Ilaiyaraaja discography

Ilaiyaraaja is a composer, conductor, singer, lyricist, and producer who has composed for more than 1000 films in Indian cinema. He is widely rated as one of the greatest composers Indian Film Music has ever seen.[1]
A graphical representation of Ilaiyaraaja's discography over the years with colours to represent languages
A graphical representation of the decadal split of a fairly accurate picture of the number of films Ilaiyaraaja has worked on vs the languages he has worked in

Discography

1970's

Main article: List of film scores by Ilaiyaraaja 1970s

1980's

Main article: List of film scores by Ilaiyaraaja 1980s

1990's

Main article: List of film scores by Ilaiyaraaja 1990s

2000's

Main article: List of film scores by Ilaiyaraaja 2000s

2010's

Main article: List of film scores by Ilaiyaraaja 2010s

2020's

Main article: List of film scores by Ilaiyaraaja 2020s

Upcoming projects

The below list gives the upcoming/announced films composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Year Film Cast Director Language Status Notes
A Beautiful Breakup Krish, Matylda Ajithvasan Uggina English Post-Production
2024 Gift Alphonse Puthren Tamil

Malayalam

Announced [2]
Arisi Ra Mutharasan, Samuthirakani S A Vijaykumar Tamil Filming [3]
TBA
Thupparivaalan 2 Vishal Vishal Tamil Filming
Mareechika Anupama, Regina, Viraj Ashwin Satish Kasetty Telugu Filming[4]
Kadhal Sei K Ganeshan Tamil Audio released
Oh Saathi Chal Aishwarya Rajinikanth Hindi Announced
Venjam Theerthaayadaa Susi Ganesan Tamil Announced[5]
Munpadhivu GM Durai Pandian Tamil Filming[6]
Dhesiya thalaivar JM Basheer Aravindhraj Tamil Filming
Chiranjeevi Ponniyin Selvan Ajay Pratheeb Tamil Announced[7] Web Series
Kadavul 2 Velu Prabhakaran Tamil Announced[8]
Delayed projects
2020 Ammayi Vinay Rai, Varalaxmi G.Shankar Tamil Delayed
2016 Rajathandhiram 2 Veera Senthil Veerasamy Tamil Delayed
2015 Porkalathil Oru Poo K. Ganeshan Tamil Music released
2014 Raja Rajanin Porvaal Snehan R.S. Amudeshver Tamil Delayed/Songs recorded
2013 Naadi Thudikkuthadi Selva Tamil Music released
2012 Mayamohitha Chandran Kunchacko Boban Malayalam Delayed project
2011 Thaandavakone Subbu Sujatha Tamil Music released
2011 Padithurai Tamil Delayed project
2009 SRK Manoj Joshi, Vinay Pathak Ajoy Varma Hindi Unreleased[9][10] Remake of the Malayalam film Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala

Albums (instrumental, non-film)

