The 80s music scene and thereafter was ruled by one presence... Ilaiyaraaja. HEre is celebrating him through... what else, but his mellifluous music 
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Happy Birthday Ilaiyaraaja: Celebrating the Maestro through his collaborations in the Golden era of 80s music

As the Maestro turns 78, here are 78 albums from 10 of his favourite collaborators in the golden 80s

Team CE
Ilaiyaraaja's offscreen camaraderie with Bharathiraja was as magical as the works they produced together
16 Vayadhiniley
Kizhakke Pogum Rayil
Sigappu Rojakkal
Puthiya Vaarpugal
Nizhalgal
Alaigal Oyivathillai
Kadhal Oviyam
Mann Vaasanai
Pudhumai Penn
Mudhal Mariyadhai
Kadalora Kavidhaigal
This was one more of the Maestro's special friendships. It is a pleasure to listen to Balu Mahendra speak volumes about 'his' Raja
Moodupani
Moondram Pirai
Neengal Kettavai
Un Kannil Neer Vazhindal
Rettai Vaal Kuruvi
Blood is thicker than water, indeed. This is a collaboration for the ages. Ilaiyaraaja and his own brother, the maverick Gangai Amaren
Kozhi Koovudhu
Enga Ooru Paatukaaran
Karakattakaran
Kokkarakko
Annanukku Jey
The humungous commercial success of Ilaiyaraaja was a result of a symbiotic relationship with one of the greates commercial filmmakers - SP Muthuraman
Murattu Kalai
Kazhugu
Netrikann
Pudhu Kavidhai
Sakalakala Vallavan
Paayum Puli
Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey
Adutha Varisu
Nallavanukku Nallavan
Uyarndha Ullam
Sri Raghavendrar
Mr Bharath
Velaikkaran
Per Sollum Pillai
Dharmathin Thalaivan
Guru Sishyan
Jappanil kalyanaraman
A handful of films, but the impact of the films and he music continues to ring loud... even today. K Balachander
Sindhu Bhairavi
Punnagai Mannan
Manadhil Urudhi Vendum
Unnal Mudiyum Thambi
Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
Mahendran, a man with very refined sensibilities was always effusive of the impact Ilaiyaraaja's music had on his life and his films
Johnny
Nenjathai Killadhe
Nandu
Azhagiya Kanne
Kannukku Mai Ezhuthu
Kai Kodukkum Kai
Ten films in their career together. Five in Tamil. Gold Standards achieved with every collaboration. Also, Mani Ratnam is Raja's birthday twin
Pagal Nilavu
Idhayakovil
Mouna Ragam
Agni Natchathiram
Nayagan
Manivannan's experimentation with different genres found able support in Ilaiyaraaja's music
Gopurangal Saivadhillai
Ilamai Kaalangal
Nooravadhu Naal
Palaivana Rojakkal
Jallikattu
Theertha Karayinile
Rajasekhar is an important filmmaker of the 80s. We know his films. We know his songs with Raja. We tend to forget that it was such a man behind some of the biggest hits!
Malayoor Mambattiyan
Thambikku Endha Ooru
Eetti
PAdikadhavan
Kaaki Sattai
Vikram
Maaveeran
Maappillai
Murattu Karangal
Another GOAT combination of Raja in the 80s was director-actor R Sundararajan
Payanangal Mudivadhillai
Naan Paadum Paadal
Vaidehi Kaathirundhaal
Kunguma Chimil
Amman Kovil Kizhakkaale
Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu
En Jeevan Padudhu
Rajadhi Raja

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