Former actor and current Deputy Chief Minster for Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, expressed his admiration for Ilaiyaraaja, at the Golden Jubilee felicitation event that was organised by the Tamil Nadu government. The event was held to felicitate the composer for completing 50 years in the industry and for presenting his first symphony, Valiant, in London.
Udhayanidhi Stalin said, "There are a lot of icons that represent Tamil Nadu, but Ilaiyaraaja and his music stands tall among them."
He added, "Even though we all are born of different mothers, the one mother that sings lullabies to us is Ilaiyaraaja. Without his music there are no lullabies. Without his songs, there is no exuberance of youth. Without his songs, we don't experience love."
"The first film he composed for was Annakili, in the year 1976. I wasn't even born then. But the journey that began then, is being expressed through different avenues. Even at 82 years of age, he has presented a symphony, what is considered to be the hardest form music compisition, in London. He is an inspiration for a person to be disciplined and energetic while being creative."
Ilaiyaraaja has composed for Myskkin's Psycho (2020), which starred Udhayanidhi Stalin in the lead.