Year Album Notes
1992 Honnina Therinali First devotional album of Ilaiyaraaja in Kannada
1992 Geetha Vazhipaadu First devotional album of Ilaiyaraaja in Tamil, also written by him, with 9 songs on the major Hindu deities
1981-82 Geethanjali Devotional album on the major Hindu deities, written by Ilaiyaraaja and Vaali, with 9 songs
1986 How to Name It? A crossover album fusing the sensibilities of Western classical music's Baroque music style, mastered by Johann Sebastian Bach and Carnatic classical music's raga virtuosity, mastered by Tyagaraja, into a collection of 10 mesmeric tracks
1988 Nothing but Wind A crossover album featuring the famed Hindustani flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia playing the flute to Ilaiyaraaja's compositions combining the finer sensibilities of the Classical period of Western classical music mastered by Mozart and Indian folk, Hindustani, Carnatic and light music for some meditative, playful, reflective tracks
1992 Vedic Chanting Produced by Ilaiyaraaja with selected hymns from the Rig Veda and Purusha Sukta
1992 The Secret of Ramayana Select verses from Valmiki and Kamban's Ramayana tuned and produced by Ilaiyaraaja, in addition to verses from the Vedas and Upanishads
1993 Symphonic Work in 5 movements with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London Conducted by John Scott. Recorded by Tony Faulkner at the Walthomstow Town Hall, London in June 1993. Produced by Mike Townend.
1994 Ilaiyaraaja's Classicals on the Mandolin Carnatic classical music album with four krithis and a varnam, all written and composed by Ilaiyaraaja, including one Sanskrit krithi in a raga discovered by Ilaiyaraaja himself, Raajalahiri, with a forward speech by the Carnatic music legend Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, played on the Mandolin by the late Mandolin legend, U. Srinivas.[11]
1995 RAID-Music for dance production of Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Co., London Based on the Indian game of kabaddi
1995 India 24 Hours Documentary on India, filmed by 18 famed photojournalists, who selected a spot each across the length and breadth of India, and filmed the passions and dreams of Indians across 100 hours. The two-hour documentary has a musical score by Ilaiyaraaja.
2000 Raajavin Ramanamalai First devotional album on Ramana Maharishi, also written by Ilaiyaraaja, with 10 songs
2002 Amma Paamaalai Devotional album on the goddess Parvathi
2005 Thiruvasagam Symphonic oratorio on Manickavasagar's Thiruvasagam, a crossover album that seeks to blend Thiruvasagam's bhakti with the finer elements of Western classical music's symphonic movements. Conducted by Laszlo Kovacs, performed by the Budapest Symphony Orchestra and recorded in Budapest.
2006 Guru Ramana Geetam Second devotional album on Ramana Maharishi, with two krithis, one in Sanskrit and dedicated to Ramanar's mother, also written by Ilaiyaraaja, among 10 songs
2007 The Music Messiah Collection of background scores from his landmark score for the Malayalam film Guru
2007 Sri Ramana Naadha Amudham Third album on Ramana Maharishi, with 10 songs, with 6 songs written by Vaali (poet) and 4 songs written by Ilaiyaraaja, and composed by the veteran composer M.S. Viswanathan.
2008 Manikantan Geet Mala Devotional album on Swami Ayyappa, in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam
2009 Annamalai Ramanaandi Devotional album on Ramana Maharishi. Songs written by Muruganaar and Sadhu Om. Rendered by Ramananjali group led by Sulochana Natarajan and Ilaiyaraaja.
2009 Namratha Ke Sagar Single song, composed by Ilaiyaraaja for a bhajan written by Mahatma Gandhi, sung by Pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty and recited on screen by Amitabh Bachchan[12]
2010 Ramana Saranam Fourth devotional album on Ramana Maharishi, with a krithi in Telugu among 10 songs, all written and composed by Ilaiyaraaja
2010 Baba Pugazh Maalai Devotional album on Shirdi Sai Baba
2011 Akkah Short film in Kannada on the Kannada poetess-saint Akka Mahadevi[13] with songs rendered by Bombay Jayashri
2013 Ramana Aaram Fifth devotional album (Volume 1 & Volume 2) on Ramana Maharishi, also written by Ilaiyaraaja, with 16 songs
2015 Swappnam Classical album composed for a dance drama on Lord Shiva choreographed by dancer Krithika Subramaniam, with 10 songs on the CD, collected from Thiruvasagam, Thevaram, Nandanar Charitham, Adi Sankara's Ardhanarishwara Ashtakam among other devotional hymns dedicated to Shiva. Sudha Raghunathan, T. V. Gopalakrishnan, Rajhesh Vaidhya, Abhishek Raghuram, Bharath Sundar, composer Sharreth, A. K. Palanivel, Palaghat Sreeram, Embar Kannan were among the musicians who were part of the project.[14]
2016 Thaarai Thappattai (Original Background Score) Collection of background scores from his National Award-winning score for his 1000th milestone film Tharai Thappattai. Contains 19 songs.
2017 Raaja's Ramanamalai Sixth devotional album (new 2017 album) on Ramana Maharishi, brought by Sri Thenandal Films, also written by Ilaiyaraaja, with 10 songs
2020 Bharath Bhoomi Tribute to COVID-19 warriors (Hindi & Tamil)[15]
2024 Divya Pasurams Seventh devotional album, Eight pasurams have been chosen for the album from the 4,000 verses of the Nalayira Divya Prabhandham, written by the 12 Alwars.[16]

