Ilaiyaraaja
Indian film composer, singer (born 1943) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Ilaiyaraaja?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Ilaiyaraaja (born R. Gnanathesigan, 3 June 1943) is an Indian musician, composer, arranger, conductor, orchestrator, multi-instrumentalist, lyricist and singer, popular for his works in Indian cinema, prominently in Tamil and Telugu films. Reputed to be one of the most prolific composers, in a career spanning over forty-eight years, he has composed over 7,000 songs and provided film scores for over 1,000 films,[1] apart from performing in over 20,000 concerts.[2] He is nicknamed "Isaignani" (the musical sage) and is often referred to as "Maestro", the title conferred to him by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, London.[3]
Ilaiyaraja | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | R. Gnanathesigan |
Also known as |
|
Born | (1943-06-03) 3 June 1943 (age 81) Pannaipuram, Theni District, Tamil Nadu |
Genres |
|
Occupations |
|
Instruments |
|
Years active | 1976–present |
Website | ilaiyaraajalive |
Member of parliament, Rajya Sabha | |
Assumed office 7 July 2022 | |
Nominated by | Ram Nath Kovind |
Constituency | Nominated (Arts) |
Ilaiyaraaja was also one of the earliest Indian film composers to use Western classical music harmonies and string arrangements in Indian film music,[4] and the first South Asian to compose a full symphony.[5] In 1986, he became the first Indian composer to record a soundtrack with computer for the film Vikram.[6] He also composed Thiruvasagam in Symphony (2006), the first Indian oratorio.[7]
In 2013, when CNN-IBN conducted a poll to commemorate 100 years of Indian cinema, he secured 49% of the vote and was adjudged the country's greatest music composer.[8] In 2014, the American world cinema portal "Taste of Cinema" placed him at 9th position in its list of 25 greatest film composers in the history of cinema. He is the only Indian in the list, appearing alongside Ennio Morricone, John Williams, and Jerry Goldsmith.[9][10]
Ilaiyaraaja received several awards for his works throughout his career. In 2012, for his creative and experimental works in the field of music, he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest Indian recognition given to people in the field of performing arts. In 2010 he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honour in India, and in 2018 was conferred with Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award by the government of India. He is a nominated Member of Parliament in the Indian upper house Rajya Sabha since July 2022.[11] A biographical film about his life titled "Ilaiyaraaja" was announced on 20 March 2024.[12]