Happy Birthday Ilayaraja: A Selected Playlist of Music Maestro's Best Works!

Any discussion about Tamil film music is incomplete with the many contributions of the legendary composer Ilayaraja. Since his debut album, Annakkili in 1976, Ilayaraja has presented the Tamil music industry with unparalleled gems. Known for his versatile compositions, Ilayaraja has produced music for over 1,000 albums and earned numerous accolades throughout his career.

While his work is predominantly associated with Tamil cinema, he has also left his mark in other languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

Ilayaraja’s foray into Hindi cinema began with Kamal Haasan’s Sadma, which was a remake of the Tamil film Moondram Pirai. After working in the Hindi remakes of Ram Gopal Varma’s Shiva and Kamal Haasan’s Hey Ram and Mumbai Express, Ilayaraja made a strong comeback with R Balki’s Cheeni Kum in 2007. He continued his collaboration with Balki in Paa, Shamitabh, and Ki & Ka.

On Ilayaraja’s 81st birthday, let’s take a look at some of his best songs that are a must-have in your playlist:

Ilayaraja’s Top 5 Songs

1. Muththu muththaThis song from the film Annakkili is one of Ilayaraja’s early hits. S. Janaki’s voice and the emotional lyrics by Panchu Arunachalam make it a memorable one.
2. Metti oli kaatroduThis song is another beautiful composition by Ilayaraja. S. Janaki’s singing enhances the emotional depth of the popular track.
3. Kannil enna kaar kaalamFrom the film Un Kannil Neer Vazhinthaal, this song is a duet featuring S. Janaki and S. P. Balasubramaniam. Ilayaraja’s music and Vairamuthu’s lyrics come together to create a touching melody.
4. Nee oru kadhal sangeethamNee Oru Kadhal Sangeetham is a song from the film Nayagan. It was sung by Mano and K. S. Chitra, with music composed by Ilayaraja and lyrics written by Pulamaipithan. It is a fan-favourite that stands the test of time.
5. Sundari kannaal oru sethiSundari Kannaal Oru Sethi is a beautiful song from the film Thalapathi, helmed by Mani Ratnam. It was sung by the legendary S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and S. Janaki, with lyrics written by Pulamaipithan. The song and the visuals featuring Rajinikanth and Shobana continue to enthral fans even today.

Ilayaraja’s contribution is equally monumental in Hindi. Here are some of his renowned Hindi songs:

Ilayaraja’s Hindi Songs

1. Aye zindagi gale laga leThis song from Sadma is a heartfelt one that captures the essence of life’s ups and downs. Suresh Wadkar’s soulful rendition, combined with Ilayaraja’s beautiful composition, makes it a timeless classic.
2. Cheeni kumThe title track of Cheeni Kum is a perfect blend of modern and classical elements. Shreya Ghoshal’s voice, along with Ilayaraja’s soothing music, makes this a very soothing song.
3. Surmayee ankhiyon meinAnother gem from Sadma, this song is like a lullaby that tugs at the listeners’ heartstrings. Legendary Yesudas’s voice fits perfectly with Ilayaraja’s gentle composition, making this as iconic piece.
4. Mudi ittefaq seFrom the Amitabh Bachchan starrer Paa, this song stands out for its unique rhythm and Shilpa Rao’s soulful rendition. Ilayaraja’s composition here is both innovative and deeply moving.
5. Vaishnav jan toThis version of the classic bhajan in Hey Ram is beautifully composed by Ilayaraja. Vibha Sharma’s soulful singing brings out the devotional essence of this song.