Television

Books

  • Sangeethakkanavukal
  • Yaarukku Yaar Ezhudhuvadhu
  • Paal Nilaa Paadhai[17]
  • Enaku Ethuvo Unakum Athuve[17]

Ad jingles

Hindustan Coca-Cola collaborated with Ilaiyaraaja for its ad jingles. This is the first time Raja has done a commercial jingle.[citation needed]

Country Delight collaborated with Ilaiyaraaja for an ad.

Many of Ilaiyaraaja's songs were used as jingles in advertisements. Filmmaker R Balki has used them in many of his ads either as a musical note or a jingle composed to the same tune.[22]

Onscreen appearances

Year Movie title Notes
1980 Nizhalgal Singer in the song "Madai Thiranthu"
1985 Dharmapathini Guest appearance in the song "Naan Thedum[23]
1986 Saadhanai Guest appearance in the song "O Vanambadi"[24]
1989 Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal Guest appearance in the song "Kalyanamaalai"[25]
1989 Karagattakaran Guest appearance in the title song "Paattaalae Buddhi"[26]
1991 Kumbakarai Thangaiah Guest appearance in the song "Ennai Oruvan Paada Chonnaan"[27]
1992 Villu Pattukaran Guest appearance in the temple donation screen between 11:50 and 14:50[28]
1998 Kannathal Guest appearance in the song "Amman Pugazhai"
2009 Azhagar Malai Guest appearance in the song "Ulagam Ippo"[29]
2013 Naadi Thudikkudhadi Guest appearance in the song "Kadhale Illaadha Desam"[30]

Reused tracks

Remake films

Most are Telugu remakes of Tamil films.

Apart from remake films, Ilaiyaraaja has reused the following tracks:

  • Agal Vilakku (1978; Tamil) from Maathu Thappida Maga (1979; Kannada) (1 song Bhaanu Bhoomiya reused as Edho Ninaivugal)
  • Auto Raja (1982; Tamil) from Olangal (1982; Malayalam) (1 song Thumbi Vaa reused as Sangathil Paadatha) Raja later reused Thumbi Vaa as Monday Tho Utkar for the film Aur Ek Prem Kahani and as Gumm Summ Gumm for Hindi film Paa (2009)[31]
  • Aayiram Nilave Vaa (1983; Tamil) from Geetha (1981; Kannada) (1 song Keladi Nimageega reused as Devathai Ilam Devi)
  • Unnai Naan Sandhithen (1984; Tamil) from Geetha (1981; Kannada) (1 song Nanna Jeeva reused as Devan Thandha)
  • Nooravathu Naal (1984; Tamil) from Geetha (1981; Kannada) (1 song Jotheyali reused as Vizhiyile Mani Vizhiyil) Raja later reused "Jotheyali" as "Jaane Do Na" for Hindi film Cheeni Kum (2007).
  • Sitaara (1984) from Nizhalgal (1990) (1 song "Dhoorathil Naan Kanda" reused as "Vennello Godari")[32]
  • Thambikku Endha Ooru (1984; Tamil) from Sadma (1983; Hindi) (1 song Hey Zindagi reused as En Vaazhvile)
  • Anveshana (1985; Telugu) from Anbin Mugavari (1985; Tamil) (1 song "Uyire Urave Ondru Naan" reused as "Ilalo")
  • Aur Ek Prem Kahani (1986; Hindi) (3 songs Kaatril Endhan Geetham from Johnny reused as "Naina Bole", "Pothi Vacha Malliga" from Mann Vasanai reused as "Hona Hai Tho",

