Chennai:
The 71st
birthday of Musical maestro Ilayaraja was celebrated in style with
the music composer planting saplings besides releasing his two books here on
Monday.
Dressed in white, the legendary musician known as ‘Isaignani’ by his
fans, planted saplings before releasing the books in Tamil. The planting of saplings is part of
the drive by fans of music composer Ilayaraja who plan to plant 71,001 saplings
across the state of Tamil Nadu on the occassion of the maestro's birthday.
The first book titled ‘Ilayarajavai Kelungal’ is a composition of
Ilayaraja’s letters to his fans while the second one ‘ Palli Elluchi Pavai
Padalgal’ is about his collection of songs in praise of Lord Shiva. Both the books
were published by Kumudam publications and released by director Bala.
Speaking during the occasion, Ilayaraja said the composition for Palli
Elluchi Pavai Padalgal was born after his visit to Tiruvanamalai.
“The plan to compose the sacred songs to was born during my visit to Adi Annamalai Temple in Tiruvanamalai.
It was at 5.30 pm when a thought struck me while I was paying obeisance to the
lingam. I felt that this was the place where saints Appar and Sambandar would
have sang before Lord Shiva and the stones would have captured it,” he said.
“This gave me a different feeling,” said Ilayaraja. While the idea to
compose the songs was born in Tiruvanamalai, it took another three months
before it actually happened.
“It happened one day, I composed 10 songs and in the next day another 10
songs,” said Ilayaraja. “Later I was asked to complete it with 10 more
compositions as such the book came into being,” the maestro added.
The occasion was also special as Ilayaraja cut the cake to mark his
birthday. Initially, he was shy to cut the cake and refused but after his fans
and celebrities in dias pestered him and he gave in.
During the event, Ilayaraja hailed producer Panchu Arunachalam who was
instrumental in giving Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan's hit flicks. He also
disclosed that it was during one of the occasions when both the actors parted
ways Panchu Arunachalam, unaware of it, had planned to cast them together.
“He had a call sheet and when both of them refused to do a film together,
he immediately made two separate films. One with Kamal in the lead role in
Kalyanaraman and another with Rajini (Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai),” said
Ilayaraja.
Interestingly, Arunachalam later told reporters that it won’t be possible
to cast both the actors (Rajnikanth and Kamal) in a single film now. “Both have
separate fan base besides the expectation from the actors would be too large as
such it won’t do justice to their fans,” he said.
Arunachalam also paid tribute to Ilayaraja while recollecting his acquaintance
with Ilayaraja in 1974. “Although he may be 71 but I still consider him as
21-year-old. He always tries to bring in something new,” said Arunachalam.
Earlier, actor Parthiban, Bala and others paid tribute to Ilayaraja and
his contribution to the music world
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