion music and bizzare romantic numbers( Well , actually when I listen to those ''romantic numbers'' I actually end up losing that romantic feel itself), Ilayaraja's numbers are a like a fresh whiff of air. Many of his romantic numbers are so melodious that you actually begin to feel the situation and in a way regret that you arent in that place. I dont know how many people will concur with me, but everytime I hear Poongadhev thaazh thiravaai from Nizhalgal or Valaiyosai from Sathya, I kinda get transported to that dreamy world.

Examples - Although I can give innumerable examples of this category, I will limit them only to my favourites.

Examples - Aaayiram Thamai(Alaigal Oivadhillai), Antha Nilavathan(Mudhal Mariyaadhai), Kodiyilae( Kadalora Kavidhaigal),Mounamaana Neram,Vaan Solai(Salangai Oli), Neethane enthan pon vasantham(ninaivellam nithya),Raasathi unna ( Vaidehi Kaathirundhal), Paadava Un paadalai(Naan paadum paadal),Vasantha Raja( Neengal Kettavai),Idhazil Kadhai Ezhudhum (Unnal Mudiyum Thambi),Vellai Pra( Pudhu Kavidhai), Poomalaiye (Pagal Nilavu), Unnai thane(Nallavanukku nallavan), Kootathile koil pura(Idaya kvil),Maanguile(karagattakaaran), maalai soodum velai( nan mahan alla), kannane nee vara , thendral vandhu ennai thodum ( thendrale ennai thodu), yedhedho ennam, singalathu chinna kuyile( punnagai mannan), chittu kuruvi( chinna veedu), kannukkul nooru( vedham pudhidhu), pani vizhum nilavu( mouna raagam), thoongadha vizhigal, ninnukori varnam(agni nakshatram),chinna kannan(kavikkuyil),chinnanchiru vayadhil( meendum kokila),paadal ondru(priya),ninaivo oru paravai(sigappu rojakkal).....plz see comments for further list