"Kaadhal Oviyam" from Alaigal Oivathillai reused as "Meri Zindagi")

References

  1. ^ "NTR is the greatest Indian actor". The Times of India. 8 March 2013. Archived from the original on 31 March 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  2. ^ "Alphonse Puthren's next film titled Gift; Ilaiyaraaja to compose music". The Indian Express. 4 July 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  3. ^ "This Samuthirakani-starrer will revolve around agriculture". Times of India. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Regina Cassandra and Anupama Parameswaran Starrer Mareechika Title Poster Revealed". News 18. 16 July 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  5. ^ "Ilaiyaraaja to work with #MeToo-accused Susi Ganeshan: Many, including Chinmayi, express disappointment". The Times of India]. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  6. ^ Lakshmi, V (26 June 2019). "Ilaiyaraaja composes an English song for a Tamil film". The Times of India. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  7. ^ Rajendran, Gopinath (14 January 2021). "A Ponniyin Selvan web series with Ilaiyaraaja's music". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Official Announcement: Seeman's next film!". Behindwoods.com. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
  9. ^ "SRK – Ajoy Varma – Ilaiyaraaja – Gulzar – movie Traile". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2017 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ "After 26 years, Gulzar-Ilayaraja combo returns". Musicaloud.com. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  11. ^ "Ilaiyaraaja's Classicals on the Mandolin". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  12. ^ "Namrata ke Saagar- Bhajan written by Mahatma Gandhi". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  13. ^ "Ilayaraja – Moving Poems". 13 January 2010.
  14. ^ "Swappnam". YouTube.
  15. ^ "A song of tribute: Ilayaraja's salute to COVID-19 warriors". Deccan Chronicle. 31 May 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  16. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (24 June 2024). "Ilaiyaraaja's album Divya Pasurams released". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 30 June 2024. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  17. ^ a b Balasubramanian, V. (29 November 2012). "Ilaiyaraja the poet". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  18. ^ "Indian Ad Divas" Archived 6 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine. 2015-07-09
  19. ^ "Malabar Gold to have 500 stores by 2015". 2010-10-19
  20. ^ "Ilaiyaraja ready for concert in Madurai if he gets sponsors". 2012-09-10
  21. ^ "Malabar Gold to go pan-India in 2 years. 2013-05-02
  22. ^ "Advertisment [sic] jingles using Raja's tunes!". 2009-12-05
  23. ^ "Naan Thedum Sevvanthi Poovithu — Dharmapatini" – via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  24. ^ O vanambadi unnai nadi – Sathanai. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  25. ^ "Kalyanamaalai — Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal". Raj Video Vision. Retrieved 20 November 2015 – via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  26. ^ "Paatale Budhi — Karagattakaran". Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2015 – via YouTube.
  27. ^ "Ennai Oruvan — Kumbakarai Thangaiah". Retrieved 20 November 2015 – via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  28. ^ "Villu Pattukaran — Villu Pattukaran". Retrieved 20 November 2015 – via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  29. ^ "Ulagam Ippo — Azhagar Malai". Eros Tamil. Retrieved 20 November 2015 – via YouTube.[dead YouTube link]
  30. ^ "Kadhale Illadha — Naadi Thudikkuthadi". Times music south. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2015 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ "#45YearsofIlaiyaraaja: Five popular songs of Ilaiyaraaja that were reused by the composer in Hindi". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  32. ^ "பாடலுக்கு மொழி இருக்கிறதா..?". Minnambalam (in Tamil). 1 August 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  33. ^ "Time-traveling with Ilayaraja across his Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam songs!". milliblog. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  34. ^ Kiran. "Ninu Choodaka Nenundalenu Audio Review". Telugucinema.com. Retrieved 6 December 2024.