| Bollywood
gets the Raja touch after ages |
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When
south India was all ears for Bollywood music
and dying for hindi filmi songs in the 1970s
and 80s, Ilayaraja made heads turn with
his subtle ‘a class apart’ music
and rendering phenomenal success to films
solely with his music. |
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Ever since, the tables were turned
and India went head over heels with
Ilayaraja’s music. The rest
is history.
History repeats by itself and no wonder
the musical maestro is back in Bollywood
after what seems to be ages with the
hindi flick ‘Cheeni Kum’
produced by Sunil Manchanda and directed
by R Balakrishnan (Balki). Ilayaraja’s
enthusiasm is evident as the recording
is progressing at Yashraj Studios. |
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We
recently caught up with Ilayaraja for a
tête-à-tête. Ilayaraja’s
silence and monosyllabic answers cannot
be misunderstood for rudeness or disinterest
for the maestro is just trying to be modest.
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Ilayaraja
has scored for a whopping 840 films
(his rendition is mainly in south
indian films although he has scored
for a few Bollywood films). His credits
include composing for Adi Shankara’s
‘Meenakshi Sthothram’,
Karnatic Keertanas and Varnams aptly
titled ‘Raja Lahri’ and
albums like ‘How to name it?’,
‘Nothing but Wind’ and
the musical score for Miss World 1996
pageant. Ilayaraja made heads turn
when be became the first Asian to
compose Symphony No.1 with the Royal
Philharmonic Orchestra of London. |
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He is also the recipient of numerous national
and international awards.
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Upon questioning why he chose to stay
away from Bollywood for so long, he
says with a smile “Bollywood
has no use for me”. But director
Balki begs to differ.
“People in Bollywood are intimidated
by his presence and assume that he
will decline their offer. People in
Bollywood are intimidated by his presence
and assume that he will decline their
offer. But I have grown up on his
music, so there was no doubt in my
mind that Ilaiyaraaja should score
the music for my film. |
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In
his three decade musical journey, Ilayaraja
never compromised on the quality of music
at the cost of technology. While keeping
pace with the technology, his music is never
intruded. |
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Ilayaraja
derives inspiration from a wide range
of musical forms ranging from folk,
jazz, karnatik, western and classical
and rock.
Do these musical forms have any impact
on his music?
layaraja is quick to respond. “Composing
is basically about giving form to
already existing works. What may seem
classical to you may be folk to me.
Everyone has a different point of
view. |
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treatment may be different, but the soul is
always the same. In my mind music cannot be
judged and I have little value for such classifications,”
clarifies the maestro. |
