| Ilaiyaraaja is a renowned music composer in South Indian cinema, known for his work in Tamil and Telugu films. |
| He hails from a poor rural Dalit family. |
| His passion for Tamil folk music has been evident since his childhood. |
| At 25, he relocated to Chennai, the hub of South Indian cinema. |
| His first composition was based on a tribute by Tamil poet Kannadasan to Jawaharlal Nehru. |
| Under the guidance of his mentor Dhanraj Master, he honed his musical skills and earned the moniker Raaja. |
| He studied classical guitar at Trinity College of Music in London. |
| In 1968, he pursued a music course in Chennai, focusing on western classical music and instrumental training. |
| In the 1970s, he worked as a session musician for various composers in West Bengal. |
| Ilaiyaraaja's career took off in 1976 when he scored music for the Tamil film Annakili. |
| He has composed over 6000 songs and provided background scores for 840+ movies in multiple languages. |
| In 1993, he became the first Asian to create a Symphony with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London. |
| He collaborated with musicians from India and Hungary for the album Thiruvasagam – A Symphonic Oratorio. |
| By the 1980s, Ilaiyaraaja had established himself as a leading film composer in South India. |
| He has partnered with renowned lyricists and directors in his illustrious career. |
| In 2009, he received the Padma Bhushan for his exceptional background score in the Malayalam film Pazhassi Raja. |
| Ilaiyaraaja's music resonates across generations, reflecting a myriad of emotions. |
| He overcame humble beginnings to achieve remarkable success. |
