Veteran composer Ilaiyaraaja graced The Akshaya Patra Foundation’s Silver Jubilee celebration in Bengaluru. His musical performance and his thoughts on music and creativity left a lasting impression on the audiences present.
The evening celebrated not only Ilaiyaraaja’s 50-year journey but also 25 years of Akshaya Patra’s service. His music and words reminded everyone that no matter how much technology advances, the heart of music is always human.
Speaking ahead of the event, Ilaiyaraaja shared his perspective on artificial intelligence and its role in music. He said that AI can only rearrange what already exists, while music comes naturally from human emotion and lived experience. “Music cannot be created by machines. It comes from within,” he explained.
He added that human intelligence and AI are not separate. “The so-called artificial is knowledge we acquire. AI works with what has already been made; it cannot create on its own. Music, like our names, comes naturally. It already exists within us,” he said.
The composer also spoke about the spiritual side of music. Drawing on Carnatic traditions, he said that true meditation comes from stillness and emptiness, a space where music reaches the soul directly.
Ilaiyaraaja reflected on why he agreed to be part of the charity concert to be held on January 10 2025. “When music is created with purity, it naturally seeks a higher purpose. Joining causes like Music for Meals is instinctive,” he said.
Even after fifty years in the film industry, he remains humble. “Music belongs to the listener. If it connects, it stays. If it does not, it fades,” he said.
