After 1541 Films, Ilaiyaraaja Says ‘I Don’t Know Music That’s Why I’m Still Working’

Even after shaping the soundscape of Indian cinema for decades, Ilaiyaraaja insists he is still a student of music. The legendary composer, whose career spans more than half a century, believes it is this sense of not knowing enough that keeps him creatively active even today.
Speaking at an event in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Wednesday evening, the Padma Vibhushan awardee reflected on his long journey and his continuing passion for music. Despite having composed songs and background scores for 1,541 films, Ilaiyaraaja said the desire to keep learning is what drives him forward.

“I just arrived here (to the event) after finishing the background score for my 1,541st film. People ask me how I come up with a particular song or tune. I tell them,

I don’t know music. That is why I am still working. If I knew everything about music, I would have stayed home thinking I have mastered it,” he said.

The veteran composer was honoured with the Padmapani Award during the inauguration of the 11th Ajanta Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF), held at the MGM campus in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The ceremony also included a moment where attendees paid respects to Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who recently died in a plane crash.

Ilaiyaraaja received the award from AIFF Chairperson Nandkishore Kagliwal, MGM University Chancellor Ankushrao Kadam, and Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty. During his address, he spoke at length about the changes he has witnessed in the music industry since his early days.

Recalling the time when he began composing around 1968, the Rajya Sabha member noted how technology has transformed the process of making music. “Music was different when I started off 50 years ago, around 1968, because there was no technology in those times. Today, making music has become easy with electronic instruments and keyboards. This has led to composers in every household,” he said.

Despite embracing change, Ilaiyaraaja remains committed to traditional recording methods. He revealed that he continues to work with live musicians, carefully writing notations for each instrument. “I still record with a live orchestra. I write down the notations for every single instrument for my musicians. I am not against electronic instruments, but the emotion from the music can only come with live instruments.”

(With inputs from PTI)