Music
Ilayaraja

Written and directed by
Maniratnam

How much pleasure we have all obtained these years looking at these names in the title cards?

Ilayaraja and Maniratnam have created music and movies that are taught in institutions to pass on the excellence to the next generation. We watch different movies and hear music every day. We love certain songs, movies, and creators. Not many people make us love the craft itself. These two magicians of cinema share not just their birthdays but also the dreams of millions.

From Pallavi Anu Pallavi to Thalapathi, Mani and Raja have worked together in 10 films. Maniratnam couldn't make the films that he intended to at the beginning of his career. But he wanted Ilayaraja to compose for his films right from the start as he knew that the day would arrive soon. 'Poo Maalaiyae' from Pagal Nilavu and the entire album of Idaya Kovil became a hit and the combo started becoming a sensation.

Maniratnam wrote a script titled 'Divya' and wanted it to be his first film. There was no producer to believe in such a new-age story and when it finally got materialized in 1986 as Mouna Ragam, the entire film industry was awestruck. Ilayaraja was in his peak when this dream film of Maniratnam got released. Songs like 'Nilaave Vaa', 'Chinna Chinna Vanna Kuyil', 'Pani Vizhum Iravu', 'Mandram Vandha Thendralukku' were all redefining the music sense of the Tamil audience. Then came Nayagan, the movie with a revolutionary making. While the songs 'Thenpandi Cheemaiyilae', 'Nila Adhu Vaanathumele' were big hits, it was the background score of Ilayaraja that spoke volumes.

When Maniratnam wanted to do a movie with more commercial values, he made Agni Natchathiram. It became a hit especially for its music and songs like 'Ninnukkori', 'Raja', 'Thoongaadha Vizhigal' rocked the radio stations. Maniratnam decided to make a Telugu film next titled Geethanjali which was released in Tamil as Idhayathai Thirudathe and the song 'Oh Priya Priya' composed by Ilayaraja became the love anthem in both the states. Anjali was Ilayaraja's 500th film and both the director and composer were at the peak of their careers during this time. Being a heavy film, Anjali required some wonderful songs and soulful BGM. With Ilayaraja as his composer, Maniratnam did not have to worry as Raja would deliver it every time.

Who would have imagined that the most successful combo would split up due to the difference of opinion after delivering their lifetime best work? 'Thalapathi' starring Rajinikanth and Mammootty was a mega project for Maniratnam and he retained his favorite composer Ilayaraja for this film. The audio cassette of the film was sold out in record numbers and the film was expected like anything.

The song 'Raakkamma Kaiyya Thattu' was one among the songs in the World Top Ten Music Poll conducted by BBC. Songs such as 'Sundari' and 'Yamunai Aattrilae' were instant hits. Though Ilayaraja has always given the best BGM in all Maniratnam movies, this is something special. The background score coinciding with the lines 'Naan unai neenga maattaen' from the song 'Sundari' melts us the moment we think of it. It is the ringtone of many even in 2020.

Though Ilayaraja and Maniratnam parted ways after Thalapathi, they were always growing in their respective careers. Ilayaraja gave us some fabulous songs and Maniratnam gave films that spoke better sense about life and society. Raja and Mani's works take us to a different world where we just forget ourselves and enjoy our being. Call it mesmerism or something similar to drug addiction, their works have only made us more healthy.