Chennai is set to host a historic musical evening as legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja marks his 50th year in cinema. A grand felicitation ceremony will be held on September 13, 2025, at the Nehru Indoor Stadium, where the London Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to perform under his baton. The event will begin at 5:30 pm.
Originally announced by Chief Minister MK Stalin in the Legislative Assembly, the felicitation was first planned for June 2, on the occasion of Ilaiyaraaja’s birthday. The celebration, intended to honour both his golden jubilee in film music and his recent milestone of staging a full-scale Western symphony, faced repeated postponements. The revised date has now been confirmed, with extensive preparations underway.
Prominent members of the Tamil film industry, including Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, are expected to participate in the tribute.
The recognition comes in the wake of Ilaiyaraaja’s landmark achievement earlier this year, when he staged his first symphony, Valiant, in London. Composed in just 35 days, the work was performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and marked the world premiere of the piece. With this, Ilaiyaraaja became the first Indian to compose and present a full-length symphony in London, cementing his position as a pioneer in blending Western classical traditions with Indian cinema music.
Widely regarded as one of the first Indian film composers to introduce Western orchestral elements into popular music, Ilaiyaraaja’s contribution has spanned five decades and earned him an unparalleled place in the cultural history of South Asia. The forthcoming Chennai event is expected to be both a celebration of his illustrious journey and a continuation of the international recognition he has garnered.
