The genius called Ilayaraja

This is not a fanboy post. For it requires a certain sense of knowledge and level to appreciate or even talk about this mad genius. Mad because, despite all those accolades and appreciations and awards, i still believe people are yet to grasp the full impact of what this man has done and been doing for several decades!! When the news of his symphony being performed live at London started pouring in, i had a dream that day. I am going somewhere and there is a huge crowd pushing each other to witness some one walking in front of them. That personality is none other than the Maestro himself. Possibly returning back after a successful rendition of the symphony. Our eyes meet for a moment and not knowing what to do i stand still for a moment with tears streaming across face. Incidentally i could see the same emotion on IR's face as well, possibly more of a relief having completed one more of his dreams and conquered yet another peak for others to follow. I had never been a die hard fan of any musician for that matter and have more or less been someone who follows good music by any composer. Not that i am equipped to figure out good music from bad, just that those that i like and figure in my playlist and those that are not. But if you look at the reviews of Raja's song by his "devotees" you will be astonished at the extent to which they tear the song into its minutest bits possible and enjoy every single byte of it. It only shows that the composition is so rich in its content that it sets people on a different creative journey of their own, identifying their own thoughts and feelings and associating it with the master piece, bringing out their own expertise in the process. What hears to be a regular chartbuster or even a not so popular hit is dissected to the extent possible and once you hear those reviews it makes you go open mouthed in wonder on the intricacies of those songs that you've been enjoying without even knowing about or realizing them. The genius of Raja is like a contagion that spreads to his followers, enabling them into appreciating good music, enriching their taste and making them crave for more such creations. With passing of age, may be he might not generate such melodious hits that made him the face of tamil cinema music couple of decades back. But the work that he is doing currently will make sure his name remains immortal outside of film music as well. Some may say he is not a good example for he is brash arrogant and is egoistic. My two cents, even if one agrees to such vices, if not for them, he would've become god , as swore already by his countless followers. I dont have the skill set to talk more in detail about his music. But considering the tireless efforts he puts in day in and day out, in an age where many might not even survive or be active even if they do manage so, is something of a lesson for every lazy guy like me. And true to the saying, if you are passionate about something, it will never let you still, this pleasant wind called Raja, let it continue to blow and sooth as many souls as it can, for now and forever. I wanted to post this when he came back triumphant after the release of Valiant. Lighta late aaidichi :)