Maestro of Music

Growing up in the 90's, I was deeply immersed in the music of A.R. Rahman- the genius who redefined Indian film music with his techno beats, soulful melodies, and international flair. It was the Rahman era and we as kids, had no complaints. Our house echoed with Rahman’s fresh tracks and even the tape recorder had a permanent spot in the living room. But here’s the twist; despite the ARR wave, some of our favourite songs as kids were Ilayaraja’s tracks. Yup the very man who is called 'Isaignani - The Maestro'

As years passed and music evolved, so did the endless debates: Ilayaraja Vs A.R. Rahman. It became one of those evergreen Tamil household topics like filter coffee vs instant, dosa vs idli. You pick your side, but deep down you know both are legends.

Now, standing comfortably in my 40's when life feels like a playlist of its own with its ups & downs, my go-to music is unmistakably Ilayaraja. Whether I'm celebrating a win, unwinding on a lazy Sunday or just battling through a rough day, it’s his melodies that set the tone right. His music has become more than just background noise; it's become an emotion, a comfort zone.

Want proof of his timelessness?

Even today, after four decades, every pub in Tamil Nadu erupts into the “Happy New Year” song sung by the late SPB and composed by the Maestro, when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. Just imagine that. A song made in the analog age is still holding court in the middle of a high-decibel DJ night in a tech-driven world. That’s not nostalgia that’s legacy.

And speaking of college memories during our Master’s days, we had this tradition in our department. The opening dance during the orientation week for juniors was always choreographed to “Aasaiyil Kaathile…” from the movie Johny. That rhythm, that vibe it got even the two-left-footers among us moving. And trust me, I was the poster child for two-left-feet. But something about that song its energy, its feel-good charm made you forget your self-consciousness and just enjoy the moment.

So why this trip down memory lane now?

It all started this Saturday. As usual, I was in my weekend ritual mode Bluetooth speaker on, Spotify in charge, and Ilayaraja’s songs echoing through my house while I went about cleaning and organizing. And then she walked in my Nepali cook’s 4 year old daughter, a bubbly, ever-curious little soul who loves hanging out with me and asking questions about everything under the sun.

I was just about to change the song to something more "modern" maybe a Bollywood number but then she paused and started tapping her toe and nodding her head. And before I knew it she was dancing, spinning and laughing. Completely taken by the beats of an Ilayaraja song.

"Don’t change this! What song is this?" she asked, wide-eyed.

That was the moment. Right there is a 4 year old, born in the age of reels and remixes, grooving to a song composed over 40 years ago. Just pure music doing what it always does connecting souls across time.

The playlist never moved past Ilayaraja. It was on repeat mode for her and for me. And I couldn’t help but smile.Because you see, that’s what Ilayaraja does. He doesn’t just create songs. He weaves moods, memories, and magic. His music doesn’t age; it simply reinvents itself through each new listener. From us as kids rapping to his funkier numbers, to college memories echoing his classics, to a 4 year old kid of today dancing without inhibition.

Call him a composer, a poet or just “Raja sir” but to many of us, he’s that quiet, ever-present companion who scores the soundtrack of our lives. And perhaps, that's the true mark of a maestro. Not just in how many hits he delivers but how his music lives on, eternally fresh, forever relevant and instantly heartwarming.