Veteran composer and actor Gangai Amaran attended the audio launch of the album Uyirinaye at Prasad Lab in Chennai on Tuesday. During his speech at the event, he strongly defended his brother, legendary music composer Ilaiyaraaja, against recent comments surrounding the latter’s personal life.
As per a report on Cinema Vikatan, he expressed disappointment over what he called insensitive and baseless speculation about the composer, criticising actor and film reviewer Bayilvan Ranganathan. He called him out for allegedly claiming that Ilaiyaraaja was living alone without emotional support. Calling the remarks "cheap", he said people should not comment on matters they know nothing about.
“Why should someone say he has no one and is suffering? Did they come and see his house?” Gangai Amaran asked emotionally during his speech. He stressed that outsiders cannot understand the realities of a family’s personal life and accused some people of making assumptions merely for attention and headlines.
The composer also revealed that he personally contacted Bayilvan Ranganathan after hearing the remarks. According to him, the critic later apologised for his statements. However, Gangai Amaran made it clear that the damage caused by such rumours can deeply hurt families, especially senior artistes who have dedicated decades to their craft.
Explaining Ilaiyaraaja’s lifestyle, Gangai Amaran said the composer has always preferred peace, solitude and music over social appearances. “Even when I go to meet him, he sits quietly writing music,” he shared, adding that people often mistake solitude for loneliness.
He further pointed out that Ilaiyaraaja’s sons, Yuvan Shankar Raja and Karthik Raja, remain closely connected to the family and are doing well in their own careers. According to Gangai Amaran, portraying Ilaiyaraaja as abandoned or unhappy was both unfair and disrespectful to someone who has contributed immensely to Indian music for over five decades.
Ending his speech on an emotional note, Gangai Amaran appealed to the media and the public to stop intruding into the composer’s private life. “Ilaiyaraaja is seeking peace. Let him live the way he wants,” he said, drawing applause from those present at the event and support from fans online.
