Salem: Legendary music composer Ilayaraja, hailed as the ‘God of Music’ by both his Tamil cinema and classical music fans, made a fervent appeal to the younger generation to preserve and promote Tamil folk music.
“Traditional musical forms like ‘Parai Isai’ and ‘Villupattu’ are unique and they need to be protected and nurtured,” Ilayaraja said here on Friday,
participating in a function at Salem AVS Arts and Science College to celebrate his 75th birthday.
Regretting that traditional music was being neglected and was slowly disappearing if not dying, Ilayaraja said it was because technological advancements was putting a premium on a certain type of music that is ‘heard more and more’.
He urged traditional folk musicians to pass on their skills to the next generation. Only then “folk musical forms can survive,” he added. Ilayaraja, however, did not touch on the issue of “royalty payments” for his songs being rendered by musicians at various concerts, a point of controversy of late.
Sharing his life experiences, Ilayaraja said that the amount he received for his first break in Tamil cinema was a mere Rs 5,000 those days. Nothing much has changed in the world of film music since his entry into cinema, he pointed out, adding, the basic notations of music, classical or light, were the same.
Ilayaraja admitted he was a romantic dreamer, Laila-Majnu being his most favourite romantic pair. “But all this was only in my imagination, as real life is different,” he told his students audience.
“I think of the Tamil poet Subrahmanya Bharati everyday and he is an inspiration in my musical creations,” Ilayaraja said. For those in search of spiritual Gurus, the musician had this word of advice: In whosever presence you find peace of mind, devoid of fear, only that person can be your Guru.”
While students of the college enthralled the audience singing Ilayraja’s popular numbers on stage, college officials including Kailasam, Rajavinayagam and Senthilkumar, were among those who felicitated Ilayaraja on the occasion.
