Ilaiyaraaja joined numerous celebrities and fans in mourning the passing of director-actor-writer K Bhagyaraj. Earlier this Saturday, the legendary composer appeared in video on social media and expressed his shock and sadness at the sudden demise of the multi-hyphenate. Ilaiyaraaja said that he is unable to visit the filmmaker's Chennai residence and convey his condolences to the director's family, because he is not in the city. As reported earlier, the iconic music director is in Europe as part of a concert tour.
According to him, Bhagyaraj is one of the best screenwriters in India—a point that echoes the sentiments shared by several of the filmmaker's fans and colleagues in Tamil cinema.
Ilaiyaraaja composed music for several Bhagyaraj films, including Indru Poi Naalai Vaa (1981), Thooral Ninnu Pochchu (1982), Mundhanai Mudichu (1983), Dhavanik Kanavugal (1984), Chinna Veedu (1985), Aavarampoo (1992), and Oru Oorla Oru Rajakumari (1995). Notably, Mundhanai Mudichu won Cinema Express Award for Best Film in Tamil.
The duo collaborated in one of the best phases for music in Tamil cinema, known for its melodically-rich compositions. The collaboration coincided with a large part of the legendary composer's early career. Songs such as 'Chinnanjiru Kiliye' and 'Andhi Varum Neram' from Mundhanai Mudichu still occupy a special place among listeners, being frequently played in retro playlists and radio shows.
It is also worth noting that Bhagyaraj started his journey in cinema as an assistant director for his mentor Bharathiraja's films, 16 Vayathinile and Kizhakke Pogum Rail. He also wrote the story of Sigappu Rojakkal, directed by Bharathiraja. These three films have music by Ilaiyaraaja.
When Bhagyaraj changed Ilaiyaraaja's outlook about new directors
Reportedly, early in his career, Ilaiyaraaja used to skip hearing the stories of new directors, simply jumping into composing the songs. When Bhagyaraj once approached him to narrate one of his films, however, it captivated the legendary composer so much that he laughed throughout the narration. He later revealed that this interaction taught him a lesson: never take new directors lightly.
Recently, Ilaiyaraaja acknowledged that his treatment of a first-time director such as Bhagyaraj was wrong. He subsequently made it a point to listen to all their stories and work for them, citing the multi-hyphenate as the reason for him making this decision. "He is a teacher who taught even me a lesson," the composer said in a recent interaction with Galatta that also featured Rajinikanth and the late filmmaker himself.
