#16 - Ilaiyaraja Concert - A Nostalgic, memorable Experience

It was always my dream to experience a live “Ilaiyaraaja Concert” but I wasn't having that much money & also time wasn't feasible many times. So, it was on my bucket list for a very long time. Finally it was striked out from my bucket list on May 1. I feel really, really happy & grateful for myself & Ilaiyaraaja.

The Love for Raja's Music : I have grown up listening to Ilaiyaraaja’s songs. But to be honest I haven't explored a lot of his songs because there are more than 5000 songs from over a 1000 movies. I think I have heard around 500 songs of him on the whole in repeated mode at various times. My most favourite songs of his are “Thendral Vandhu theendum pothu”, “Raasathi unna”, “Sundari Kannal”, “Kalyaana maalai”, and the list goes on. Also, this one song from “Thiruvaasagam” - “Putril Vaazh” made me cry the first time I heard it. It did something to me spiritually. Similarly, “Pitchai Paathiram” also does the same thing inside me. I don't know whether it is the lyrics or music or both. Then this song from his non-movie album, “Do Anything” literally makes me feel at peace. It was used in “Veedu” movie by Balu Mahendra so well. You can literally do anything hearing this music, it's full of positivity & hope. Likewise, I can list many songs & their instances in my life. One such instance is while I was going to my office in a government bus in Velachery. The bus was fully crowded & that road from Phoenix Mall to Checkpost was full of traffic. The song “Thenpandi seemaiyile” started somewhere near Guru Nanak College & the bus was moving at snail's pace. The honks, the sounds of vehicles amidst all this Ilaiyaraaja’s voice starts, “Aaaaaaaaaaaa”. I was standing at the front portion of the bus & I saw most people’s faces & I could feel everyone at peace for those few minutes. It felt like I was witnessing magic. This reminds me of “Mysskin” saying about Ilaiyaraja that “The music of Ilaiyaraja has prevented many s**cides & deaths of people during the 80s & 90s. Then I watched an episode of Neeya Naana dedicated to Ilaiyaraja, it was pure goosebumps. Also, I heard about an incident in a theatre in some Ooty, where a group of elephants daily comes & listens to the song “Rasathi unna”. Oh man.. Uff.. After that from Dhanush, he is a huge fan who introduced few not so popular songs to mainstream in one interview with GVM, he sang “Thulli elunthathu kaathu”, then “Unnai kandu thendralum” in “Thiruchitrambalam”. Then, a huge shout to “Vijay Varadharaj Anna” for continuously talking about Ilaiyaraja, passing on the legacy to the next generation & introducing a lesser known album “Eera Vizhi Kaaviyam”,  in that I liked a particular song “En gaanam indru arangerum”, is husky to the core, soft & soothing.. Then to hear his achievements it's just wow wow & wow. He does song composition in 2 days, re-recording in 2 days I guess. He has composed music for around 30 movies a year. I saw a video where many famous directors were talking about Ilaiyaraaja about how he did not get a salary for many new debut directors. And a video where Karu Palaniappan says “Raaga Devanin Isaiyil nu Poster la irundha padam confirm ah hit-u”.(If there is the name of Ilaiyaraja in the movie poster, then the movie is a sure shot hit). And finally from an unseen perspective for me from Ranjith, Maari. How he hailing from an oppressed community has fought all odds & is being a ray of hope for many people. He has become the identity of the entire Tamil Culture. If someone writes about the culture of Tamils, then we can't separate “Ilaiyaraja” from it. That dialogue from “Natchathiram Nagargirathu”. And, how the “Poradada” song has given hope to the entire oppressed community to fight against injustice. And finally, finally, finally my man “Arivu” singing a song on Ilaiyaraja to Ilaiyaraaja was the best of the best tribute anyone has ever given Ilaiyaraja IMHO.” Innum ennai vegu dhooram kooti sellaiya, Isai gnani ilaiyaraja”.. 😍❤️

After hearing all these things, how can one hate him ? If someone hates him even after knowing these things, I strongly feel they lack empathy in them.

So, I happened to see a post on Insta, showing a live concert happening in Karur. It was on May 1st & the ticket price was affordable for me at this moment of time. I booked the ticket right away. The Concert day came, I reached the event 1 hour late because of the unavailability of buses from Karur Bus stand to the concert site. In Karur Bus Stand, while I was asking which bus will go to the concert. Everybody used to word “Ilaiyaraja Katcheri”. “Katcheri” was being used more as common. And I could hear 40+ aged people saying they wanted to go bus ticket prices were starting from 500 rs. I could understand their situation & also I felt I should use my privilege usefully. And I am grateful for going to this concert.Then finally I reached the concert site.

It was jam packed & people who took platinum tickets were standing in Gold. I was standing way behind, & the stage looked very small. But the huge LED screens were for the rescue. I felt little bit disappointed but I felt happy because I could atleast be in some 100metre radius of Ilaiyaraja’s music aura. So, while I entered at around 07:30 PM, it was already 1 hour late & there SPB charan was about to Sing, it felt like literally his father SPB was singing. The song was “Ilamai idho idho”.. Then, Karthi came & sang “Vikram”, it was so good to hear it in that ambience. Then, a singer whose native language is not Tamilian sang “Machana Paatheengala” song & It was so dream come true to hear the first song composed by Raja to witness live. It was so, so surreal.. Then, the recent trending song from “Lubber Pandhu”, “Ne Pottu Vacha thangakudam” was sung..  Then, “Mouna Raagam” movie’s Background score was played along with the Visuals. I could feel how a visual directed by Mani Ratnam, is elevated by Raja. It was like a filmmaking lesson. And in between some bro talks between Raja & Gangai Amaren. Raja’s memories of Karur were also shared. 

I mainly came to witness 3 songs. And all the 3 were sung. And listening to “Thendral Vandhu” in Raja’s voice was so magical for me, the next song was “Rasathi unna”, that was also so memorable & nostalgic. Then, the score of “Thalapathi’s” famous Rajnikanth breakup scene was played, and following it “Sundari Kannal” was played.

And, this one moment I got very emotional is, as a homage Captain Vijaykanth’s Songs were played. First “Sathriyan’s” famous Bgm was played. After that, “Elaigal Vaazha” song was played with Raja’s voice & music. My eyes instantly become wet & tears rolled out. Remembering Captain & his legacy. 

Then, Raja chose a few not so popular songs too. Sujatha Mohan sang “Oh ho Megam Vandhadho”. “Chinna Chinna Vanna Kuyil” was sung. 

To my surprise, Marudhanayagam’s re-recording & song was played & I literally got goosebumps.. I really felt when we were going to witness this masterpiece.

And, what I found very interesting & amazed is Ilaiyaraja mentioning each Singer’s name separately & appreciating them live on stage & asking audiences to clap for their performances. He even appreciated the Violinists, Keyboard players by calling out names. This made me realize how much hatred is being spread against him as a very head weight guy. So, to know the truth one has to see it in their own eyes. 

“Aagaya Vennilavey” was sung, Then in Maestro’s voice “Kaatumalli” was sung. “Maangiyiley Poonguyiley” was sung. And many more songs. “Aatama therottama” was so cool in those huge speakers. Everybody was dancing for it. Then “Kaana Karuguyiley”. People danced for it too. And finally, with fireworks the show ended with “En jodi manja kuruvi”. The whole crowd really felt happy & the sound & claps at the end proves it. I feel so grateful for witnessing a historic event. Thank you Ilaiyaraja. Thank You everyone. A huge bucket list is ticked, the next bucket list is to meet him in person, work with him & get his blessings. Hoping to happen soon.. 🤞🏼

Peace. ☮️